can i buy any tripod for my camera?

Question

or does it have to be of the camera's company. for example, i have sony cybershot camera. do i have to buy a tripod that fits it, or can i just buy any???

Answer 1

It'll be a standard tripod-fitting. After all, Velbon don't make cameras - only tripods.

Answer 2

Your Cybershot has a tripod bushing built into the bottom of it, so it will fit any tripod fine.
The big features you have to decide on are;
1) size of tripod open.
2) size of tripod closed
3 rigidity

1) check to see that the tripod comes up to a height that you want, there are a table-top ones will not stand tall enough on the ground to reach your eye level when you stand.
Once you erect the legs, can you raise and lower the camera using the extension, and does it have a control handle, and does it lock properly?
2) Check the tripods size closed. Make sure this is a size that you are willing to carry, or fit into your bag, or suitcase or camera case, and smaller size is good. triple-extension legs are good, not double. check out the leg locks, are they easy and convenient to use?
3) and a most important feature; when standing IS IT RIGID? Some tripods look great, have all the features, but when you put the camera in it, it can move and wobble. stand the tripod on firm floor or ground and take the head where the camera sits and try to wobble it or tilt it. It should hold firm. Many allow the camera to move excessively. Compare them and get the most rigid one.

I have found plastic tripods are very flexible, metal is much more rigid. cam locks on the legs are very good, but make sure when they are set, that they lock the legs properly.

Lastly, before I forget, make sure the head will clamp and unclamp using the lever provided, AND that when you unclamp, the head does not just flop over, but supports the camera without falling, and MOVES SMOOTHLY. To get that right position, to capture the right picture, you may wish to make fine adjustments to the camera angle. If the head moves jerkily, the right angle can be a nuisance to get. Especially if you take any videos, you will want a smooth action on the head, panning and tilting, check that these are smooth when it moves.

All these features are really things you cannot read in a catalog, so you should visit a photgraphic store to try them out first snd test the tripod on the floor. Take your camera and check how it attaches. Mount the camera on the tripod and look through the veiwfinder or display screen while the camera is set to maximum zoom telephoto. Then put pressure on the camera like when you are operating it, and see how the image wobbles or moves in the viewfinder. Compare with others.

Good luck

Answer 3

Since all the tripods you will find use a 1/4"-20 thread, any tripod that can hold 7 kg will last you a lifetime. The goal is to spend enough money so that you never have to buy one again. Get one with a 3-way head so you can easily adjust the attitude of the camera when shooting landscapes, portraits or other subjects that require a sturdy platform. Look at the Manfrotto brand. They are robust and are relatively inexpensive.

Answer 4

You can buy any standard duty tripod with a 1/4-20 fitting. It doesn't have to be a Sony tripod.

As long as you're not doing critical work, any tripod is better than no tripod at all.

I know people are recommending all the expensive brands, but unless you're doing supercritical landscape shooting or need absolutely perfect sharpness, just get a tripod that you can afford, that's strong enough to support your camera, is reasonable light enough to carry, but heavy enough to damp vibration, and folds small enough so you'll actually carry it. Getting a heavy, expensive tripod is useless if it's too heavy or awkward to carry with you and you leave it behind.

I personally have two tripods: one for carry-on air travel and then a bigger one for more demanding use. If you want a specific recommendation: I like the Velbon Ultra-Maxi series, which are around $100, because they are light, small, easy to carry and will do the job I need. I prefer a ball head to a pan-tilt head; your choice/needs may be different.

http://www.velbon-tripod.com/ultra_maxi.htm

Answer 5

Tripods for 35mm and digital cameras have a universal mounting screw, 1/4-20 thread. As long as your camera has a threaded hole in its bottom plate you can buy any brand of tripod you want. Tripods for larger cameras like the Mamiya RB 67 and view cameras usually have a 3/8-16 thread.

Don't waste your money on a no-name tripod from Wal-Mart or some other discount place. Choose from Slik, Velbon, Bogen/Manfrotto etc. Buy a tripod that "fits" you - if it only extends to 5' and you're 6' tall you'll quickly tire of using it all stooped over.

Don't let anyone tell you that "Well you can always extend the center column". You can but you're defeating the purpose of the tripod when you have your camera sitting on top of a slender center column fully extended. Think of a heavy door on stiff hinges. The farther away from the hinges the easier it is to push the door open; the closer to the hinges the harder it is to push it open.

Answer 6

There is a world wide standar thread on the screw which goes into the base of your camera any tripod will fit ~~

Answer 7

Provided that your cam has a screw fitting on it's base then any tripod will fit it as the threads are all the standard size.

Answer 8

yes but make sure if you have to buy a `shoe` (the piece that screws to your camera) seperatly that it fits the tripod

Answer 9

buy any