Selecting a Tripod for Travel - Nature PhotographyPosted by Gamble Fagan on May 22nd, 2021 In today's camera market, you can find an endless supply of gear, some useful, some not, some quality, plus some not. This variety makes it harder to find just what you need, especially when you aren't sure of exactly which features you need and which you can do without. A tripod is an essential part of an arsenal carried by any Travel and Nature photographer. You already know that for sharpest images you should employ a tripod. What you are wondering no doubt is the reason why there is such a significant price range among the different manufacturers of tripods, and whether it makes sense for you to create a significant investment in a tripod. Basic Function of a Tripod First, let's quickly examine what a tripod will do for all of us. First and foremost, it supports our camera, attached lens, plus some of the other gear, like a flash unit, etc. It helps us position our camera at an odd angle sometimes. It helps us get greater than our typical shooting stance, and obtain lower sometimes for macro work. The most appropriate tripod for you will depend on your shooting style, and choice of subject matter. There is not one tripod out there that is better with every subject matter; on the contrary, most tripods are specialists. The majority are build to be versatile, but each is build to excel in a particular area of photography. So, what areas should your tripod excel to be useful for outdoors shooting? If you are planning to shoot nature, there are specific aspects of the outdoors which your tripod must endure, which it could not, if it was used indoors. Moisture is an enemy of photography gear. If you intend to shoot landscapes in the wilderness, wildlife, birds, etc., your camera and you will end up in some wet environments. As such, you have to ensure that your tripod choice reflects this fact. Many manufacturers build tripods specifically meant for the outdoors, and they are created to be moisture resistant, if not proof. Terrain is always a concern outdoors. A good tripod should have spiked feet, simply because you will often end up on loose soil, dirt, along with other surfaces that will be uneven, and require sharp spikes to secure the tripod, and attached gear. Load is a very essential requirement to consider. How website can be your camera and your heaviest lens? Are you thinking about getting larger heavier lenses down the road? Are you planning to try a medium or perhaps a large format camera? Although it is tough to predict, always try to plan ahead. Your choice of a tripod will reflect your future purchases. Always, be sure to tripod has at the very least 30% of convenience of future upgrades to your equipment. In the event that you plan to shoot wild life, you will have some really heavy lenses, and a tripod must support them, and allow you to pan smoothly, when shooting animals in action. Weight is probably the main determining element in your purchase. Remember, once you travel and explore, you will have your tripod with you, and dependant on how much walking you do, weight of one's tripod will be more or less important to you. However, always shoot for highest ratio of weight to load. Quite simply, look for lightest tripod rated for highest weight. Outdoors tend to be rough environments and every pound counts. Look at this a lot. Leveling is important especially for panoramic shooters. If you plan to capture panoramas of nature, your tripod base must be leveling. Choose a tripod with a large easy to use bubble level (spirit level). A level base is a "MUST" once and for all panoramas. Flexibility of shooting positions is essential when you change subject material on the fly. In case you are like me, you will shoot macro, landscapes, panoramas, and perhaps even some animals, depending on time of day and weather. If that's the case, a flexible center column is a must feature. Choose a tripod that allows for multiple positions of the guts column. My favorite tripods enable the column to be vertical, horizontal , and everything in-between. A tripod should enable you to get low, and have more than one foot angle. Best tripods because of this job will offer up to three different angles for your feet, which will enable you to get very low if you need to, to shoot flowers, insects, etc.Like it? Share it! More by this author |