Tripods in a Supporting Role

Teresa Echazabal
August 2005

Unlike many computers these days, a good tripod can be a long-term investment. There are many shapes and sizes from which to choose. But before you buy a tripod for your video camera, ask yourself these questions: What will you be shooting, and under what conditions? What kind of camera(s) will you be attaching to your tripod? Or, maybe a monopod is what you really need? Once you have these answers, then it should be easy to find the perfect 'pod' for your needs.

Our Tripod Buyer's Guide should help you decide what your needs for support equipment are, what to look for, and what type of tripod will work best in your video production.

The head is where the camera attaches to the tripod. A good tripod head assists you in achieving smooth side-to-side (pan) and up-and-down (tilt) movements. Look for a tripod that has a fluid head, designed specifically for these reasons. Head size and weight are important. You want the head to fit your camera. Also, consider if the tripod head will work on a range of different camera weights, just in case you have more than one. A quick release plate on your head is another good thing. This will make it easy for you to attach and detach the camera to your tripod in a hurry. You can buy quick release plates separately. The Cartoni APRO ActionPro Aluminum Tripod System, $650, features a sliding base plate for accurate balancing and a "true" fluid head (see sidebar). The Bogen-Manfrotto 501 Pro Video Head, $143, will fit any camera up to 13.2 lbs. It comes with its own release plate and an adjustable pan bar.

If you can afford it, you might think about getting a tripod with carbon fiber legs. They are sturdier, giving you smoother tilts and pans as well as better resistance to vibrations. Carbon fiber legs and a magnesium body makes these models about one third lighter than aluminum tripods.

Something else to consider is what type of feet you want on your tripod. Do you want a "spreader" that straddles the ground? Do you need independent "self-leveling" feet to set the legs at different lengths to create a level platform? Spikes will come in handy if you are shooting on grass or dirt, while rubber feet will work better on smooth surfaces. If you can get both, even better. The Sachtler SYSTEM DV-1 Aluminum Tripod System, $600, has a true fluid head, on-ground spreader and supports cameras up to 4.4 lbs. If you are on a budget, the Anodized Aluminum Bogen 3221 WN Wilderness Tripod, $165, with both spiked and rubber feet, will hold a camera up to 13.3 lbs (legs only).

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