Tripods

Tripods

A stable base is necessary to shoot a good photo. Tripods provide just the right support for a photographer’s needs. They are more stable than monopods but less portable. Many companies are manufacturing tripods in lightweight materials to compensate for their lack of portability. Durability is more important than being lightweight. A tripod that lasts a long time will serve the cameraman better than having to replace a flimsy and poorly built piece of equipment. A good tripod will be sturdy, have adjustable legs and a head where the camera attaches. Many will have an adjustable head height and the very top-of-the-line models feature no levers or screws to lock the legs. The better materials and construction will raise the cost of the tripod as will the various extra features available.

Tripod Remote Pan Tilt

The head of a tripod will have a head where the camera attaches. Some heads allow for a manual pan and tilt function. These are functions desirable to get the proper angle for a camera. Some heads also have a motorized function for both of these effects. This is more useful for a video camera but can have some use in the photography field as well. The remote will provide for a smooth pan and tilt effect achieved best by non-human means. The remote head will also provide a steadiness not reproduced by the human hand. A remote head will be more expensive and should be checked for compatibility with the camera.

Bogen Tripods

Bogen is a company that distributes the products of many different companies in the video and photography fields. Two companies whose products they distribute are Gitzo and Manfrotto, both companies that produce quality tripods. Gitzo features tripods with locking legs that can be easily adjusted. Their frames are lightweight and durable. Manfrotto’s tripods look to be thicker and more stable than the Gitzo tripods, they feature locking mechanisms on the adjustable legs and many have heads that are also adjustable. They also provide heads for their tripods that are sold separately and can connect easily to their tripod products. The prices for both companies are similar and can be directly compared online by a few quick searches. A discerning enthusiast will research and test their options in-store before purchasing the tripod that is right for them. It is also important for the photographer or cameraman to test their camera to make sure it fits in the head of the tripod.