Photoclubalpha

I am not sure that this is the correct section but there doesn't seem to one specifically for general equipment discussion so here goes

I have a love hate relationship with tripods. I almost have a complex about them feeling that I SHOULD use one all the time but also feeling SO restricted when doing so.

I always remember a quote from , I think, one of the early 35mm Leica users that the raison d'etre of 35mm ius its flexibility and the fact it alows mobility and therefore a deep exploration of a subject.

Since I equate my dslr to a 35 mm camera I feel the above philosophy applies equally to digital.

Just wondered what others feel about tripod use, especially when SSS is so good and useful for hand-held use.

I just got one for these situation where handheld just doesn't work that well. Like long exposures, night scenes, moonshots, fireworks...

Yep as bossel says it's just a question of what you're doing at the time, tripods are invaluable for all sorts of photography, scenes, panoramas, night time-exposures, studio and hide/nature/macro etc. if you're moving about a good deal or the ground is very rough then you can always take a ball head+monopod...
Greg

HFnotts wrote:I am not sure that this is the correct section but there doesn't seem to one specifically for general equipment discussion so here goes

You are absolutely right.
There are no sections for accessories except for flash. I think David should add such a section and also remove one: "Leica M compatible" (there are no posts there).

I use mine for long exposures, panoramas, remote control, art repro, and some macro work.

I use it for long exposures - from sunsets to night scenes, or for very long lenses. I always carry a gorillapod mini-tripod when Hiking.
I use tripod mabye 2% of the time, but it is defnitely worth having.

I have a good quality carbon fibre tripod and a carbon fibre monopod. I use the former more often than the latter. On the tripod I also use a pistol-grip style of head which I find quick and easy to use.
I tend to use the tripod for landscapes, long exposure pictures and, if I'm, honest, the monopod is hardly ever used.
In the urban landscape I tend not to use a tripod for a couploe of reasons; they are frowned upon by security bodies and do cause an obstruction on pavements etc. and, in this environment, I am looking for candids of people as well as patterns and building details and, often, ned to work quickly which is not possible with a tripod.
I have considered a Gorillapod and more or less decided that one would be very useful indeed, especially in the irban environment. Whether a mini or lartge one is a decision to be made.