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Chapter 2 Camera Handling, Care, and Support
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
• Leg-locking mechanism. Each leg section
needs one to hold it at the desired amount of
extension.
• Telescoping leg sections. Each leg section
can be extended independently.
• Nonslip feet. Most feet are rubber for use
on smooth or hard surfaces. Some feet can
retract to expose spikes for a better grip on
soft surfaces.
Traditionally, tripods have been made of
aluminum or well-seasoned wood to strike a
balance between sturdiness and weight. In recent
years, carbon fiber-reinforced composite, a
material with an excellent strength-to-weight
ratio, has become popular.
Tripod Legs
Better-quality tripods are typically sold
as legs-only, Figure 2-44, since photographers
have different needs and tastes in tripod heads.
Although there are several leg patterns, the most
common type consists of three or four tubular
sections nesting inside each other. The locking
mechanism is usually either a lever-type or a
collar that is rotated to lock or release the section.
When fully closed, legs are usually 18″ to 24″
in length, although some large, heavy-duty
tripods may be more than 3′ long when closed.
Fully extended, the tripod may be less than 5′ in
height, or more than 8′. A practical height for most
photographers is between 5 1/2′ and 6′ , without
the centerpost extended. This height allows the
camera to be placed at a comfortable eye-level
position.
Tripod Heads
The device attached to the tripod legs to allow
mounting and positioning of a camera is typically
referred to as a tripod head. Depending on the
A
B
C
Manfrotto
Figure 2-44. Tripod legs. A—This set of tripod legs is made from strong, lightweight carbon fiber. With the centerpost
extended, its height is almost 6′. B—For storage or transportation, the legs can be folded down to only 15″. C—For positioning
a camera, a tripod head must be attached to the legs.