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Tripod Mechanics - Lesson One

By Cheryl Johnson

Industry Observer

March 31, 2007 01:12 AM

Don't laugh. When I bought my first tripod a few years back, I did not know this. When I figured it out, it was like a moment of divine revelation. So just in case other members are just starting to use a tripod or monopod, and have not yet seen the light here it is:

Your tripod or monopod will have a "quick-release" lever or push button to detach the mounting plate.

Release the mounting plate, and attach it to the bottom on your camera.

Leave the mounting plate permanently attached to the bottom of your camera. Then when you want to use the tripod or monopod, you can flick the quick-release lever or button and quickly pop the camera in or out.

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Stefan Scholl

Buyer's Broker of Northern Michigan, LLC - Petoskey, MI

Northern Michigan Real Estate

Wow, Cheryl, thanks for the tip! I am off to check out my tripod to see if mine has the quick release. It's pretty ancient, though, so I'm not sure it does.

Mar 31, 2007 02:20 AM

Don Fabrizio-Garcia

Fab Real Estate - Danbury, CT

Owner/Broker/Trainer - Fab Real Estate

Cheryl - Someone recommended a monopod to me. I'v enever used one. How do they work? I know I mus tbe naive, but it seems to me it would just fall over...

Mar 31, 2007 03:33 AM

Cheryl Johnson

Highland Park, CA

Re using a monopod: You are still holding the camera in your hands as you usually would. The monopod is just giving you some extra support so the camera does not tilt or wiggle as you take your shot.

Here are a few links

http://www.outdooreyes.com/photo5.php3

http://www.nicholsonprints.com/Articles/tripodsubstitution.htm

http://www.mediacollege.com/video/camera/tripod/monopod.html

http://www.outsidethelines.com/qtvrmonopod/

Mar 31, 2007 03:54 AM

Thesa Chambers

West + Main - Bend, OR

Principal Broker - Licensed in Oregon

I didn't think about this... what a great idea

Mar 31, 2007 06:19 AM

Don Fabrizio-Garcia

Fab Real Estate - Danbury, CT

Owner/Broker/Trainer - Fab Real Estate

Thanks, Cheryl. I scanned the first link you provided and will go through them all later, when I have some time. From what I did just read, I'm thinking a tripod may be best for me...a monopod may leave too much room for error.

Mar 31, 2007 02:00 PM

Debbie Creech

ERA Team IV Homes - Poughkeepsie, NY

I recently got a tripod for my camera. I do love it, but if I can't leave the plate on the bottom of my camera because it covers where my batteries go in.

Mar 31, 2007 11:56 PM

Cheryl Johnson

Highland Park, CA

Don - The one downside to a tripod is it's simply bigger and clumsier to carry around. If you are photographing a property and want to move quickly from room to room that could be a factor. Depends on your personal preference/style.

Debbie, yep, you do have to take the plate off to open the battery compartment. But I think I pop the camera on and off my monopod more often than I pop open the battery compartment, so for me the convenience factor of leaving the plate on the camera wins. :-)

Apr 01, 2007 12:10 AM

Kristal Kraft

Novella Real Estate - Denver, CO

Selling Metro Denver Real Estate - 303-589-2022

A few cameras ago I cracked the frame because I tightened the screw down too much. I think it was from twisting the camera on the tripod for too many virtual tours. Ruining my camera was a bummer! So be careful with that!

Apr 02, 2007 01:32 AM

George Tallabas

RE/MAX Advantage - Nampa, ID

Idaho Real Estate

Here you go again just giving incredible great advice we can all use. I have my Canon Rebel and wrote the blog "The Big Camera that Can't - Please Help!" and you and others gave me some great advice for taking better interior photos. 2-3 advised me to use a tripod for interior photos when using the manual settings for aperature and shutter speed settings. I tried without a tripod when using the manual settings and I must have a steady hand because the photos turned out phenomenal! It's like I have a whole different camera in my hands now...I cannot believe the quality of my interior photos with the change and whithout even having to use a tripod! Thanks again for great info.

Apr 05, 2007 03:39 AM

Frank Rubi

Frank Rubi Real Estate, LLC - Metairie, LA

FrankRubiRealEstate.com

Cheryl, thank you for the invaluable advice. I just return and was traveling with the tripod. This will make a difference the next time I travel with my tripod. Thanks.

Aug 20, 2007 01:36 PM

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