Beachcomber Joe

David, yes, a tripod is a major piece of equipment for many types of photography. Those shooting weddings, portraits, and events usually hand hold since they need to be mobile and, typically, use lenses which aren’t particularly heavy or large. Almost all professional, and most serious amateur, wildlife photographers use substantial tripods with gimbal heads. Their landscape photography counterparts use equally substantial tripods with ball or three way heads. Studio, macro, and others photographing stationary subjects tend to use tripods with three way or ball heads. Sports photographers use monopods, mostly with no heads, when shooting with their typically long lenses. They choose monopods due to space constraints as well as mobility. When you are in the third base photo pit with a half dozen other photographers, you have very little room. While there are situations that require hand holding, it is the least desirable option when you want consistent results. The only thing less desirable is a flimsy tripod that can’t adequately hold the camera/lens stable.

Way back on Episode 22 of our weekly show, we’re on 172 now, we did an overview of tripods and heads which you might find informative. https://www.understandphotography.co...e-fitzpatrick/

Cygnus

While I still own a pair of Manfrotto 055 pro tripods and a couple of 676B monos they have been collecting dust in the corner of the studio for years. Since 100% of my shooting occurs in the studio, we use Foba camera stands and arms. For studio work, tripods just get in the way.

AP

I am not a pro by any means - but I have been paid a few times - I have the following gear:

• Canon 5D Mark IV w/ Battery Grip
• Canon 5D Mark III w/ Battery Grip
• Canon 50mm 1.8
• Canon 24-70 2.8L
• Canon 70-200 2.8L IS
• Speedlite 600EX
• Rode VideoMic Pro
• Manfrotto Tripod (dont remember the model)
• Manfrotto Monopod (dont remember the model)

These days I mostly use the gear at church during events, and even then its mostly the younger volunteers who want to learn on this gear that use it.

Lakelander

I shoot primarily wildlife, but also some nature, macro, and a few landscapes.

Nikon Camera Bodies:
D4S
D500
Nikon Lens:
50 1.2
17-55 2.8
35-70 2.8
105 2.8 macro
200 f4 macro
300 f4 AFS
80-400 AFS G
500 f4 AFS
TC-14E 1.4X teleconverter

Nikon Flash:
SB-25
SB-800

Tripods:
Gitzo 340 with Arca Swiss ball head
RRS 34L carbon with Wimberley gimbal head

Really Right Stuff quick release camera and lens plates

TxLefty

Just purchased a Nikon Coolpix P900. Haven't taken it out of the box yet. Keeping it simple. All of my SLR stuff is early/mid 80s Canon film based. Hoping to get some reasonably good photos with the Nikon. Not an SLR, but a much smaller/lighter bag to drag around and fits the budget better these days.

99mallett

[QUOTE=

One question:

I noticed no tripods listed. Isn't that a major piece of equipment?

At least from what I have been reading, a excellent tripod is a must have if you want those really sharp WOW images.

Different types and different heads. Confusing.

Going to be my next purchase.[/QUOTE]

I have lots of tripods...small, travel, large, monopod...they come and go, so I tend to overlook them as "equipment", though I consider them essential. I have a SLIK U-212 that I bought in about 1981 that I absolutely love, Even though it's bulky and heavy, I still go back to it.

VietVettePhil

Here's my "gear"!

vvv90

I've had one for about 3 years. It's a fun camera to shoot with. It's great for vacation pictures. The zoom length I will admit is a little overkill for most shots, especially since atmosphere like haze can really alter. You fix some of that in post but it's also .jpeg only and no .raw but that's ok, again great for vacation pics. Especially when you want to zoom through the people in the foreground to get breathtaking backgrounds. The wifi works great but the WMU app sucks. Still can't transfer video with it so I purchased a $8 SD card reader to transfer to my phone to post on social media. The HDR capability isn't great either as my iPhone does a better job actually.

Another limitation is the F Stop is too large, Even though it takes great Macro shots the Bokeh effect isn't great.

Overall you cannot beat the flexibility for the price and mirrorless are taking over SLR market share. After shooting with this I can understand why.

Pick up this book, it's a great reference and really easy read. You really need to learn how to use all the scene settings, especially for night portraits and sunsets. Moon shots are easy and get old quick:

carlton_fritz

I still have my Slik U-212 from 1981. I use a MeFoto tripod now.

Win Heger

I have two Gitzo carbon fiber tripods, both with Markins heads. One is a travel model, easily carried when hiking, holds a 70-200 lens with no problem. The heavier tripod was bought for a trip to Yellowstone, worked great with a 100-400 and we were mostly shooting very close to the car. Best part of the large one was that B&H had one in it's "used Dept", got a great deal and it was virtually brand new. I have a nice monopod but have been never been comfortable using it, I guess I should practice!

1KULC7

Tripods and monopods are very essential to the overall kit. I have one very lightweight and one heavier weighted tripods, heavier one with Gimble head, and other with plates, and two monopods both with plates. If you really are specific, you have so much more in your kits, from various size and styles of camera bags (backpack), various tripods stands, backdrop paper and the backdrop stands, (large and small), light reflection umbrellas, various amount of clamps, tapes, light and camera filters, cleaning materials, canned air, and the list goes on.

1KULC7

Wanted to update my Equipment list with recent purchases:


You can add to my list above the following:
Nikon AF-S Fisheye NIKKOR 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED lens.
Nikkor AF DC- 135mm F2/D lens with Defocus adjustment.

NEXT WEEK the newer version of the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4E PF ED VR lens (small size, less weight that the older one I have, and can be used with Nikon 1.4 Teleconverter)

Added another camera the Coolpix Nikon P1000 Camera. Yes, I did take the big step and purchased the Coolpix Nikon P1000 Camera. Still fooling around with it, but the 24mm- 3000mm lens is really cool. Once you get over 600mm focal, you need tripod for any decent results, and one thing this camera has a real issue with hunting focus on center weighted metering, seems to work better in average meeting. This makes it difficult tracking moving objects so at extreme telephoto distances, this is not a sports or action camera, more of a scenic, everyday shoot and show. NOT a profession style camera but photos are extremely crisp and clear. Biggest drawback is when you shoot RAW, many of the older processing software (LR5, and Adobe Photoshop) do not recognize this new NIKON RAW format, so you shot JPEG not an issue. However more and more new releases are now recognizing the new RAW format, its just that I really do not want to rent software. We shall see, I might upgrade to new LR but need to think more if it is worth it.
I hope to do a more detailed evaluation on the P1000 and write it up here to share. Finally I have decided NOT to purchase the D6 when it comes out next month. My understanding just the body will have a $7,500.00 price tag, and I am NOT a working professional, so this would mean no write off all out of pocket. Still have and use my D4 and that is fine for me, along with my D800, and now P1000, I only would like to get the newer D850 and maybe for spare body the D750. Instead of putting all my limited funds on the D6, I am looking to purchase the D850E,as the later choice is less then half the price, and allowing me to invest the difference into a top end telephone fixed lens like the 500mm Nikkor..

Once this is completed I will have to just purchase a couple of wide angle fixed lenses, most likely the 18mm, and 24mm, and my kit will be complete for any type of photography I wish to do.

CHEERS.

rudutch

Nikon D7100
Nikon 70-300 f4.5-6.3
Nikon 55-200 f1:4-5.6
Nikon 18-55 1:3.5-5.6
Nikon 35mm 1:1.8

JohnZ

When the world went digital 25 years ago, I donated my Leica/Nikon/Practica/Speed Graphic/Rolleiflex/ film cameras. lenses, and accessories (including one of the first Honeywell shoulder-slung strobes) to the Michigan State University Photography Department. The Sony DSC-S70 SLR I bought in 1999 is still turning out fine images thanks to the Zeiss lens, and it's supported by a Sony DSC-W800 and a Nikon Coolpix S6000.
My health issues pretty much keep me indoors, and I'm learning about table-top Macro lighting and technique.