Buyers’ guide
Buyers’ guide
Supporting roles
A good tripod can improve your images, letting you create pictures that would be otherwise impossible. But take care, because the market can catch out the unwary – however, PN is here to help
Manfrotto › manfrotto.co.uk
Perhaps one of the most familiar tripod brands, its first model was launched in 1974. Today’s Manfrotto range is extensive, and one of our favourites is the Befree collection, which now includes aluminium and carbon models – as well as versions for stills and video. The Befree name is a clue to the thinking behind the range, and these nicely priced tripods are portable, compact and very versatile – ideal for urban or on-location use. At the top of the Befree range sits the GT XPro carbon pod that sells at £438. It extends up to 1.62m, but the ace up its sleeve is an ability to set the centre column horizontally for shooting flatlays. There are plenty of Befree models to check out.
Gitzo › gitzo.com
With its Traveler, Mini Traveler, Mountaineer and Systematic collections, Gitzo carbon tripods are world-renowned and widely used by pro image makers. The pods are beautifully made and perform impeccably, but come with premium price tags. One of the very best travel pods around is the ultra-compact, five-section Traveler series 1 GT1555T. This, with the GH1382TQD, sells at £599. If ultimate stability is your goal, you’ll find it in the Gitzo Systematic range. The series 3 four-section GT3543LS weighs just over 2kg and extends to 1.46m, and the guide price is £873 without a head.
using weighty lenses, the support matters even more – and so does the head that connects the camera to the tripod legs. With such subjects, a gimbal or panning head is the more practical option. If you’re a photographer who enjoys different subject areas, don’t be surprised to find that one tripod is not enough – you’ll need several to make the most of each situation. For example, a lightweight model for urban photo walks and travel, a weightier pod for extreme exposures and long lenses, and a mini tripod to keep in the bag, just in case. Then, if you are getting into video, the ball head that does a great job for your stills might not be ideal for movie shooting – so that’s another item for the shopping list. Our guide has suggestions for a range of photo activities, but check out the brand websites for more details. Once you have a shortlist, nothing beats getting hands-on. A trip to the photo dealers is a good idea, although not straightforward. Some brands have more stockists than others, and not every model will be available to check out in-store. Conducting research beforehand always helps.
CAMERA AND LENS makers have put huge resources into refining image stabilisation systems, so that shooting pin-sharp pictures handheld at one or two seconds is now a reality. The fact remains, however, that a tripod is an essential tool in a photographer’s armoury. If you don’t have a decent one, then it’s about time you take the plunge and invest. But what defines ‘decent’? The thing to remember is this: with cameras, there aren’t really any poor options. That is not the case in the world of tripods, where some models are fit only for recycling, and where spending more can pay dividends. The type of pod you need may be defined by what and where you shoot. Generally speaking, an enthusiast captures outdoors, mostly scenics, and uses a tripod to slow down and consider compositions more intently. Perhaps they use filters to get the shot right in-camera. Some might deploy extreme NDs for exposures running into several minutes. And many get their kicks working in urban settings, possibly shooting light trails or even floodlit buildings. Then, of course, there are the dedicated long lens shooters tackling action, aviation and nature. Often
Benro › uk.benroeu.com
There’s no lack of choice in the Benro range. Check out its Slim, Mach3 and Travel Angel models. If you want to make the most of the latest innovations, look at the Bat, Rhino and Tortoise collections. The Bat series, in carbon and alloy, has legs with five preset angles, to give the camera great support in the most awkward situations. The carbon five- section FBAT05C with VX20 head is £270, weighs just 1.16kg and extends to 1.4m. It’s a great model for carrying around all day. The aluminium version is £205 and weighs a trifle more at 1.27kg. Finally, the Benro Hydra 2 is worth a mention. This has waterproofed leg joints, so is perfect for outdoor shooters. It sells for £450.
Peak Design › transcontinenta.co.uk
Peak Design has brought a breath of fresh air to its accessory range, and that includes its Travel Tripod, available in carbon fibre and aluminium, priced at £549 and £329, respectively. Four years of engineering brought a tripod designed for full-frame cameras and long lenses. Its super-slim profile with no wasted space makes it easy to grip in one hand. Setting up and taking down is rapid, too – a process helped by leg lever locks. An Arca-Swiss-compatible ball head is included in the aforementioned price.
Bexin › namgrip.tv
Bexin is probably a new name to many, but when we tested its BX285C+K36 tripod in issue 94, we were left seriously impressed. For £169, you get a travel-sized carbon tripod with a high-quality ball head, that weighs 1.7kg in total and has a max load of 10kg. Despite its compact dimensions, the BX285C – with its five-section, twist-grip legs – can reach up to 1.7m with the help of an extendable centre column. No complaints about build quality, either. This pod is certainly worth a look.
Issue 98 | Photography News 21
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