The Photographers Guide to Buying a Tripod

There are numerous reasons every photographer should own a tripod. However, with the number of tripods available today, seleting the right tripod can be a daunting task, especially for beginners. Therefore, to help photographers walk through the tripod buying process, I have created this post about a “The Photographers Guide to Buying A Tripod.”

Not only will the guide walk you through factors to consider prior to buying a tripod, but it also includes an in-depth overview of the various tripod components as detailed in the following table of contents.

This guide has be written primarily for still photography from a full size camera and portions of this article may or may not be pertinent for tripods used with an iphones or some video use.

Photographers Guide to Buying a Tripod Overview

Benefits and Disadvantages of Using a Tripod

Before I list my reasons why every photographer should own a tripod, let me state that I believe these reasons to be true only if the tripod is a good tripod. The wrong tripod can place your expensive camera gear at risk of damage and is not worth owning.

But how do you know what constitutes a good tripod? Stay with me and find out.

Tripod Benefits

Holds the camera steady
Improves image composition
Allows for the use of a slow shutter speed
Enables use of small apertures to increase the Depth of Field
A must for night photography
Also necessary for time-lapse photography
Enables multiple exposures (aka HDR)
Provides access to compositions not possible when handholding the camera

Tripod Disadvantages

A good tripod is costly.
Tripods can be heavy to carry on long hikes. Even the lightest tripod is not light once a ball head is attached.
Some tripods are difficult to use and takes time to set up. I have seen so many beginners fumble with adjusting the legs and ball heads that it is no wonder beginners prefer to hand hold a camera.
Tripods can take up space and block narrow boardwalks, trails, paths, etc.
Tripods not properly designed for the weight of your gear can easily tip over and result in damage to gear. This is especially true in high winds.
A tripod can limit compositions as photographers tend to photograph from one place once the tripod is set up.

Tripod Material Comparison

Most tripods today are made from one of the two following materials; aluminum or carbon fiber. In most cases, I recommend purchasing a carbon fiber tripod when a person’s budget allows for the cost. However, depending on what you photograph, the aluminum tripod may be best such as if you are a storm chaser.

Aluminum	Carbon Fiber
Tripods are heavier	Tripods are lighter
Cheaper	More expensive
Increased vibrations	Less vibrations
Prone to impacts from weather	More resistant to damage from weather
Less conductive to electricity	Tends to conduct electricity

As can be seen in the above table, the material a tripod is made out of does make a difference in the tripod performance.

Although it is great to carry the lightest tripod possible, if your budget is limited, this is an area where you can compromise. For instance, other factors such as a tripod carrying weight capacity should not be sacrificed in order to buy a carbon fiber tripod over an aluminum tripod.

How to Calculate Tripod Maximum Load Capacity

Determine the maximum load capacity of a tripod for your specific equipment by performing the following steps:

Tripod Maximum Load Capacity Formula

Determine the weight of your heaviest camera
Add to the camera weight, the weight of your heaviest lens
Add weight of external flash units
Add the weight of the ballhead if it was purchases separate from the tripod. See below for more info.
Multiple the sum of all above by 2 then shop only for tripods that equal or exceed this number.
Note: for those who add microphones and other accessories for video be sure to include those items in the above number.

Most photo equipment sites will show the load capacity of each tripod such as illustrated on this BH PhotoVideo site.

How Much Should My Tripod Weigh?

This one is easy- You want the lightest weight tripod possible that you can afford provided it has a weight capacity for your heaviest gear, is at an acceptable height as calculated below, and fits the other criteria listed in this post.

Now depending on how much hiking you do, lighter tripod weight of course becomes increasingly important. However, on a personal note, I would still rather carry a heavier tripod that supports my gear and is at the right height for me than a lighter trip that will not safely hold my gear.

Tripod Height – How Tall of a Tripod Should I Buy?

Never buy any tripod that positions the camera’s viewfinder below your eye level height. If you do, you will spend all your photography time hunched over and potentially end up with back and neck problems. Besides, there are enough times when we choose to photograph below eye level and I would rather save my back pain for those situations.

Here the camera viewfinder will be above eye level which is what we want.

Actually, I recommend buying the tallest tripod you can afford that also meets the other criteria in this guide. The benefits of taller tripods quickly become evident when you are photographing from a hillside, pond, or other lower surfaces.

How to Determine Tripod Minimum Height Requirement

Tripod Height Calculation

Measure the distance from the ground to your eyes.
Next calculate the distance from the camera’s viewfinder to the top of the tripod.
Subtract the second number from the ground to eye distance number and this will determine the shortest tripod you should purchase.

For example, assume the distance from the ground to my eyes is 60″ and the distance from the camera’s viewfinder to the top is 8″, my minimum tripod height would need to be 52″. Please notice that I subtracted the height of the ball head and part of the camera.

However, if the tripod has an integrated head, please check that any posted tripod heights do not include the head. If the posted height includes the head, do not subtract the second line. Simply use the ground to eye level height. Now add at least 6″ to this number for a cushion. (Note I am not talking about my actual height, just the height to my eyes).

Lastly, be sure when you shop for tripods that the listed height does not include the center column being extended. Center columns are never as stable as the three tripod legs and we only want to use heights to the base of all three legs.

Understanding the Various Tripod Parts

1. Tripod with Heads or No Heads

When purchasing a tripod, one is first faced with two decisions regarding heads: integrated head or no head.

picture of a tripod with attached head — A. **Tripod with attached head**

A. Buying a Tripod with an Attached Head-Things to Consider

Tripods Sold with Heads vary greatly from flimsy models that are difficult to use to reasonably good tripods with heads that can be changed out. The main benefit of these tripods is that they usually cost less than having to buy a tripod and head separately.

Things to Consider When Buying a Tripod with a Head

Can the head be changed for a different head?
If not, is this the type of head that will meet your heads? Please see below to understand more about the different types of tripod heads

Examples of two vastly different tripods, both sold with attached heads.

pictures of two different tripods sold with heads

B. Buying a Tripod and Head Separately

Tripods sold without heads are generally better quality tripods. In fact, I recommend everyone consider purchasing tripods in this category as long as your budget will allow it. Just remember to add the cost of a tripod head into your budget.

Now that I have hopefully convinced you to buy a tripod and head separately, you need to know how to choose from the various types of tripod heads. So let’s take a quick look at some of our tripod head choices.

2.Types of Tripod Heads

Ball Heads– These are the most widely used heads on tripods. The heads use a ball from which to move the camera around into a wide range of positions and allow simultaneous horizontal and vertical movements. Although this ball head is quick and easy to use, it does not provide the precision controls one may desire such as for creating panoramas.

Pan and Tilt– The pan and tilt head is the second most popular type of head for photography which separates vertical, horizontal, and panning camera movements into three controls. These distinct adjustments are designed to provide more control over each movement on a plane without impacting the other planes. The con to this type of head is that it takes longer to adjust.

Pistol Grip Head– This head works like a ball head but has a lever on the side instead of on the top. I used this head for a few months as a beginner and found it did not stay locked into place very well and therefore am not a fan of this type of head.

Gimbal Heads– These heads are primarily used by wildlife photographers and are designed for heavy lens. The camera and len are placed on the side of the tripod and not on top of the tripod. The head provides easy fluid movements for tracking subjects which are primarily wildlife but can be any moving subject. Note: Do not confuse a gimbal head with a gimbal stabilizer that is used for video.

Geared Tripod Head– This head is designed to move the camera horizontally, vertically, and side to side and allows very precise movements.

3.Tripod Legs/Columns

The number of adjustable columns on each leg of a tripod vary from three to four, each having a number of pros and cons. So now let’s evaluate which leg columns will work best for your specific photography.

Three Column Tripods

Four Column Tripods

The advantage of a three-column tripod over a 4 column tripod is that it will be quicker to set up for a shoot and has fewer sections to adjust. However, for travelers, the 4-column tripod with be more compact and fit into suitcases or backpacks easier. There is no wrong choice here, it all depends on if and how you travel as well as what you shoot.

Take a look at this 3 to 4 tripod column folded length comparison:

3 column Benro Tripod has a maximum height of 70.5 feet and a folded length of 26.8 feet

4 column Surui Tripod has a maximum height of 70.9 feet and a folded length of 20.5 feet

4.Tripod Center Column

Under most circumstances, I do not recommend placing a camera on a tripod’s extended center column. Why? One leg will never be as stable as three legs and placing thousands of dollars of camera equipment on an unstable environment does not make sense. So why am I even spending time talking about tripod center columns here?

Tripod Center Column Uses

Extend height of tripod- No, no, no. Just because you can does not mean you should do it.
Reversible- The column can be placed upside down which puts the camera close to ground level for those hard to reach shots such as eye level with a snake.
Lateral extension- Some tripods offer the ability to place the center column in a lateral position which provides extra reach into places you may not be able to set up a tripod. This is a feature I find highly useful.
Place a hook on the bottom of the center column to hold gear or weights for the tripod

When shopping for a tripod, be sure to purchase a tripod that has the option to remove the center column if at all possible. If the center column can’t be removed, you will not be able to place the tripod flat on the ground.

5.Tripod Locking Mechanisms

There are two main ways the tripod columns extend and lock: Flip Lock and Twist Lock.

Flip Lock– Flip locks are literally locks that require a flip of a lever in order to make an adjustment and can be quick to use. The downside of these locks is that they are located on the outside of the tripod legs which increases their exposure to the elements such as sand. When I had flip locks they broke constantly.

Twist Lock- Twist locks require a twist of a (knob) in order for an adjustment to be made. The mechanisms are located inside the (knob) thereby securing them from the elements. Lets take another look at our two tripods. The tripod on the left has flip lock mechanisms while the tripod on the right has twist locks.

So which locking mechanisms are best? That depends on who you ask but as a rule, I recommend twist and lock mechanisms. I do know some popular photographers who opt for tripods with flip lock mechanisms solely based on speed of use. In the end, it’s a personal choice although the better tripods mostly offer twist and lock mechanisms.

6.Tripod Leg Angle Adjustment Locks

Leg angle adjustment locks do exactly what their name implies, they adjust the angle of the legs from almost vertical to horizontal depending on the tripod. They are located at the top of the tripod and are used to adjust the spread of the legs.

I consider these locks to be the most dangerous part of a tripod.

Fingertips can easily get damaged if care is not used when opening and closing these locks. If at all possible, visit trade shows and open and close these locks on any potential tripod you may purchase to evaluate each tripods leg lock adjustments.

Leg Adjustment Lock

Legs spread as horizontal as possible

7. Tripod Feet

Does your tripod have interchangeable or fixed feet?

Most tripods come with rounded rubber or plastic tips at the ends of the trip legs. However, some tripods offer interchangeable feet increasing stability on a variety of surfaces. To see examples of some of the available tripod feet, take a look at what Gitzo offers for feet choices.

If possible, purchase tripods with interchangeable feet so you can easily go from sand to snow photography without worrying about your tripod slipping on ice or sinking in the sand.

Tips For Shopping for a Tripod

Now that you have reviewed all the elements to consider prior to buying a tripod, this is what I recommend for starting the tripod review process.

How to Shop for a Tripod

Determine what and where you plan to photograph. For example the tripod needs of a architectural photographer will be significantly different than the needs of a wildlife photographer.
Think about all the camera gear you presently use and any future purchases on your list and calculate the gear weight as discussed above.
Calculate the minimum tripod height.
Determine your tripod budget
Place these requirements into a search filter found on most major camera company websites.
From the list of tripod results in the search feature, further refine your search based on tripod materials, center columns, leg columns and all other features discussed in this post.

Popular Online Photography Stores

B&H Photo Video
Adorama
Hunts

Tip: When filtering criteria such as the height of a tripod be sure to check all boxes above the minimum height to see all available tripods. Otherwise, with certain vendors you will only see the tripods that match a specific height, etc.

Tripod Brands

I am not recommending any specific brands of tripods in this guide for two reasons: first I would rather you focus on buying a tripod that meets the above criteria which will pretty much ensure the tripod will be a good tripod and secondly, the best brands can change quickly with all the new entries into the tripod market. However, I have included a partial list of several of the more popular brands of tripods on the market today for your information.

Manfrotto
Gitzo
Really Right Stuff
Vanguard
Three Legged Thing
Benro
Sirui
Oben
Peak Design
Feisol

Final Thoughts on Buying a Tripod

Purchasing a good tripod is one of the best things you can do to improve your photography and allows access to compositions not possible by handholding. Yes, it is costly and requires some thought but do you really want to put that $4000 camera and $2500 lens on a $70 tripod? I certainly hope not. On the other hand, I prefer photographers to handhold gear before placing it on a flimsy tripod.

I hope the above guide helps you navigate the decisions involved in buying a tripod and would love to hear your thoughts on if the guide was helpful to you.

Thanks for joining me on this Learn Photography topic and don’t forget to check out my Road Trip Friday photo destinations where I put my tripods to use.

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