Don't use a tripod if you can help it. Having to carry one is a pain and thus cripples creativity. See Digital Killed My Tripod.
Only use a tripod for still subjects either at night or when you need long shutter speeds of about 1/60 or slower.
It's a common misconception among photo teachers and amateurs that tripods are good, although no one really knows why. I guess some people just associate tripods with serious photography.
No one needs a tripod unless the shutter speed is long. Today VROS and IS lenses also help obsolete them. Long shutter speeds only happen at night, or if you are at f/22 for a lot of depth of field.
Even worse, if you whip out a tripod everyone thinks you're a
professional and then crowds around you as if you somehow have the
only good spot from which to make a photo.
Choosing the right tripod can be an overwhelming experience; there are so many choices! Aluminum or carbon fiber? Lightweight or heavy? Three leg sections or four? Buy for the equipment I have now, or for the equipment that I might get down the road? Here are a number of things to consider when choosing a new tripod.
Number of Leg Sections
Tripods with 3 leg-sections over 4 leg-sections are best for most applications. Let's consider two equivalent Gitzo® mid-range models: the 3 leg-section GT2530 and the 4 leg-section GT2540. The top tube diameter is the same for both models. But since each leg section has to telescope into the previous section, the fourth and final leg section of the GT2540 is quite narrow. In practical terms, the final leg section of the GT2530 is about the width of your thumb, while the final leg section of the GT2540 is about the width of your index finger. Lastly, tripods with 3 leg-sections have only two joints per leg. In general terms, the fewer joints, the better the support; the fewer joints, the less hassle.
But there are times when a tripod with 4 leg-sections is a good choice. If travel and portability are premium considerations for you, tripods with 4 leg-sections always collapse into a shorter closed length. This can often mean the difference between fitting in that carry-on suitcase and leaving your tripod behind.
Aluminum or Carbon Fiber?
Carbon Fiber
Greatest weight to stability ratio; today's high-perfomance models deliver excellent stability even when ratio of head-to-leg mass drops to about 1.5.
Easier to handle in extreme cold since the leg sections do not get as cold as aluminum.
Dampens vibration faster than aluminum.
Typically half the weight of a comparable aluminum model.
Typically twice the price of a comparable aluminum model.
Aluminum
Typically half the price of a comparable carbon fiber model.
Typically twice the weight of a comparable carbon fiber model.
Height & Center Columns
Remember that this means maximum height and minimum height. Want to have your viewfinder at eye level? Choose a tripod that can extend at least to within about 6-inches of eye level (that remaining 6-inches will be taken up by your ballhead and camera). Want to be at ground level? Choose either a tripod without a center column, or one of the 2007 Gitzo Mountaineer models with removable center columns.
Choosing a tripod with or without a center column is a matter of personal choice. Some shooters prefer the Gitzo Systematic series that come with no center column (but they accept a range of Systematic accessories, including optional center columns). Others prefer the versatility that a center column delivers; it sure is handy to just raise the center column a bit when you need that extra inch in height rather than adjusting each leg section. Note that if you do choose a tripod with center column, you'll get the best support when your center column is not fully extended (so choose a tripod that is tall enough without the center column fully extended).
Other Factors
Remember that selection of a support system stems from three inputs: personal bias, load, and surroundings. Your goal is to have a solid support system that is more than the sum of its parts. A well-crafted support system is built from the ground up with quality components that enhance the genuine needs and preferences of each shooter. Tripod legs, head, quick-release clamping system, camera and optics—a well chosen combination, used properly, will yield the finest results with every
use.
Over the past 75 years, Davis & Sanford has built up a diverse line of well-engineered, sturdy tripods from low-priced, high value tripods for the weekend image taker to versatile, rugged tripods for around-the-clock professionals, and everything in between. Plus, Davis & Sanford provides a variety of platforms, tripod heads and accessories to meet a range of specialized applications.
All Davis & Sanford tripods share some important features:
-Strong, yet lightweight materials such as aircraft-quality aluminum and high-tech synthetics provide excellent durabillity and functionality
-Powder-coated or anodized protective finishes resist abrasion
under the heaviest use
-Ten year warranty on all tripods gives you complete confidence
in your purchase
Sakar International, Inc. is a 30-year old consumer electronics manufacturer. Our mission has always been to deliver great product at affordable prices. Over the years we’ve grown from a small family business to a leader in technology trends, with showrooms and distribution worldwide. Our company has evolved alongside technology – from selling camera lenses for SLR cameras, to being the #1 supplier of digital cameras to the mass retail channel. We pride ourselves on our diverse range of product. Sakar is able to offer a lifestyle position and react quickly to the demands of changing technology and design. From kids and adult to sustainable products. We are Total. Technology. Trends.
The Tripod is an ultra portable mounting device for your Flip. Set it up almost anywhere and record anything - even yourself. Comes with 5 sets of colorful interchangeable feet to match your camcorder
Professional Head Systems, Light-duty Tripod Systems, Professional Monopod Systems, Pro Mini Tripod, Portable Mini Tripod Systems, Professional Digital Support Systems, Professional Light Stand, Photo Studio, Professional Camera Bag System, Professional Cleaning System, Accessories
Gitzo S.A. is a manufacturer of Photographic accessories, including bags, but specialising in tripods and supports.
Founded by Arsène Gitzhoven in 1917 initially producing cameras, shutters, and cable releases, but between 1942 and 1944 with World War II in full swing, the company closed for the duration of the occupation.
During the 1950's, tripods were introduced into their product range, and shortly after, Arsène retired, and his daughter, Yvonne Plieger took over the company. She and her husband became more and more dedicated to creating a range of high quality photographic tripods.
In 1992, Gitzo became part of the Vitec group, who also own Manfrotto, described in corporate literature as "a multinational holding company specialised in supporting professional photographers, broadcasters and filmmakers.
In 2005, Gitzo completed their transfer of production from France to Italy, a process which began in 2001
Glidecam Industries Inc. offers a wide variety of camera stabilizers (camera stabilization systems) for use with motion picture cameras, video cameras, and video camcorders. These hand-held and body-mounted camera stabilizers create super smooth shots, and allow the operator to walk, run, go up and down stairs, shoot from moving vehicles, and travel over uneven terrain without any camera instability or shake. Glidecam camera stabilization products make ideal camera accessories and can easily replace or be used in conjunction with dollies and tracks, booms, camera cranes, and tripods, or monopods. Both professional filmmakers and amateur movie makers alike can enjoy the fluidity and grace that Glidecam camera stabilizers provide.
Hakuba USA sells tripods under its own brand name, and is the exclusive U.S. distributor of Velbon, the world's best selling tripod manufacturer. Together, the Velbon and Hakuba lines represent one of the largest and most complete selections of tripods and accessories. So Hakuba can offer innovative
products with superb quality and exceptional value to everyone from the demanding professional to the enthusiastic hobbyist.
INDURO. ROCK SOLID, NO MATTER WHAT – these are the perfect words to define the performance that today’s Pros demand of Tripods, Heads and Support Accessories. And INDURO delivers with a wide and growing range of systems providing the fine construction, advanced features and elegant designs that Photographers want.
Joby develops innovative accessories for the photography and personal communications markets. Based in San Francisco, California, Joby was launched in 2006 as a single-product company with the Gorillapod — a flexible camera tripod — as the initial innovation. Available in three sizes and 40 countries, the Gorillapod features prehensile legs that bend and rotate 360 degrees to secure a digital camera to virtually any surface. It is the ideal accessory for active, on-the-go photographers.
Made Products was founded in 2006 to focus on making unique and patented accessories for digital cameras.
We chose this market because making highly differentiated, “sandbox revolutionary” products for photographers sounded like a lot of fun to us, being pretty into cameras ourselves.
As a part of the Speck Group of companies , we have been doing world class design and manufacturing for years, with development facilities located in Seattle, Palo Alto, and Shanghai.
The Made Products Brands
Camera Armor was our first brand, creating a new kind of protection, and today it is available in 26 countries and 3000 stores, for 90% of the DSLR market.
Always-On is our latest brand, and it is all about convenience, with a line of accessories that mount unobtrusively on your camera, and deploy when you need them.
Lino Manfrotto, an Italian photojournalist, began designing light stands, booms, and telescopic rods in the late 1960s. In 1972 Lino Manfrotto met Gilberto Battocchio, a technician working for a Bassano mechanical firm. In 1974, the company introduced its first tripod. The company grew, and in 1986 Manfrotto, already with 6 plants in Bassano, landed in Feltre, in the industrial zone of Villapaiera, establishing 5 plants in the space of two years. Vitec purchased the French company Gitzo in 1992 and the American company Bogen in 1993. Vitec chose to maintain the separate brands as separate lines in its portfolio. In the US, Manfrotto products are distributed by Bogen Imaging under the brand name Bogen/Manfrotto. In Canada, Manfrotto products are distributed by Amplis Foto Inc.
National Geographic brings a world of experience to
photographic accessories. They have teamed up with Manfrotto
to produce an innovative line of photo and video supports.
Founded in 2002, Opteka has very quickly become one of the top manufacturers of converter lenses and filters for digital point and shoot cameras as well as high magnification telescopic lenses for 35mm SLR cameras. Our line of products has recently expanded to include tripods, flashes, power grips and digital picture frames.
A quality line of American made products that offers photographers, birdwatchers, sports enthusiasts, and others a unique selection of support devices for cameras, spotting scopes, binoculars, and other optical devices. Strong, compact, and lightweight, these products are ideal travel companions whether in a vehicle, on foot, on skis, or in a boat.
Sakar International, Inc. is a 30-year old consumer electronics manufacturer. Our mission has always been to deliver great product at affordable prices. Over the years we’ve grown from a small family business to a leader in technology trends, with showrooms and distribution worldwide. Our company has evolved alongside technology – from selling camera lenses for SLR cameras, to being the #1 supplier of digital cameras to the mass retail channel. We pride ourselves on our diverse range of product. Sakar is able to offer a lifestyle position and react quickly to the demands of changing technology and design. From kids and adult to sustainable products. We are Total. Technology. Trends.
Some companies simply slap their brand name on a cheap copy to make a quick buck. One company even went so far as to list SLIK's model number on their copy's hanging tag. They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, we think that speaks for itself.
SLIK has been quietly designing and manufacturing their own high-quality tripods for more than 50 years. SLIK has won 6 prestigious Japanese Ministry of Trade and Industry "Good Design" (G-Mark) awards. SLIK's original and innovative designs have been copied so many times that some of their ideas have become industry standards.
Don't settle for a cheap copy, check out the quality and heritage of SLIK tripods, monopods, and heads.
Designed for easy operation, Sony tripods offer more than just a stand for your camcorder.
Sony has a video tripod that includes a counterbalance mechanism, smooth pan handling and tilting option to ensure you get the desired shoot. The remote control allows you to make adjustments or steady the camcorder. Sony also offers a travel tripod with a sturdy metal alloy finish and extendable legs to ensure you can shoot in harsh or unusual situations. Now, you can start producing beautiful works of art.
Sunpak Products:
• Digital photo frames
• Consumer and professional flash units
• Flash accessories
• Tabletop studios
• Video lights
• Carbon fiber tripods
• Photo and video tripods
• Tabletop tripods
• Specialty tripods
• Ball and panheads
• Media cases
• Camera straps and grips
• Compete line of filters
• Step-up/down rings
• Conversion lenses
• Professional studio lighting systems
• Digital photo batteries
• Camcorder batteries
• Chargers and NiMH AA and AAA batteries
The Targus Corporation is a United States-based manufacturer of accessories mostly related to mobile computing. The company has 45 offices worldwide and distribution points in 145 counties. It is headquartered in Anaheim, California, USA. They are a private company owned by private equity firm Fenway Partners.
Targus' flagship line of products is a variety of backpacks, messenger bags, briefcases and attaché cases, all designed to store notebook computers and other manifestations of mobile computing, such as the Palm Pilot line of PDAs and the iPod, and their various accessories
The advantage of a bean bag support with the security of a
camera mount. Versatile soft camera supports, extremely
affordable, lightweight and portable.
Trek Technologies LLC was formed in 2004 by John C. Barker, a product design and engineering veteran, and Tom McKasson, a computer-aided tools and methods expert. The founders identified a market need based on personal outdoor experience: a sturdy, lightweight, convenient, multi-purpose device with the functionality of both a tripod and trekking pole/hiking staff. After positive initial market analysis, the team embarked on a year-long product development program, including patent application and trade marking.
The result is the TrekPod™, a lightweight, height-adjustable walking/hiking staff, with a fully integrated tripod, and a quick-release, mount-demount system called MagMount™. The unique product design incorporates the benefits of multiple functions without sacrificing the ability to be utilized in rough terrain, easily carried for great distances, or quickly assembled with a variety of optical devices. These advantages are unparalleled in the industry and will, in fact, create a whole new product category—trekking tripods!
Tiffen Manufacturing Corporation is a company in Hauppauge, New York, U.S.A. which manufactures filters for photography, and other professional film and photography-related products. Founded in 1945, by Sol Tiffen (Nat's older brother), the company has won several Academy Awards for technical achievements in filtration.
The company's main competitors are Harrison & Harrison Optical Engineers, Inc., Hoya, Schneider, Formatt, and Lee. Tiffen also owns the Steadicam company.
Founded in 1986, Guardforce Corporation first specialized in the design, manufacturing, and the distribution of photo-video accessories.
The evolution of the Vanguard line demonstrates their commitment to higher quality products that provide more value to
their customers. Promoting the growth of the Vanguard brand is now a driving force in developing
their worldwide image. Vanguard offers an extensive range of high quality products in a wide range of categories that include, binoculars, spotting scopes, soft bags and cases, tripods and TV wall mounts.
You may want to consider browsing the following manufacturer websites for detailed information about their tripod offerings.
Their websites may offer more information, including product data sheets, than what is available on product
packaging. Note that this list is for informational purposes only:
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