How to choose a tripod: a complete guide. Tripod - work skills

“Nadya, your legs are wider... spread them all the way!” (About the tripod legs. True story.).

The main function of a tripod is to hold the camera motionless for a long time. This allows you to take sharp photos during long exposures caused by low light. Beginning photographers sometimes find it difficult to purchase this accessory, so I will tell you my principles for choosing a tripod for your camera. Buying your first tripod online, without going to the store, is playing roulette. An exception can be made for well-known, proven and reliable manufacturers such as Manfrotto or Gitzo. But even here, you need to understand what this or that model can do. Next, I will give examples for Manfrotto tripods, as they are the most popular among photographers.

What camera do you have?

If you shoot with a compact camera (“point-and-shoot”), then the tripod can be the simplest, which means light and inexpensive, in general - almost any (not forgetting its height). Soap dishes do not have a mechanical shutter, and therefore no vibrations. Therefore, even the miniature Manfrotto - Digi models are suitable for you. But if you have a DSLR...

Tripod load

A tripod for SLR cameras must be powerful enough to absorb vibrations from the shutter and camera mirror. And this increases its weight and cost. Manfrotto lists how much weight each tripod can support. For example, the 055 series is designed to carry a camera and lens weight of 7-8 kg, the 190 series can carry 5 kg, and the 290 - 4-5 kg. DSLR cameras with a small lens they weigh less than 2 kg, so a tripod of any series could be suitable. However, we must remember that the stronger and heavier the tripod, the less likely it is that “wiggle” will occur. After weighing the pros and cons, I chose the Manfrotto 190 (1.6 kg dead weight) as a compromise between weight and stiffness. Manfrotto 055 (weight 2.3 kg), of course, is more stable, but its weight and dimensions scared me. In addition, it does not fit into my photo backpack, which has a special pocket for a tripod.

Lightweight tripod Required by climbers, on long hikes and by fragile girls. In any series of large tripods you will find “carbon” models (Carbon Fiber). This material makes the tripod lighter by 500-700 grams, which can be significant for some photographers. Naturally, carbon models are the most expensive.

Tripod height

Landscape painters have a difficult situation. Their usual chamber height is human height. To raise the camera to this height requires or long legs tripod (which means dimensions), or a larger number of sections that make up the leg. The latter is inconvenient, because in order to raise the tripod to the maximum height, instead of 9 (with three sections) you need to make 12 (with four) opening and closing locks. I recommend quick lever section locks (last one in the photo). Collet or screw locks are awkward and slow to operate.

Let's pretend that landscape painter's tripod should provide a camera height of 170 cm. Taking into account the fact that the tripod head will raise the camera another five centimeters, we will assume that we need to find a model with a height of 165 cm. For the Manfrotto 290 series, this is the only model - 294, but it will not suit us either, since the desired height is obtained only when the central rod is extended to its maximum. And this is evil.

Central rod– the most weakness in terms of vibration damping. With it raised to its maximum, my 190 tripod cannot dampen shutter vibration even when the mirror is first raised (Canon 5DII camera). However, the situation normalizes if the central rod is extended to the middle of its height. Therefore, for a landscape artist, I would recommend the Manfrotto 055 series (height with the central rod half extended about 160 cm) or the heavy four-section 057 (height 190 cm). If you think that these tripods are too bulky or expensive, then pay attention to the 055 and 190 series (135 cm), but keep in mind that often the height of the shooting point will be lower than you would like.

Low tripod required for lovers of spectacular low angles and for macro photography in nature, when the camera has to be lowered to ground level. Most Manfrotto models have the ability to spread the tripod legs so wide that it practically lies on the ground, having a height (without tripod head) of only 6-8 cm. However, the central rod itself will not allow you to lower the camera to this level, unless you dig a hole in the ground for it. What if it’s asphalt? This problem can be solved in three ways.

1/ turn the central rod over, so the camera is between the legs of the tripod and can be lowered to ground level (photo 1). This is inconvenient, since all controls and menus are upside down. I can recommend this method if you rarely use a low shooting point.

2/ buy a special “tabletop” tripod (photo 2). Lightweight, compact, but, alas, not designed for heavy loads (maximum weight 2 kg). This is an excellent solution for lightweight cameras. By the way, it’s useful to always have such a tripod with you: you can put it on a table or lean it against a wall at any height.

3/ purchase a “large” tripod, the central rod of which can be fixed in a horizontal position (photo 3). Unfortunately, this universal solution will increase the weight and cost of the tripod. This Manfrotto technology is called “Q90°”.

Monopod

A monopod is used for shooting that requires mobility and mobility from the photographer. As a rule, this is a report. Due to its compactness and lightness, some photographers carry a monopod with them “just in case.” It can also be used as a walking stick :)

How to choose a tripod in a store

If you want to buy a tripod directly from a store, I recommend doing three simple tests before purchasing. Ask for models that suit your price and height. Extend all the legs of the tripods you are testing (without lifting the center rod), grab the top of the tripod with your hand, and try a horizontal twisting motion. The most durable specimens will better resist hand movement. Then lift the center bar all the way and try to swing it. Best model will have a smaller swing amplitude. The last test for the strength of the leg clamps: place the tripod on each of its legs in turn and press on it with a force of approximately 2-3 kilograms. If the lock works reliably, then the legs should not fold.

To be continued on choosing a tripod head.

First of all, you need to understand that there are no perfect tripods. There are three main characteristics - stability, lightness and reasonable price, but a tripod can combine no more than two of them at the same time. That is, in all cases you will be forced to compromise. By the way, this is why professionals usually have several tripods for different occasions.

1. Material

Here we choose between aluminum and carbon fiber. Aluminum tripods are cheaper, more stable and heavier. Carbon ones are significantly lighter, usually less stable and more expensive. The lower exposure to wind of aluminum tripods is precisely determined by their greater weight. But carbon absorbs vibration more effectively, which means it behaves better with televisions.

Equally important is how far and for how long you have to carry the tripod on you. Don't overestimate your strength.

2. Number of sections

Varies from 2 to 5. It goes without saying that the more sections, the more compact the tripod when folded. But you should understand: each additional section worsens its stability. In addition, a tripod with big amount sections are inferior in reliability. But there are times when compactness is most important.

3. Leg diameter

The diameter of the widest part of the tripod is fundamentally important in terms of stability. The larger the diameter, the higher the stability. For some unknown reason, both sellers and buyers avoid this option. And in vain.

4. Manufacturer

In general, there are a great many of them. Mostly Chinese. But, in order to minimize mistakes when purchasing, it is recommended to pay attention to only three - Gitzo, RRS and Manfrotto. Most likely, it is the latter, since Manfrotto tripods are the most famous and best represented in stores. A good tripod cannot be cheap: really high-quality models from Chinese manufacturers are not much cheaper than the mentioned “big three”. Therefore, there is no point in taking risks by buying a cheap tripod of dubious quality.

5. Central column

In short, a center column is useful in situations where height, rather than stability, is a primary concern. For example, in the studio. But when it is important that the tripod is installed reliably and firmly, for example, during architectural or landscape photography, the central column will simply get in the way. And even a rotating column will not solve the problem, since it is extra weight, and for most amateurs it has no practical benefit. Again, it will get in the way when trying to lower the camera as low as possible. Therefore, it is advisable to recommend a tripod without a central column as the only and universal one.

6. Tripod height and shooting

These are important parameters that determine the range of operation in the vertical plane. The height of the tripod itself is important primarily for tall people and in cases where, for example, you need to take a portrait “eye to eye.” In other situations, it’s more likely excess weight and problems during transportation. Plus, with LiveView and a rotating display, you don't necessarily have to lean toward the viewfinder. Using a tripod makes it easier to focus on the display.

But the minimum height is critical when doing macro photography or landscape photography. And, in fact, it is determined by the opening limit of the tripod legs (as well as the presence of that same central column). If you plan to regularly shoot landscapes, then you should make sure the minimum shooting height from a specific tripod. By the way, if you have already settled on a tripod with a central column, then take a closer look at models that allow it to be rotated, because this directly affects the minimum frame height.

Desktop tripod Manfrotto Table Top Tripod

7. Base diameter for tripod head

As a rule, few people pay attention to this parameter. Meanwhile, it can significantly complicate the work. A small diameter of the base (especially if it is smaller than the future tripod head) has a bad effect on stability, and too large can become an obstacle when rotating the camera on a tripod by 90 degrees - the camera will simply rest against the base. So the base and head need to be chosen simultaneously and very thoughtfully.

8. Folded tripod dimensions

It will be unpleasant to purchase a tripod and find that when folded it is not very compact and can hardly fit even into a large suitcase. Meanwhile, a tripod is not a useful thing when traveling, so if you plan to regularly take it with you, then consider the size.

9. Cargo hook

Many tripods are equipped with it, and this is a very noticeable plus. Not only does this hook allow you to hang your camera bag instead of leaving it on the ground, but it also increases stability with the added weight. So, all other things being equal, choose a model with a hook. It will come in handy.

10. Leg tips

They come in different types: rubber or steel; spikes or platforms, as well as combined models. The use of one or another type of tips is determined by the shooting conditions: sticking spikes into parquet is not very common, and rubber pads will be less stable on soft ground. In general, studs are better for soft surfaces, and rubber tips for hard surfaces.

11. Lock on tripod legs

The lock does not significantly affect the quality of shooting, but it is very important for your convenience. There are three types of locks.

1. Latch lock - primitive, but quick and convenient to unfold and assemble the tripod. True, the latches do not clamp the tripod legs very securely. Overall, not the best option, despite the maximum convenience.

2. Ring lock - has no protruding parts, so it is very convenient for transportation. Securely clamps the tripod legs. But, alas, the tripod with it is the slowest to unfold.

3. Wing lock - very inconvenient to transport, as it often clings to something. But it is considered the most reliable in terms of the degree of clamping of the tripod legs.

12. Level platform

A very nice thing. Its purpose is to fundamentally speed up the installation of the camera parallel to the surface plane. Literally in one motion. This is quite useful for landscape or architectural photography. It seems like an obvious idea, but, unfortunately, it is not implemented so often. However, the level platform can be purchased separately, so if you plan to actively film the world around you, we highly recommend purchasing this useful additional accessory.

The most common reason to use a tripod is to shoot at slow shutter speeds, from 1/30 to several minutes or even hours. In the absence of a stabilizer, micro-blurring (decrease in sharpness) can occur at fairly short shutter speeds, up to 1/125. The reason may be either an uncertain grip of the camera or vibration from the click of the mirror. Such vibrations do not occur when using cameras in which the mirror is stationary or absent altogether. They rarely appear in digital SLRs, unless we are talking about miniature versions, because this kind of movement is damped precisely due to the massiveness of the device. But for medium format DSLRs, such as the Rolleiflex 6001 or Kyiv-60, mounting on a tripod is advisable even when shooting at normal shutter speeds.

As the focal length increases, the permissible shutter speed decreases, allowing you to take photographs without moving. The permissible shutter speed can be approximately determined by using the focal length of the lens as a denominator (for example, for 250 mm - no longer than 1/250 sec.). Often, even in the daytime and in normal lighting, the aperture of a telephoto camera does not allow for the desired exposure at a short shutter speed. When shooting handheld, the maximum shutter speed is always limited. In many cases, the stabilizer built into the matrix mount or lens is also powerless.

A tripod allows you to securely mount your camera in a position that is not always achievable when shooting handheld (for example, high above your head). Another case of using a tripod is the inability to shoot with a camera handheld due to its size or design. Any camera that shoots on sheet film requires a tripod. Many medium format DSLRs are simply inconvenient to shoot handheld.
Choosing the right "legs"

Tripods can be divided into three large groups:

If you are seriously interested in photography, sooner or later you will need to buy a tripod. After all, without a tripod, high-quality photography of nature, architecture or objects is impossible. But choosing the right tripod for you is not easy - there are hundreds of tripod models, and their prices vary from 2,000 to 70,000 rubles. You can, of course, rely on the professionalism and integrity of the seller and ask him for advice.

A tripod consists of a tripod (often the tripod itself is called a tripod) and a replaceable tripod head with a platform. In a simpler design, these elements are connected together and cannot be disassembled.

The main thing in a tripod is the legs. These can be three legs or one, they are called accordingly - a tripod or a monopod. As a rule, tripods are more popular, since monopods are used mainly in reportage and sports photography.

The tripod consists of legs, spacers, clamps and a central rod. The most important thing about tripod legs is the number of sections and mounts. Most often, tripods consist of three sections, less often of four; the more sections, the more stable the tripod.

Spacers make the structure more stable, but at the same time make it impossible to spread your legs wide. As a rule, budget models have spacers.

The central rod moves vertically, allowing you to accurately set the height of the camera. This is much more convenient than adjusting each of the three legs to the desired height. But the higher the rod, the greater the amplitude of the camera’s vibrations, so it is advisable not to raise the central rod to the maximum.

There is a small hook under the central rod. It will allow you to attach a weight to the rod, which will dampen the vibrations of the tripod and make it more stable.

Tripod head

Tripod heads differ in design and, accordingly, purpose. There are two types of heads: 3D and ball. It's easy to tell them apart - 3D has more control knobs.

3D head

Each handle of the 3D head rotates the camera in a certain plane: vertically, horizontally and around its axis. Also in 3D heads it is possible to rotate the camera 90 degrees to shoot vertical frames. The advantages of such control are obvious: the ability to orient the camera in only one plane, leaving the position in other planes unchanged. The downside is that orientation in three planes takes time.

Ball head

The ball head design is based on a hinge.

A platform with a camera is fixed on it, rotating in all planes. The ball head itself, on the contrary, has one lever that locks the selected position. Thus, to completely reorient the camera, you only need to rotate the camera manually and lock the position. The biggest disadvantage of the site is that it does not allow you to take panoramic shots and change the camera position in only one plane.

Camera mounting platform

The platform is installed on a tripod head. Its main purpose is to quickly and securely mount the camera.

Bubble levels are often built into the set so that the camera can be leveled, which is especially valuable for panoramas, landscapes and architecture.

To shoot truly high-quality panoramas, you need a panoramic head. Using it, you can avoid problems when stitching panoramic frames. The fact is that when shooting panoramas with a regular head, the camera rotates around the tripod socket. This results in problems of “matching” frames caused by parallax. On a panoramic head, the camera rotates around the nodal point of the lens, which avoids distortion.

Tripod material

In budget tripods, the main material is plastic; handles, platforms, heads and clamps are made from it. But plastic can be different, and in the budget case it is a creaky material that has quite a lot of play (this is when you seem to have tightened all the levers, but the platform still wobbles a little). Aluminum is used to make tripod legs. These tripods are quite light and cheap. And they perform their main function normally.

Professional tripods are made of titanium, magnesium or carbon fiber (carbon fiber), which is not inferior in strength to aluminum, but is lighter. These tripods also use plastic. This plastic is higher quality and durable. And if you fix the platform, then not only will it not play, you won’t be able to move it a millimeter.

Tripod selection

Now that you know the design of a tripod, you can start choosing the model that's right for you.

When choosing a tripod, consider three main things:

• Buy a tripod based on the load you need. If you want to use a large camera with a telephoto lens on a tripod, you need an appropriate tripod. As a rule, tripods come in three types of load: with a maximum load of up to 3.5 kg, from 3.5 to 6 kg, and from 6 kg or more.
• Consider how often you need to use a tripod. If you are going to use it regularly, one of the most important criteria your choice should be reliability.
• Decide which tripod functions you really need and, based on this, choose a model that is suitable for its functionality.

Below are examples of tripods for different tasks.

Tripod for smartphone and compact camera

The main purpose of such a tripod is to help you take night or panoramic photography, using a table, railings and any other objects that are at hand as a support. Its main quality is its compactness and low weight. There are quite a lot of such tripods on the market.

Most the best choice – Rekam RT-M1

Economy class

Such a tripod should withstand SLR camera and give the opportunity to shoot panoramas. Plus it is desirable to have a removable platform. This is an option for those who just want to have a tripod “included”, but do not use it so often that they would buy a serious model.

Continent TR-A1

Semi-professional tripod

This tripod combines reliability, a light weight and reasonable price. If photography is your hobby with the potential to develop into a profession, this is the tripod you need.

Manfrotto Modo Tripod 785B

Benro A-300EX/BH-0

Professional tripod

This professional tripod is made of high quality materials and is designed for continuous use. It is for the reliability and ease of use that the photographer pays a considerable price for such a tripod. After all, for a professional photographer, a tripod is an important working tool. If you often work with a tripod, and reliability and ease of use are paramount to you, pay attention to professional models.

Manfrotto 190XPROB + pcs head 804RC2

Benro Carbon Fiber C-series tripod C-258

In the shop

So, you have decided what class of tripod you need and come to the photo store. Things to keep in mind when choosing a tripod:

• Good professional and amateur tripods are made by Manfrotto, Gitzo, Benro, Slik, Cullmann, as well as Hama, Unomat, Soligor and Rekam.
• Before purchasing, check the functionality of the entire tripod structure: unfold it and fold it, check the reliability of the clamps and the smooth movement of the tripod leg sections.
• Make sure the tripod is the right height for you. If the tripod is significantly taller or shorter than you, it may cause serious discomfort during use.

Bottom line

The most big mistake amateur photographer - come to a photo store and buy everything that “might come in handy someday.” Very often, tripods are purchased this way. And only later, when the tripod is really useful, it turns out that they bought something, but not that. For example, you wanted to shoot a panorama, but you bought a tripod with a ball head. Therefore, the main thing is to decide for yourself which tripod you need. Well, we hope that our article will help you make your choice.

Among the many articles on the topic: “How to choose a tripod for a camera?” For some reason, little attention is paid to the brands themselves, under which tripods are produced. But right choice manufacturer, which often determines the tripod selection process.

A camera tripod has long become an indispensable companion for any photographer. And there are at least two reasons for this. Firstly, almost all photographers realized its necessity. Secondly, buying a photo tripod today is extremely simple and affordable - the price for a budget model starts at $30.
But, despite this, an amateur photographer or even an experienced professional, entering a photographic equipment store, may involuntarily become confused when he sees a huge assortment of tripods. However, we will not dwell on the tired question “How to choose tripod for the camera?”, assuming that the reader has read the mountain of relevant literature. Let's approach the issue of choice from the other side, highlighting the main brands under which they are produced. It is worth immediately indicating that we are talking about the Ukrainian market, and we will only consider well-known brands. Each of them has its own zest, and there are also moments that they prefer to keep silent about. So, let's start in ascending order.

Arsenal tripods.

Manufacturer – China. Arsenal products belong to the budget price category. Material – aluminum and plastic. Quite functional and practical to use, all models are equipped with carrying cases. The weakest point is their quality. Still, the Chinese assembly leaves much to be desired. Therefore, when purchasing, you need to pay attention to the full operation of all legs, latches, and clamps. Check the operation of the elevator mechanism. The positive thing is that the price is quite low. A good tripod for a DSLR with a standard lens, for example, the Arsenal ARS-3770, can be purchased for only $35. The good news is that there are practically no interruptions in the supply of Arsenal tripods, and this is a very strong argument in favor of this manufacturer over other competitors in this price category. Every year the quality of products is growing before our eyes, and Arsenal tripods from two years ago are not at all the same as their modern counterparts. So if you are limited by budget, it makes sense to pay attention to the Arsenal camera tripod.

Velbon tripods.

Manufacturer – China. Velbon products include both a budget line and a professional one. In a nutshell about the budget series. Material - aluminum and plastic. Velbon's quality is little better than Arsenal's. The price is 15-20% higher than Arsenal. Velbon tripods are functional and easy to use. The amateur series includes the CX- and DF- series. The most popular is Velbon CX-444. As for the professional line, it should be noted the excellent build quality, strength and light weight of the structure, made of aluminum, a composite alloy of carbon fiber and basalt. Its price starts from $350. There is one minus that can overshadow most of the positive aspects. The constant shortage and empty warehouses of Velbon tripods force fans of this brand to reorient themselves to either the manufacturer Slik or Arsenal.

Slik tripods.

The Slik company is one of the oldest tripod manufacturers, whose homeland is Japan. The budget line of this brand is made in China and is no different from the corresponding Velbon series. Mid-priced Slik tripods are made in Thailand. The top line is made in Japan. In a nutshell: traditionally good quality, nice assembly. Inappropriately overpriced. This means that Slik products are closer to Velbon in quality, and closer to Manfrotto in price.

Benro tripods.

Country of origin: China. Chinese engineers did not reinvent the wheel. They have taken the best from existing brands and implemented all the technical and functional innovations in each of their tripods. In the manufacture of Benro, technologies from Gitzo and Manfrotto engineers were used. Fans of the Korean brand Markins will find a surprising similarity between Benro heads and Markins heads. The nice thing is that the end user benefits from this “hybridization”. There are no questions about the functionality of Benro, because in their production all the best that was previously invented was taken. The build quality is pleasantly surprising, despite the fact that Benro products are made in China. The price of the tripod is quite high, only 20-25% lower than the world famous brand Manfrotto. It is advantageous to purchase the kit as a set with a head. A popular model is the BENRO A350EX with the BENRO BH-0 head. The cost of the set is $125. A nice feature is the presence of a high-quality hard case and a set of hexagons included. It is worth buying a Benro tripod if you are strictly limited by a specific budget - and this will be a worthy choice. If not, look below: next in line are products whose parent was the Italian Lino Manfrotto.

Manfrotto tripods.

Manfrotto products are made in Italy, only a small batch of budget models are produced at the Manfrotto plant in China. As we see, even the giants are trying to reduce the cost of their production. There is no reason to doubt the quality of Manfrotto. During production, only the latest technologies, often developed and patented by the company’s engineers, and ultra-reliable materials are used. Manfrotto tripods cover the entire range of photographic applications. For shooting with a compact camera or small SLR, the Manfrotto MY series is suitable, which combines light weight, compact size, versatility and reliable design. For professional use there are several lines of tripods, both carbon and aluminum, and big choice tripod heads for various tasks. They differ in weight, size and recommended load, but they are united by impeccable stability, structural rigidity, reliability of all mechanisms, versatility and flexibility in use. The most popular models are Manfrotto 055XPROB and Manfrotto 190XPROB. They are designed for amateur photographers and professionals who understand photography equipment. If you need a good tripod for your camera, Manfrotto brand products are the best choice in terms of price/quality ratio.

It is a well-known fact that for a real photographer it does not matter what to shoot or what equipment to use. But if you have the opportunity, you shouldn’t deny yourself high-quality photo accessories that will make your shooting more comfortable and enjoyable.