Tripod Buying Advice

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://forums.clubsnap.org/showpost.php?p=1766514' target='_blank'>http://forums.clubsnap.org/showpost.php?p=1766514</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Looking at the criteria, stability and anti-vibration qualities are of paramount importance. There's no point in buying a tripod that is not stable when shooting under adverse conditions in the field. This means the tripod should possess not only good stability when shooting with the longest lens you own (or are going to use) but should also have good damping qualities, so that any wind or ground generated vibration isn't passed on to the camera and that longer lenses won't vibrate excessively. If you choose well you should be able to take images in all but the most horrific weather conditions with ease."</i><br /><br />This is a very useful forum post from ClubSNAP about what to look for in a tripod, what sorts of issues to consider (height, weight, stability), etc. I have to admit that although I have a cheap tripod for my camera, I hardly ever use it. My big tripod investment last year was for a video tripod, which served me very well the first and only time I've used it so far. ;-)

[marlof]

You don't shoot RAW. You don't use a tripod. Yet you order a D200.

My friend, next time we'll meet, you and I are going to have a little chat. Clear your schedule for two days. We'll do a lot of shooting in those days, both in JPEG en RAW, and on and off tripod. I'll let the images speak.

That said: for some sort of photography (holiday snapshots / street photography etc ) tripods can be limiting. But for many other type of shots (landscapes, macro, cityscapes) a good tripod and head is essential.

[Jason Dunn]

You don't shoot RAW. You don't use a tripod. Yet you order a D200. My friend, next time we'll meet, you and I are going to have a little chat.

Hahaha...nailed! Yes, I know, I need to be a big boy and shoor RAW. ;-) Regarding a tri-pod, you have to remember that most of my photos are "out and about" type photos, not landscapes. You bring a tri-pod with you when you decide to go out for the sole purpose of taking photos. You don't when you're walking through a city in Mexico snapping photos of what catches your eye. ;-)

[Neil Enns]

Last year I invested in a solid tripod and ballhead for my camera. It turns out that I've been doing a lot of landscapes and macro photography, and you really need a stable platform for that. I'm very happy with what I got, and it's definitely helped give me better images.

Now all I need are some macro focusing rails... and the expense of this "hobby" continues!

Neil