Tripods Are Not Optional

I remember when I bought my first tripod. It was heavy, cumbersome and awkward. But it fundamentally changed the way I approached photography. No longer was I held hostage to high ISO’s or super wide apertures. With a tripod, I could take my time, using long exposures and small apertures. The luxury I was afforded by using a tripod was one of relaxation and regained time. At that point, I knew that tripods are not optional.

Unfortunately, the aluminum tripods also weighed a ton. It didn’t seem like it at the time, but in comparison to today’s models, they sure did. Aluminum was the lightest metal available then, or at least the lightest durable metal. But science and technology has moved on since then, and most popular tripods are now made with Carbon Fibre. And thank goodness for that.

No More Excuses

Carbon fibre tripods have essentially eliminated the excuse of not wanting to carry a tripod because they are too heavy. If you use a carbon fibre tripod, not only is it super durable, but it is super light and much easier to carry for long periods of time. You’ll appreciate that if you’re trekking for hours up a mountainside to capture epic scenic photos.

I am not going to get into which brand is better than other brands. Besides, I am not that familiar with all the brands out there anyway. I can name drop a few brands that are worth your attention, but that won’t work in every market. But what I can tell you is what to look for in a tripod, based on my totally unscientific been-there-done-that opinion. I am using images I lifted from the Manfrotto website, but it doesn’t mean I am endorsing them, although that’s what I’ve been using for decades. So here goes:

Tripods come in various sizes. The popular trend now is what they call “travel tripods” which are designed to fold into crazy positions so you can pack them into small spaces. While I applaud this concept, don’t make that the most important design factor, at the expense of stability or functionality. My tripod, which isn’t a travel tripod, fits just fine into my medium-size suitcase if I remove the head.

How Do You Like Your Legs?

One of the features that tend to divide the photography world is leg locks. You either like the twist type, or you like the clip type. There is no middle ground. It’s like choosing between political parties or dogs and cats. Everyone has a preference, and you will too. I prefer clip locks, but that’s just me. I think clip locks are quicker to operate since you don’t have to twist-twist-twist-twist to tighten the leg. You just open + close, and you’re done. But that’s your call – you can pick the twisty type if you prefer. I wouldn’t.

Another thing to keep in mind is the number of ‘sections’ the tripod has. What this means is that some tripods have legs that extend with 4 sections, and some extend with 3 sections. The advantage of 4 sections is that the tripod will collapse into a smaller unit when it’s all shut down. But the advantage of 3 sections is less opening, and a little bit sturdier.

Get Sharp

So what do you use a tripod for? Image sharpness, basically. When you have a tripod under your camera, you’ll absolutely get sharper images. While this may seem obvious, it’s surprising how often I see photographers finding all sorts of excuses to avoid using a tripod. Sure it may slow you down, because there are added steps involved before you get your photograph, but the time spent on preparing your setup will pay off in the long run. Basically, if you want the best photos possible, especially when shooting landscapes, then tripods are not optional. They are essential.

Be sure to check out my available group and private tours available if you’d like to practice using a tripod.