Tripods

A high quality tripod is more important for a digital SLR camera than for a compact digital camera, and here are the reasons:

• Digital SLRs and their lenses are heavier than compact digital cameras;
• With more functionality digital SLR cameras provide more opportunities to use slower shutter speeds to achieve certain creative effects.

Sometimes you want to capture interesting night photographs where the shutter needs to be open for several seconds, or even a minute, in order to capture the photograph you are looking for. You might also want to use a slower shutter speed to capture a sense of motion like water or cars moving.

Manfrotto-190XDB Tripd

Anytime you use a shutter speed of less than 1/60th of a second you will need a tripod – not just any tripod, but a good quality stable tripod. This is because you do not want the tripod falling over with your camera, nor do you want incidental movement near the camera to be transmitted up the tripod legs to the camera.

It is always a great idea to test a tripod before purchasing one. You should try a variety of tripods at your local camera store before you decide, and here are some of the things to consider:

• Stability – This is a crucial factor and purchasing a cheaper, flimsier tripod could turn out to be a false saving of dollars. Press down on the head of the tripod and twist the head several different ways. The tripod should remain in place while you do this without any movement or vibration.
• Type of Head – The head is the attachment to which the camera is fixed. There are 3 main types:
  - Ball > a ball head provides the most versatility;
  - 3 Way > the 3 way head provides the most control;
  - 2 Way > the 2 way head is more restrictive in movement.

• Weight – If you will need to transport the tripod from time to time consider the weight of the tripod.

Usually you will need to make a choice between, price, stability and weight.

Remember, keep taking lots and lots of photographs of your kids. You will be glad you did!

Betty Muscott, Child Photographer

About Betty Muscott

Betty A. Muscott is an experienced child photographer and online entrepreneur for tools to capture great photographs of children by parents and grandparents. Connect with Betty on Google+

• Mail
|
• Web
|
• Google+
|
• More Posts (148)

 Link to this page

 Link to this page