Tripods are a minefield of options and opinions.
There is a triangle of factors that interrelate; low price, light weight, steady.
The saying is that you can only have 2 of the 3. You sacrifice the 3rd.
- Example1, a low cost light tripod will not be steady.
- Example2, a light and sturdy tripod will not be low cost.
Some recommendations have been to spend as much on the tripod and head as your camera.
One thing to think about is that the tripod is supporting your camera. Do you want to risk an expensive camera on a cheap tripod, and have it collapse and go crashing to the ground?
Having said that, the reality is you can compromise on things.
- Example1, I would have loved a light carbon fiber (CF) tripod, but I would rather spend on camera and lens, at that point in time. So I got a used Bogen/Manfroto aluminum tripod via Craig's List. Heavier than carbon fiber, but saved me $$$
- The prices of CF tripods have come down considerably, and is more affordable today than it was 15 years ago.
- Example2, my travel tripod has to be small enough to fit into my luggage and leave me room for my clothes. So it is not as large and steady as my home tripod, so I do not use it for everything, it is a 2nd tripod.
On important thing to consider is the height of the tripod, with the center column NOT extended.
- The reason to not extend the center column, is that the tripod is most steady in this configuration. Extend the center column and the stability is reduced. I only use the center column for fine height adjustments of a couple/few inches.
- The height of the tripod should be approximately to your mouth, so that you do not have to stoop over to look through the camera. More height is better, to be able to adjust to uneven ground. The more you shoot on a tripod, the more your back will appreciate not having to stoop over.
- But for your travel tripod, you may have to go with a shorter tripod, extend the center column, and use a shorter tripod.
In Example1, I said I went with an aluminum tripod over a carbon fiber (CF) tripod. The effect of this on weight can be significant. My home tripod, is so heavy that I will not carry it more than 50 feet from my car. A CF tripod would be lighter, and much more mobile, but more $$$. I ended up getting a 3rd tripod for when I have to carry the tripod for any distance from the car. I got this one after carrying the heavy tripod once, and deciding that it was TOO HEAVY to carry for any distance. This 3rd tripod is good enough to replace my heavy home tripod, for most purposes.
Tripod heads are like religion. Some swear by a ball head, and other swear at it, and prefer a 3-way pan head. There is no perfect head, some work better than others for certain applications. Some work better for some people than others. I have 3 different heads: 3-way pan, ball, and gimbal. And I am looking for a 4th, a geared head. Which one I use, depends on the shoot, what gear I am using, and where/logistics. So having a tripod with an interchangeable head makes for more flexibility of using a different head, if you need/want to. And you want a tripod with a 3/8 inch stud, not the smaller 1/4 inch stud.
Your travel tripod may be restricted to a non-interchangeable 3-way pan or ball head.
Some tripod leg controls to extend and lock the legs are easy to use with gloves, others are more difficult. If it is COLD where you live and shoot, this should be a consideration. Levers are easier to use than threaded collars, but need checking and adjustment to prevent them getting loose.
Make sure that the tripod is rated to support the weight of your camera+lens and a bit more.
There are some lightweight tripods that are barely good enough for a small P&S camera.
You will run into something called an Arca Swiss (AS) mount. This is a mount (clamp and rail) that sits between the tripod head and camera. The clamp is on the tripod, the rail is on the camera. The AS mount makes putting the camera on/off the tripod easier, faster, and safer. Safer, because I do not have to fiddle with the tripod screw, trying to get it to engage and disengage from the camera or lens. I have a camp on all my tripods and a rail/bracket on all my cameras and long lenses. You do not NEED this immediately, but it is something to think about and consider.
Finally, along with the tripod, you should get a remote release for your camera. This way, you do not move the camera when you trip the shutter.
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