Choosing a Tripod for Travel - Nature PhotographyPosted by Gamble Fagan on May 22nd, 2021 In today's camera market, you will find an endless way to obtain gear, some useful, some not, some quality, plus some not. This variety helps it be harder to find exactly what you need, especially when you aren't certain of exactly which features you will 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 this type of significant price range on the list of different manufacturers of tripods, and whether it makes sense for you yourself to make 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 can help us position our camera at an odd angle sometimes. It helps us get greater than our typical shooting stance, and get lower at times for macro work. The most appropriate tripod for you depends 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 certain area of photography. So, what areas should your tripod excel to be ideal for outdoors shooting? If you are likely to shoot nature, there are particular aspects of the outdoors which your tripod will have to endure, which it could not, if it had been used indoors. Moisture can be an enemy of photography gear. If you plan to shoot landscapes in the wilderness, wild animals, birds, etc., your camera and you will end up in some wet environments. Therefore, check here have to ensure that your tripod choice reflects this fact. Many manufacturers build tripods specifically meant for the outdoors, and they are built to be moisture resistant, if not proof. Terrain is always a problem outdoors. A good tripod should have spiked feet, simply because you'll often find yourself on loose soil, dirt, and 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 heavy can be your camera and your heaviest lens? Are you planning on getting larger heavier lenses later on? Are you planning to try a medium or a large format camera? While it is tough to predict, always make an effort 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 intend to shoot wild life, you will have some really heavy lenses, and a tripod will have to support them, and allow one to pan smoothly, when shooting animals doing his thing. Weight is probably the main determining factor in your purchase. Remember, when you travel and explore, you should have your tripod with you, and dependant on how much walking you do, weight of your tripod will be more or less vital that you you. However, always shoot for highest ratio of weight to load. Basically, 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 convenient to use bubble level (spirit level). An even base is a "MUST" once and for all panoramas. Flexibility of shooting positions is essential when you change subject material on the fly. When you are like me, you will shoot macro, landscapes, panoramas, as well as perhaps even some animals, based on period and weather. If that's the case, a flexible center column is crucial feature. Look for 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 allow 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 toes, which will allow you to get very low if you need to, to shoot flowers, insects, etc.Like it? Share it! More by this author |