Tripods: The Key to Good Photographs and Films?
You spend some serious money on a great new camera or camcorder but your images still aren't eliciting the rave reviews you would like among family and friends. How can it be?
Obviously, there can be a number of reasons but one common cause is the failure to adequately steady the camera or camcorder resulting in blurry photographs and unsteady and even downright undulating home movies. The solution is simple: use a camera tripod.
Use the expandable Table of Contents below to find things quickly on this page.
Choosing a Tripod
Below are some tips to help you find a quality camera tripod. But remember, if you're on a tight budget and are a very casual user, some lesser models are still better than no tripod at all. Even bottle cap tripods can be useful.
Choosing the Right Tripod: Sturdiness
Camera tripods with dual-stanchioned legs tend to provide a more stable, strong base for your digital camera or camcorder.Tripods with rivets tend to be less durable and therefore, those with nuts and bolts are generally preferable.
Choosing the Right Tripod: Ease of Use
If a tripod is difficult or time consuming to set up, most people will avoid using them, choosing instead to leave them setting in the closet. This of course, renders them completely ineffective!Thus, it can be important to select a camera tripod that is easy to set up; those which have lever type leg locks versus twist locks tend to be faster and easier to manipulate.
Choosing the Right Tripod: Weight
In addition to ease of set up and use, the weight of a tripod can be another factor that either encourages or discourages use. Clearly, an overweight camera tripod is not one that users wish to tote everywhere they go and often sits neglected in the corner.On the other hand of course, strength can be critical. Thus, carbon fiber and titanium are often preferred in the construction of top rated tripods. Aluminum however, can provide adequate strength for the average amateur with a light weight camcorder or digital camera during light to moderate use. Certainly, aluminum also reduces the expense.
Choosing the Right Tripod: Leveling
Camera tripods with a bubble level can help assure a level shot. Other features that can be useful in this regard are legs that allow independent height/length adjustment or, in the instance of outdoor filming, a spike to deal with uneven terrain. Choosing the Right Tripod: Movement
When using a tripod with a camcorder it can be particularly important to assure the tripod offers smooth movement as you may wish to pan horizontally to follow action while filming.A ball head tends to provide optimal movement on a tripod.
Tripod Tutorial
Videography Terms & Information : Tripod: Videography Terms
Learn details and information about tripods in this free video clip. Expert: Antar Bio: Antar has been working with video for over half a decade. He currently owns a media production company in the Maryland/DC area. Filmmaker: Antar Hanif
Runtime: 1:08
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Bottle Cap Tripod
Brunton Full Size Tubular Aluminum Tripod, with removable head
Brunton Full Size Tubular Aluminum Tripod, with removable head
Amazon Price: $114.49 (as of 07/09/2009)
This mid-range camera tripod is full-sized with a tubular aluminum construction. It provides excellent stability for filming and taking still shots at night. It offers a built-in bubble level to for error free shooting, a removable three-way pan head to assure a smooth and steady shot, as well as individual pushbutton leg angle adjustments for the ultimate flexibility.
This tripod is easy to carry and, with two attached "leg warmers", assures the users comfort. Secure and steady the non-slip rubber feet provide stability even on slippery surfaces. This Bruton tripod adjusts from 28.5 to 70.5 inches and weighs a reasonable 7 pounds. Shoppers can buy with confidence as it is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
More Brunton Tripods
Brunton Lightweight Aluminum Tripod with Removable Pan Head
Amazon Price: $74.01 (as of 07/09/2009)
Brunton Binocular Tripod Adapter
Amazon Price: $46.62 (as of 07/09/2009)
Brunton Full Size Tubular Aluminum Tripod, with removable head
Amazon Price: $114.49 (as of 07/09/2009)
Brunton Quick attachment plate for Tripods
Amazon Price: $15.94 (as of 07/09/2009)
Grip Tripod Head
Amazon Price: $104.00 (as of 07/09/2009)
Gitzo Tripods
Quality Carbon Fiber Tripods
Gitzo GT3541 Series 3 Carbon 6x 4 Section G-Lock Tripod - Replaces GT3540 (Black)
Amazon Price: $799.90 (as of 07/09/2009)
Gitzo GT0531 Series 0 6X Carbon Fiber 3-Section Tripod with G-Lock - Replaces GT0530
Amazon Price: $399.90 (as of 07/09/2009)
Gitzo GT3530LS Carbon Fiber Series 3 Long Systematic Tripod (Black)
Amazon Price: $724.90 (as of 07/09/2009)
Gitzo GT1541T Series 1 6X 4S G-Lock Traveler - Replaces GT1540T (Black)
Amazon Price: $574.90 (as of 07/09/2009)
Gitzo GT2531 Series 2 6X Carbon Fiber 3-Section Tripod with G-Lock - Replaces GT2530
Amazon Price: $599.90 (as of 07/09/2009)
Bogen - Manfrotto Modo Maxi Black Tripod Legs with Hybrid Joystick Ball Head with Manfrotto MBAG Tripod Bag
Bogen - Manfrotto Modo Maxi Black Tripod Legs with Hybrid Joystick Ball Head with Manfrotto MBAG Tripod Bag
Amazon Price: (as of 07/09/2009)
This Bogen cmaera tripod is a high-performance, ultra-compact and lightweight which provides stability, portability and ease of use. It's versatile hybrid head can be used with both a digital camera or video camera. It's quick-release plate makes switching equipment quick and easy. It folds down to a very portable 14 inches while being able to extend to 45 in. With quick flip leg locks this tripod is quick to set up, tear down, and adjust.
This tripod is a great mid-level tripod perfect for avid amateurs.
Other Bogen Tripods
Manfrotto 190XPROB 3 Section Aluminum Pro Tripod
Amazon Price: $159.90 (as of 07/09/2009)
Manfrotto 055XPROB Pro Tripod Legs (Black)
Amazon Price: $179.90 (as of 07/09/2009)
Manfrotto 785 Modo Maxi Photo Video Grip Head Tripod
Amazon Price: $59.90 (as of 07/09/2009)
Manfrotto 190XDB 3 Section Aluminum Tripod
Amazon Price: $99.99 (as of 07/09/2009)
Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 3-Section Pro Carbon Fiber Tripod without Head
Amazon Price: $299.90 (as of 07/09/2009)
Slik Heavy-Duty Tripod with 3-Way Fluid-Effect Head and Built-In Bubble Level
Flexible Tripods
Joby GP1-E1EN Gorillapod Flexible Tripod (Grey)
Amazon Price: $21.95 (as of 07/09/2009)
Joby GP3 Gorillapod SLR-Zoom Flexible Tripod for Digital SLR Cameras
Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 07/09/2009)
Joby GP1-EBEN Gorillapod Flexible Tripod (Blue)
Amazon Price: $21.95 (as of 07/09/2009)
Joby GP2-E1EN Gorillapod Flexible Tripod for Digital SLR Cameras
Amazon Price: $34.96 (as of 07/09/2009)
Joby GP2-D1EN Gorillapod Flexible Tripod for Digital SLR Cameras with Bubble Level
Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 07/09/2009)
Other Tripods
Opteka 70" Full Size Professional Photo / Video Tripod
Amazon Price: $29.95 (as of 07/09/2009)
Sunpak 620-092 9002DX Tripod with 3-Way Quick-Release Pan Head
Amazon Price: $37.50 (as of 07/09/2009)
Sunpak 620-060 6601UT Tripod with Extra Quick-Release Mounting Plate
Amazon Price: $27.85 (as of 07/09/2009)
Velbon DF-60 Dual Function Light Weight Tripod
Amazon Price: $49.99 (as of 07/09/2009)
Sunpak 620-080 8001UT Tripod with Extra Quick-Release Mounting Plate
Amazon Price: $31.88 (as of 07/09/2009)
Vanguard VT-126 Aluminum Digital Camera Tripod
Amazon Price: $49.00 (as of 07/09/2009)
Celestron Heavy-Duty Altazimuth Tripod
Amazon Price: $77.03 (as of 07/09/2009)
Celestron Photo / Video Tripod
Amazon Price: $42.95 (as of 07/09/2009)
Quick Pod: Another Non-Traditional Option
The Quick Pod in Action
Quik Pod 2007 info
(www.quikpod.com) Unique camera mount the Quik Pod is at Consumers Electronic Show in Las Vegas.
Runtime: 5:01
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Camera Tripods: Did You Find What You Need? Let Us Know
If you didn't find the camera tripod you need, try visiting our full service home electronics store.
Webcodes wrote...
You sure know about tripods. 5*. Those Bottle Cap Tripod for Compact Digital Cameras sure seem handy.
Posted July 06, 2008
kathysart wrote...
My husband is CONSTANTLY saying he needs a new tripod!
FIVE CAMERA READY STARS! YAY!
Who is Lucian Freud?
http://www.squidoo.com/lucianfreud
Aloha, Kathy
Posted May 19, 2008
nightcats wrote...
I have two tripods, and they are well worth the investment. One is a mini tripod, a few inches high. Its crucial for getting closeups of flowers or small objects. The other is a very lightweight full size tripod that folds up. It is great for carrying around or even taking on hikes. My next purchase will be a heavy weight one. I find the lightweight one sometimes jiggles a bit so for home use where weight is not an issue, I would like a heavy one.
Posted April 24, 2008
bbug wrote...
Great information, my tripod is a little shakie I could use a new one
Posted April 17, 2008
chefkeem wrote...
Nice job, mulberry! All you need to know about tripods - right here in one place. *****
Posted April 17, 2008
GPSGUY wrote...
Thanks for the info! I may be needing one of these for my new digital camera.
Posted February 29, 2008
Introduction Photo Credit: F 5.6.
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