Step into the world of 35mm photography with the Photography Discussion Roundtable, heard every Monday evening at 7:00 PM ET on BrandMeister DMR Talkgroup 31266 — the MichiganOne Nets channel. This engaging net is your chance to explore the art and science of photography, ask questions, and sharpen your skills in a welcoming, knowledge-rich environment.
Hosted by James N8TMP, Bob KB8DQQ, and Rick AD8KN, each brings a wealth of experience to the mic. Bob and James are seasoned wedding photographers, while Rick adds deep technical insight and practical know-how. Together, they guide discussions on camera features, techniques, terminology, and everything from aperture to artistic vision.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your craft, tune in and join the conversation. Your next great shot starts here.
Let’s dive into the world of tripods and stabilizers in 35mm photography! These tools are essential for achieving sharp, clear images, especially in challenging conditions.
Tripods
What they are:
A tripod is a three-legged stand used to support and stabilize a camera. They typically have adjustable legs and a head that allows for precise camera positioning.
When to use them:
- Low Light Conditions: When you need to use slower shutter speeds to gather more light (e.g., night photography, dimly lit interiors). Any camera shake at these speeds will result in blur.
- Long Exposures: For capturing light trails, smooth water effects, or star trails, where the shutter needs to remain open for several seconds or even minutes.
- Macro Photography: To maintain critical focus and avoid even the slightest movement when shooting close-up subjects.
- Time-Lapse Photography: For a series of shots taken from the exact same position over time.
- Self-Portraits or Group Shots: When you need to be in the photo yourself and use a timer or remote trigger.
- Sharpness Demanding Situations: Whenever you absolutely need the sharpest possible image, regardless of lighting.
Why use them:
- Eliminates Camera Shake: This is their primary function, preventing blur caused by handholding the camera.
- Allows for Slower Shutter Speeds and Lower ISO: You can use a smaller aperture for greater depth of field or keep your ISO low to minimize noise, as you don’t have to worry about fast shutter speeds to counteract shake.
- Aids in Composition: Forces you to slow down and carefully compose your shot, leading to more thoughtful images.
- Supports Heavy Lenses: Distributes the weight of large, heavy lenses and camera bodies, making them easier to manage.
How to use them:
- Set Up on Level Ground: Ensure the tripod is stable. Extend the thicker leg sections first for better stability.
- Mount Your Camera Securely: Use the quick-release plate if available, ensuring it’s tightened properly.
- Adjust Height: Extend the legs to the desired height. Avoid extending the center column fully unless absolutely necessary, as it can reduce stability.
- Compose and Lock: Adjust the camera’s position using the tripod head, then lock all movements before taking the shot.
- Use a Shutter Release: For ultimate sharpness, use a cable release, wireless remote, or the camera’s self-timer to avoid touching the camera when pressing the shutter button.
- Consider Mirror Lock-Up: On DSLRs, engaging mirror lock-up (if available) can further reduce vibrations caused by the mirror flipping up.
Stabilizers (Gimbals)
What they are:
While tripods lock your camera in place, stabilizers (often called gimbals, especially for video) allow for smooth, fluid motion while keeping the camera level and free from jarring movements. They use motors and sensors to counteract unwanted motion.
When to use them:
- Video Recording: Their primary use is to achieve cinematic, smooth tracking shots, walking shots, or panning shots in video.
- Dynamic Photography (Less Common for 35mm Stills): While primarily for video, some photographers might use gimbals for very specific scenarios where a smooth moving shot and a still image are desired from a dynamic movement (e.g., following a moving subject and capturing a burst). However, for traditional 35mm still photography, their use is much less common than tripods.
Why use them:
- Smooth Motion: Eliminates shakes and jitters from handheld video footage, making it look professional.
- Creative Camera Movement: Enables complex tracking shots, pans, and tilts that would be impossible or very difficult to achieve smoothly by hand.
- Reduces Operator Fatigue: While not lightweight, they distribute the camera’s weight and assist in smooth movement, reducing strain compared to trying to handhold a heavy rig perfectly steady.
How to use them:
- Balance the Camera: This is the most crucial step. The camera must be perfectly balanced on all axes of the gimbal before powering it on. This reduces strain on the motors and ensures smooth operation.
- Power On and Calibrate: Allow the gimbal to power on and calibrate itself.
- Hold and Move: Hold the gimbal with a relaxed grip and move smoothly. Practice walking with a “ninja walk” (bending knees) to further minimize vertical movement.
- Utilize Modes: Most gimbals have various modes (e.g., follow mode, pan follow, lock mode) that dictate how they respond to your movements.
Here’s a graphic chart summarizing the key differences between tripods and stabilizers:
Learning how to effectively use tripods and stabilizers is a blend of theory, hands-on practice, and finding the right resources. Since tripods are primarily for still photography and stabilizers (gimbals) are primarily for video/motion, your learning path will depend on which area you want to focus on most.
Here is a breakdown of how and where you can learn more about these essential tools.
📚 How to Learn More
Learning about stabilization is most effective when you combine conceptual understanding with practical execution.
- Conceptual Learning (The “Why”)
- Tripod Fundamentals: Learn the difference between tripod materials (aluminum vs. carbon fiber), the benefits of different head types (ball heads, pan-tilt heads, fluid heads for video), and how leg-lock systems affect setup speed and stability.
- Stabilizer (Gimbal) Fundamentals: Understand the three axes of motion (pan, tilt, roll) and how the motorized system counteracts unwanted movement. Learn the critical process of balancing a gimbal—it must be perfectly weighted before the motors are engaged.
- Core Principles: Dive into how stabilization impacts the exposure triangle (Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO), especially how a tripod allows for a slower shutter speed to compensate for low light without motion blur.
- Practical Learning (The “How”)
- Hands-On Practice: Nothing replaces putting the gear to use.
- Tripods: Practice setting up and leveling a tripod quickly on uneven ground. Try taking the same shot handheld, with a tripod, and with a tripod using a 2-second timer or cable release to observe the difference in sharpness.
- Gimbals: Practice the “Ninja Walk” or “Duck Walk”—a heel-to-toe walking technique with bent knees—to eliminate vertical bounce while filming. Learn the different gimbal modes (Pan Follow, Lock, POV) and what each one does.
- Manufacturer Manuals & Videos: The company that makes your tripod head or gimbal (e.g., Manfrotto, Gitzo, DJI, Zhiyun) often has the most precise instructions on balancing, setting up, and using their specific model.
🌐 Where to Learn
You have excellent options ranging from free online tutorials to structured courses and hands-on workshops.
🎥 Online Video Tutorials (YouTube)
YouTube is the best resource for visual, step-by-step instructions.
| Stabilization Tool | Recommended Search Terms | Learning Focus |
| Tripods | “Tripod basics for beginners,” “long exposure photography tutorial,” “choosing a tripod head” | Focus on stability, composition, and shooting sharp images in low light or macro. |
| Stabilizers (Gimbals) | “Gimbal balancing tutorial,” “cinematic gimbal moves,” “ninja walk technique,” “DJI RS 3/Ronin tutorial” | Focus on smooth movement, balance, different shooting modes, and cinematic shots. |
💻 Online Courses & Education Platforms
For a more structured and comprehensive understanding:
| Platform | Learning Focus | Target Audience |
| Skillshare / Udemy / LinkedIn Learning | General Photography/Cinematography Classes: Look for courses on Fundamentals of Photography, Video Stabilization Master Class, or Cinematography Basics. These often have dedicated modules on gear setup. | Beginners to Intermediate photographers and videographers. |
| Specialized Training | Companies like ARRI or Tiffen (Steadicam) offer certified training on their professional stabilization systems (Steadicam, Trinity). | Advanced operators and aspiring professional camera operators. |
📚 Blogs, Magazines, and Gear Reviews
- Photography/Filmmaking Websites: Websites like Adorama, B&H Photo, Fstoppers, and PetaPixel publish articles, gear reviews, and guides that compare different models, helping you understand features like payload capacity (how much weight the tripod or stabilizer can hold) and fluid drag (smoothness for video pans).
- Reddit Communities: Subreddits like r/photography or r/cinematography are great for asking specific gear questions and seeing user-submitted examples of stabilization in action.
🛠️ Local Workshops and Retailers
- Camera Stores: Many local camera shops offer free or low-cost hands-on workshops. This is often the best way to physically handle and test different tripods and gimbals before you buy, getting instant feedback from an expert.
- Photography Clubs: Joining a local 35mm photography club and participating with the Photography Roundtable Discussion is invaluable. Members can share their personal equipment, tips, and troubleshooting advice.
Summary
“For 35mm photography today, you need to learn about tripods and stabilizers. Tripods are fundamental for achieving maximum sharpness and stability in still photography, especially in low light, for long exposures, or macro work. They essentially lock the camera in place, allowing for slower shutter speeds and lower ISOs, eliminating camera shake, and aiding in precise composition. Using a remote shutter and proper setup are key.
Stabilizers, primarily gimbals, serve a different purpose. While less common for dedicated 35mm still photography, they are indispensable for creating smooth, cinematic video footage by countering motion and shakes. Their use is about dynamic movement rather than static stability. Understanding when and why to use each tool, and the distinct applications for still versus moving images, is crucial for maximizing the quality and creative potential of our 35mm work.”
Previous and upcoming Photography Discussion Roundtable topics:
| Date | Topic |
| 8/4/2025 | Welcome to the world of 35mm photography |
| 8/11/2025 | What is Aperture in photography |
| 8/18/2025 | What is the Golden Triangle? |
| 8/25/2025 | Top photo editing software available in 2025 |
| 9/1/2025 | What is Depth of Field? |
| 9/8/2025 | What is Bokeh in photography? |
| 9/15/2025 | Understanding Lens Focal Length |
| 9/22/2025 | What are leading lines? |
| 9/29/2025 | What is Back-Button Focus? |
| 10/6/2025 | 5 important photography facts that I didn’t know when I started |
| 10/13/2025 | How to shoot in manual mode |
| 10/20/2025 | The different types of lenses |
| 10/27/2025 | All about camera filters |
| 11/3/2025 | On-camera flash vs off-camera flash |
| 11/10/2025 | How to use tripods and stabilizers |
| 11/17/2025 | What is ISO? |
| 11/24/2025 | Film vs digital? |
| 12/1/2025 | How to find and organize your photos in a logical manner |
| 12/8/2025 | Understanding long-exposure photography |
| 12/15/2025 | Enhancing the sky in your photos |
| 12/22/2025 | Where and how to learn more about photography techniques |
| 12/29/2025 | DSLR vs mirrorless cameras |
| 1/5/2026 | The exposure triangle |
| 1/12/2026 | How to develop your own personal photography style |
| 1/19/2026 | Color theory (histograms) in photography |
| 1/26/2026 | Photography ethics in the digital age |
| 2/2/2026 | The future of film and where the analog industry is going |
| 2/9/2026 | How to build a portfolio |
| 2/16/2026 | Photography hints and tips |
| 2/23/2026 | How to take action/motion photos |
| 3/2/2026 | Explaining photography terms |
| 3/9/2026 | Macro photography hints and tips |
| 3/16/2026 | Landscape photography hints and tips |
| 3/23/2026 | Portrait photography hints and tips |
| 3/30/2026 | Night photography hints and tips |
| 4/6/2026 | F-stops and how to use them |
| 4/13/2026 | What are the AE-L, AF-L, and *-buttons? What do they do? |
| 4/20/2026 | White balance explained |
| 4/27/2026 |
Next week we’ll discuss:
