Choosing the right tripod can seem like a daunting task for some, especially
for those that are new to digital photography or just the prospect having to choose one. Many photographers consider the tripod to be a necessary evil in their arsenal of equipment.
Tripods can be heavy, cumbersome and sure-footed or they can be lightweight and relatively easy to work with but a stiff breeze can cause them to be not so sure-footed and they don’t always want to go back into the bag or case that they came out of. A truly “happy medium” is hard to come by but it’s not outside the realm of possibility.
Let’s face the facts though, when it comes to getting certain kinds of landscape images, low light exposures or even when your painting with light a well chosen tripod makes the impossible shots possible.
Ultimately it comes down to achieving a good balance among a few factors. When a user finds this balance the tripod is priceless. The four factors for some to consider are functionality, weight, portability, and durability.
Tripod Function
Function is paramount in a tripod. I don’t care what it looks like or how many of the other proverbial bells, lights and whistles it has. If it’s not going to do the job and do it well, then its just going to take up space and collect dust. This piece of equipment needs to serve you well in any environment that you’re going to be working in. If you know that you’re going to be shooting in the wilderness or on any seriously uneven landscapes then you need a tripod that has as many leg length options and positions as possible. You want to be ready for whatever the terrain has to throw at you. On the other hand, this level of functionality may not be of concern to you if you know that you will always be shooting in predetermined and controlled environments with few obstacles.
Don’t forget about the function of your tripod as it pertains to its union with your chosen tripod head. Sometimes clearance is an issue with these things. You can check out this link to get more info on choosing a tripod head.
Weight of the Tripod
Weight is definitely a tripod issue. If you’re at home or in the studio you don’t have to worry about moving your tripod all that often and when you do it’s usually not very far so a lot of people don’t mind having one that’s a little heavy and very sturdy. When your out and about doing landscapes and wildlife you want something that is easily collapsible and transported. This is where weight and portability go hand-in-hand. However, a heavier tripod can be helpful when the wind picks up. Its own weight tends to prevent camera shake a little better than some of the lightweight models.
Portability and Durability Your Tripod
Portability is not always an issue. When it comes to this consideration one has to think of themselves and their own abilities as much as your gear. If you’re fairly tall and of moderate build most tripods with adjustable leg lengths that can fit in a shoulder bag are easily transported almost anywhere. If on the other hand the user is not very tall and of small build it can be a challenge to find something that they won’t consider to be too cumbersome simply because of its size.
Durability in a tripod is unfortunately a matter of “you get what you pay for” in most instances. Some of the cheaper versions will definitely serve their purpose but for how long will certainly depend on the users version of “abuse”. There are some pricey tripods out there made of carbon fiber that rank in the top of the durability class while tripods made of other exotic materials may not hold up any better than a moderately priced unit made of average materials.
Now that you’ll have these things in mind when looking for your “perfect” tripod, you’ll be sure to get the most out of your choice without it slowing you down.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Fabulous blog post, plenty of superb info. I want to show my friend and ask them the things they think.
This is the first blog I read on my new Droid. I signed up to the rss feed.
A friend referred me to your blog, and I’ve really enjoyed it so far! Thank you for the interesting posts!
Respect to op , some fantastic information .
{ 3 trackbacks }