Choosing the right tripod might seem overwhelming when faced with so many options but it doesn’t have to be. Let’s look at some important features to consider when shopping for yours.
Most people I know, including myself and a few of our instructors, purchased our first tripod without knowing how important they would be to our work. Some of us chose a lower priced tripod not realizing that an inexpensive one would be too flimsy, would not be as ridged as we needed, wouldn’t support the weight of our gear, would be difficult to use, would be too short, and the list goes on.
With that in mind, if you’re going to invest in a tripod, do so once! Spend some money the first time you buy one and you’ll never need to shop for another one again. Skimp on price and know that you will be buying buying another one down the road.
MATERIALS – Aluminum or Carbon Fiber will dictate the weight and price of tripods.
- Aluminum is heavier but less expensive than carbon fiber but a heavy tripod is likely to be left at home.
- Although pricey, carbon fiber is very strong yet very lightweight. If you can afford one, it’s well worth it.
HEIGHT – When choosing a tripod, choose one that comes up to your neck when the legs are extended.
- Spare your back and avoid choosing a tripod that is too short.
- Forget about extending the center column, that is the least stable part of a tripod and should only be used if really necessary.
- When shopping, look at the specs for the height when center column is down.
- Also consider how low to the ground a tripod can go. Shooting at ground level can offer a whole new view of the world and many subjects call for that angle. Some tripods allow you to remove the center column or extend it and move it vertically. Decide if this is a feature you need.
-Three-leg section tripods are usually more rigid and stable than a four-leg section one because of the diameter of the lowest leg section.
- The mechanism for extending the legs is a personal preference. Some people prefer clamps, others prefer the twisting locks.
MAX LOAD – This term refers to how much weight the tripod can hold. Consider your gear, especially your longer lenses. Putting heavy gear on a flimsy tripod will cause the photos to be blurry as the tripod will vibrate. A strong, sturdy tripod will be rigid and won’t have this problem.
BRANDS – There are many brands and models but check out what some of our instructors use (below). We’ll see Gitzo, Manfrotto, Benro, MeFoto, Leofoto and others.
- Gitzo (a Manfrotto brand) is top of the line and their tripods are only available in carbon fiber. They are super strong and sturdy. Their prices range from $600 to $1300 but they’ll last a lifetime and then some.
- For quality, service and support look at the Manfrotto brand (previously called Bogen). Their tripods come in many price points from $180 to $500 based on material, height and the other features that they offer.
- Benro offers a wide variety of options. Many people like their Induro line. Others enjoy their MeFoto line. If you have a DSLR look at their RoadTrip or GlobeTrotter tripods. Mirrorless cameras users, you might have more options because these cameras weigh much less than the DSLRs.
- LeoFoto is another brand worth considering.
TRAVEL TRIPOD TIPS - All brands offer travel tripods but avoid buying the shortest and most lightweight one just so you can pack it well.
- Look at the specs and get one that also works for your height and make sure the max load and the sturdiness work for your gear.
TRIPOD HEADS – The head gives you control of positioning the camera so give this careful consideration. Many professional tripods don’t come with a head giving you the flexibility to choose the right one for the type of photography you do and the weight of your gear. Just as with tripods, consider the materials and the weight as well as the max load it can hold.
Consider which of the 3 main types will suit you best;
• A three way head is ideal for Real Estate and Architecture. These allow you to move vertically, horizontally and on axis independently and with great precision. This is sometiems referred to as a pan tilt head.
• A fluid head is great for shooting video as it moves very smoothly with no sudden stops or jerks.
• A ball head can be used for many types of photography. With just one knob to adjust the camera position, it’s quick and easy to line up the camera and shoot.
- There are other types of heads; geared, gimbal, panoramic, etc., but those are for more specific situations and might be discussed in a future article.
- Within the Manfrotto ball head line, the 494BH or 496BH are good choices assuming your camera and lenses are not too heavy. The X-Pro Ball Heads will hold more weight.
- A little pricier, Acratech and Really Right Stuff are two other brands that offer quality heads and are definitely worth a look.
- Most of the MeFoto tripods come with a tripod head
- When you buy the head, most come with a quick release plate (the part that attaches to the bottom of your camera and locks on to the head).
- Consider getting an L bracket (for your specific camera). These give you ease of use for flipping from a horizontal shot to a vertical one.
MISCELLANEOUS TIPS
- If your lens offers Vibration Reduction or Image Stabilization, turn it off when on a tripod. A floating element in the lens (which corrects for movement when handholding) may cause blurry photos if used on a tripod.
- Always use a cable release, a remote trigger or even the camera’s self-timer when using a tripod as just pressing the shutter release button can cause the camera to move or the tripod to vibrate.
SHOPPING FOR A TRIPOD – Once you have a few options in mind, it’s time to visit your local camera store.
- As instructors, we often see people at our classes struggle and fight with their tripod. It’s sad to see their frustration and it’s no wonder they don’t want to use it.
- Do yourself a favor and go to a camera store where you can see a variety to choose from and can actually handle them to get a feel for them before you purchase.
(Find a store near you, see our RESOURCES tab: Photography Stores and services)
Using a tripod opens a whole new world of shooting possibilities and is one of the most useful accessories to add to your gear… choosing the right one is important and a good one will last you years if not a lifetime.
PRODUCT RESOURCES
www.manfrotto.us/photo-tripods
www.manfrotto.us/photo-heads-classic
www.acratech.net
www.reallyrightstuff.com/
Leophoto.com
Benrousa.com/Mefoto-tripods
Benrousa.com/Tripods/Induro
WHAT SOME OF OUR CPC INSTRUCTORS USE
Aaron Clamage
Bogen 3051. A super sturdy (but older) model. It is big and heavy (the only downside). But, the really nice thing is that all the legs are quick release. There are latches at the collar that fit your hands perfectly and in seconds you can raise or lower it without bending down and loosening or tightening any latches/knobs. It has a built-in level which is also nice. Its max height is 63 inches, which is not as high as some other tripods, but that’s trade off I’m willing to make. It’s plenty of height for photographing people. I use a “Really Right Stuff” ball head with it, which is also great.
Aaron is a professional corporate portrait and event photographer.
Beth Haubach
I have the MEFoto C2350 Carbon Fiber tripod. Disc
I LOVE it! It is lightweight at about 3.1 pounds, folds to 16” long, converts to a monopod, and if necessary (and yes, I have done this), you can mount the camera BELOW the tripod on the center post if you need to get really low to the ground! It has a nice ball head and quick release plate. Additionally, when folded and stored in its case it is easily packed into your carry-on luggage (I’ve taken it to England twice). Lastly, I found the price pretty reasonable for a carbon fiber tripod that works great and fits the bill without breaking the bank. Unfortunately, the model I own is no longer available (as best I can tell) because it’s been updated to the ME Foto Globetrotter C2350Q2 which comes in several cool colors, other than black.
Beth enjoys many types of photography, nature, cityscapes, flower, macro, vintage and more.
Corey Hilz
Tripod legs: Gitzo GT2542T
Tripod head: Really Right Stuff BH-40 I like this setup because it’s lightweight, durable, and folds down compactly which is great for travel.
Corey enjoys nature, landscape and macro photography.
Geoff Livingston
By far my longest surviving and easiest to use tripod, I use the Benro Induro 3 section tripod. It's extremely durable and doesn't require me to spend minutes setting up when I arrive on the scene.
Geoff enjoys landscape, cityscape, night and Astro photography.
Judy Graham
As a landscape photographer, a tripod is an essential piece of gear. I have owned my share of tripods, but it wasn't until December 2023 when I finally found just the right one. They have either been too big, too tall, too heavy, too difficult or quirky to operate, or all the above. I made earlier purchases based on recommendations.
This time I went to an actual camera store (District Camera) with my ball head. Like Goldie Locks I tried on several. It was the very last one the store had in stock for me to try when I found my perfect tripod! It's a Benro BICLT204 carbon fiber tripod. (This has been replaced by the replaced it. Mach3 9X CF Series 3 Tripod, 3 Section, Twist Lock)
Why is it perfect, it's very quick and easy to operate in different positions, it's the perfect size for me at 63.5 inches (I'm 5'5"), it's sturdy, but not overly heavy at 4.08 lbs, and when folded it easily fits in my suitcase. And it can handle my abuse. It's done very well so far! I highly recommend this tripod to someone of my size. At $385 it's not too pricey.
Kim Kelly
I use a Leofoto LS-325C (carbon fiber) tripod with an LH-40 Ball Head and uses the Arca Swiss type plate for connecting the camera to the tripod. This tripod does not have a center column, though one can be added. I find it very useful with flower and nature photography because you can get extremely low to the ground. A tripod with a center column will only allow you to go down so far. In addition, this tripod has screw tight legs as opposed to clamps. This is my 4th tripod and I really like it.
Kim enjoys many types of photography; seascapes, landscapes, nature, floral, and more.
Laura Hatcher
I use a Benfro MeFoto Globe Trotter Aluminum Travel Tripod Kit (Titanium) When I first started photography, I didn't truly understand the importance of having a sturdy yet lightweight tripod. I wasted money on whatever was on sale only to learn that this is the one accessory, as a professional headshot photographer, that I use almost daily. My current tripod is reliable, sturdy, easy to open and close and well-made.
Marie Joabar
I love my tripod and have had it for 16 or 17 years. It the Gitzo 2542 with a Really Right Stuff ball head, BH50.
It’s so lightweight, it's easy to use and it's super sturdy. When traveling internationally (without heavy lenses), I’ll use my MeFoto Globetrotter Pro Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with the Really Right Stuff BH40 ball head.
Marie enjoys landscape, cityscape and night photography.
Michael Koren
For cellphone photography I always carry a Joby GorillaPod with clamp adapter. The flexible legs allow me to wrap the tripod around a fence or tree branch. The GorillaPod is also great for smaller micro 4/3 cameras.
Michael is a talented street photographer and also enjoys iPhone photography.
Rick Frankle
I have a Benro MeFOTO RoadTrip Pro Carbon Fiber Series 1 Travel Tripod. I chose it because it provided stability at a really light weight, only 3 pounds which is great for travel.
Rick enjoys travel photography.
Tammy Loverdos
My tripod is the Benro Mammoth TMTH43C Carbon Fiber Tripod.
I like the height it can reach, the sturdy center column for easy height adjustments and the strength of its legs. Bolts are easy to tighten, legs are quick to adjust. I use a square, geared head for architecture.
Tammy is a professional Real Estate photographer.
