Do you take a tripod?
 

I am a total camera novice who just bought a new camera and is taking classes and reading to educate myself. My goal is to take some beautiful travel photography during our trip to Greece and Turkey. I would like to take lots of photos of the various mosques and other structures that are illuminated at night as well as some sunrise and sunset photos. I have seen some very small, lightweight tripods. Am I crazy to think about taking one?

I know that there are several camera pros on this forum as well as others who take travel photography seriously. Do you take a tripod? Thanks.

Hi M,

>I would like to take lots of photos of the various mosques and other structures that are illuminated at night ...

In general, commercial picture postcards ar much better for this.

I bring a cheapy, lightweight tripod, but very rarely use it.

My camera is a Canon S3 with Image Stabilization.

If your camera doesn't have IS, you will want a tripod.

((I))

I don't use a tripod traveling. You can get creative and rest your camera on a post or fence or whatever for night shots.

No, I've never taken a tripod when traveling. Just too much weight and bulk.

Now, I use lenses with image stabilization. Before, I put my camera on railings, hold it against poles, etc.

I have a Canon mini tripod with a flexible head and 4" legs that I use with both the DSLR and point-and-shoot cameras. It takes up almost no room in my purse. I don't use it a lot, but it has come in handy on a few occasions, particularly at night or for darker interiors.

I am a serious amatuer photographer. Whenever I travel overseas and have the convenience of a car, I bring a tripod. Mine is lightweight and fits into my suitcase.

A tripod is a must if you are doing night photography.

For my upcoming trip, I will not have a car. However, I just bought a lighter weight tripod, Slik, Springt Pro 3 Way at B&H for $85. It comes with a panning head too. It is sturdy enough to hold my Canon 5D with a 24-105 MM lens.

I am also bringing a cable release so I minimize any shake of the camera. This tripod will also fit into my suitcase and weighs 2lbs.

Enjoy your trip and good shooting.

Thanks for you replies. Ira I agree but I want to be able to use my own shots in a slideshow. They may not be perfect but I would like to try.
rkkwan-
I was hoping to hear from you so I know that if you don't take one maybe I will be okay. I will look more closely at some very small options that some of you have suggested. I know that I would only use it rarely if I were to take one but wanted to know what others do. Thank you.

I also have a camera with IS that makes a big difference. I usually don't carry a tripod, but also might suggest a "compromise". I was given as a Christmas present a mimi-tripod. It's about 6" long, and it's 3 legs are flexible. It can wrap around railings, branches, benches, rocks etc and is a great option to the usual larger and heavier tripod. I've seen them in camera shops and they aren't expensive. Just a thought.

What camera did you just buy?

I don't lug my tripod on plane trips. But I do take one of two mini tripods I have. My newest one is a tiny thing from REI that has the normal 3 legs - but also has a velcro strap so you can tie the camera and clodes up tripod to a vertical object. Hard to visualize - but I used it several times in Paris where there was nothing handy to put the tripod on but there were convenient streetlight poles.

This thing weighs almost nothing and is just a terrific little gadget.

Besides the fact that you don't want to be dragging around half the world with a tripod, there are 2 issues:

Many sights don;t allow indoor photography at all - or if they do only without a flash

I'm not aware of any sight that will allow you to set up a tripod for photos unless you have advance permission for some photography for an official purpose

So - if you want to bring one for street photos - or photos at night from a distance - but do;t think you can use them inside museums etc.

i have used the item janisj describes and also found it to be useful.

many times i have found a place to brace the camera against to keep it still. Most of the time the pictures have come out fine.

Thanks all.
rkkwan. I bought a the Canon SD 800IS primarily for the image stabilization. I researched a long time because I wanted something very small. I am hoping that it is enough but I am such a novice. I would not consider using a tripod for anything in a museum or in crowded areas. I will check REI and see what the little guy looks like.

An alternative might be a monopod. Very light and compact. You still have to hold onto the camera but it does help reduce vibration. Not as good as a tripod, but smaller and lighter.

Another alternative I've read in one of my photography books is to carry a small bean bag with you. You can place the bean bag on uneven surfaces or sloped surfaces and create a stable, even surface for the camera. Also helps to protect camera and whatever you may be placing the camera on. Also, it's quicker than attaching even a mini-pod and adjusting legs.

With a SD800IS, you don't need to bring a tripod. Its maximum aperture is f2.8, and with image stabilization, you can handheld inside a museum or church, or take night photos.

A few tips to avoid shakes:

- Keep it at the wider zoom setting. The maximum aperture is larger when set to wide, and you get less motion blur with shorter focal length anyways. With 7.1MP, you can crop the image after you get home, instead of zooming in.

- While there's an auto ISO setting, you may also want to set it manually. At 1600, the image may look more soft, so I think 800 should be fine except at the darkest locations.

- Learn how to hold the camera steadily. Squeeze your elbow against your body is one trick. Hold it with two hands with more of the weight of the camera on your left hand. Press the shutter button lightly and steadily.

If you want to, bring a little tripod which takes up very little room and weighs nothing. Don't bring a real large tripod or monopod.

Image Stabilization and a tripod are not the same. For travel I carry a Giottos Ball Pod - mini mini. Folded it is 4 inch long, weighs 3 oz and expands to about 10". I also carry two, 18" x 1" double sided velcro strips. The strips allows me to attach the tripod very securely to anything that I need to use if I cannot find a high enough flat service. Also carry a remote control trigger so that I can be in some of the pictures or fire the camera when it is mounted.

Image stabilization and tripods of course are not the same thing, but the results are the same - allowing one to use slower shutter speed while still getting good pictures with less shake.

The net effect of both are the same. Unlike higher sensitivity and/or larger apertures. Those give you different results in low-light situation than tripod/IS.

Thanks. I am adding these comments to my notes and will be practicing my bracing techniques.

I would suggest practicing in lowlight settings and see if you are happy with the results you get without a tripod.

Practice techniques like using a bean bag, holding the camera with your elbows tucked into your body, and the others mentioned here.

Another trick is to take the hand you don't hold the camera with (arm 1) and bring it over your front and place it on your shoulder (your elbow will be pointing straight out from your chest). Then, using your other hand (arm 2) to hold the camera and take the photo, let arm 1 support the weight of the camera. You may look a bit odd, but it does help.

With the size of your camera, I don't think you'll feel a tripod is necessary. Just practice, practice, practice in lowlight so you know what the camera and you are capable of.