Aluminum Tripod

Aluminum Tripod

It came time recently for me to buy a tripod (my Christmas gift from my wife). So I started the research online and quickly discovered that I did not know squat about tripods. I knew I wanted a strong and light tripod. My old one was an aluminum leg, very inexpensive (under $40) tripod that I have used for the last eight years. It worked, but it was a little heavy and it was not the most sturdy tripod. I sometimes had to brace it against my leg to keep it from shaking and forget about using it in the wind.

I soon learned that you can have a sturdy tripod, you can have a light tripod and you can have cheap tripod, but you can only have two the three with the "cheap" part going out the window first. Scott Kelby and Joe McNally (two of the best photographers that I follow) recommended Manfrotto Carbon Fiber legs (around $375) and a Really Right Stuff Ball Head (that is the thing on the top that moves and rotates and holds the camera) (another $350+) for a total of over $700. Well I don't know about you, but that is still out of my budget so I had to go looking for some options, not quite as good, but a lot less expensive.

First, we need to look at when you need a tripod.

1. You need it when it is getting dark or in other low light.
2. You need it when your shutter speed is slower than one divided by the focal length of your lens (oh no, math-see examples below).
3. You need at tripod If you are going to enlarge your photo a lot.

The first issue comes when you need to capture a lot of light in aperture and also need a slow shutter speed and high ISO.

The second bullet describes the shutter speed math as an example of a standard 50 mm lens needing more than 1/60th without tripod and on a 500 mm telephoto lens you would need to be 1/500 or faster. The logic is that the longer lens magnifies any vibration in the camera or the way you hold it.

The last is that large enlargements will bring out any little imperfections, including camera shake at the high magnification.

There are two kinds of tripod heads: ball heads and pan heads. The ball head is simplest and provides a full range of movement for your camera. If you tend to shoot quickly or at moving objects you will like a ball head. With pan heads you have multiple locking levers that adjust the pan in different planes of movement to allow you to move the camera on the tripod. Pan heads are quite useful for panoramic shots. The trade-off is speed, it takes more time to unlock and adjust the levers than with a ball head.

For the legs of the tripod you are limited to aluminum or carbon fiber. The aluminum is fairly strong, but compared to the stronger carbon fiber. Aluminum is heavier and carbon fiber is far more costly.

I came down to two options. I wanted a carbon fiber leg and chose a pan head. Because cost was a factor, my budget was in the $150 to $220 area (sorry Scott and Joe). I would love to have one of those $700+ babies, but its just not in the cards until I win the Lottery. I first chose to reject the component tripods where you buy the legs from one company and the heads from another. I wanted an integrated leg/head setup.

My first option was the Sunpak - Pro 523PX 64" Tripod sold on Amazon and at Best Buy. It featured a 64" inch reach and collapsed down to 12". It weighed in at 4 lbs. The pan head was controlled by a pistol grip mechanism that seemed very slick. It retailed for around $199.

My other option was the Rocketfish 65" Carbon Fiber kit, It reached up to 65.5" and weighed in at 5.8 lbs. Rocketfish is owned by Best Buy which sells their tripods exclusively. It listed at $ 150.00. So it came down to one unit that was slightly lighter and more expensive. The other unit was very solid with a sturdy feel and smooth moving levering that tilted to allow both portrait and landscape modes.

Both units would work for me and were within my budget. The Sunpak had a that very cool pistol grip mechanism and the Rockfish seemed more solid. What sold it was the Christmas sale at Best Buy that dropped the Rockfish down to under $120. Well, sometimes you just have to buy the most economical. These are not the only good and reasonable tripods on the market. I urge each of you to do your own research and learn from what you have read on Ezine articles.

Randall Jackson (known to his friends as Randy) is an experienced Arizona photographer. His photography is about nature and events such as sports. He writes about photography and technology on his blog and displays his work at a photography site. More information can be gleaned about Randy at his blog: http://randyonphotography.com.

Oklahoma Sound PRATRD Aluminum Tripod $151.97 This aluminum tripod is compatible with Oklahoma Sound ProAudio Systems.

Spectra Precision 2161 Heavy Duty Aluminum Tripod $99.99 Heavy Duty Aluminum Tripod - 2161. Shoulder Strap

Dewalt Dewalt Aluminum Tripod DW0736 $94.13 Aluminum tripod Lightweight, durable aluminum construction Industry standard 5/8? x 11 mounting threads, flat head design Height 68? opened, 42? closed Built-in strap for easy transport Brand #: Dewalt DW0736 UPC: 028877333441 Keywords: tripod aluminum w strap

Vanguard Espod 203AP Aluminum Alloy Tripod Espod203AP $69.99 Vanguard Espod 203AP Aluminum Alloy Tripod Type: Tripods

Cst berger Cst berger Aluminum Tripod 60-ALQCI20-0 $57.79 Aluminum tripod Wide frame aluminum tripod 5/8? x 11? threaded center stud Replaceable chisel point foot spurs Lightweight for easy transport Adjust from 38? to 63? Flat tripod head Brand #: CST/Berger 60-ALQCI20-0 UPC: 644425600492 Keywords: tripod aluminum wide frame

American DJ Aluminum Tripod - Black $64.99 Ideal for use by mobile DJs and bands, this collapsible aluminum tripod features a single T-bar design and an 80 lb. weight capacity to offer sturdy support.

CST/berger 60-ALQRI20-O 65-in Quick Clamp Aluminum Tripod (Orange) $49.99 65" Quick Clamp Aluminum Tripod (Orange) - 60-ALQRI20-O

CST/berger 60-ALWI20-O Aluminum Tripod with Quick Release (Orange) $69.99 Aluminum Tripod with Quick Release (Orange) - 60-ALWI20-O

Factory Reconditioned Bosch BT160-RT 63-in Quick-Clamp Contractor's Aluminum Tripod $34.99 63-in Quick-Clamp Contractor's Aluminum Tripod - BT160-RT

Samsonite CAMMSCTRPD Aluminum Mini Tripod $21.24 Standard tripod mount. Less than 5inches tall. Silver aluminum finish. Ideal for macro use with digital cameras. Easy to use. Adjustable camera mount angle. Adjustable camera legs.

Vanguard Tracker-3 All-Aluminum Alloy Tripod with 3-Way Panhead - Floor Standing Tripod - 68.5" Height TRACKER3 $134.14 Vanguard Tracker-3 All-Aluminum Alloy Tripod with 3-Way Panhead - Floor Standing Tripod - 68.5" Height TRACKER3

Spectra Precision 2162 Heavy Duty Elevating Aluminum Tripod $139.99 Heavy Duty Elevating Aluminum Tripod - 2162. Shoulder Strap

CST/berger 60-ALQCI20-O Contractor's Aluminum Flat Head Tripod with Quick Release $59.99 Contractor's Aluminum Tripod with Quick Release - 60-ALQCI20-O. Shoulder Strap

Vanguard / Vanguard Tracker-2 All-Aluminum Alloy Tripod with 3-Way Panhead / TRACKER-2 $171.28 Vanguard - Vanguard Tracker-2 All-Aluminum Alloy Tripod with 3-Way Panhead - TRACKER-2

Aluminum Alloy Tripod W/ A 1- Handle 3-Way Pan Head $77.99 ALUMINUM ALLOY TRIPOD W/ A 1- HANDLE 3-WAY PAN HEAD

AccuLine Pro 406340 Aluminum Tripod $99.42 Aluminum Tripod. Lightweight durable aluminum construction with extendable legs. Adjustable working height: 413/4 inches to 67 inches (106 to 170cm). Quick connection for lasers with 5/8 inch 11 thread. Attached chains prevent legs from sliding. Feet have sharp metal points for use on uneven outdoor terrain and retractable rubber covers for use on slick surfaces such as flooring and concrete. Heavy duty carrying strap for ease of transport.

Dolica ST-500 Lightweight Aluminum Tripod $69.95 Series: ST Series Type: Tripod Max Load: 8.88 lbs. Max Height: 68" Min Height: 27" Leg Sections: 3 Folded Height: 28" Column Type: Geared

4.5ft Aluminum Tripod $19.99 Overview:3-way panheadQuick release plate90 degree vertical platformGear operated centre column4-section aluminum legs with braceQuick-release leg locksNon-slip rubber feetSpecification:Weight Approx: 56.3gSize Approx:7.6 x 2.6 x 11.8 cm

Vanguard MK-1 Tripod $23.99 1.63 lb 20.50" 3 52" Aluminum triangular legs Rubber feet legs 2-Way panhead A size for every need. The MK-1 is a great tripod at even better pricing. Special to this tripod is an aluminum column and a horizontal leg brace. Floor Standing Tripod MK-1 MK-1 Tripod Vanguard Vanguard(USA), Inc www.vanguardusa.com

Quartet 50T Tripod Easel Pad Retainer 34h Aluminum Silver $54.05 Present information at an optimal height to capture attention and maximize your message. The Quartet Aluminum Telescoping Display Easels flexibly adjust to support documents in a range of heights and weights. Solid construction of the locking crossbase reinforces the tripod design for added stability. The extendable camshaft and optional accessories create an easel with ultimate display performance. The telescoping feature makes this one of the most popular display easels. Secure a flipchart with the attachable pad retainer. Attaches to easels sold separately. Holds 27w x 34h pad securely from the top. Aluminum. Telescoping Aluminum Tripod Easel (QRT50E) Telescoping Aluminum Tripod Easel (QRT51E) Telescoping Aluminum Tripod Easel (QRT55E) Telescoping Aluminum Tripod Easel (QRT56E). Item sold by the EACH. It is made up of Aluminum. Telescoping Aluminum Tripod Easel (QRT50E) Telescoping Aluminum Tripod Easel (QRT51E) Telescoping Aluminum Tripod Easel (QRT55E). Color: Silver. Material Type: Aluminum.

Tanner 3.5ft Aluminum Tripod $17.8 - Aluminum alloy and high quality plastics construction- Extensible legs to reach42" in height(14.5" when retracted) - 4 sections leg- Rubber foot covers to anti-slipping- Suitable for kinds of cameras and videos- Vertical Platform- Black Travel bag included- Net weight: 500 gDimensions: 3.66 in x 3.66 in x 42 inWeight:500 g

VANGUARD MAK 233 Aluminum Alloy Tripod $59.99 Type: Tripod Max Load: 6.6 lbs. Max Height: 65" Leg Sections: 3 Column Diameter: 23mm Features: 3-way pan head Aluminum alloy Elevation adjustment gear Bubble level Supporting brace

VANGUARD MAK 263 Aluminum Alloy Tripod $79.99 Type: Tripod Max Load: 11 lbs. Max Height w/Column: 65" Min Height: 52.75" Leg Sections: 3 Folded Height: 24.75" Column Diameter: 26mm Material: Aluminum Alloy

VANGUARD MAK 203 Aluminum Alloy Tripod $49.99 Type: Tripod Max Load: 4.4 lbs. Max Height w/Column: 61.02" Min Height: 48.63" Leg Sections: 3 Folded Height: 23.63" Column Diameter: 20mm Material: Aluminum Alloy

1/4 inch Tripod Screw to Tripod Screw Adapter for Flash $3 1/4" Tripod screw to Tripod screw Adapter for flashThis adapter can connect Tripod screw to 1/4" Tripod screw, this adapter have two nutsMaterial: Anodized Aluminum MetalSize: 100*65*25 mm

1/4 inch Tripod screw to Tripod screw Adapter for Flash $1.59 SpecificationThis adapter can connect Tripod screw to 1/4" Tripod screw, this adapter have two nutMaterial: Anodized Aluminum MetalPackage Included: 1/4" Tripod screw to Tripod screw Adapter x1

Emoblitz 1/4 inch Tripod screw to Tripod screw Adapter for Flash $1.59 SpecificationThis adapter can connect Tripod screw to 1/4" Tripod screw, this adapter have two nutMaterial: Anodized Aluminum MetalPackage Included: 1/4" Tripod screw to Tripod screw Adapter x1

Mini Aluminum Tripod $7.19 HighlightsAccessories Type: TripodSpecificationsDimensions (cm): 16 x 3.5 x 2.5Weight: 0.1095

5.0ft Aluminum Tripod $41.7 Dimensions: 4.57 in x 4.57 in x 62.99 inWeight: 56.44 oz

VANGUARD MAK S Aluminum Alloy Tripod $49.99 Type: Tripod Max Load: 4.4 lbs. Max Height: 51.13" Min Height: 41" Leg Sections: 3 Folded Height: 20.13" Column Diameter: 20 mm Features: 2-way pan head Aluminum alloy Bubble level

Joby Gorillapod Focus Tripod $99.99 Stabilize your SLR camera or camcorder with this lightweight tripod that features durable machined aluminum material and individual leg joints that let you wrap the tripod around a post, perch it on a rock or clamp it around a chair for flexibility.

Value 5.5 Inch Aluminum Tripod $1.89 Overview: Silver color with black plastic accents Aluminum frame of high quality 3-way, 360-degree swivel pan head