While there are many cheap, lightweight tripods on the market, the selection and purchase of a serious tripod deserves some thought and research as it can be a lifetime decision if done right.
There are several factors to consider when selecting and purchasing a tripod, but the main two are sturdiness and height, with the other variables either contributing to these two, or being secondary to them. These other factors include weight, leg spread, adjustability, center column options, and head selection.
Sturdiness and stability are clearly the most important factors as they are the main reason for using a tripod to begin with. If the tripod is going to rock when the wind blows, or vibrate when the shutter clicks, you’re better off foregoing a tripod and just shooting hand-held. A good tripod should feel sturdy and substantial, and not vibrate or rattle when properly adjusted. It should be able to take some drops and bumps without sustaining structural damage.
The tripod should be tall enough to bring the camera to eye level without fully extending the legs. This gives you extra room when setting up the tripod on a hill or anywhere the terrain is very rugged. Between the maximum height from extending the legs and cranking up the center post, if any, you will want to be able to get the camera above head height to gain some altitude on your subject when needed.
As far as construction material goes, carbon-fiber will give you the best stability and strength for the weight. If weight will not be a consideration, you can save some money with aluminum, but as this should be a long-term investment, carbon-fiber should be the material of choice. You will also need to make sure the tripod is sturdy enough to hold the weight of your camera, your longest lens, and your choice of head.
Other options include how the center post operates, cranked or smooth. The cranked ones can be raised with one hand, but on many smooth ones, you can reverse the post to get the camera closer to the ground. Another variable is in the feet. Some are for inside use and some for outside. You may want to look for a tripod with rubber feet that can be unscrewed to reveal metal spikes for use outdoors.
Finally, and almost as important as stability, is the head choice. There are two basic models and which one is right for you is a matter of personal choice. These are pan-tilt heads and ball heads. In addition, there are two types of pan-tilt heads – one handle and two handle. Pan-tilt heads are best for landscape work where you will primarily want to move horizontally and vertically. If you prefer the pan-tilt, the two handle version is more versatile as this allows adjustments in both directions.
The ball head allows infinite adjustment in all directions, but may be harder to adjust precisely in horizontal and vertical directions. Many bird and wildlife photographers prefer this model as they can slightly loosen the head and move quickly to follow their target.
The last option on the head is the quick release. This refers to a part that can stay attached to the camera to allow quick mounting and un-mounting of the camera to the tripod.
by Darryl Brooks