In article ,
"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote:

I don't do it "always"

OK. I misunderstood the emphasized meaning of "*always*". A tripod is an
excellent tool but not very practical in most situations.

While I agree that, with even the best of today's P&S (POS?) cameras,
candid/spontaneous/action photography isn't practical. On the other hand, by
the time one gets the shot set up with the tripod, the subject has fallen
asleep, wandered away or wilted.

Fortunately, shutter lag is being gradually improved in entry-level, digital
cameras. To reduce shutter lag, turn OFF red-eye reduction and force the
flash to either ALWAYS fire or to NEVER fire. Although I don't know for sure,
I expect that turning off "face detection" and other such frills can only help
reduce shutter lag.

but in some cases, [a tripod] certainly can make a better, sharper, exposure.
Especially in low light conditions or using moon light for illumination.

Agreed. A tripod and cable release (or self timer) is essential when
capturing something like this, a couple, hundred feet from sho

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2217/2017810519_9911049622_b.jpg

....or this less-than-spectacular, spooky woods, winter shot:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2151/2102098449_b9cf374bb5_b.jpg

Here's one of my all-time faves. I "burned-down" over half a roll of 36
exposure film to capture this "perfect" shot using a tripod and my camera's
motor drive. I told my friend that, when he hears the shutter release, take
his shot. "I don't care if you hit anything, just shoot."

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2039/2018608932_587f0d1a42_o.jpg
--

JR

Canon EOS 20D