As I’ve been aging, I’m less inclined to drag a tripod along on a day of shooting. It is yet one more thing to carry and they tend to be large and cumbersome.
When is a tripod really necessary? Here are a few scenarios.
You need a tripod when…
1 …..the dimness of the lighting situation requires a slower shutter speed. A good example of this, is photographing during a wedding ceremony. A flash would be obtrusive. When photographing during a wedding, I try to be very low profile. One camera is set up on a tripod at the rear of the sanctuary. The ASA/ISO is set relatively high, without getting into a range that would yield lots of digital noise. The shutter speed will often be too slow to hand-hold, without a flash.
2 ……if you want slow shutter speeds to show motion. Suppose you are photographing a gymnastic event, and you want to show the motion of that cartwheel, a slow shutter speed would be needed. This would yield a motion blur where the activity is proceeding. It can be a great effect for sports photography.
3 ……wildlife and bird photography traditionally requires a good solid tripod. Nature photographs that are tack sharp are the goal here and a tripod will be a real asset.
4 …… if you are using a long, heavy lens, the shear weight of the lens will cause movement and blurring. That is the reason that you often see sports photographers with a mono-pod, that sticks into the ground, to give stability when shooting with a large telephoto or zoom lens.
5 …..if you want to be in the photo yourself, using a timer. Set that timer an run into the shot. This is always fun and a little crazy.
The technological advances in recent years have led to some advancements in tripod engineering. Wooden tripods still take the top honors for “damping” down any vibration, but they are heavy. Aluminum tends to be the norm, for a more lightweight tripod. Carbon materials make the tripod lighter but the costs then rocket higher. Tripods can now cost as much as the camera that is mounted onto them. You may want a tripod with a built-in spirit level to assure balance. You may want the legs to work independently, especially in hilly conditions.
And then of course, there is the issue of what kind of head to buy….a ball head or a pan head…a quick release, Etc.? I prefer a quick release ball head. Pan heads are more frequently used for video work.
I would suggest going to a good camera store, if you can still find one in your area (they are a vanishing breed) and try various models and brands. Compare prices. Decide on your needs versus your budget. Buy something that will work for you for years to come. A good tripod is a good investment in your photographic quality.
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