Tripod - what should I pay attention to?

Ornella

I want to buy a tripod so I no longer have to fret whether my camera will fall off whatever I'm propping it on or leaning it against.

I've found a few tripods around my budget limit but cannot bring myself to studying them to the great detail (seriously, it's just a tripod, right?) but I need to decide which one to get.

I guess it's worth mentioning that some day in the future I will probably buy SLR again, so it would be nice that the tripod is, in theory at least, good enough for it too.

So, if you can share some wisdom and help making quick decision I'd be grateful.

Thanks,
O.

12 years ago

General

7 replies

Latest reply was from Ornella

pil

Veteran

No wisdom here - I just use the table top tripod that came with our camera.

12 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

I have a big tripod that my parents didn't use anymore, they had it for the video camera (long since gone). The screw seems to be standard size because it fits my DSLR. The tripod legs can be extended twice and that's just the right height for taking my outfit pics. The most important thing is that the tripod head is hinged (right angle) so that I can take pics on edge. Although I think that's a standard feature?

12 years ago

Veteran

Mine sounds similar to Astrid's. It also has two water bubbles to make sure all the legs are level.

12 years ago

Raisin

Veteran

There are some major differences in some tripods, but am I right in assuming that you will only use it to take still photos of a basic "scene" or person? If that's the case, a basic one will do just fine, save your money. If you want to get into filming things with it, i.e. the camera will move back and forth, or if you are photographing things on a horizontal plane like a table top, then you need to invest in one that has a fluid movement piece, and the top arm can come out and be mounted horizontally. I can give you more info if you really want, but I'm assuming I'm going to far....I have never really used those functions in real life, only at work.

12 years ago

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

You are right Raisin, very basic scenes is what I need the tripod for.

12 years ago

Raisin

Veteran

Save some dough then. I wouldn't go cheapest ever, like crappy plastic, because a heavy camera may tip it over, but no need to get the fanciest either.

12 years ago

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

okey dokey

12 years ago

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