Tripods

Criteria for Selecting a Tripod Load Tripod Head Type Height Type of Legs and Locks Center Column Construction Materials

Why Photographers HateTripods Heavy Cumbersome Slow Frustrating

Tripod Advantages Sharper pictures More carefully composed pictures

Tripod Heads Determine how much weight you have

to support Check on tripod head specs to ensure

proper support

Tripod Heads Choose style

Standard 3 axis Ball head

Tripod Heads Ball heads

Rated for load Flexibility Indexed pan control

Tripod Heads Quick release plates make placing and

removing camera from tripod mucheasier

Legs

Leg Height Tripod should extendto your eye levelw/ legs extended

Also considerminimum height(macro work)

Leg Weight Should be 1.5-2x the weight of the tripod

head IE. If head weighs 1.2 lbs then legs should

weigh minimum of 1.8 lbs.

Legs Number of

leg sections

Legs Number of Sections

3 sections generally better More stable Fewer things to jam up

4 sections folds up smaller for travel

Legs Locking mechanism

Legs Locking mechanism

Legs

Cross Bracing Adds rigidity Not good in field

Center Column Geared or Slip Hook for hangingextra stabilizingweight

Reversiblecolumn forlow angle shots

Construction Materials Carbon Fiber

1/2 the weight - 2x the cost Good at absorbing vibration

Aluminum Cheaper and more available on used

market

Good Luck and Shoot Sharp!