Photo Tripod is one of the essential equipments in photography. A good and steady tripod is usually bulky and big; it’s heavy if you have to carry it in a long period of time during your outdoor hunting. But it is really helpful in creating wonderful digital photographs.
Why do you need a tripod?
A photo tripod is used to hold the camera steady and avoid camera shake (which results in blurry photos). Especially if you need to take long exposure shots, creating wonderful photos without a tripod would not be possible.
When do you need a photo tripod?
Since the main function of a photo tripod is to avoid camera shake, the rule of thumb is: if the shutter speed is slower than the current focal length setting you use, then you need a tripod. For example if you use 70-200 mm lens and you zoom in up to 200mm focal length, then you need at least 1/220 sec shutter speed. Unless, you need a tripod to avoid the camera shake due to hand shake. By magnifying the subject with a telephoto lens, you magnify the movements of the lens which will inevitably contribute the camera shake. See also the exposure techniques.
Night photography with low light condition will force you to use longer exposure which is likely impossible with hand-held without the camera shake. You really need a photo tripod to produce sharp night photography views or city views. See also the night photography trick.
Shooting the early morning landscape views – the sunrise or late sunset is magnificent, but the light is low. You can use “close lens” aperture to around f/13 or f/22 to get a good depth of the field which would normally a very slow shutter speed. You absolutely need a photo tripod to produce very sharp and magnificent sunset / sunrise photos. See also low light photography tips.
The other photography works which are normally use photo tripods are macro-photography, long exposure shots, wedding photography which normally leave the camera permanently attached to a tripod, slow shutter speeds or low light situations.
In particular, tripods are particularly good for nature shots, macro-photography, long exposure shots, slow shutter speeds or low light situations. That makes it a very versatile accessory which must be in any photographer’s toolbox.
Some tips below can be used which photo tripod you need.
- Make sure that the tripod is very stable when the legs are fully extended. It should remain firmly when you test by applying some pressure to the top.
- Check the height of the tripod; it would be better if it fits to you when the legs are extended. This should depend on what type of photographs you shoot.
- Choose the models which made of magnesium alloy, titanium or carbon fiber, and do not use the plastic models.
The following are three examples of the photo tripods which have average 4,5 star ratings from the customers in Amazon.
Velbon DF-60 Dual Function Light Weight Tripod
If you love both photography and video then you need this DF-60 dual function tripod which is specifically designed for use both as photo and video tripod. The position of the pan-heads feature a sure-grip pan/tilt control handle on the left side allows you easily access to main camera controls. The tripod legs are made of aluminum with radial leg braces for extra stability. It’s really a heavy-duty photo tripod with good looking black design, and featuring a unique 3-way pan-head with quick release camera platform. Some people found this as excellent for the price, perfect for the amateurs, great value all the features needed. Check here in Amazon with the price around $ 55.
Manfrotto 190XPROB 3 Section Aluminum Pro Tripod
This is an ultra stable, flexible, and easy to use photo tripod for professional photographers. The Manfrotto 190XPROB with its redesigned Manfrotto-patented horizontal center column is to create a more user-friendly feel. When the column is extended to its highest vertical position, the tripod can be swung round to horizontal without removing the head or disassembling the column itself. This will allow you switch between framing and positioning setups more convenient than ever.
In addition, with the ergonomic improvements of the leg angle release mechanism and the quick-action leg locks allows you open, position, and close the tripod easily in a few seconds. Minimum height: 3.3 inches, maximum height: 57.5 inches, Weight: 4 pounds, with load capacity 11 pounds, makes this tripod a perfect choice for professional photographers. Check here in Amazon for the price around $140.
SLIK 615-315 Professional Photo/video Tripod with Panhead
SLIK 615-315 is a professional AMT super titanium alloy (40% greater strength to weight ration than standard aluminum) legs make this tripod steady and lighter than the standard metal used in most of today’s tripods. The PRO 700 DX is capable of handling the weight of large format (4×5) field cameras or heavy, long telephoto lenses while offering the strength and stability the professional and advanced amateurs photographers need. The all-metal 3-way pan head included in this tripod has one of the fasted and easiest to use quick release plates (which can secure the camera to the tripod pointing in any direction) in the industry. Check here in Amazon for the price around $140.
Suggested readings:
- Knowledge about SLR camera lenses
- Lighting photography – basic knowledge
- Exposure tricks with various backgrounds
- Understanding white balance in DSLR camera
- Digital photography books – most wanted
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