Getting started...

A ‘good’ tripod is a fundamental part of any photographer’s
kit, and is well worth its weight in gold. New designs using
modern composite materials are making tripods lighter all
the time. The stability of a quality tripod can provide you with
the sharpest possible pictures from your expensive camera
and lenses, allowing you to get those shots you've only
dreamed of.

Why Do I Need a Tripod?

Long lenses - Telephoto lenses tend to be difficult to steady.
Their long focal length magnifies any vibration caused by the
camera shutter and mirror, or the wind, or by the photo-
grapher himself. The slower maximum aperture of telephoto
lenses also causes a frequent need for slower shutter speeds
 which exacerbates the problem even more.

A good tripod will help steady your camera and ensure sharp
pictures.

Digital cameras - When it comes to digital photography a
tripod is a must, especially when using the lower end cameras
which tend to show more noticeable signs of shutter lag. In
general, many digital cameras need slower shutter speeds and are susceptible to blur, so the tripod in the studio and out in the field will give you much better results.

The sharpness of all your images will improve if you apply the use of a tripod any time you can.

Choosing the right tripod

Among the first things you’ll need to consider when choosing your tripod is the size and weight of your camera equipment. Your new tripod must be capable of supporting it. Look at the tripod’s stated load capacity to check this.

Although the lightness of a tripod itself is not related to how much weight it can carry (since this has more to do with the construction methods and materials used), some photographers – especially those who are studio bound, prefer heavier tripods. The weight makes the tripod inherently more solidly stuck to the ground.

But if you travel or enjoy shooting nature photography, lightness and transportability may be critical factors in your choice. New technologies and construction materials have allowed tripods that are incredibly sturdy, yet light and very easily transported.

The lightest tripods are made entirely of carbon fibre with magnesium castings. But surprisingly, the main advantage of carbon fibre in tripod construction is not its reduced weight, but its increased rigidity and strength along the leg’s vertical axes. Of course, the fact that the overall weight of the tripod is reduced by 30% without sacrificing any strength is a huge plus.

Choosing a tripod

There are many types of tripods available, but choose wisely. Some look really sophisticated and shiny while being made by plastic and these are actually quite impractical (better than nothing though). As with so many things, all tripods are worth what they are sold for. If you are serious about photography, I'd recommend that you get a quality tripod.

Choose a model that can extend itself to your eye level, with height-adjustable legs (most tripods have adjustable legs).

The second thing to look for when choosing a tripod is its head (where the camera will connect). Ball-heads generally cost more, but allow the camera to point in almost any direction in any orientation and will allow you to aim and lock the camera quickly. This is particularly useful for subjects that require quick action.

In general, you may expect to spend a reasonable sum for a decent tripod with ball-head. Consider this as a requirement for your photo equipment, rather than a handy accessory! When you buy a tripod, also buy a cable release or remote shutter control, so you don't need to touch the camera at all during exposures when it is tripod-mounted.