Are you thinking of getting a digital camera tripod?
Well, good for you! I feel that tripods really are a necessity if you’re
serious about photography. Yes, they are big, bulky and quite painful to
carry around - but they do wonders for the digital photos.
They are particularly good for getting rid of that camera shake that creeps
into your photos now and then.
In particular, tripods are
particularly good for nature shots, macro-photography, long exposure shots, slow
shutter speeds or low light situations. That makes it a very versatile accessory
which must be in any photographer's toolbox.
This article will give you
some tips for choosing a good tripod for your digital camera. Read on and find
out more!
Check the
Stability
Always make sure you check
stability of the tripod when the legs are fully extended. Adjust the tripod to a
proper height, then check if it wobbles after you apply some pressure to the
top. If the tripod is made of sturdy material and is of good quality, it should
remain firmly in place even with some pressure on it.
Can It Sustain the Camera's Weight?
Another thing to bear in mind
when buying a tripod is the weight of your camera. Remember, if you have a
professional digital SLR, the total weight of your camera, lenses and flash unit
will make the whole setup pretty hefty. Make sure that tripod can carry the
total load.
In general, I'd avoid the
plastic models. Yes, they’re lightweight and cheap, but you want to trust it
with your camera. A heavy tripod, made of magnesium alloy, titanium or carbon
fiber is much better. Though slightly more costly, they will last you a long
time and are much suited for rough photographic situations.
Check
the Head
Tripods come with a head to
which your camera is attached. Some of the tripods come with one that’s
removable, which will allow you to just buy whichever type you like. Some come
with one that is not removable, and your stuck with it. So shop carefully.
Heads tend to come in two
categories - the pan and tilt heads and the ball and socket heads. Both have
advantages and disadvantages. The pan and tilt heads move up and down, left to
right. The ball and socket type allow you to position the camera in any
direction, is nice for moving your camera around while on the tripod.
Check the Height
One more thing - remember to
check for the height of the tripod. How does the tripod extend? What are its
maximum, minimum and folded heights? And most importantly, do the heights fit
you? This can really vary depending on the type of photographs you take.
Brand Name
Tripods
There are many brands of
tripods out there - many beginner digital photographers end up buying lower
quality ones. Remember, a cheaper price doesn't always mean the tripod is of a
better quality. I prefer to go for quality brand names like Sunpak, Slik or
Vanguard. One of my favorite tripods for general usage is the I use is the
Sunpak 6601UT tripod as shown below.
Great! Hopefully you've now
learnt a thing or two about choosing a proper tripod for your digital
photography exploits. Trust me, a tripod is a really useful tool - something
that you will need sooner or later if you're serious about photography.
Learn
to Take Beautiful Photos
If you want to
improve your digital photography skills, you may want to take a look at Digital Photography Success. This e-book
package includes excellent step-by-step instructions on how to take pictures of beautiful landscapes, people, nature, fireworks, night scenes, etc. Learn how to shoot professional photos - just like those you see in glossy magazine covers.
Related Articles
You may also wish to read the following related
articles:
Learn
to Take Beautiful Photos