| Digital cameras offer a level of technology that | | | | do I use my tripod?" |
| was unimagined only a few short years ago. The | | | | Some people will tell you you should never take a |
| funny thing is, the old techniques are still as | | | | photo without a tripod below a certain shutter |
| important as ever. | | | | speed. The trouble is, different people recommend |
| A tripod is still an essential piece of equipment for | | | | different speeds. Some photographers will tell you |
| good photography. For beginners, the purchase of | | | | 125/sec is the lower limit; other will recommend |
| a tripod is usually a sign that one is ready to | | | | 60/sec or 30/sec. |
| move beyond the snapshot stage and get more | | | | So who is telling you the truth? Actually, all of |
| serious about photography. | | | | them. Because the truth is, it's not that simple. |
| But if you have managed without a tripod in the | | | | When you use a large lens to magnify your |
| past, perhaps you have wondered if you should | | | | subject, you also magnify the effect of any |
| take the plunge, or continue to get by without. So | | | | camera movement. So if you use a telephoto |
| here is the first question you need to answer: "Do | | | | lens, a shaky camera will affect your photo much |
| I need a tripod?" | | | | more than if you use a wide-angle lens. So it could |
| The answer depends on how seriously you take | | | | be that a photo you could take hand-held with a |
| your photography. If you are happy with simple | | | | wide angle lens would require a tripod with a |
| snapshots, and have no ambitions of delving into | | | | telephoto lens. |
| more serious photography, you would probably be | | | | How do you know, then, when to use a tripod? |
| wasting your money. Tripod photography takes a | | | | This is a guideline that was recently told to me, |
| little more time, thought and effort; if good | | | | and it is a good one to keep in mind. |
| photography is not important to you, you will not | | | | Let your choice of shutter speed match the size |
| get value out of a tripod and probably would not | | | | of the lens. For example, if you are using a |
| use it even if you had one. | | | | 200mm lens, you should be able to take photos |
| Now for the second question: "Why do I need a | | | | without a tripod at speeds of 200/sec or faster. |
| tripod?" | | | | Once your speed drops below 200/sec, be sure |
| A tripod keeps your camera completely still, so | | | | to use your tripod. |
| you can take photos that will not be blurred by | | | | For a smaller lens, you can go with a slower |
| any movement of the camera caused by an | | | | shutter speed to match. So if you are using a |
| unsteady hand. | | | | standard lens (around 50-60mm) you could set |
| There are two reasons why you might use a | | | | your cutoff point at 60/sec. Faster, and you can |
| slow shutter speed for your photos. Sometimes | | | | take the photo hand-held; slower, and you should |
| the light is very low, and you need a slow shutter | | | | use a tripod. |
| speed to get a good exposure. Or you may | | | | With a wide angle lens of 28mm, your cutoff |
| choose to use a slow shutter speed to capture a | | | | point would be 30/sec. |
| special effect. In either situation, your tripod will | | | | There are some photographers who insist that all |
| ensure that the camera is perfectly still and the | | | | photos should be taken with a tripod, no matter |
| photo will not be blurred. | | | | what lens or shutter speed you use. This is simply |
| An additional benefit is that the tripod allows you | | | | not practical, but it does point to the simple fact |
| to compose a photo carefully, without having to | | | | that the tripod is always steadier than the hand. If |
| concentrate on keeping the camera still in your | | | | a photo is important to you, it is worth going to |
| hand. It is much easier to check that the horizon | | | | some extra effort and leaving nothing to chance. |
| is level, and all parts of the photo are as you | | | | So if in doubt, use a tripod, even when the |
| want them before you press the button. | | | | shutter speed suggests you can get by without it. |
| Let's assume for a moment that you have a | | | | Oh, and one more thing. Never, ever, ever take a |
| tripod. Now for our third and final question: "When | | | | photo slower than 1/30sec without a tripod. |