RSS
 

Posts Tagged ‘tripod’

SwitchPod is a ‘minimal’ handheld tripod that switches modes in seconds

31 Jan

A new Kickstarter campaign is seeking funding for SwitchPod, a handheld ‘minimal’ tripod that switches from handheld mode to tripod mode in only a couple seconds. The device requires almost no effort to convert, enabling users to seamlessly transition from recording while holding the device to recording from a flat surface without pausing to adjust the stand.

SwitchPod is compatible with any camera, including smartphones and DSLR models; the company behind it emphasizes high portability, a “nearly indestructible” aluminum alloy design, and support for weights up to 100lbs / 45kg. The tripod features a 1/4-20″ standard screw for directly attaching a camera, as well as support for ball heads and quick release plates.

Two additional 1/4-20″ threads on the tripod’s legs enable users to attach accessories, such as a light and microphone, plus the leg design makes it possible to clip SwitchPod to a bag using a carabiner. Other features include a tightening knob, non-slip feet, two sets of finger grooves for grasping the tripod in different positions, and a circle pad to protect the camera’s base. The tripod weighs 11.1oz / 315g and measures 11in / 28cm long in handheld mode.

The SwitchPod Kickstarter campaign has exceeded its funding goal, but is still open to new pledges. Backers who pledge at least $ 79 USD are offered a single SwitchPod as a reward; shipping is estimated to start in August 2019.

Disclaimer: Remember to do your research with any crowdfunding project. DPReview does its best to share only the projects that look legitimate and come from reliable creators, but as with any crowdfunded campaign, there’s always the risk of the product or service never coming to fruition.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on SwitchPod is a ‘minimal’ handheld tripod that switches modes in seconds

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Colorado Tripod Company introduces ‘world’s first titanium tripod system’

08 Dec

The Colorado Tripod Company has introduced what it claims is the world’s first titanium tripod system, with a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. Not only does the use of titanium make the ball heads lightweight and strong, but the design of the heads also allows the camera to drop to the side below the usual 90 degrees seen in other heads.

The Highline ballhead will be available in either titanium or aluminum. The titanium model will feature a hollow ball to reduce weight. Both versions will have a locking force of 54lb and will offer left-handed controls that allow users to hold the camera and shoot with the right hand. The titanium model will weigh less than 340g (12oz), while in aluminium the same unit weighs 510g (18oz).

To accompany these heads a new line of titanium and carbon fibre legs have also been introduced. The company says that by CNC machining from a solid block of titanium it can make its metal parts stronger than manufacturers that use metal casting. Milling also means the company can make its parts more precisely, and it says it can cut the amount of material used to help reduce weight. The carbon fibre used in the Centennial legs is ten-layered, and comes from Japan.

An additional ball head called the Aspen comes only in aluminium but offers a much wider range of camera positions, as it has no housing around the ball. This allows the camera to drop well below 90 degrees, while making the head quite lightweight at only 454g (16oz).

The Highline ball head in aluminium starts at $ 79 on Kickstarter, while the titanium version can be had for $ 399. The Aspen head costs $ 179 and the Centennial tripod is $ 249 in aluminium and $ 399 in titanium. Various kits combing these products are also available. Shipping is planned to start in March.

For more information see the Colorado Tripod Company’s Kickstarter campaign page.

Disclaimer: Remember to do your research with any crowdfunding project. DPReview does its best to share only the projects that look legitimate and come from reliable creators, but as with any crowdfunded campaign, there’s always the risk of the product or service never coming to fruition.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Colorado Tripod Company introduces ‘world’s first titanium tripod system’

Posted in Uncategorized

 

How to Choose the Right Tripod for Landscape Photography

31 Oct

A tripod is an essential piece of equipment for a landscape photographer. Sure, you won’t always need to use it. But you’ll find yourself in situations where it can help you capture a high-quality image you wouldn’t be able to get otherwise.

But how do you choose the right tripod? There are hundreds (if not thousands) of options out there, with prices ranging from $ 10 to more than $ 1,000. How do you know which one will best suit your needs? Should you just go for the most expensive tripod you can find? It must be the best, right?

Not necessarily.

Why You Need a Tripod

Before we get into the best options for you, I want to go over a few key reasons why you need a tripod.

Tripods are essential for capturing razor-sharp images, especially in low-light situations where you want to keep your ISO low.

While increasing the ISO lets you use a quicker shutter speed, it can introduce unwanted grain/noise and reduce the overall quality of your image. But keeping the ISO low means you’ll need a longer shutter speed. (Yes, you can adjust the aperture. But I won’t be talking about that here).

Capturing a sharp image using a shutter speed of 1/10th of a second or slower with a handheld camera is almost impossible. It’s very difficult to avoid any camera movement which, with such a slow shutter speed, means you’ll introduce some blur into the image.

How to Choose the Right Tripod for Landscape Photography

Mounting the camera on a tripod lets you use slower shutter speeds and still capture sharp images. The camera sits still on the tripod, so you don’t have to worry about the motion of you holding it.

Using a tripod also allows you to use even slower shutter speeds and capture long exposures (i.e. images that make use of extra slow shutter speeds).

What to Consider Before Buying a Tripod

The first tripods I bought were cheap $ 20 aluminum models from the local electronic shop. While most photographers start with such a tripod, I strongly advise you not to buy one. For landscape photography, they simply won’t do a good job. In some situations, they may even do more harm than goods. These also break more easily than something of a higher quality.

So what should you consider before purchasing your next tripod? Here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Price and quality (i.e. what does your budget allow?)
  • Flexibility
  • Weight (aluminum vs carbon)

Taking these topics into account before you buy will make it easier to find the best one for your needs.

1. Price

The first thing most of us consider is the price. Photography equipment is rarely cheap, and if you want quality you need to pay for it. As I said earlier, a tripod can cost you anything from $ 10 to several thousand. But are more expensive tripods necessarily better?

In general, yes. A $ 1,000 tripod will outperform a $ 200 tripod in most tests. But that doesn’t mean it’s the right one for you. Ask yourself what you need. What type of photography do you do? Do you need the most expensive model? For most people, the answer is no.

Chances are a mid-range ($ 200) tripod will be more than adequate and perform perfectly in most scenarios.

2. Flexibility / Height

What about the specs? Should you choose a short one or a tall one? Can the legs spread wide, or are they locked into a fixed position? Flip-lock or twist-lock?

Let’s start with the height. In most situations, you won’t need a tall tripod. But there may well come a time where you need that extra leg length. Is it worth paying extra for? If you often find yourself in rivers, rocks or rugged seascapes, then yes. But if you’re not into extreme landscape photography and mount your tripod on flat and stable ground instead, I wouldn’t bother.

While a tall tripod is nice, it’s also nice to have one that lets you get close to the ground. For this image, the tripod held my camera just a few centimeters off the ground, which allowed me to get extra close to the flowers.

How to Choose the Right Tripod for Landscape Photography

So what’s more important to you? Having a tall tripod, or being able to take photographs from a low perspective?

The good news is that some of the more expensive tripods can give you both. While they can stand close to two meters tall, they can also lay more or less flat on the ground for those extremely low perspective shots. 

3. Weight

The final thing to consider is the tripod’s weight. This is important, especially if you head out on long hikes to reach particular destinations. Your backpack can get quite heavy once you add all the gear you need, so the last thing you want is unnecessary weight from a tripod.

Now, a lightweight tripod doesn’t necessarily mean a low-quality tripod. In fact, some of the best tripods out there are lightweight. You just need to make sure they’re sturdy and can support the weight of your camera. However, these tripods are rarely cheap and are often found in the higher end of the price range.

If you’re an avid hiker and tend to go a long way to photograph your subjects, I strongly recommend looking into a lightweight carbon-fiber tripod. These tripods are just as sturdy (if not more sturdy) than the heavier aluminum alternatives.

How to Choose the Right Tripod for Landscape Photography

But if you’re not into hiking, weight might not be such an issue. In fact, if you photograph in rough conditions you may prefer the extra weight. When photographing beaches in Arctic Norway I depend on having a sturdy tripod that won’t break when hit by waves or move when the waves are receding. In these situations, a low-quality travel tripod is far from ideal. Even strong winds can make these tripods vibrate, leading to blurry images. A heavy and solid tripod is a much better option.

What types of landscapes do you normally photograph? And what do you need to capture those scenes?

Which Tripod is Best for You?

Unfortunately, I can’t answer this question for you. It really depends on who you are and the kinds of photographs you take. But when you’re ready to buy one, consider what I’ve talked about and ask yourself what you need. Do you need a light tripod you can easily bring on long hikes? Do you need a sturdy tripod that can handle wind and rough conditions? Perhaps you need a combination of the two.

And what about the price? Do you really need the most expensive model, or will a medium-priced alternative do the job?

Answering these questions should help you narrow down the options, and help you find the tripod that is best for you.

Personally, I have two tripods: a lightweight travel tripod I can bring on long hikes, and my main tripod that’s a little heavier (and more expensive) but solid enough to use in even the roughest Arctic conditions.

Let us know what tripod you ended up choosing. We’d love to hear about it.

The post How to Choose the Right Tripod for Landscape Photography appeared first on Digital Photography School.


Digital Photography School

 
Comments Off on How to Choose the Right Tripod for Landscape Photography

Posted in Photography

 

Gitzo announces Gitzo Mini Traveler tripod with patent-pending ‘Pull & Fix’ technology

29 Sep

Gitzo has released the details of its upcoming travel tripod, the Gitzo Mini Traveler.

Designed for ‘professional photographers and promising amateurs who use mirrorless cameras or DSLR cameras with small lenses,’ the Gitzo Mini Traveler is made of Gitzo’s ‘state-of-the-art’ carbon eXact tubes and an aluminum head.

The tripod weighs 265g/0.63lbs and measures 22.1cm/8.7in in length when closed with the tripod head attached. When used with the aluminum tripod head, the tripod holds 3kg/6.6lbs of gear. If you don’t mind losing the articulating head, the legs alone hold an impressive 25kg/55lbs of gear.

The legs use Gitzo’s patent-pending Pull & Fix leg angle selector system with two built-in leg angles. ‘ The ergonomic rubberized gear easily locks and controls the strong stainless steel sphere of the aluminum ball head,’ according to Gitzo.

The Gitzo Mini Traveler is available in two colors: black and Gitzo’s noir decor. Both colors are available for pre-order on B&H for $ 200. No specific release date has been given.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Gitzo announces Gitzo Mini Traveler tripod with patent-pending ‘Pull & Fix’ technology

Posted in Uncategorized

 

5 Tips for Photographing Handheld Without a Tripod

27 Sep

Are you frustrated by the inconvenience of a tripod and you prefer shooting handheld? Do you want to take sharp images, but without having to lug around such a large piece of equipment?

Fortunately, it is possible to get stunning images, even images in low light, without using a tripod. In fact, tripods often limit your flexibility.

5 Tips for Photographing Handheld Without a Tripod - dunlin

I rarely use a tripod, myself. While I do appreciate the added stability a tripod provides, I find myself struggling to compose images. I prefer the ability to quickly flow from composition to composition. I also like to shoot from angles that tripods struggle to cover. Hence, I have a lot of experience in photographing handheld.

In this article, I discuss various ways you can shoot without a tripod while still getting sharp images. I will show you how, with very little work, you can take your handheld photography to the next level.

5 Tips for Photographing Handheld Without a Tripod - golden retriever and woman

1. Stabilize Your Body Against an Object

I’ll start with the least technical tip for shooting handheld, that is to become a human tripod!

By this, I mean that you should seek to stabilize your body and arms against an object. I find that the ground is an excellent choice (after all, it’s reliably present).

So, when shooting handheld, I often get down on the ground. I’ll lie on my stomach and press my elbows firmly against the soil. Then I can feel fairly confident when taking my image that things will remain sharp.

Photographing Handheld Without a Tripod - aster

I stabilized my elbows against the ground in order to photograph this aster.

If you don’t want to get down on your stomach, that’s okay. You can also try out several other positions.

For instance, you can crouch down and put your elbows on your knees. Or you can tuck your elbows into your body.

You can also find some other object to stabilize yourself against. I sometimes use large rocks or fallen trees when shooting flowers. It pays to be creative.

2. Use Your Camera or Lens’s Built-In Image Stabilization

Does your camera or lens possess image stabilization technology? If so, switch it on!

You see, image stabilization technology is built in by clever camera manufacturers. It reduces (or eliminates) camera shake using image stabilization.

Image stabilization technology generally works in one of two ways. If it’s built into the camera, the sensor physically moves to counteract any camera shake that the camera has experienced. If it’s built into the lens, an optical element inside the lens is what moves.

Regardless, here’s the key takeaway: Image stabilization technology help to minimize or eliminate camera shake.

Photographing Handheld Without a Tripod - urban abstract

Without image stabilization, getting this urban abstract would have been very difficult.

The downside of image stabilization technology is that it’s expensive. Only some cameras and some lenses possess it, and they tend to be on the pricier side of things.

For those of us who dislike shooting with a tripod, however, image stabilization is a worthwhile investment.

3. Shoot with Shorter Lenses

An oft-cited rule in photography circles is this: you can handhold your lens at a shutter speed that is the reciprocal of the focal length (that is, 1/focal length).

This may sound complex, but it’s really not. To find an acceptably fast shutter speed, take the focal length and make it into a fraction with a one on top.

For instance, if you’re shooting with a 100mm lens, you can handhold at a shutter speed of 1/100th of a second or faster. When you’re shooting with a 400mm lens, you can handhold at a shutter speed of 1/400th of a second or faster. Finally, if you’re shooting with a 25mm lens, you can handhold at a shutter speed of 1/25th of a second.

Do you see the pattern? The longer the lens, the faster your shutter speed must be. Conversely, you can use a longer shutter speed when using a short lens.

Photographing Handheld Without a Tripod - golden retriever

I used a wide angle lens to capture this golden retriever in low light.

This is for a couple of reasons. First, long lenses tend to be bigger and heavier, causing more camera shake. Second, longer lenses magnify camera shake, resulting in blurrier pictures.

Therefore, if you don’t have a tripod to cut down on camera shake, you should use a lens that is more forgiving of the rule (based on the 1/focal length rule).

So if you’re shooting handheld, use shorter focal lengths for more success.

4. Shoot in Burst Mode

Another tip for photographing without a tripod is to shoot in burst mode (high-speed drive mode).

To activate burst mode, you simply have to set the camera to high-speed drive mode and hold down the shutter button. If you have a camera with this capability, you’ll hear the rapid-fire sound of images being taken.

Photographing Handheld Without a Tripod - white-morph reddish egret

Burst mode was essential for getting this early-morning shot of a White-Morph Reddish Egret.

This mode helps with handheld photography for two reasons.

First, when you jab the shutter button with your finger, it generates camera shake. When you use burst mode, however, you only press the shutter button at the beginning of your image sequence. This means that later photographs are taken with very little camera shake because the shutter button is not actually pressed just before the image is captured.

Second, when you shoot in burst mode, the mirror doesn’t cause extra vibrations. You see, many cameras (DSLRs) have mirrors in front of the sensor. When the shutter button is pressed, the mirror flips up, briefly exposing the sensor to light (to capture the image).

When the mirror flips up, this causes small vibrations throughout the camera, another form of camera shake. Yet when you activate burst mode, the mirror only flips up only at the beginning of the burst. The later shots aren’t affected by the vibrations caused by the mirror and as a consequence, they are sharper.

NOTE: This last point doesn’t apply to mirrorless cameras as they do not have a mirror, hence the name!

5. Use the self-timer

My final tip for photographing without a tripod is to use your camera’s self-timer.

The self-timer allows you to press the shutter button, and then it waits a specified number of seconds before the image is taken.

Photographing Handheld Without a Tripod - cosmos

I love using the self-timer when photographing flowers.

This useful for the same reason cited above in favor of burst mode. It prevents the camera shake generated when you press the shutter button.

So, next time you’re out in the field and you’re struggling to get sharp images without a tripod, try using the self-timer to reduce your camera shake.

Photographing Handheld Without a Tripod - purple abstract

Conclusion

Many photographers think that tripods are a necessity, but this isn’t necessarily the case. There are methods that you can use to shoot without a tripod while still capturing stellar images.

Photographing Handheld Without a Tripod - architecture ann arbor

  • First, steady yourself by placing your elbows against the ground.
  • Second, switch on your camera or lens’s image stabilization software.
  • Third, shoot with shorter (e.g., wide-angle) lenses.
  • Fourth, photograph using burst mode.
  • Fifth, use your camera’s self-timer.

photography without tripod yellow flower

photography without tripod cosmos

If you follow these tips, your tripod will become far less important, and you’ll take fantastic handheld images.

Have any more tips for photographing without a tripod? Please share them in the comments below.

photography without tripod little blue heron

The post 5 Tips for Photographing Handheld Without a Tripod appeared first on Digital Photography School.


Digital Photography School

 
Comments Off on 5 Tips for Photographing Handheld Without a Tripod

Posted in Photography

 

Manfrotto adds new two-in-one tripod to its Befree lineup

14 Sep

Manfrotto has added a new two-in-one tripod to its Befree Live lineup — a tripod it calls ‘the most versatile model in the Befree range.’

Appropriately named the Manfrotto Befree 2N1, the contraption is both a tripod and monopod. ‘The Befree 2N1 is made to enable quick and easy switching from a tripod to a monopod,’ says Manfrotto. ‘After a half-turn anticlockwise, a red rubber ring will appear on the tripod leg, providing the user with visual feedback that the tube can be safely removed for use as a monopod.’

The Befree 2N1 comes in two versions: one with Manfrotto’s Quick Power Lock lever setup and one with its M-Lock twist setup. Both versions, which use Manfrotto’s 494 Ball Head with 200PL PRO Plate for mounting the camera to, hold up to 8.07kg/17.8lbs and fold down to 40.64cm/16in long. The legs extend using four dedicated sections and extends just shy of 152cm/60in for both models.

There’s also a kit version of the lever-lock Befree 2N1 that comes with Manfrotto’s fluid head and a dedicated case. This system is oriented more towards videography content capture.

Both versions of the Manfrotto Befree 2N1 tripods will retail for $ 220, while the video-centric kit version will retail for $ 240. You can pre-order all three models on B&H now. They’re set to ship later September 2018.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Manfrotto adds new two-in-one tripod to its Befree lineup

Posted in Uncategorized

 

LumaPod is an ultra-compact tripod that uses tension to keep your shots steady

13 Sep

Tripods are one of the few pieces of camera equipment that haven’t seen a lot of innovation over the years. LumaPod is hoping to change that though, with its all new tripod that’s currently available to back on Kickstarter.

Deemed the ‘world’s fastest tripod,’ the LumaPod is a compact tripod that uses patented tension technology to stabilize your shots without weighing a ton. It comes in two models — the Go85 and Go120 — for varying camera sizes and can also be used as a monopod and selfie stick.

Unlike traditional tripods, which rely on three legs attached to a centralized column and mounting point, the LumaPod is essentially two tripods in one that folds down into a single tube that looks something like the handle of a lightsaber. The base of the LumaPod is similar to a standard tripod in that it uses three rigid aluminum legs to keep the thing upright and steady. These low-profile legs serve as the attachment point for a telescoping column and three kevlar cables that hold the central column in place using tension.

The Go85 LumaPod weighs just 400g/0.88lbs, measures in at 85cm/33.5in and can hold 1kg/2.2lbs of camera equipment. The larger Go120 weighs 690g/1.65lbs, measures in at 120cm/47.3in when closed, and can hold 2kg/4.4lbs of camera equipment.

The Go85 includes a collection of accessories designed to make the most of shooting with smartphones and GoPro cameras, while the Go120 includes a compact Z-plate for more versatile mounting of mirrorless and DSLR cameras. Other accessories are available as add-ons through the Kickstarter. These include a Bluetooth remote, quick release plate, travel sling, compact ball head, and more.

The lower legs of both LumaPods are modular and adaptable to fit your shooting needs. They can be hot swapped with rubber feet, terrain levelers, dolly wheels, and other accessories by simply swapping them out. LumaPod claims it takes just four seconds to set up the tripod.

It remains to be seen just how stable this setup is, but it’s an interesting design that may very well work for smaller camera setups.

The Go85 starts for a pledge of €69 (approximately $ 80), while the Go120 starts at €85 (approximately $ 99). Both models are expected to ship in May 2019. To find out more and secure your pledge, head on over to the Kickstarter campaign.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on LumaPod is an ultra-compact tripod that uses tension to keep your shots steady

Posted in Uncategorized

 

10 Dos and Don’ts for Mastering Your Tripod

15 Aug

Love ’em or hate ’em, tripods are an essential piece of gear for all photographers. It will keep your camera steady during long exposures, support the weight of those big lenses you need for wildlife photography, and hold your camera in what could otherwise be an awkward position for macro photography.

But just like any other tool, a tripod can be used the right way, and the wrong way.

10 Dos and Don'ts for Mastering Your Tripod - photographer under a rock arch

DO – Get a good tripod that fits your gear

First of all, make sure your tripod is sturdy and solid. There are a wide variety of models available that range anywhere from $ 20 on into the thousands, and there is a reason for that. A bargain tripod will hold a small point-and-shoot camera steady but is not strong enough to keep your heavy DSLR steady during a long exposure.

Even if you have a high-quality tripod, there are still some things to consider such as its weight limit and maximum height. Make sure your tripod is built to hold the weight of your camera, biggest lens, flash, and any other accessories you might put on it.

You might also want to consider if your tripod should be as tall as you are. If you need to look through your viewfinder, having a tall tripod will mean you can use it more comfortably without bending down. On the other hand, if you have an LCD screen that flips up, a tall tripod is less important.

A good tripod should last decades with proper storage and care, so it’s worth the investment.

photographer on sand dunes - 10 Dos and Don'ts for Mastering Your Tripod

DO –  Make sure your tripod is sufficiently weighted

The weight of the tripod itself is also something to think about. Typically they are made from aluminum which is relatively inexpensive but heavy. For a higher price, you can get one made of carbon fiber, which is strong and lightweight but more expensive.

A carbon fiber tripod is an excellent choice for nature and wildlife photographers who have to walk or hike long distances while carrying their gear. However, they are so light that a stiff breeze could potentially knock the tripod over, taking your camera with it. If you are using a lighter tripod and there is a lot of wind, anchor the legs of the tripod or hang a rock, sandbag, or your camera bag from the center to weigh it down.

I recommend going for a light tripod otherwise it will tend to get left at home. A light tripod is easy to carry and you can always weigh it down on a windy day.

sunset over Canyon de Chelly, Arizona - 10 Dos and Don'ts for Mastering Your Tripod

DO – Extend the thickest sections of the legs first

When a tripod folds up, its legs unlock and collapse into sections (usually three or four). The thickest sections of the leg are the most stable. So if you’re not raising your tripod to full height, extend the thicker upper sections before you bring the thinner lower parts into play.

DON’T – Raise the center column until the legs are fully extended

Raising the tripod using the legs offers much more stability than using the center column, which can sway slightly during long exposures. For maximum sharpness, the center column should be used to gain extra height only after the legs are fully extended.

DO – Remove the center column altogether

Consider whether you are more likely to require additional height, or if you would rather be able to get lower to the ground. Some tripods allow you to remove the center column, which means you can set up your tripod lower to the ground for super low-angle shots.

Gatklettur, or Arch Rock, in Arnarstapi, Iceland - 10 Dos and Don'ts for Mastering Your Tripod

DON’T – Touch the tripod or camera during the exposure

If you’re doing a long exposure, even a slight nudge on the tripod can cause blur. Make sure that nothing touches the camera or tripod while the shutter is open. A camera strap blowing in the wind comes to mind.

Ideally, you should use a remote shutter release or 2-second self-timer to prevent movement when you press the shutter button.

DON’T – Carry your camera mounted on the tripod

Okay, I have to admit I’m guilty of this one! It can be tempting to leave your camera attached to the tripod as you walk from location to location – it makes set-up and take-down so much faster when you need to get the shot.

But the release plates and screws that hold the camera to the tripod assume that gravity will be working with them. They aren’t built to hold the camera at an angle, especially with the bustling and bumping that can happen while walking around outside. By doing this, you risk your precious camera coming loose and taking a bad spill.

DO – Protect your tripod from water, sand and other debris

A good tripod should be fairly rugged, but tiny particles can get inside the tripod and erode the screws that make it move smoothly and fasten securely. Avoid submerging the joints and locks in sand or silty water, and if your tripod does get dirty, make sure it is clean and dry before folding it back up.

I often use my tripod on the beach and sometimes submerge it in salt water. A solution to the problem of getting sand and salt in the tripod is to not collapse it again. I just leave all the legs extended until I get home (or to home base if traveling) and can rinse it off.

Hraunfosser Waterfall, Iceland - 10 Dos and Don'ts for Mastering Your Tripod

DON’T – Over-tighten the screws

Some tripods have spinning screw locks that tighten the legs, and some fasten with clips that are held on with bolts that may need to be adjusted from time to time.

Either way, you want these screws to be secure enough, but you don’t want to muscle them so tight that they can’t be unlocked. Worse, you could strip and damage the threads. Most screws on a tripod should be firmly finger-tight, and no more.

DO – Turn off image stabilization

The image stabilization technology inside cameras and lenses is fantastic when hand-holding the camera, but can actually backfire when used on a tripod.

This is because the stabilization system itself causes vibrations, and when it’s mounted on a stable base such as a tripod, it actually detects its own vibration. It works harder to stabilize this, which causes it to vibrate, even more, compounding the problem.

Therefore, this setting should be turned off when your camera is mounted on a tripod.

10 Dos and Don'ts for Mastering Your Tripod - photographer in a desert valley

Over to you

There’s nothing worse than making a big investment in your photography only to find it isn’t helping very much. So make sure you are using your tripod properly to get those sharp images you are after.

The post 10 Dos and Don’ts for Mastering Your Tripod appeared first on Digital Photography School.


Digital Photography School

 
Comments Off on 10 Dos and Don’ts for Mastering Your Tripod

Posted in Photography

 

3 Legged Thing launches the affordable Patti tripod

15 Aug

British manufacturer 3 Legged Thing today launched a new affordable today. Despite an entry-level price point of $ 120, the company says its new Patti offers the same quality and versatility as the more expensive models in its Punks range.

A maximum payload of 10kg (22lbs) should be more than enough for most smaller DSLRs and mirrorless setups, and its ABS plastic flip leg locks instead of the more expensive models’ twist lock systems help keep the price down. The legs are made from aircraft grade magnesium.

The Patti features a removable and reversible single section center column, allowing for low angled shots and a minimum shooting height of 11cm (4.3″). Packed down the new model measures 45cm (17.7″) and extends to a maximum height of 1.63m (64″) when unfolded and set up.

The tripod is supplied with the company’s AirHead Mini head, a simplified version of its AirHead ball head variant. The latter comes with controls for the Arca Swiss style release plate as well as the ball head and panoramic rotation.

The Patti is available to pre-order from today and will be released September 15th. More information is available on the 3 Legged Thing website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on 3 Legged Thing launches the affordable Patti tripod

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Gitzo teams up with Sony to launch tripod and L-bracket designed for ?-series cameras

18 Jul

As part of a collaboration between Vitec Group and Sony, Gitzo has introduced a new pair of products designed specifically for Sony ?7 and ?9 cameras: the Traveler ? Tripod and the L-Bracket ?.

The new products ‘feature a tailored design to perfectly fit Sony ?7 and ?9 camera models, helping to increase grip and stability for precise framing and extraordinary composition,’ according to Vitec Group.

Gitzo’s new Traveler ? is a ‘premium travel tripod’ featuring a new design and monochromatic color scheme to match the appearance of Sony ?-series cameras. It weighs just 1.43kg/3.15lbs, opens to 165cm/64.96in and holds up to 10kg/22lbs of gear. Like Gitzo’s other travel tripods, the Traveler ? folds down to just 43cm/16.93in when using the 180-degree leg-folding system.

The legs themselves are constructed of Carbon eXact tubing and use the Traveler G-lock system for securing the proper height. The Traveler ? is paired with Gitzo’s ‘most compact professional carbon fiber tripod head […] engineered to provide the ultimate smoothness and precision of movement and secure locking with independent pan/tilt lock.’ To wrap it all up, the special-edition tripod includes a genuine Italian leather carry strap designed to mimic the aesthetic of carbon fiber.

The second new product is the L-Bracket ?, which Gitzo calls ‘the lightest of its kind on the market,’ weighing in at just 77g/2.7oz. The bracket is milled from a single piece of aluminum ‘to become one with the most high-level professional mirrorless cameras on the market.’ Its design includes four attachment points for camera straps, an open design for easy access to ports and cables. There’s also a dedicated spot for the hex keys and accessories so you don’t need to carry another bag of tools around.

The Gitzo Traveler ? costs $ 999.99, while the Gitzo L-Bracket ? will set you back $ 199.99. They are available now on Gitzo’s online shop and authorized dealers.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
Comments Off on Gitzo teams up with Sony to launch tripod and L-bracket designed for ?-series cameras

Posted in Uncategorized

 
« Older Entries
Newer Entries »