do you need to use a tripod when using a 300mm lens?

Question

i'm new to using long lenses and am buying a 300mm. does anyone have the answer please

Answer 1

You don't need to use a tripod when using a 300mm lens, but you do need to have some way of bracing or steadying your camera.

The problem is that no matter what you do if you are hand holding your camera, there is going to be a degree of camera movement. It can't be helped. With shorter lenses, it is not as noticeable because of the wide angle of vision.

But with a telephoto lens you start narrowing down that angle of vision and the least bit of movement will cause your photo to be very blurry and out of focus. You can offset this somewhat by using a faster shutter speed, but this is not a reliable method, especially if you have a relative slow lens, say f/5.6.

You can use a monopod, you can use a bean bag or a sand bag, you can even rest your camera on a jacket. You could also look into getting a lens with build in vibration reduction. The bottom line is you need some way of reducing the vibration that hand holding causes.

Answer 2

it really depends on what you are shooting and the time of day.

I would say that if you are outdoors during the day taking photos, chances are pretty good that you won't need a tripod. Any blur in your shots is most likely due to the slow autofocus sped of the camera or lens, or an incorrect depth of field setting.

In the night, a tripod or monopod is almost a necessity. With slower shutter and aperture settings, even the slightest movement of the camera will cause blur. You may or may not need it depending on whether or not you use flash, but it might be a good idea just to have one, just to be safe.

Answer 3

Your shots will improve in sharpness with a tripod. If you have good technique and steady hands, you can use it without a tripod in very bright light. One rule of thumb, the slowest you can handhold is the lens focal length. So a 300mm lens can be handheld at 1/300th of a second. A 50mm at 1/50th etc etc. YMMV.

Answer 4

If you use ISO 400 film in standard daylight you should be in good shape for off handed shots. However if you are using a digital camera, then you really need the vibration elimination type lens. This is because of the magnification factor for digital compared to 35mm film format.

For either, you can often substitute a found support for the tripod if you need to not carry extra gear. use table tops, chair backs, guard rails, lean on walls, sit, etc.

Answer 5

Yes, a tripod would be better, assuming that you can still get the vantage point that you want. TURN OFF the "VR" if you use a tripod, though, unless you have not secured the head. This would mean that you are using the tripod to assist you in holding the camera steady, but you are still panning with the motion of the subject. You could also leave "VR" turned on if you are using a monopod.

Answer 6

Possibly. If you can keep your shutter speed up, you can hand hold it (I hand-hold my 300mm f2.8 from time to time).

It's better to use a tripod or monopod if you can, but for some shots that's easier said than done (bird in flight shots for example).

If you find yourself hand-holding a lot, try to get an Image-Stabilized lens (Canon or Nikon) or body (Pentax or Sony/Minolta).

Good luck.

Answer 7

Yep

Answer 8

mono pod will help
but first make sure shutter speed equals length of les i3 350m of a second

Answer 9

You don't *have* to, but it sure helps! Try it when you get your new lens and you'll see how squirrelly it is...

Answer 10

It would be a good idea.