What You Should Know about Digital Camera Tripods
Remember the last time you took your camera with a long lens out and came back with blurry photos? If you blamed your camera, you are looking in the wrong direction. This problem is commonly referred to as camera shake and has more to do with you being unable to hold the camera still than the camera or lens. The simple fact is that whether you are shooting still photos or video, a tripod is a vital addition to your gear as it is the best possible way to eliminate camera shake.
Important Tripod Features You Should Know About
All tripods have the same seven basic features, and the more you know about each of them, the easier it will be for you to choose the best one to fit your needs. These are:
- Collapsed size
- Open size
- Load capacity
- Head type
- Feet type
- Leg locks
- Common material
Collapsed Size: This is how long the tripod is once it has been fully collapsed. It lets you know how much room the tripod will take up in your gear bag or trunk. It also lets you know if your tripod will fit in the overhead compartment if you are traveling.
Open Size: This describes how high the tripod stands when all of the legs have been fully extended and the adjustable center post is at its maximum height.
Load Capacity: This determines how much weight the tripod can safely handle. This includes the weight of the camera, lens, and flash unit. If you try to overload your tripod it might break or fall over, leading to the death of your camera.
Head Type: Most top quality tripods come with some form of head. The only thing to keep in mind is that the head may not be the best one to fit your needs. The head itself sits on top of the adjustable center column and in better quality tripods should be replaceable, allowing you to install one that fits your needs more exactly.
Feet Type: In most cases you will find tripods come with rubber non-slip feet that are intended for indoor and certain types of outdoor photography. Others include spikes that are intended to hold your tripod firmly in place when shooting outside. There are also a number of custom feet such as ball bearings and wheels.
Leg Locks: There are several different styles of leg locks including twist where you simply twist the leg and then pull it out or push it in. Then there are lever locks that use a lever to firmly lock the legs firmly in place, these are a more popular option as they tend to have a stronger grip. Here again you may find there are a number of custom options on the market.
Common Material: This describes the material that the bulk of the tripod is made from. The least expensive models are made from plastic, and mid-range models tend to be made from aluminum as it is more durable. Top of the line models are coming out made from lightweight and very strong carbon fiber materials. You can also find a number of tripods made from wood for those who prefer a more natural look and feel.
Here are Five Great Tripods for Your Consideration
Tripod Comparison Chart | |||||
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Ravelli APLT4 61-inch Light Weight Aluminum Tripod With Bag | AmazonBasics 60-Inch Lightweight Tripod with Bag | ButterflyPhoto Professional 72-inch Tripod with MicroFiber Cleaning Cloth | Polaroid 72-inch Photo / Video ProPod Tripod Includes Deluxe Tripod Carrying Case + Additional Quick Release Plate | Dolica AX620B100 62-Inch Proline Tripod and Ball Head | |
Customer Ratings | |||||
Collapsed Size | 24" | 24" | 28" | 28" | 24" |
Open Size | 61.5" | 60" | 72" | 72" | 62" |
Material | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Head Type | Pan | Pan | Pan | Pan | Ball |
Leg Locks | |||||
Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review |