A fantastic landscape photographer knows that the most important piece of equipment (other than the camera itself) is a superior tripod. Just like distinctive lenses are built for different purposes, so are tripods. A photographer who travels and makes use of a tripod only occasionally will have different requirements than a photographer who photographs continuously in low light and hard conditions. Here we're going to concentrate on points to consider certain to landscape photography.
Firstly, ergonomics. Landscape photography is usually about waiting for lengthy periods of time prior to the correct conditions or lighting seem, so it really is important to discover a tripod that's comfy for you. Before you purchase, extend the legs with the tripod fully (but not the centre column) to see how far you may will need to bend to appear via the viewfinder. If following a couple of minutes your back
begins to ache, then the tripod is too short. Not needing to extend the centre column is significant because doing this increases the opportunity of camera shake drastically, so must be deemed a last resort.
Secondly, make sure the tripod is easy to use. Expand and collapse to ensure you can set and get off quickly and easily. This could be essential in the field. Pay particular attention to the locking mechanism on the head and legs. You should be able to maneuver the head easily and without problems to get your camera into position without having to struggle with it. There are several options for tripod heads, including heads ball or the inclination and the traditional type of twist. Ball heads are popular because they allow you to set the position using a locking device, but it is a matter of personal choice in order to experiment with both and choose what suits you best. As for the legs, make sure that these are easy to lock and unlock and there is no slipping when locked into place. One way to do this is with the tripod fully extended, press firmly on the top and check that there is no slippage.
Lastly, the biggest factor in selecting a tripod is its weight. It ought to be able to support your camera and heaviest lens with out any wobble. If you are making use of lengthy exposures in low light conditions, any camera shake can destroy an image and make acquiring a big sized print impossible. Take your camera and longest lens into the shop and mount the setup onto several diverse tripods. If there's any wobbling or bounce once you gently tap the end of the lens, then the tripod isn't sturdy adequate to support the lens.
Some other considerations when picking a tripod are the availability of spare parts and the possibility of adding optional characteristics. Tripods, like most camera gear, might will need servicing from time to time, in particular if they are becoming made use of in wet or windy conditions. one example of an optional function is to add a hook to the bottom with the centre column which will enable you to hang something heavy like a camera bag or sack of stones from the tripod to enhance its weight. Appear for a tripod that either comes with a hook or allows 1 to be attached later on.
An excellent tripod can make or break a landscape photo, so take your time in deciding which 1 is right for you and pick out carefully.
