Camera Tripods with Heads
Oben CQL-13 Compact Carbon Fiber Tripod with Ball Head
- Load Capacity: 13 lb
- Working Height Range: 5 to 51.1"
- Folded Length: 14.5"
- 2-Way Ball Head with Arca-Type QR
Falcam TreeRoot Carbon Fiber Quick Lock Travel Tripod with Inverted Ball Head
- Load Capacity: 11 lb
- Working Height Range: 6.6 to 61.1"
- Folded Length: 18.6"
- Inverted Ball Head with F38 Pro QR
Manfrotto MK290XTA3-3WUS 290 Xtra Aluminum Tripod with 804 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head
- Load Capacity: 22 lb
- Max Height: 67.5"
- Min Height: 16.5"
- Folded Length: 27.8"
K&F Concept D225C2 Carbon Fiber Tripod with Arca-Type Ball Head and Monopod
- Load Capacity: 17.6 lb
- Maximum Height: 55.5"
- Minimum Height: 17.7"
- Reverse-Folded Length: 15.7"
Magnus TR-13 Travel Tripod with Dual-Action Ball Head (62.5")
- Load Capacity: 13.2 lb
- Maximum Height: 62.5"
- Minimum Height: 16.5"
- Folded Length: 18.2"
Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod
- Load Capacity: 20 lb
- Maximum Height: 60"
- Minimum Height: 5.5"
- Folded Length: 15.5"
Magnus PV-3330G Photo/Video Tripod with Geared Center Column with Smartphone Adapter and GoPro Mount
- Load Capacity: 11 lb
- Maximum Height: 66.7"
- Minimum Height: 23.4"
- Folded Length: 24.4"
Magnus LM-700 Lateral Aluminum Tripod with Monopod
- Load Capacity: 10 lb
- Maximum Height: 70"
- Minimum Height: 21.4"
- Folded Length: 23"
Peak Design Aluminum Travel Tripod
- Load Capacity: 20 lb
- Maximum Height: 60"
- Minimum Height: 5.5"
- Folded Length: 15.5"
K&F Concept SA254M2 DSLR Camera Aluminum Tripod with Monopod and Ball Head Kit
- Load Capacity: 22 lb
- Maximum Height: 68.9"
- Minimum Height: 22"
- Folded Length: 18.1"
Fotopro Sherpa Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with FPH-42QS Arca-Type Ball Head and Monopod (Black)
- Load Capacity: 17.6 lb
- Maximum Height: 59.6"
- Minimum Height: 14.4"
- Folded Length: 14.6"
SmallRig CT200 Lateral Center Column Aluminum Tripod with Monopod
- Load Capacity: 22 lb
- Maximum Height: 72.8"
- Minimum Height: 10.2"
- Folded Length: 24.8"
Manfrotto Befree Advanced Travel Aluminum Tripod with 494 Ball Head (Lever Locks, Black)
- Load Capacity: 19.8 lb
- Max Height: 59.1"
- Minimum Height: 15.8"
- Folded Length: 15.7"
Fotopro X-GO Max Carbon Fiber Tripod Kit with FPH-62Q Ball Head (Black)
- Load Capacity: 25 lb
- Working Height Range: 18.4 to 67.6"
- Reverse-Folded Length: 18.7"
- Arca-Type 62Q Ball Head with Plate
Gitzo GT2545T Series 2 Traveler Carbon Fiber Tripod with Center Ball Head
- Load Capacity: 26 lb
- Max Height: 65.2"
- Min Height: 13"
- Folded Length: 17.5"
Oben AT-3565 Aluminum Travel Tripod and BZ-217T Triple-Action Ball Head
- Load Capacity: 20 lb
- Maximum Height: 61.8"
- Minimum Height: 9.1"
- Folded Length: 16.1"
Manfrotto Element MII Aluminum Tripod with Ball Head (Black)
- 17.6 lb Load Capacity
- 63" Maximum Height
- 16.7" Folded Length
- 4 Leg Sections
K&F Concept T254A7 Magnesium Alloy Tripod with BH-28L Ball Head
- Load Capacity: 22 lb
- Maximum Height: 90.6"
- Minimum Height: 26.2"
- Folded Length: 21.3"
LumiQuest Lastand Tripod
- Load Capacity: 8 lb
- Maximum Height: 84"
- Minimum Height: 7.5"
- Folded Length: 21"
Magnus GP-100 Light-Duty Tripod with Pan Head, Smartphone Adapter, and GoPro Mount
- Load Capacity: 4 lb
- Maximum Height: 52.5"
- Minimum Height: 18"
- Folded Length: 19.5"
SmallRig FreeRover Carbon Fiber Photo Tripod Kit AP-100
- Load Capacity: 17.6 lb
- Working Height Range: 5.1 to 59"
- Folded Length: 19.3"
- Inverted Ball Head with Arca-Type QR
Magnus PV-3320G Photo/Video Tripod with Geared Center Column with Smartphone Adapter and GoPro Mount
- Load Capacity: 11 lb
- Maximum Height: 62"
- Minimum Height: 21.7"
- Folded Length: 22.2"
Oben CT-3565 Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod and BZ-217T Triple-Action Ball Head
- Load Capacity: 20 lb
- Maximum Height: 61.8"
- Minimum Height: 9.1"
- Folded Length: 16.1"
Manfrotto Befree Advanced Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with 494 Ball Head (Twist Locks, Black)
- Load Capacity: 19.8 lb
- Max Height: 59.1"
- Folded Length: 16.1"
- Leg Sections: 4
Magnus Aluminum Travel Tripod with Monopod and Arca-Type Ball Head (77")
- Load Capacity: 17.6 lb
- Working Height Range: 8.9 to 77"
- Folded Length: 19.2"
- Dual-Action Ball Head with QR Plate
SmallRig CT-20 Aluminum Tripod with Ball Head
- Load Capacity: 33 lb
- Maximum Height: 78.7"
- Minimum Height: 18.9"
- Folded Length: 19.6"
Manfrotto Element Small Aluminum Traveler Tripod (Black)
- Load Capacity: 8.8 lb
- Working Height Range: 14.2 to 56.3"
- Folded Length: 12.6"
- 5-Section Aluminum Legs
Gitzo GT1545T Series 1 Traveler Carbon Fiber Tripod with Center Ball Head
- Load Capacity: 22 lb
- Max Height: 64.4"
- Min Height: 12.6"
- Folded Length: 16.7"
Shopping for Camera Tripods
Camera tripods are among a photographer's most important accessories, offering that vital stability needed to take great shots. Tripods come in a range of styles and sizes, from compact table and travel tripods to heavy-duty models designed to hold cameras with weighty telephoto lenses.
Whether you're involved in landscape, still-life, portrait, or travel photography, acquiring the right tripod stand will help ensure you get the solid base needed to capture those lovely scenes in all their splendor.
Camera Tripods Explained
Tripods are three-legged stands that hold cameras in position, providing stability and elevation. They're especially important when taking long-exposure or low-light shots, in time-lapse photography, and for use with cameras featuring heavy bodies and/or lenses.
At the top of the tripod is a mounting head which connects with a threaded receptacle at the bottom of the camera. The head also includes mechanisms that allow you to pan (move horizontally) or tilt (move vertically).
These mechanisms are of two main types: ball heads and pan-tilt heads. Ball heads let you swivel the camera in any direction, while pan-tilt heads, with their separate controls for panning and tilting, offer more precise control of each axis. Also, tripods often feature a center post and braces on the tripod legs for added stability.
What Types of Tripods Are There?
You can find camera tripods in various styles and sizes, to suit every photographic endeavor. The smallest are tabletop and mini tripods, also known as table pods. Usually equipped with a fixed head and legs, they're under a foot in height. Due to their compact and lightweight forms, they make ideal travel tripods. Other models come with telescopic legs. The tripod leg sections lock into place using either twist locks or lever/clip locks. These offer great flexibility, and are easy to adjust and pack away.
Aluminum has long been the material of choice for tripod legs, owing to its lightness. However, some drawbacks may include heat conduction and rusting. Carbon fiber tripod legs have become a more popular choice, partly because they are even lighter and more portable than aluminum.
How to Select a Camera Tripod
When it comes to investing in a tripod stand, you'll have a wide choice including basic models, deluxe versions with padded legs, and models that come with tripod cases or bags. Weight, load capacity, and price are the main considerations. Be sure to think about whether it's tall enough to handle your needs and rugged enough to withstand tough shooting conditions. In addition, if you plan to use your tripod with a camcorder, you should pick a model with a pan-tilt head for smooth and stable panning.
Complete your tripod set-up with tripod accessories like tripod straps, cases, spikes, and more. Check out the vast array available at B&H Photo.