Basic Training: Breaking it Down (page 3)

When I bought my first tripod, one of my cinema professors talked me out of the $30 model I was looking at by mentioning that, if I didn't want to be back in the store in two years, I should spend the money up front and get the tripod I'd be using for the rest of my life. I did, and I haven't regretted it. The price was a bit steep, but I've used it for years.

Buy a tripod sturdier than you think you need, with features that you don't think you'll use. Things to look for:

1. How low to the ground will it get? Some tripods can have the legs splay out and lower the head to within inches of the floor; others will have you stuck a foot and a half in the air.
2. Is the head interchangeable? Just because you can't afford an expensive fluid head right now doesn't mean that you won't be able to later, so invest in something that's upgradable.
3. Do the legs move independently of one another? Most inexpensive tripods are designed for setting up in your living room and holding the camcorder steady there. Professional tripods realize that sometimes you'll be in a stairwell or on rocks or other strange places. For this reason, many pro tripods have legs that can move independently of the others.

Remember, not all tripods are created equal, but they all serve a similar purpose: to keep your shot, crisp, clear and above all steady. Not every tripod suits every need, either. If you're shooting a lot of low shots, you might not care for a ‘pod that can extend 8 feet high. On the other hand, if you do a lot of panning or tilting, the head might be the most important part of the ‘pod to examine. Determining your needs is the first step to your tripod research, and then that will give you a leg (or three) to stand on.

Contributing editor Kyle Cassidy is a visual artist who writes extensively about technology.

Tripods and even monopods are bulky, and you don't want to carry one around if you're not going to use it. There are a few stop-gap solutions that you can safely carry around in your camcorder bag without breaking your back or your wallet.

You can always try the old bit-of-chain-and-an-eye-screw trick to make a simple homemade monopod. This consists of a threaded ¼-inch eye screw attached to a thin length of chain about five feet long. Screw the eye screw into the tripod socket on the bottom of the camcorder, dangle the chain, then step on it. With the chain held tightly under your foot, apply some upward pressure (pull up) on the camcorder. This will allow you to hold the camcorder steadier than you can hand-hold. It's not as good as a monopod, but it weighs just four ounces.

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