tripod - how often do you use one ?

I am curious .. do you use a tripod for EVERY photo you do, or are a lot handheld. Upto know I havent owned a tripod, but am goign to get one for xmas ..

so my question is .. and it might sound daft but the fact of setting one up each time sees long winded and you could miss many photo's ?

and if you use a tripod each time what style photo's do you take ?

thanks in advance for replying :}

I do mostly bird photography with the Sigmonster (300-800) so have to use tripod. Unfortunately there are missed opportunities, but so many more have opened up because of the range of the lens. Prior to the SIgmonster, I used a Bigma (50-500) for bird photography, sometimes hand-held, sometimes on tripod.
When not shooting birds, I do landscape photography. That's also a mix of tripod and hand-held.
Whatever the case, the tripod is usually with me whenever I go out shooting.

cheers,
jim

I use a tripod often for landscapes, sometimes for portraits, and rarely otherwise.

Greg

well....you will find they are definitely uselful after getting used to them...awkward at first...but an easy way to produce better photos.

JCurtisxx wrote in post #2403143
I am curious .. do you use a tripod for EVERY photo you do, or are a lot handheld. Upto know I havent owned a tripod, but am goign to get one for xmas ..

so my question is .. and it might sound daft but the fact of setting one up each time sees long winded and you could miss many photo's ?

and if you use a tripod each time what style photo's do you take ?

thanks in advance for replying :}

Want a good quality tripod that will support 15+lbs and that's quick to set-up and breakdown take a look at the Bogen / Manfrotto 458B NeoTec Pro Photo.

Mike

I actually went to Mikes camera yesterday and saw for a very reasonable price a tripod which I think for the time being will suit my (newbie) needs ... its a Vanguard Tracker 4 tripod and at $149.94 seemed reasonable.

what do you think ?
edited : hmm well it was reasonable until i looked up I could get it for about $100 via on line, now the trick is finding shipping free lol

I can use one whenever I possibly can, which is probably about 70% of my shooting. It is my greatest photo tool.

Jill, you will soon learn there are situations where it helps tremendously. In fact there are times when a tripod is the only way to get the shot. Being able to use slow shutter speeds, sometimes several seconds or more, will open up many new worlds.

And there are times when is just slows you down or gets in the way. And you'll discover those, too.

Have fun with it!

Mine just gathers dust sat in the corner of the lounge - I really must use it more, but I can't be a*sed to carry it out with me, and it doesn't suit my style (yes I do have one )

I only use it for macro/product shots and don't take these very often...

Curtis N wrote in post #2403887
Jill, you will soon learn there are situations where it helps tremendously. In fact there are times when a tripod is the only way to get the shot. Being able to use slow shutter speeds, sometimes several seconds or more, will open up many new worlds.

And there are times when is just slows you down or gets in the way. And you'll discover those, too.

Have fun with it!

I have to say I have read that a lot of professionals swear that its the only way to take a photo .. but they sure are big to carry around ..

i've never used or owned one.

kevin_c wrote in post #2403900
Mine just gathers dust sat in the corner of the lounge - I really must use it more, but I can't be a*sed to carry it out with me, and it doesn't suit my style (yes I do have one )

But it's huge. That's why you don't carry it around.

If you had a lighter/more compact one, then you'd use it much more.

Occasionaly I will do still lifes where the tripod is handy as well as low light evening shots around town. Most of the time though its hand held. Dennis

I own two tripods, one is a monster, and I use that one for the times that I'm not going to be lugging it around (macros, portraits, etc.). I have a lighter one that I have with me always. And when a tripod isn't feasible, I use a monopod, which is the next best thing. I do hand hold, as there are some places that a tripod is just too difficult to set up (like down low landscaping), but for the most part, I try to use the tripod... it just seems to make the pictures sharper. Once you start using it, and become familiar with the set up and use of it, it's not inconvenient at all.

DocFrankenstein wrote in post #2404047
But it's huge. That's why you don't carry it around.

If you had a lighter/more compact one, then you'd use it much more.

You're probably right Doc - Must look into a medium sized CF one - And how do you know it's huge??!