How to choose a tripod
A tripod is an essential piece of photographic kit used to stabilise and elevate the camera. It plays a vital role particularly when shooting with slower shutter speeds.
Tripod types
Tripods
Suitable for situations where it is necessary to firmly stabilise the camera to achieve long exposure times.
Tripods with three support legs
Monopods
Monopods are easily portable and storable. They come into their own in sports and reportage photography.
Highly portable tripods
Table-top tripods
Highly portable tripods with limited load bearing capacity, particularly suitable for compact cameras.
Tripods for compacts
Tripod heads
Ball heads
Allow you to adjust the horizontal and vertical angle simultaneously, before quickly locking the head in the desired position.
Quick adjustment and flexibility
Three-way heads
Individual axes are adjusted separately, making this type of head suitable for precise framing.
Axes are adjusted separately
Video heads
Suitable for video recording, these heads allow for smooth and accurate tracking.
For video shooting
Glossary - Tripods
Tripod
A tripod is essential piece of photographic kit used to stabilise the camera during longer exposure times.
Tripod head
The tripod head attaches the supported device (e.g. a camera) to the tripod legs and allows the device to be locked or positioned in different ways. Tripod heads differ according to the clamping mechanism used and the method of adjusting the axis.
Image stabilisation
Image stabilisation helps to prevent blur caused by camera shake. You should consider getting a lens with image stabilisation if you often use zoom or shoot without a tripod.
