Choosing a Tripod for Travel - Nature PhotographyPosted by Kornum Bossen on April 25th, 2021 In today's camera market, you can find an endless supply of gear, some useful, some not, some quality, and some not. This variety makes it harder to find exactly 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 need to use a tripod. What you are wondering no doubt is why there is this type of significant price range among the different manufacturers of tripods, and whether it makes sense for you to make a significant investment in a tripod. Basic Function of a Tripod First, let's quickly examine just what a tripod will do for all of us. First and foremost, it supports our camera, attached lens, and some of the other gear, such as a flash unit, etc. It can help us position our camera at an odd angle at times. It helps us get greater than our typical shooting stance, and get lower sometimes for macro work. The most appropriate tripod for you will depend on your shooting style, and choice of subject matter. There isn't one tripod out there that's better with every subject material; on the other hand, 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 when 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 need to endure, which it could not, if it had been used indoors. Moisture can be an enemy of photography gear. If you intend to shoot landscapes in the wilderness, wild animals, birds, etc., your camera and you may 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, plus they are created to be moisture resistant, if not proof. Terrain is always a concern outdoors. A good tripod must have spiked feet, simply because you will often find yourself on loose soil, dirt, along with other surfaces which 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 thinking about getting larger heavier lenses in the foreseeable future? Are you planning to get one of these medium or a large format camera? Although it is tough to predict, always make an effort to plan ahead. Your choice of a tripod will reflect your own future purchases. Always, ensure you tripod has at the very least 30% of capacity for future upgrades to your equipment. If you plan 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, once 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 aim for highest ratio of weight to load. Quite simply, search 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 user friendly bubble level (spirit level). A level base is a "MUST" for good panoramas. read more of shooting positions is important when you change subject matter on the fly. If you are like me, you will shoot macro, landscapes, panoramas, as well as perhaps even some animals, depending on time of day and weather. If so, a flexible center column is a must feature. Look for a tripod which allows for multiple positions of the center 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 multiple foot angle. Best tripods because of this job will offer up to three different angles for your toes, which will enable you to get very low if you need to, to shoot flowers, insects, etc. How Much Money? Choosing a tripod is not easy. Some manufacturers do make things easier and group them into specialties, like outdoors, studio use, etc. Do just as much research as you can, since there is not one ideal model that suits everyone. Remember the old saying: "You obtain what you purchase". This is essential when deciding how much you are willing pay. Take into account, a huge budget won't mean you get the very best tripod, but it means that you have more choices. Do not look for a cheap tripod, that you think may suffice. Your shooting requirements will change, and within a couple of years you will be shopping for another one. Strongly consider Carbon Fiber. CF tripods are lighter than any alloy, more durable, will not bend, and flex beneath the weight of your gear, , nor rust, corrode, or are adversely suffering from moisture. They are more costly, but certainly worth the extra money. Look at this purchase as a long-term investment in photography. After all, your images is only going to be as good as your shooting ability and your gear.Like it? Share it! More by this author |