Camera Tripod Reviews

ok i spend $$K on camera stuff, but now i need to know what is the best pro carbon tripod and i do mean pro none of that cheep stuff you get from an online vendor like sonic camera

My dad has a Canon 50D and needs a tripod. I would like to get him one for christmas but have no idea what I should be looking for. It needs to be a tall one not a table one that’s all I know. If anyone could help me that would be great. We are in Australia so to be able to get it from here would also be helpful.

Sorry, didn’t know which category to put this under.

I have a Canon Rebel XSI, and the tripod fell over (from full height) with the camera attached and landed on carpeted floor. I had a flash attached to the top, which broke, but everything else SEEMS to be okay… What are the things that could be wrong with it now, that I might not be able to see?
Well the tripod was knocked over by my toddler when I turned around to grab my lens cap. GAH! Not even two seconds of taking my eye off of it.

In simple form, a camera tripod is best explained as a three-legged stand used to stabilize and elevate a camera. A camera tripod can be used in either still or motion imagery. Most commonly used by professional photographers in a studio, a camera tripod is designed to capture the perfect image every time.

A camera tripod is available in several variations, including floor model or tabletop. The least expensive begins at $50.00 and goes up, depending on the size and features. A basic camera tripod is designed for consumers and is best used for amateur photography or filming. An expensive camera tripod features feet suitable for rough ground and the head of the unit is designed move smoothly for improved video recording. The most expensive, which are used is studios and professional filming, are made of wood.

A full-size camera tripod is much better equipped to handle heavier equipment, whereas a tabletop model can accommodate up to 50lbs. These portable units are ideal for traveling and where compact equipment is needed.

There are several ways that a camera tripod can be used, including a family portrait where you want to be included in the photo. Simply set the camera up on a tripod and position it so that everyone is in perfect view, set the timer on your camera, push the button to take a photo and get into place with the family. Other uses may include an instance where your hands are shaky and you want to stabilize the camera for a quality image or if you are responsible for taking school pictures. Do you remember the days of middle school when the photographer would come into the gymnasium, set up his/her background sheet and tripod? All he/she had to do was to situate the child, convince him/her to smile and snap the picture. A camera tripod makes it easy to take multiple photos, in which the subjects are in the same location, without having to worry about placement every single time. With a tripod, placement is always perfect so long as the subject is where he/she should be.

When shopping for a camera tripod, first consider the uses that you will need it for. The weight of your camera, the needed features and swivel capabilities, the locations that the tripod will be placed and the needed height. In addition, a realistic budget that you can afford will be best considered early before shopping for a camera tripod. Most photography supply stores, both online and local, may offer camera tripods. Before purchasing, be sure to check out the dealer’s reputation with the Better Business Bureau and also learn about their return policy.

I am looking for a tripod that will support a 4X5 camera but is not too heavy and suitable to take shots outdoors where the tripod will be sitting on dirt. Many of the ones I have found are for studio… So is there a difference if i plan on using it for landscape/outdoor shots? Any suggestions. Price range is preferably under $300 but under $500 works too.

Any time a camcorder is handheld there is a likelihood of camera shake occurring due to unintentional hand movement or shakiness. One of the best ways to eliminate this problem is to use a tripod whenever possible. However, the situations in which it is unhandy to use a tripod, or one is not available, are too numerous to mention. Thus, the average user typically operates without a tripod with the result being tremulous or jerky films.

Thankfully, camcorder manufacturers offer a variety of methods to reduce the effect of inadvertent movements. The two most common features offered on current camcorders are electronic and optical image stabilization. Electronic stabilization, also termed digital stabilization, is the more economical means of steadying images. However, optical stabilization, or mechanical stabilization as it is also described, tends to offer superior performance. There are also other differences between these two methods of image stabilization that potential buyers should consider before making a purchase.

In order to “stabilize” an image, the camcorder must first “sense” the movement, differentiate it from intended movement of the camera, and then compensate for image changes due to unintended movement.

With electronic stabilization, the image on the CCD is compared from frame to frame. If the image moves from one frame to the next, the camcorder will stabilize the image by eliminating the portions of the image around the outer edge; the portion which varies from one frame to the next. Once this portion of the image is eliminated it is filled in by digitally expanding the center portion of the image. When a portion of the image is eliminated and the remaining pixels are left to fill in the area, the quality of the resulting image is often compromised. Because the digital zoom function used on many camcorders has a similar effect of reducing image resolution, it should never be used in conjunction with electronic stabilization.

A camcorder with electronic stabilization should be able to differentiate the movement of a subject, say a bicyclist riding across the field of view, versus the movement of an entire image or scene caused by shakiness. However, it is still best to disable image stabilization whenever panning to capture intended movement to assure that the camcorder does not attempt to stabilize such motion.

Electronic stabilization works best outdoors and in situations where lighting is very good. Because electronic stabilization adds no additional moving parts, camcorders with this type of feature tend to be smaller and lighter weight that camcorders which employ optical stabilization.

Camcorders with optical image stabilization sense movement via built-in gyrosensors which detect motion and signal adjustments to the camcorder lens which redirect incoming light to counteract small movements. This is a more complex process but does not result in the loss of image resolution as all image information is retained. Optical stabilization is thus more effective in low-light situations and when zoom is used. In addition, the optical stabilization method seldom results in false interpretation of intended versus unintended movements. On the other hand, with a more complex lens and additional moving parts, camcorders which employ optical stabilization tend to be larger and consume more power than their electronically oriented counterparts.

Image stabilization is an important feature for some buyers who wish to produce films that are smoother and absent of much of the jerkiness present in handheld shots. The difference between electronic and optical stabilization however, can be significant. Thus knowing which type of stabilization is present on any camcorder being considered for purchase is critical.

i got this tripod for 7.00 dollars! with free shipping. to get a tripod like this go to: photography.shop.ebay.com