what are the qualities of a good tripod?

Question

hi guys, could you please tell me what are the qualities of a good tripod? when all you need to do with a tripod is to hold the camera steady while taking long exposure shots,

so why there all so many complications over this item? and why some tripods are so expensive?

does it really make the difference to have an expensive tripod?

please answer with solid reason

thanks in advance

Answer 1

Cheap tripods may work OK in some situations, but they are not made to last, and have limited options in terms of how you can set them up. The reason I finally got rid of my cheap tripod and invested in a good one was that I could see that when the camera was focusing just before a shot, that it would move a bit - i.e. the tripod was not stable or stiff enough.

When I got a Manfrotto, I was amazed by the stability, the ease of use, and the quality. But as I got to know it over time, all the different ways it could be set up really became handy. I can't imagine using a cheap tripod any more. And we're really not talking about a ton of money, either. A good tripod with a good head is still less than a lens or a good flash.

So here are the kinds of things I do with this tripod:

1) The legs can be set to different lengths (OK, so most can do this) This is handy for un-level surfaces. Oh yeah, and there's a little bubble level built in to help with leveling.

2) The legs can be splayed to different angles. This is great because sometimes you might want one of the legs to extend further out for extra stability. Or all of them. You can set it up really low for certain shots.

3) The center post comes out and can be put back on the legs in a horizontal configuration. This is great for pointing the camera straight down for copy work, for instance. The combination of splaying the legs out flat and the horizontal center bar means you can get your camera almost at ground level if you need that (and I have!).

4) There are all kinds of attachments and accessories like macro sleds (that help you compose and focus with high magnifications) super-small ball heads for shooting near the ground, pistol-grip ball heads for quick, accurate positioning (that's what I use, by the way), etc.

5) The quick release plate is a joy, and you can get some extra plates for different cameras. Really speeds up switching between cameras when you have the tripod set up.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

There are several types of tripods. First, there is the junk. Second, there is the better than junk, and this goes on until you reach quality.

You have to have a tripod that will carry the load that you need it to carry. That load includes the camera and any heavy lens that you will ever use. You are free to go to Walmart and get something that is attractive, but I seen them, broken, bent, and missing parts in garage sales all time.

You will find out that when you get to the better tripods, there are multiple heads that can be mounted on them and the complete set up on good ones can be $400-$800 or more.

I have two nice heavy tripods, one with leg supports and one without. They don't have the same heads, but similar heads.

I also have a monopod that would retail for $300.

All of those things are rated for the weight that is going to have to rest on it and you want one that assures that unnecessary movement will not take place.

The brands that I know are good are Bogen (Manfrotto), Gitzo, and Slik.

When you are talking about Vivitar tripods, you are in the step above junk mode. It would be best if you don't want to buy an expensive one, don't buy one at all. However, any picture that is shot without a tripod is nothing more than a snapshot.

You need not run to the store right now, hit garage sales after shopping things around a bit to figure out what you need. The average home owner equates tripods to be in the $35 range because they don't know anything about them. I got the two big tripods for less than $50 total, one for $10 - the best one by the way, and I got the monopodm brandnew for $100 when it retails for $300 or more.

I have to have a tripod that will carry some weight, my camera, back, and standard lens weigh almost 10 pounds and there are lenses for my camera that weigh that much again.

Answer 3

For the greatest stability you want a tripod that is heavy with (optional) points to go into the ground. It should be tall enough to allow easy eye access. If to be used for action shots the top should adjustable to pan smoothly.
For greatest convenience, the tripod should be as light as possible (but see above). The legs should not spread on a flat slippery floor and all the adjustments should be be quick and easy but firm when tightened. A tripod should be as short as possible while extending as far as possible and not juggle when touched. Lightweight tripods should have the option of putting the legs out wide to make an extremely short platform for low shots or on a table and most light weight tripods allow making the legs into a column for use as a monopod.
It doesn't matter with a digital or 35 mm, but a tripod with weight from a long lens or a heavy camera must not tip or collapse on itself.

Answer 4

With all of that kit, why might want to you skimp on the most (a minimum of second maximum) important area of your arsenal for pano images, the bottom? save up and purchase a Manfrotto or different comparible high quality tripod if you're severe about it (and it sounds such as you're) in case you are able to connect it to the tripod you've now, you are able to be in a position to connect it to the different tripod on the marketplace. i'm confident you may want to hit upon a second hand tripod, and modify it to permantly mount your pano head on it. in case you flow that route, i can make investments in a bubble aspect to attach to the mount so that you recognize for confident it truly is aspect.

Answer 5

You can compare the differences like many other consumer products such as cars, houses, or garments. The different choices in any of those different categories all basically perform the same function. The differences are materials, workmanship, and options. Or with tripods, variations in the type head, it's length, its feet, etc. What you choose to purchase, and then therefore how much you spend, will dictate its stability, its longevity, its ease of use, and its expandability. In a word I would recommend Bogan products. Happy shooting

Answer 6

the most important thing is stability. other than that, they are pretty much the same. don't pay a whole lot more for just a name although Vivitar is a good brand and is moderately priced. I don't think anyone can look at a photograph and say, "Gee, that must have been taken with a good tripod."