Tripod Buying Guide
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Tripod Basics -
Head Type - Ball Head - these are the most common and the most versatile. All of the recommended tripods below are ball heads. If shooting video AND you need to pan during the shoot you could consider a fluid head tripod. Consider a geared head if you want incredibly precise movements but are willing to pay $$$ and you don’t mind a slower setup.
Plate Type - The two common types are Arca swiss and Manfrotto - Arca swiss is the most common type of tripod head/plate system which means if you are on a trip and forget your plate just about any camera store will carry a spare plate or if traveling with a photography workshop it’s likely someone else will have a compatible plate. Spare Arca Swiss Plates - Consider an L Bracket for easier vertical photography. I love my L bracket. Kirk, Really Right Stuff and Small Rig all make excellent L Brackets that are camera-specific. If you buy a tripod without a center column an L-Bracket becomes mandatory.
Leg Lock Type - Twist lock legs vs flip-lock. This can be a polarizing choice. I personally prefer twist lock, you twist a small section of the leg and the friction reduces allowing you to extend or contract the tripod legs. I find twist legs to be more comfortable and pack-friendly but if you are not paying attention it is possible to over twist and have the legs fall apart. With a flip-lock, you flip a small lever open to extend and close to lock in place. On more travel-friendly tripods these little levers can be small and fiddly. They can also wear over time and require a tool to retighten.
Center Column - All tripods consist of 3 legs that you spread to create a stable platform. Many tripods offer a short center column that can extend up through the center to offer additional height. This makes height adjustments with this column very easy and provides flexibility to dial in the last few inches you need without adjusting each leg. But, it's rarely as stable as having the camera seated as close to the leg joints (some refer to this junction as the canopy). So I recommend you avoid using the center column unless necessary. Some tripods, including the ones I recommend below, don't offer a center column. This makes for a more packable and lightweight tripod with great stability but you do lose the flexibility of the ease of height adjustment and unless you are using an L bracket on your tripod it is much more difficult to shoot vertically. Some tripods offer an additional extension that screws in place. This isn't ideal. Pay attention when shopping - most max height stats are provided with the center column fully extended which again isn't the most stable.
Budget - There are loads of tripods that are cheaper than my budget pick but we have seen these show up on workshops and they rarely provide the stability you want from a tripod, that is the NUMBER ONE reason you buy a tripod. They also break faster and customer support/warranty service from many of these companies under $200 is nonexistent. The likelihood that you will be replacing one of these cheap tripods in just a few short years is high. Spend the money now to get a tripod that will last you.
The tripods I have listed below offer good heights while remaining travel friendly - fold down small enough to not be much taller than a backpack and they are fairly lightweight.
Budget Tripods ($)
MeFOTO GlobeTrotter Aluminum Travel | Max Height 64” with the center column extended. Pack length just 16” | Weighs 4.6lbs $220 B&H Photo Link | Amazon Link $199
You might not feel that $200 is very budget-friendly but a tripod is one of those pieces of gear that you need to buy a well-built and from a reputable brand. I have used various versions of the MeFoto for over a decade and I have been very happy.
MidPoint ($$)
Leofoto LX-224CT Ranger Series Tripod and LH-30 Ball Head Kit | Max Height 43”, 51” with center column. Pack length 14.5” | Weight 2.47 lbs $289 B&H Photo Link | Amazon Link While this tripod is not as tall as the MeFoto above it is significantly lighter and packs down smaller. I own two Leofoto tripods and I have been happy. They are excellent value tripods. Like the feature set but want more height the LX-254CT is what I would recommend.
High End ($$$)
Gitzo GT2545T Series 2 Traveler Carbon Fiber Tripod with Center Ball Head - Max height 65” Packed Length 17.5” & Weight 4lbs B&H Photo Link | Amazon Link $789
At the higher end, you can usually save by buying legs and a head separately. Below are some excellent legs and separate heads that you can purchase. Note that all of the tripods above feature removable heads allowing you to upgrade at some point in the future if desired.
Just Legs -
FLM CP30-S4 II 10X Carbon Fiber Series II | 53” max height | Pack length 18.9” & weighs 2.4lbs $459
B&H Photo Link | Amazon Link These are fantastic legs and nicely compromise length, weight and sturdiness Pair with LH-40(listed below) for a 3.4lb tripod that packs small and provides a study base.
Taller Legs -
FLM CP30-L4 II 10X Carbon Fiber Series II | 68.3” max height, pack length 23” & weight 3.1 lbs $505
B&H Photo Link | Amazon Link Same comments as the S4 above, just gets you taller.
Pair with Head -
Really Right Stuff BH-40 Ball Head with Compact Lever-Release Clamp | 18lb load capacity - $445
B&H Photo Link | Amazon Link
Or more budget-friendly head -
Leofoto LH-40 Low Profile Ball Head | 44Lb load capacity | 1.1lb $179 B&H Photo Link | Amazon
