Camera Tripods

“Camera Tripods come in all sorts of shapes, weights and sizes and choosing the right one is not as easy as you might think!  Discover how to choose which camera tripods you should buy”

Camera tripods – do I need them?

You might be thinking that Camera tripods are all the same – but that is far from true. They come in many different forms to suit different situations – but buying and choosing the right one can make the difference between a masterpiece and a blurry picture that no one would want to claim to have taken.





 

Camera Tripods – The 5 main types
 

• Typical three legged camera tripods are what everyone visualises when they think of camera tripods – but most people don’t realise that there are two types.  The most common is the fixed leg type.  These camera tripods have legs that move together when they are being “splayed” and are ideal for use on fairly level ground, as setting them up is quick and easy.  The legs on the second type of three legged camera tripods have independent multiple angle positioning and work best on uneven ground where each leg needs to be at a different angle and have different lengths.

• Tabletop camera tripods are exactly what they say!  They are smaller versions of normal three-legged camera tripods that can be used on any fairly flat surface such as a table or desk.  They are neat, inexpensive little gadgets that are easy to carry and can be used in many different situations – I wouldn’t be without mine!

• Clamping camera tripods can be used in situations where a normal tripod would be about as much use as a paper bucket!  As the name indicates this is not really a tripod but a clamp that attaches to any stable surface such as a table or desk or even a fence etc. - can be used in all sorts of situations and will attach to tables, desks, trees or any stable “projection”.  Another type of inexpensive but incredibly useful camera tripods!

• Monopod a one legged tripod (I know – it’s not really a tripod at all!).  While they obviously do not offer the same support as any of the other camera tripods they do offer additional stability and are relatively light and easy to carry.  Ideal at sporting events etc.

• Gorillapods are one of the most versatile and brilliant devises I have ever come across - they have ball and socket joints and are covered with rubberised rings which can twist and bend to any shape and can grip onto virtually any object from car roof racks to tree branches.  There are five types of Gorillapod and the newest one, the Gorillapod Focus, only weighs 500g and can support up to 5kg!

To show you the huge variety of camera tripods available I have done a search on Amazon.  To see the USA results  click here and to see the UK results  click here .  These links will also allow you to purchase if you wish!

What to look for when buying camera tripods

Cheap lightweight camera tripods are not cheap – in my opinion they are useless and a waste of your hard earned money!  They are usually unstable and therefore hopeless outdoors as even a slight breeze can make them wobble.  They are not much good indoors either as the slightest knock can make them shake – I have known (and used) lightweight camera tripods and because the tripod moved when the shutter was pressed I ended up with a blurry picture! My advice – don’t buy one.

Camera tripods need to have strength and stability while not being too heavy to carry.  If you are only going to use your tripod indoors weight will not be an issue, but if you will be using it outdoors make sure that it is as light as possible but do not compromise on stability!

The only other advice I want to give you is about the height of the tripod.  Ideally with the legs open at their smallest angle you should be able to look through your viewfinder without bending.

Please revisit this page, as I will be adding more information about camera tripods.








 

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