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How often do you use a tripod/monopod?
May seem like an odd question, but in model photography, I never seem to use one. Even when I'm in a studio. That's why I would like to hear from other photogs. I'd appreciate specific examples (and the actual photos if possible). Also, Which tripod/monopod do you use and why? Nov 15 05 04:12 pm Link I do use one often in product, landscape and other such subjects . . . and I have used a tripod occassionally in model photography - but very seldomly. With models I'm always moving back-and-forth, up-and-down and side-to-side. I just use a regular off the shelf tripod I bought at a local camera store with full pan, leveling bubbles and an extra shoe lol. :-) Nov 15 05 04:16 pm Link I use a tripod about 36 times per roll of film. Nov 15 05 04:17 pm Link when we make the light in studio 1/125 and flash stopping action no tripod unless its a very tight crop and the angle is really important then I do. Outside I use the monopod alot just b/c my back cant take 2 hours of wierd angles and a heavy camera Nov 15 05 04:18 pm Link I use Manfrotto monopod at times for in door concert events. It makes me less flexible and lowers reaction time which is very important in PJ so I only use it scarcely. Mark Nov 15 05 04:19 pm Link Tripod makes you lazy, you have to move around the subject to make an interesting composition. the only time I use a tripod is when I shoot catalogue. Oded :-) Nov 15 05 04:20 pm Link Steinberg Photo wrote: What is this tripod/monopod you speak of? Nov 15 05 04:21 pm Link Depends how much coffee I've had  Nov 15 05 04:22 pm Link The only thing I have ever used a monopod for is to hit someone and the best is the Gitzo, has a nice swing weight. The new Bogen's are too light to have much of an effect. Don't use a tripod much in the studio, but always have one handy. Nov 15 05 04:23 pm Link Well .. being that I work with 6x7 medium format cameras ... I use one for almost everything I do .. I don't leave home, without my Bogen 3033. Tomi Nov 15 05 04:27 pm Link I use a tripod for all of my landscape work but never for modeling have to move around to much and a tripod would just get in the way. I have the Bogen/Manfrotto 3221 legs with a 3047 pan and tilt head. Nov 15 05 04:28 pm Link I shoot 6x7 or 645 wide open, ASA1600 down to 1/4 second frequently and seldom use a monopod. I used to carry a little Gitzo, but I move around too much for it to be of any use other than as deadweight to steady the camera and dampen the mirror shock. -Don Nov 15 05 04:33 pm Link alot especially on head shots and anything under 1/60th Nov 15 05 04:36 pm Link I use a tripod when I shoot product, or when I'm below 1/8 sec shutter. Otherwise.....never. Nov 15 05 05:42 pm Link product stuff, macro stuff, big lens stuff....all depends on what your shooting. some people have steadier hands than others as well.  Gitzo baby. Nov 15 05 05:44 pm Link For view camera or Speed Graphic. Don't use one for the model stuff most of the time. Nov 15 05 05:45 pm Link I use one for basic headshots and body shots. Once I'm sure I've got good basic shots, I take the camera off the tripod and start moving around. I also use it to keep the camera in register for my double-exposure experiments. M Nov 15 05 06:07 pm Link I use a Bogen, only when I can't shoot hand held to get sharp results. Nov 15 05 06:11 pm Link As rarely as possible. I hate 'em. When I have a choice, I prefer motion-blurred images to images that are stiff and boring. My vision feels fettered when chained down to a tripod. I only use them when shooting large format, or when shooting something that a client specifically dictates must be tack sharp. In school I'd used a lot of tripods, Bogen/Manfrotto and all that... then one instructor suggested a Canon (yes a Canon) tripod with a Gitzo ball head, and I found that to be my favorite, or at least my least-hated combination. The Canon is metal but is very sturdy, and is able to take a 4x5 quite easily with the Gitzo head. Strange for a 35mm company to make one like that but they do. In the studio I also used to use Bogen camera stands for large format but that was ages ago. However, for studio product photographers I'd say there's no substitute. Nothing sturdier, easily adjustable, and easy to move around on a hard floor. Nov 15 05 06:18 pm Link I only use a tripod when doing night shots, waterfalls, and other things with longer exposures. 90% of the time I do not, but I also am using lenses with image stabilization in them. Not that it will take the place of the tripod (I know it doesn't) but its easier to use most of the time. Nov 15 05 06:20 pm Link with strobes i dont use them because i usually shoot at 1/250th anyways Nov 15 05 06:21 pm Link Not all the time. It's amazing how a whack over the head with a tripod convinces a model to sign anything in front of him/her, but most just sign before it comes to that... Seriously, if I don't have to, I won't. Anytime the shutter speed is in the neighborhood of 1/8 of a second or something. Give or take a few fractions of a sec. Nov 15 05 06:21 pm Link For sports, monopod. Tripod...never. Nov 15 05 07:52 pm Link I have a tripod around here somewhere, never use it though, way too limiting. Nov 15 05 08:15 pm Link Very rarely do I use a Tripod, usually only with static subjects, long exposures, self portraits, etc. Almost never when shooting models, I tend to move around alot, and a tripod really just ties me down. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule, but generally, I shoot models tripodless. Nov 15 05 08:35 pm Link Steinberg Photo wrote: As little as possible, but almost always if my speed will drop below 1/30. That's about my limit. I use a Bogen 3020 and always carry a minipod when vacationing (non-midel). It comes in handy at least once on every trip. Nov 15 05 08:37 pm Link very rarely. Nov 15 05 08:38 pm Link For portraiture, usually--probably 60-80% of the time. For models, rarely--perhaps 10%. Nov 15 05 10:52 pm Link When it's dark, or if I'm doing product & macro. I have super steady hands - I don't breathe much. Nov 15 05 11:07 pm Link Have three tripods and a monopod, hardly ever use the tripods but use the monopod 100% with the 300mm 2.8. Love the 70-200VR lens!! Nov 15 05 11:28 pm Link I use it quite a bit when I'm in the deepest woods and am trying to maximize depth of field - and have a model that can hold a very still pose. I have also learned that my hands are not as steady as they could be - It's a limitation that I just know now to work around. An example of a tripod shot would be raverchic #40800 and her current avatar - It was a VERY long exposure time to get the feathering of the water the way I wanted it. The thumbnail might look a little odd - but when you open it up you get the idea. No way I could have held the camera still freehand. Nov 16 05 12:31 am Link my girlfiends call me tripod................ j/k! i only shot a model using a tripod once. it was a shot lit exclusively by the light from a mig welder. the model was scared of the sparks so i set up, killed the lights, and shot durring 2 second bursts of light. no time to se ANYTHING let alone center the shot! Nov 16 05 04:14 am Link You must be fairly talented if you don't have to use one and your shots look the way they do. You must also not drink a lot of caffine, lol. I use a tripod. Better stability. But I only use it about 25% of the time. I drink enough caffine to kill a horse so I got really shacky hands so I need one sometimes. Nov 16 05 04:40 am Link Ivan123 wrote: lol Nov 16 05 04:42 am Link id like to see this done handheld at iso200. tripods rule.  Nov 16 05 05:00 am Link 90% of the time especially when using the 4X5 all you guys that feel stifled by the "stiff images" they produce can send me all those bogens and manfrotos that are gathering dust, i'll gladly use 'em...lol guess I'm lazy, I hate having the camera hanging on my neck any more than necessary, plus I don't mind moving around, changing angles, etc with my tripod. you'll probably shoot me when I tell you that I usually have the cable release hooked up to my camera Nov 16 05 10:27 pm Link 80% of my work in on a monopod..... at least.... Nov 16 05 10:55 pm Link BrianBHayes wrote: Woah , where the hell did you come from Brian!?!? Hey there buddy. I got one of your pics in my port. ( Not the actual pic but the tear of Dawn in FHM from the pic you took in NC:) haha. Hope you have been well. I see you've been busy! Nov 16 05 11:34 pm Link Rick Edwards wrote: Good for you! I just got one for the D2X. Happy to have one again. Nov 17 05 12:15 am Link my assistants have been complaining about me gaffer taping my 4x5 to their heads so i use a tripod more now than before. besides, i didn't like all that lateral blur i was getting anyway... Nov 17 05 12:19 am Link |
