Camera Labs

I don't really know if a tripod would help me, the photography I am into is more like night shots of cities, landscapes and maybe close ups. So would a tripod help me of could I use it free hand?

short answer.....yes.

long answer.....Hell yes

for night shots especially.

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Nikon D80+Nikkor 18-200mm VR f/3.5-5.6, Manfrotto tripod-190XDB/Head-804RC2
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hero_of_the_jay/

Gonna second what Jay said.

For every day use. A tripod is not needed.

For night and close up shots i would say you would need one. You want the least amount of camera shake as possible at night time.

Saying this. You don't need to shell out $$$ on a tripod.

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Nikon D80 | Nikkor 18-200mm VR | SB-600 | Lowepro Slingshot 200 AW | ML-L3 | Bits'N'Bobs |

You will definitely find a tripod useful if you're interested in night, close-up or macro photography.

If you're doing a macro shoot you could take 200 or 300 shots before you get something you like (have a look at Luis's November submission in the On-Assignment section to see what I mean) and it is much easier to set up the camera the way you want it and make small adjustments with tripod. It'll also take the weight off your hands.

Hope this helps

Mark