The tripod is almost as old as photography itself. The first cameras were large and heavy. The low light sensitivity of the first photographic materials usually only allowed for long exposure times. There were hardly any tripods around for anyone wanting to take a sharp picture in the early years of photography, and if you were lucky to find one, they were mostly made from wood.
The photo tripod has since undergone a transformation similar to the momentum at which cameras have evolved from a technical point of view. But the original function of the tripod has remained the same: to keep the portion of the picture in the viewfinder in place for the duration of the recording and to keep the camera from shaking.
A variety of models for time exposures
Over the course of time, a variety of photo tripods have been developed, including models that are lightweight and particularly easy to handle, as well as tripods for specific ranges of tasks:
- The table tripod, for example, is a kind of miniature stand, which, with its three legs, not only suits a stable horizontal surface such as a table top, but also fits in a coat pocket. It is just the thing for improvising when you’re on the road with your camera: You can also push the mini tripod time up against a vertical wall in order to achieve one or two aperture values more compared to holding the camera in your hand. There are also table tripods with flexible legs that you can bend and fold, around a door handle or branch, for example.
- A clamp tripod works in much the same way as a table stand: In principle, it is a screw clamp that you can use to fix your camera to cabinet shelves or bridge railings.
- Another variant is the monopod: As the name suggests, it consists of one extendible tripod leg with a tripod head. It particularly saves on space when you are on the road, but you may have to compromise on stability compared to the usual three-leg tripods. Many photographers use it in conjunction with particularly long focal distances.
- Selfies, which everyone loves to take with their smartphone nowadays, have paved the way for the advent of the latest trend in tripods: A telescopic rod known as the selfie stick. You attach your mobile phone to the end of the stick which allows you to take a photo of yourself from an appropriate distance.
Three legs with handy extras
A tripod that is suitable for ambitious amateurs and semi-professionals is usually characterised by lightweight materials such as aluminium or carbon and has three firmly-fixed, extendible legs. With some models, cross struts on the inside add stability. A tripod head fits into the tripod mount.
Many models have a quick-release plate which is screwed into the camera’s tripod socket, allowing you to quickly lock the camera on to the tripod head.
A level integrated onto the tripod head is particularly useful as the photographer can use it to precisely align the camera horizontally. This is especially beneficial when taking panorama shots. Extendible spikes on the feet of the tripod legs are also expedient because they increase stability and allow the tripod to be fastened to the floor.
In addition, some tripods come with a hook under the tripod head which you can use to hang a camera bag or a bag full of sand for weighing down the tripod. This is particularly useful if you are on the road in stormy weather.
However: You shouldn’t weigh the tripod down too much. You should never allow the legs of the tripod to bow because otherwise the tripod may be damaged permanently.
Photo credits: Fotolia-74430634-blackday
