Tripods are a key piece of any photographer’s kit, and there are as many choices for tripods are there are for camera and lens systems.  So how to choose?  Here’s a primer on the basics tripod types, available options, and things to consider when buying, including specific models that fit the needs of every photographer.

Farewell, Sad Old Tripod

It’s finally (finally!) time to replace my broken down $40 tripod that I’ve had for what seems like my whole life.  The pan knob has been broken for years, the head keeps falling off the sticks, and the center column has a mind of its own.

I want this new tripod to last at least a decade, so I’ve spent the last three days researching the world of camera support.  Here’s what I’ve learned.

Sturdy, Lightweight, Cheap.  Pick 2.

There’s an expression: Good. Fast. Cheap.  Pick two.  The same applies to tripods, but change the options to Sturdy. Lightweight. Cheap. If you want a lightweight, sturdy tripod, expect to pay a lot of money for it.  If you want something inexpensive and lightweight, don’t expect it to be very sturdy.  So it becomes a balance, and the key is in understanding how you will be using your tripod.

Choose Sturdy
Choose a sturdy tripod if you want it to last a really long time, if you do a lot of work in a single space, such as your studio, or if you tend to be really rough on your gear.

Choose Lightweight
If you do a lot of backpacking or traveling.  There are many models that fit in an airplane carry-on, or fit easily into your backpack.

Choose Inexpensive
If you don’t think you’ll use a tripod very often, or if you simply want a starter model, there are dozens of tripods to be found for $30-75 that will fit the bill.  You don’t need to spend a lot of money to get steady shots.  My super cheap tripod lasted me 15+ years and only now that I’m working as a photographer am I going to upgrade.

Tripod Heads

There are two main kinds of tripod heads – ball heads and pan heads.  A ball head has a single knob and the head easily rotates around until you lock it into position.  A pan head has a pan lock, tilt lock for up and down movement, and a third lock for arcing the camera side to side.

Ball Heads
This is the simplest kind of tripod head.  A single locking mechanism allows you a full range of movement for your camera.  If you tend to shoot quickly, or with moving subjects, this might be just the tripod head you need.  The trade off is that you cannot easily do panning shots, such as with panoramas, and a simple tweak in the tilt will force you to reframe the whole shot.


Pan Heads
With pan heads, multiple locking knobs give you precision in your tripod work.  You can lock down the tilt and still adjust the pan without having to re-frame the whole composition.  These are very useful heads if you do a lot of tabletop or macro work.  The different locks give you precision in your camera movement and allow you to pan easily for panoramic shots or even for use with small video cameras.  The tradeoff is speed.  With so many adjustment knobs, it can take longer to frame and lock down your shot than with a ball head.  If you want to use your tripod for both still and video work, definitely choose a pan head, but make sure the connector on the quick release plate will work with both your still and video cameras.

My Three Options

Here are the tripod systems I was seriously considering this week:

The Sturdy Option
The first is a very sturdy, relatively inexpensive all-in-one model from Slik (model Pro 700DX AMT).  It has a pan head, sturdy legs, maximum height of 74-inches and supports up to 15 pounds.  It retails on Amazon for $119.89 (as of this writing) and gets fantastic reviews on both Amazon and Adorama.  It’s the kind of tripod that will last a long time.  The one drawback is that it weighs more than 7 pounds.  It would be a perfect tripod if you mostly work in a studio or close to home and don’t need to carry it around a lot.

The Compact / Lightweight Option
The second tripod I considered is a very compact and lightweight all-in-one by Bogen/Manfrotto (Model 725B Digi).  Boasting a tiny closed length of less than 20-inches and a weight of a mere 3.1 pounds, this is an ideal tripod for travelers, backpackers, and photographers on the go.  With a compact ball head, this tripod has a maximum height of 64.6-inches and comes with a carrying case.  It retails for $114.90 on Amazon and Adorama.


The Option with Lots of Options
My last tripod is not an all-in-one, but a separate ball head and legs combo by Bogen-Manfrotto.  I found something special with these tripod legs (model 190XPROB).  They have the ability not only to move up and down, but to bend sideways, allowing you to get really low to the ground.  The sticks are made out of aluminum and have a height range of 3.15-inches up to 57-inches.  The Bogen-Manfrotto Compact Ball head (model 486RC2) supports a weight of up to 13.2 pounds, more than enough to take me through my next camera system.  The overall weight for both pieces will be about 5 pounds, and the total cost is $139.

And the Winner Is…

Ultimately, I went with door number 3.  Since I shoot a lot of moving subjects (ie: babies, kids and families), I chose a ball head rather than a pan head.  The horizontal legs option will allow me to shoot close to the ground, which is my bread and butter work.  Babies look best when shot at their level, so on the floor I go.  This tripod will give me the flexibility to shot all kinds of situations easily with a single piece of equipment.  It’s also really pretty.  I’ll post a full review when I’ve put it through its paces.

Other Things to Consider

If you are very tall, make sure to purchase a tripod with a high maximum height.  You don’t want to be bending over every single time you use your tripod.

Make sure the tripod you choose is rated for the weight of your camera and heaviest lens.  If you think you might upgrade to a heavier camera in the next 5 years, choose a tripod that will handle the extra weight.

Always choose a tripod with a quick-release plate.  These allow you to quickly remove the camera from the tripod without a lot of fuss.

Feature photo by Philip Jackson.