Nikon Z9, NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S at 100mm, handheld. Exposure: Three shots bracketed: 1/4000 sec., 1/1000 sec., 1/250 sec., f/5.6, ISO 3200. For decades, tripods were considered essential gear for landscape photography. But thanks to major advances in mirrorless cameras, in-body image stabilization and high ISO performance, many photographers are rethinking when — and if — they actually need one.