Tripod Selection and Use

Tripods are essential for keeping a camera steady and improving image sharpness. Selecting a tripod can be difficult, however, because there are many shapes and sizes available. This article considers the advantages of tripods, and takes an in-depth look at tripod heads and tripod legs. If you were like me and thought that any tripod would do, think again! Not all tripods are created equal.

Advantages of Tripods

1. long exposures - the slower the shutter speed, the more camera shake will appear; use of a tripod reduces camera shake to virtually null, so take all the night photography you want!
2. lower ISO settings - the higher the ISO, the greater the noise (or pixelation) in the final image; but the lower the ISO, the longer the exposure (see point #1)
3. hands-free shooting - allows you to play with diffusers, reflectors, and other accessories
4. repeat shots - if you need to correct your settings between shots, you won't have to line up your shot again; this is most useful when bracketing your exposure
5. macro photography - larger apertures (smaller depth of field) can be used to photograph subject very near to the lens without jeopardizing the narrow plane of focus

Tripod Heads

The head of a tripod is the section to which your camera attaches - it contains the screw that fits into the bottom of your camera, along with levers and knobs that let you turn, angle, and generally manipulate your camera's alignment until you lock it into place and take your shot.

Higher end tripods are often sold without heads at all - in that case, tripod head selection is something done separately from the "legs". There are two types of tripod heads to consider: ball and socket, and pan and tilt. Once you've figure out which type is better for you, consider looking into those little extras.

Ball and Socket Tripod Heads

Description:

Ball and Socket Tripod Heads typically have a single knob by which you tighten the camera's position. Camera movement works in two planes: strict horizontal, and strict vertical. Once the postiion has been found, the single knob keeps the camera in that spot. Loosening the knob allows movement in both planes.

Advantages:

1. quick to use
2. compact
3. single locking knob
4. 360 degree horizontal rotation
5. 180 degree vertical rotation
6. camera levelling when the tripod is sitting on an unlevel surgace can be done by adjusting the vertical rotation by eye

Disadvantages:

1. vertical rotation (typically useful for portrait shots) is often dependent on tripod head alignment with a single slot - i.e. there is only one vertical plane in which vertical rotation can happen, which will mean you have to rotate the tripod until that place is aligned correctly with your subject
2. panning horizontally with a subject (e.g. race car) is not easy with most models since losening the single knob allows movement in two planes
   

Pan and Tilt Tripod Heads

Description:

Pan and Tilt Tripod Heads typically have mulitple knobs that each allow or stop movement in a particular direction. Camera movement works in three planes: horizontal, vertical, and one for turning the camera on its side (portrait shot). Each of the three knob controls different movement independently.

Advantages:

1. panning horizontally with a subject (e.g. race car) is very easy since horizontal movement is locked or unlocked separately from movement in other directions
2. vertical rotation can occur regardless of the horizontal alignment of the camera, so switching from landscape to portrait and back requires no movement of the tripod itself
3. knobs are more often levers that assist with heavy camera (and lens) alignment

Disadvantages:

1. bulkier tripod head
2. slower to set up because there are more knobs to adjust
3. harder to level the camera on uneven surfaces

Those Little Extras

When searching for tripod heads, consider these options:

1. screw size: standard diameters are either 1/4 inch or 3/8 inch - either should fit your camera, but the 3/8 inch will hold better, and will be less likely to see your camera come unhinged when tilted on its side
2. quick release heads: screwing your camera down to the tripod head is time consuming, and can result in a missed shot if you're not fast enough; a quick-release head is a detachable piece that you screw your camera to - it quickly locks to the tripod while always staying screwed into your camera
3. a levelling device: although it's easy to pick up a tiny key-chain bubble level, some heads have one built-in, which helps you determine if your camera is perfectly level
4. panoramic heads: used for panaromic shots whereby the sequence of shots is angled correctly to minimize parallax distortion when stitching photos together later

Tripod Legs

Tripod legs allow you to perch your camera in any number of awkward spots. Typically speaking, tripods have three legs (tri=three) but some people use the term tripod to refer to any device that stabilizes your camera, including monopods and bean bags.

True Tripods (three legs)

Look for tripod legs that telescope quickly and easily. Setup should be quick, and preferably easy enough to do with one hand. Make sure that the narrowest part of the telescopic system is still reasonably sturdy when it's the only one extended.

Be aware of the weight of the tripod - generally the more sturdy the tripod, the heavier it is, which may be a trade-off you're not willing to invest in. Modern lightweight aluminum and carbon-fiber materials make tripods today lighter than ever before, while retaining the stability of the heavy-weights of years gone by. Of course, the heavier your camera/lens system, the stronger your tripod must be.

Height is also an important factor of tripod stability. Check how tall the tripod is with legs fully extended, but ignore any center column that further extends the height of the tripod because it introduces instability when used. Minimum tripod height is also important, especially when considering macro photography. Consider looking for angle adjustments of the legs or the ability to mount the camera to the bottom of the center column.

Table top tripods are generally smaller, and intended to be put on furniture, etc, instead of the ground, so leg bottoms are not necessarily as sturdy as those to be placed on grass or wet dirt. These tripods don't offer the height that telescopic tripods often do, although height can vary dramatically, too.

Tripod feet can come with rotating locking knobs or adjustable spikes and pads. Spikes are good for preventing slip in unsolid ground (e.g. mud, grass) while pads are better for indoor use. Some tripod feet have a lever lock, while others screw into place - try setting both types to see which one you prefer.

Some telescopic tripods have a levelling aid built into the head to help you determine when your legs are 90 degrees to the horizon. Consider how easy it will be to level your tripod on a hill, or perched on bulky rocks.

Monopods

Monopods are steadying devices with only one leg. Some allow you to brace the device against your chest, while others are intended to be set on the ground. Generally monopods are better than tripods for extensive travellers since they are lighter and smaller.

Bean Bags

Camera stabilizers come in the form of bean bags, too, without any legs. Some have a screw that fits into your camera the way a regular tripod would. Be careful of long lenses and whether the bean bag actually supports both your camera body and the lens.