Camera Tripod Information
A camera tripod is a three-legged device designed to hold a camera in place without the help of the photographer. Camera tripods are used when the photographer wants the camera to remain perfectly still and in place A tripod is composed of a legset and a head. The legs support the head and the camera is attached to the headset. On many tripods the head and legset are integrated into a single unit. This saves both on money and weight.
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Legs
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The weight, size and rigidity of a camera tripod is more often than not determined by the design of its legs. Tripod legs are usually telescopic and thus are split into several sections. The greater the number of sections a tripod’s legs are divided into, the smaller the tripod will be when folded. However, the more sections a tripod’s legs have, the more of a nuisance it is to assemble. Tripod legs are made in a number of different materials. Aluminum is the cheapest and most common material used for tripods, but it is also the heaviest. Aluminum tripod legs are rigid, but the same rigidity can be achieved with less weight with basalt and carbon fiber tripods. Basalt tripods are more expensive than aluminum ones, and carbon fiber tripods are even more expensive.
Ball-and-Socket Heads
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The tripod head is where the camera is mounted to the tripod; it usually rotates on an axis. Ball-and-socket tripod heads are the simplest type. The ball-and-socket joint allows the camera to move in any direction when it is released and can be locked in position with a simple knob. The ball-and-socket head is compact and fast to use, but can pose difficulties if the photographer is trying to make precise camera movements in a single direction; for example when taking a sequence of action or sports shots.
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Three-Way Heads.
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Three-way heads have three separate axes of movement. They allow horizontal, vertical and lateral movement. The lateral axis enables the camera to turn on its side for vertical shots. Three-way heads enable the photographer to pan smoothly in a precise and straight line. Three-way heads are heavier and slower to use and set up than ball-and-socket heads. However, the independent axes are often necessary when taking a succession of shots in a straight line.
Manufacturers
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Photography dealers often stock cheap tripods made by little known companies, but these tripods are unlikely to be very good. There are a small number of established and respected tripod manufacturers. Obviously the more money you spend on a tripod the more likely you are to obtain a quality product. But price isn't everything; you should also look out for construction quality. Poor quality tripods are often held together with rivets instead of nuts & bolts. You should also check the tripod's leg extension locks operate easily. It is also important to check that the tripod can support a decent amount of weight. A good tripod will not buckle, creak or groan when you push down hard on its head set.
Mini Tripods and Compact Tripods
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Mini or table-top tripods are designed to easily fit in a camera bag and are usually placed on a table top or other level surface when required. Some mini tripods are heavy duty and highly flexible, others are cheap and ineffective. Some min tripods can be held against the chest to prevent camera shake and provide extra stability. Compact tripods are designed to fold up much smaller than standard tripods; they are useful for traveling, but often can only hold light cameras.
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References
- Photo Credit tripod image by Dumitrescu Ciprian from Fotolia.com
