Camera Tripod Buying Guide

The Camera Tripod Buying Guide For Beginners

         By Joel Lee

If you don’t have a tripod, you’re only hurting yourself. Tired of camera shake ruining your photos? Want to take time-lapse shots or long exposure photos? How about the ability to be inside your own photos? Tripods allow for all of these, so if you don’t have one, why not?

Tripods don’t have to be expensive and they don’t have to be an inconvenience. Are you ready to set aside your iPhone camera and take some real photos? Here’s what you need to know about buying a tripod as well as a few recommendations to point you in the right direction.

Camera Tripod Specifications

There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing the right tripod for your needs.. Here are the factors that you need to consider:

• Height: Minimum and maximum height are both important and the right choice will depend on what your photography entails.
• Weight: It should be obvious that the heavier the tripod, the more difficult it’s going to be to carry around.
• Load and Stability: An unstable tripod is pretty much worthless. It should be able to bear the weight of your camera at maximum height on a windy day. There’s nothing worse than a destroyed camera due to a fallen tripod.
• Head Attachment: Tripod heads come in two main varieties: pan-and-tilt, which tend to be cheaper but less flexible; and ball-and-socket, which can be annoying to operate but provide lots of flexibility in camera movement.
• Leg Locking: How do the legs of the tripod lock? Does it require twisting and screwing? Or is it a flip-lock mechanism? Go with the option you feel most comfortable using.

Tripods For Portability

Pedco UltraPod II ($17): If you need a tabletop tripod that’s lightweight and quick to setup, there are few better than the Pedco UltraPod II. It weighs 4 ounces and measures down to 7 inches at its most compact. It’s sturdy and durable with a load capacity of 6 pounds capable of supporting digital SLRs, making it quite worthwhile for the price.

Vista Traveler ($20): The Vista Traveler by Davis & Sanford is an affordable non-tabletop aluminum tripod that weighs 2 pounds with a height range from 20 inches to 53 inches. It can carry a max load of 4 pounds, which should be enough for most hobby travel photography.

GorillaPod SLR-Zoom ($50): Ready for an atypical tripod? The GorillaPod by Joby is a flexible-leg tripod that can be bent in various ways to cling onto uneven surfaces, making it fantastic for extreme outdoor photography. It weighs less than a pound, can accommodate a load of up to 6.6 pounds, and reaches a maximum height of 9.8 inches.

Tripods For General Use

Dolica GX600B200 Proline ($55): Need a full-sized tripod on a budget? This tripod by Dolica fits the profile with its 60-inch height (there’s also a 65-inch variant) and ball head. It only weighs 2.5 pounds and can handle up to 15 pounds with its aluminum flip-lock legs. Will it suffice for professional photography? No, probably not, but it’s a great entry-level tripod for the skilled hobbyist with its built-in level, center column with counterweight hook for extra stability and flip leg locks

SLIK Sprint Pro II ($90): This tripod by SLIK has a quick-release convenience feature on its head, which makes it great for frequent use. Though it weighs less than 2 pounds, it’s a full-sized tripod that can reach a height of 64 inches and withstand a max load of 4.5 pounds.

Benro A2970F Versatile ($155): With a considerable surge in price comes a considerable jump in quality. The sturdy Benro Versatile reaches a max height of 69 inches and can support up to 22 pounds, which pushes it above the average hobbyist’s tripod. It folds down to 26 inches and weighs 4.5 pounds, so it’s not ideal in terms of portability; otherwise, it’s a wonderful purchase.

Best of the Best Tripods

SLIK PRO 700 DX ($170): This tripod is made from a special alloy material called AMT (aluminum magnesium titanium) which purportedly increases it strength-by-weight ratio by 40 percent. With a max height of 75 inches, max load of 15 pounds, and an all-metal 3-way pan head, the SLIK PRO 700 DX a reliable piece of equipment that’s suitable for most occasions. It’ll be hard to beat based on value alone.

VANGUARD Auctus Plus 283AT ($380): The price might scare away a lot of hobbyists, but for semi-professionals or those serious about photography for the foreseeable future, this tripod is a great buy. This solid tripod comes with unique all-terrain feet that’ll hold its ground on dirt, sand, and rocks. Its twist-lock legs can extend up to 67 inches, and Extreme Support Height Positioning Wheel System allows you to easily secure and adjust 31 pounds of gear to set up big shots.

Manfrotto 055CXPRO3 ($400): As one of Manfrotto’s sturdier offerings, the 055CXPRO3 oozes quality. It has a carbon fiber and magnesium construction and weighs only 3.6 pounds while extending to 69 inches. The spring-loaded legs featured in the 055CXPRO3 are easy to set up and take down. Although the head is sold separately, this tripod can support a max load of 17.6 pounds, and the overall look and feel of it is hard to beat.

Are you a complete newbie just getting into the swing of things? Or maybe a long-time hobbyist who’s looking to improve? In addition to using a tripod, check out ourguide to digital photography and our top 5 photography tips to kick your photos up a notch.

Whether newbie or professional, we want to hear what’s on your mind. Which tripods would you recommend and why? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

Image Credits: Eric May Via Flickr Source: www.makeuseof.com