Camera Tripods with Heads
Gitzo GK2542-82QD Mountaineer Series 2 Carbon Fiber Tripod with Center Ball Head
- Load Capacity: 44.1 lb
- Max Height: 70.9"
- Min Height: 10.9"
- Folded Length: 27"
Gitzo Systematic Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod with Arca-Type Series 4 Center Ball Head with Lever Release
- Arca-Type Ball Head with Lever Release
- Load Capacity: 61.7 lb
- Maximum Height: 69.7"
- Minimum Height: 9.25"
Sunpak 4200XL Tripod with 3-Way Panhead
- Load Capacity: 1.2 lb
- Mini 3-Way Head
- Max Height: 42", Min Height: 11"
- Folded Length: 11"
Barska AF12440 Digital Aluminum Tripod with 3-Way Head
- Load Capacity: 2 lb
- Maximum Height of 40"
- Minimum Height: 14"
- Folded Length: 16.5"
Sunpak 6601TM Tri-Monopod with 3-Way, Pan-and-Tilt Head
- Load Capacity: 4.4 lb, Folds to: 21.8"
- Max Height: 58.0", Min Height: 21.7"
- Leg Sections: 3, Weight: 3.0 lb
- Aluminum Alloy Legs, Flip Locks
Kodak Photo Gear Travel Compact Tripod with Remote
- Load Capacity: 8.8 lb
- Maximum Height: 42"
- Minimum Height: 10.3"
- Folded Length: 23"
Ultimaxx UM-TR72BK 72" Aluminum Tripod with 3-Way Pan Head and Quick Release (Black)
- Maximim Height: 72"
- Minimum Height: 30"
- Folded Length: 25.5"
- Leg Segments: 4
Sunpak UltraPRO 643 Carbon Fiber Tripod with 3-Way Panhead
- Load Capacity: 21 lb
- Working Height Range: 8.25 to 64"
- 3-Way Pan Head
- Carbon Fiber Legs with Flip-Lock Joints
Neewer BASICS TP66 Aluminum Tripod with Ball Head (64.5")
- Load Capacity: 22 lb
- Working Height Range: 20.2 to 64.5"
- Folded Length: 21.6"
- Three-Position Legs: 20, 51 & 81°
Smith-Victor P820 Pinnacle Tripod with 2-Way, Pan-and-Tilt Head
- Load Capacity: 6.0 lb
- Max Height: 63.7", Min Height: 25.0"
- Folded Length: 26.5", Weight: 4.5 lb
- Leg Sections: 3, Bubble Level
Smith-Victor CT-53 Aluminum Travel Tripod with Ball Head
- Load Capacity: 6.9 lb
- Working Height Range: 3 to 53"
- Folded Length: 11.2"
- Ball Head with Arca-Type QR Plate
Sirui T-1005 Aluminum Travel Tripod with K-10 II Ball Head
- Load Capacity: 44.1 lb
- Max Height: 64.4"
- Min. Height w/ Short Column: 10.1"
- Folded Length: 16.93"
Fotopro X-Go Gecko E 2 Aluminum Tripod with Ball Head
- Load Capacity: 17.6 lb
- Working Height Range: 13.3 to 57.5"
- Folded Length: 13.6"
- 360° Panoramic & Pan/Tilt Ball Head
Vanguard VEO 3T 204ABP Aluminum 4-in-1 Travel Tripod with VEO 2 BP-45T Ball/Pan Head and Bluetooth Remote
- Load Capacity: 8.8 lb
- Maximum Height: 55.1"
- Minimum Height: 5.3"
- Folded Length: 15.9"
Fotopro X-Go Carbon E 2 Carbon Fiber Tripod with Ball Head
- Load Capacity: 17.6 lb
- Working Height Range: 13.6 to 59.9"
- Folded Length: 14.2"
- 360° Panoramic & Pan/Tilt Ball Head
Fotopro X-Go Plus E 2 Carbon Fiber Tripod with Ball Head
- Load Capacity: 22 lb
- Working Height Range: 17.2 to 72.8"
- Folded Length: 17.3"
- 360° Panoramic & Pan/Tilt Ball Head
SLIK Sprint Mini III Travel Tripod with SBH-100AC Arca-Type Ball Head
- Load Capacity: 4.4 lb
- Maximum Height: 42.7 in
- Minimum Height: 6.2 in
- Folded Length: 14 in
Benro SuperSlim Aluminum Tripod with Ball Head
- Load Capacity: 8.8 lb
- Working Height Range: 7.1 to 61.4"
- Folded Length: 20.5"
- N00P Arca-Type Ball Head with QR Plate
3 Legged Thing Patti 2.0 Magnesium Travel Tripod with AirHed Mini Ball Head (Darkness)
- Load Capacity: 22 lb
- Working Height Range: 7.25 to 64"
- Folded Length: 17.9"
- Ball Head with Quick Release Plate
Sirui T-1005 Aluminum Travel Tripod with E-10 Ball Head
- Load Capacity: 17.6 lb
- Max Height: 64.2"
- Min. Height w/ Short Column: 9.8"
- Folded Length: 16.93"
Benro Slim Carbon Fiber Tripod with Ball Head
- Slim-Profile Tripod
- Folded Width: 3.2", Folded Length: 20.1"
- Load Capacity: 8.8 lb
- Max Height: 57.6", Min Height: 15.7"
SmallRig Carbon Fiber Tripod with Center Column AP-20 & Ball Head
- Load Capacity: 26.4 lb
- Max Height: 62.2", Folded Length: 15.7"
- Leg Sections: 4, Weight: 2.8 lb
- Ball Head with Pan and Friction Knobs
Vanguard VEO 3 GO 235AB Aluminum Tripod/Monopod with T-50 Ball Head, Smartphone Connector, and Bluetooth Remote
- Load Capacity: 8.8 lb
- Max Height: 53.3", Min Height: 7.9"
- Folded Length: 13"
- Leg Sections: 5, Weight: 2.7 lb
SLIK Sprint Pro III EZ Travel Tripod with SH-707E 2-Way Pan Head (Matte Black)
- Load Capacity: 8.8 lb
- Maximum Height: 63.2"
- Minimum Height: 6.5"
- Folded Length: 19.1"
SmallRig 5478 Carbon Fiber Tripod with Ball Head
- Load Capacity: 33 lb
- Max Height: 63", Folded Length: 18.5"
- Leg Sections: 5, Weight: 3.09 lb
- 180° Inverted Design for Creative Shots
SmallRig 5866 Portable Carbon Fiber Photo Tripod
- Load Capacity: 33 lb
- Max Height: 62.2", Folded Length: 20.6"
- Leg Sections: 4, Weight: 2.9 lb
- 180° Inverted Design for Creative Shots
Fotopro X-Aircross 3 Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with FPH-42QR Ball Head (Flame Orange)
- Load Capacity: 22 lb
- Maximum Height: 59.4"
- Minimum Height: 6.3"
- Folded Length: 14.4"
ARTCISE NS50CF Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod with Low-Profile Ball Head
- Load Capacity: 33 lb
- Maximum Working Height: 61.8"
- Low-Profile Arca-Type Ball Head
- 4-Section Carbon Fiber Legs, Flip Locks
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.