…My first suggestion is to ensure the ‘SAFETY of Your Camera’, before planning the use of the tripod; there are many cases of full/partial damage of the Camera/Lens, due to careless usage of the tripods.
DOs
First, walk around the location and decide your frame, before placing the tripod.
Important: Double confirm that your camera is fixed firmly to the tripod, ensuring the movement of the Lens.
If your tripod has the Quick Release Plate*, then fix your camera firmly to the QR Plate and then lock the QR Plate along with the camera, firmly to the tripod, with care.
Before leaving your hand from the camera/tripod, ensure that the tripod is placed firmly, on the ground. (Expect sinking of the camera in beaches, etc.)
Take care of unexpected blow of high velocity winds, which again had caused many damages, even in my case.
Camera’s ‘shoulder straps’ can cause camera shake in windy situations; hence, fold & keep it safely.
Try to use the lowest ISO (usually 50 to 200) values, unless higher values are specifically needed.
Surely, switch off auto ISO.
Use a remote control to trigger the shutter, if available. Many cameras can be triggered through your mobile as the remote (ref: your camera user manual).
Use a 2 Second’s self-timer, to avoid the camera shake while pressing the shutter button.
If you are an intermediate Camera User, then switch off the ‘Image Stabilisation’. (camera, lens or both)
To extend the tripod, pull out the ‘Lowest Section’ at the last.
When you pull out each section, ensure that it fully extended, unless otherwise it is specifically needed.
Use the spirit-level if available.
Center column of the tripod, if available, should be used as the last option, to get the maximum height – in such situation, ensure the stability of the tripod & safety of the camera.
If your Tripod has a hook (on the bottom), you can add more weight to your tripod to make it more stable; but ensure that the weight touches the ground, to avoid camera shakes due to blow of wind.
DON’Ts
Do not carry camera on Tripod, except for the local (few meters) movements.
Carrying the Camera fitted on a tripod can bash on a nearby object (tree, wall or people); misjudging is a very common cause of damage, in this case.
Never leave the ‘Quick Release Plate’ on the camera, after the use – make it a practice to remove the Quick Release Plate, immediately after unmounting the camera from the tripod & lock it back on the tripod.
Do not leave camera unattended on a tripod in places where theft is possible.
Quick Release Plate* = A small plate (with the thumb screw) which is a detachable part of the tripod; this plate is fixed to the camera and the plate is locked to the tripod.
Hello @TravellerG ! Currently I’m just strolling around Connect and found this useful post. As a beginner DSLR camera user (rarely use tripod), I found your post really helpful. Thanks for writing it thoroughly.
If I’m allowed to give some suggestions, maybe the cover photo can be more natural and simpler (it’ll ease you) so reader can easily catch the message, maybe a photo of a camera with a tripod on a set and you write your title there.
Helpful information.
I lose one of my 30 mm camera lens because my tripod was not firmly installed I use to carry my camera on Tripod also. from your advices, I will stop that immediately
Thank you once more
Let it be a LESSON TO ALL THOSE WHO ARE GOING TO USE TRIPODS…!
==========
IMPORTANT:
==========
If at all you want to carry the Tripod with the Camera (even for a short distance), then LOOSE the Tripod HEAD (so that the camera is free), CARRY THE CAMERA with your right hand with the Tripod pointing towards your front (with left Hand), so that we can see.!
All suggestions & contributions are welcome always, dear LG @MutiahA .!
Accepting your suggestion, I thank you very much for taking time to write to me, your suggestion. Once I am back to my studio, I will surely change the STYLE…, (I had a re-look at this post - I think, I understood your point well) .
I am really happy to note that you enjoyed my post - good; I have written technical notes on many topics, in simple & easy to understand style, wherever possible (I think - you are welcome to comment); If time permits, kindly have look - they are Here & let me know,
@TravellerG@AbdullahAM @@@Thanks for your comment, the information is useful, today the phone can be used to make a great photo, you should look at the plate of food or simply make a good image of a beautiful panorama. Thank
I think this is great, it will makes it easier for the Local Guides to follow you tripod series now. Thank you for sharing, I learned a lot from your posts about photography.
I’m with you 100% on don’t carry your camera on the tripod @TravellerG I’ve smashed a camera this way!
Your point about composition before you put up the tripod is also a good idea - it can be quite amazing that even just one step left right backwards or forwards can make a huge difference to an image.
@AngieYC :; happy to note that my posts could be of some help yo you; you are always welcome.
Wanted to write about the ‘Different types of Digital Cameras’ (current trends, in the market) to bring some clarity - many have been asking this question - “DSLR or MIRROR-LESS”, which is better?
My dear friend @PaulPavlinovich - I too have lost [partially damaged] a heavy LENS (150 - 500 mm, f /4) with a camera in a Zoo shooting, due to my carelessness - luckily could get it repaired.
“…composition before you put up the tripod is also a good idea -…” thank you for comment.
I personally think more people can relate more to the digital cameras nowadays, because DSLR is only use mainly by people who are really into photography.
At least this is my thought, but I think both will be very useful for the other Local Guides.
If time permits, I wanted to bring this “clarity”… @AngieYC
Why DSLR Or Why Mirror-Less? Now, as you told, the “FEEL” is guiding that DSLR is better, because it is being used by Professionals - Now it is WRONG - many professionals have already moved to Mirror-Less.
Hi dear friend, @davidhyno - we all are human beings and we tend to forget such things, it is common. Even, after turning ON the delay timer, we usually forget to turn it OFF too - many times - is it not?
I finally got time to have fun discussions with you! Humans seem to be careless about something beyond their physique (higher than height). Lift the tripod for some reason and we can not be careful:tired_face:
It was only recently that A certain camera manufacturer in Japan made a breakthrough with the mirrorless. The image plane phase difference AF is already in the CMOS. Now, there is no special meaning to the mirror📷.
. Lift the tripod for some reason and we can not be careful:tired_face: