Section 1 The Basics
50
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
• How much does the tripod weigh? If you are
carrying your tripod any distance at all,
its weight can be a major consideration,
especially when combined with a heavy
camera bag. Aluminum tripods suitable
for use in the field typically weigh from
3 lb to 10 lb, while carbon fiber units with
matching capacities will be approximately
30% lighter. For use with an SLR or
medium format equipment, a tripod in
the 5 lb to 6 lb range is usually a good
choice. It represents a good compromise
between sturdiness and weight. The
lighter (3 lb–4 lb) tripods are a good
choice for photographers who backpack
for considerable distances. The tradeoff, of
course, is that they are not as sturdy.
• How well made is the tripod? To provide a solid
support for your camera, a tripod must be
strong and rigid, even when fully extended.
Leg-locking mechanisms should operate
smoothly, but hold the leg position securely.
If the tripod has a centerpost, it should
move up and down smoothly, without
binding, and lock firmly in position. The
tripod should have nonslip feet of rubber,
not plastic. Retractable spikes for soft
surfaces are a desirable feature. The tripod
head should be sturdily made, and all
controls should operate smoothly and
positively.
Using a Tripod
When setting up a tripod, extend it to full
height unless you know you will be shooting
from a lower vantage point. Fully extend and
lock the bottom leg sections. Follow suit with the
middle sections, then spread the legs and stand
the tripod on the ground or floor.
Position the legs so one of the three is
pointing toward the subject, Figure 2-49. This
provides you with more working room between
the two legs to the rear, and adds some support
and rigidity beneath the extended lens.
Make any necessary leg height or angle
adjustments. Try to avoid extending the
centerpost more than a few inches—the taller the
centerpost extension, the greater the danger of
sharpness-destroying vibration. Adjust the tripod
head to properly position the camera and frame
the subject. Long, heavy telephoto lenses usually
need additional support, such as the special
mounting brackets shown in Figure 2-50.
For maximum sharpness, eliminate all
possible causes of camera movement, even
vibrations caused while opening the shutter. If
your camera offers mirror lockup, use that feature
to eliminate possible vibration caused by the
viewing mirror flipping up out of the light path
when the shutter release is pressed. Use a cable
release, electronic remote control cord, or the
camera’s self-timer to trip the shutter.
Camera movement can be caused by wind,
especially if it comes in intermittent gusts. The
classic solution to this problem is to suspend a
weight, such as a heavy camera bag, from the
tripod to provide greater stability. Some
photographers use a container made from canvas
or a similar strong fabric and fill it with rocks or
sand at the site.
Jack Klasey/Goodheart-Willcox Publisher
Figure 2-49. When properly set up, a tripod should have
one leg pointing toward the subject.