So now that you have bought the camera you have always wanted to and got a lens that suits your need, the next immediate accessory that you will weaponize yourself as a photographer or a cinematographer is a tripod.
Your tripod is a very important part of your kit, and here are some of the reasons as to why a tripod is a necessity:
- A tripod helps to eliminate shake completely, hence you are able to get the sharpest possible picture.
- Tripod is needed whether you are shooting on a film camera, digital camera or shooting a video.
- Using a tripod with a suitable head enables you to capture beautiful panoramic images.
- A tripod helps and enables you to capture beautiful time-lapses or even hyper-lapses.
- If you want to take out your zoom lens or use a telescope to capture the moon, a tripod is going to be the only option.
- If you are running out of ambient light, and still your creative mind allows you to shoot at slower shutter speed, again a tripod enables you to do this.
We can keep going on and on.
Tripod comes in different shapes and sizes, they are also made out of different elements. It’s really important to understand what kind of tripod suits you the best and to understand different kinds of Tripod & heads available in the market.
Related: Understanding Different kinds of Tripod available in the market.
So if you are planning to buy a new tripod, here are few things to consider before buying one. Let’s jump into it.
01. Purpose of the Tripod
Of course, we all know the purpose of a tripod. What I meant here is, are you going to use a tripod for your mobile camera or for your mirrorless camera or for your DSLR. This will help you to invest smartly. For example, if you want a tripod for your mobile camera it will cost you ₹1,000 meaning you don’t really have to invest heavily for the same and if you want a tripod for your DSLR it will cost anywhere between ₹10,000 to whatever budget you have depending on the payload and the material used.
02. Always Check Payload
Now that you have decided on your purpose, say for example you are going to use a DSLR, the second step is to decide what payload your tripod and head are going to take.
Every tripod manufacturer will mention the payload for both tripod legs and tripod head on the website. Also Camera/ Lens manufacturer mentions what’s the weight of camera and lenses, so it’s easy for you to know what payload your tripod and head are going to take.
To calculate the gross weight of your camera setup, for example, add the weight of your camera with the weight of the heaviest lens + weight of any other accessory that you might use or mount with your camera. Try and get a rough estimate of the same and opt for a tripod that is capable of handling that payload.
03. Tripod should have Small Hook
This is super important. When you buy a tripod, it maybe worth ₹1,000 or worth ₹30,000 but you have to make sure it has a small hook on the underside of the center column. The purpose of the hook is to hang weight in order to stabilise the tripod even further in case of bad weather or certain other conditions. It’s always beneficial to have a tripod with a hook underneath it.
Related: How to make low budget tripods sturdy
04. Tripod legs should have Spikes
Most of the tripod legs come with rubber feet. Rubber feet allow the tripod not to slide on a smooth surface and mostly comes handy when shooting indoors.
But under these small rubber feet, you will find small spikes. These are designed especially when you are shooting outdoors, here spikes provide better support than the rubber feet and hold the ground firmly in various different terrain conditions.
05. Check for Spirit Level
This is very ‘very’ important, check for spirit level (bubble level) before you purchase a tripod head. Spirit levels are designed to allow photographers and cinematographers to check if the tripod head is leveled or not. In simpler terms, it helps to make sure your horizon line is perfectly straight.
Some low-end tripod heads might not come with a spirit level, worry not, you can buy a hot shoe spirit level online and mount on your camera and it will serve the purpose.
Related: How to quickly level a Tripod?
So now you are all set to buy a new tripod required for your craft. Do let me know if this was helpful and also please mention if I have missed on something important.
Happy Shooting.
