Robus RC-5570 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod
- Load Capacity: 55 lb
- Maximum Height: 70.1"
- Minimum Height: 4"
- Folded Length: 25.4"
Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 Aluminum Tripod
- Load Capacity: 44 lb
- Maximum Height: 67"
- Folded Length: 24"
- Leg Sections: 3
Oben ALF-6193L Skysill Series 3-Section Aluminum Tripod with 90° Lateral Center Column
- Load Capacity: 19 lb
- Maximum Height: 67"
- Max Height Without Center Column: 53"
- Minimum Height: 4.5"
Manfrotto MT190CXPRO3 Carbon Fiber Tripod
- Load Capacity: 15.4 lb
- Maximum Height: 63"
- Minimum Height: 3.5"
- Folded Length: 24"
Oben ALF-6193 Skysill Series 3-Section Aluminum Tripod
- Load Capacity: 19 lb
- Maximum Height: 67"
- Max Height Without Center Column: 53"
- Minimum Height: 6"
Oben CFT-6194L Skysill 4-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod with 90° Lateral Center Column
- Load Capacity: 19 lb
- Maximum Height: 67"
- Max Height Without Center Column: 53"
- Minimum Height: 3.6"
Manfrotto MT055CXPRO4 Carbon Fiber Tripod
- Load Capacity: 44 lb
- Maximum Height: 67"
- Minimum Height: 3.5"
- Folded Length: 21.3"
SLIK 700DX Pro Tripod Legs (Black)
- Supports 15 lbs (6.8 kg)
- 3 Sections
- Aluminum/Magnesium/Titanium Alloy
- 30.2mm Maximum Diameter Segments
Manfrotto 161MK2B Super Professional Tripod Mk2
- Load Capacity: 44 lb
- Max Height: 105.1"
- Min Height: 17.3"
- Folded Length: 41.3"
Manfrotto 190go! Aluminum M-Series Tripod
- Load Capacity: 33.1 lb
- Max Height: 59.8"
- Min Height: 3.5"
- Folded Length: 17.7"
Manfrotto MT290XTA3US 290 Xtra Aluminum Tripod
- Load Capacity: 22 lb
- Max Height: 63.2"
- Min Height: 12"
- Folded Length: 23.4"
Gitzo GIGT1545T Traveler Series 1 Carbon Fiber Tripod
- Load Capacity: 22 lb
- Working Height Range: 8.6 to 60.2"
- Folded Height: 16.7"
- 4 Section Carbon eXact Legs
Oben ALF-6194L Skysill 4-Section Aluminum Tripod with 90° Lateral Center Column
- Load Capacity: 19 lb
- Maximum Height: 67"
- Max Height Without Center Column: 53"
- Minimum Height: 4.2"
Manfrotto MT190XPRO3 Aluminum Tripod
- Load Capacity: 33 lb
- Maximum Height: 63"
- Minimum Height: 3.5"
- Folded Length: 23.2"
Manfrotto MT190XPRO4 Aluminum Tripod
- Load Capacity: 33 lb
- Maximum Height: 63"
- Minimum Height: 3.2"
- Folded Length: 19.2"
SmallRig T-10 Aluminum Travel Tripod
- Load Capacity: 33 lb
- Working Height Range: 16.1 to 66.9"
- Folded Length: 16.1"
- 4-Section Aluminum Legs, Flip Locks
Benro TMA28A Series 2 Mach3 Aluminum Tripod
- Load Capacity: 30.9 lb
- Max Height: 61.2"
- Min Height: 12.4"
- Folded Length: 20.7"
Manfrotto 190go! Carbon Fiber M-Series Tripod
- Load Capacity: 33.1 lb
- Max Height: 57.9"
- Min Height: 3.2"
- Folded Length: 17.7"
Manfrotto 475B Pro Geared Tripod with Geared Column
- Load Capacity: 44.1 lb
- Max Height: 74"
- Min Height: 16.9"
- Folded Length: 31.5"
Benro Tortoise Columnless #3 Carbon Fiber Tripod
- Load Capacity: 44.1 lb
- Working Height Range: 9.3 to 64.4"
- Folded Length: 26"
- 4-Section Carbon Fiber Legs, Twist Locks
Manfrotto 028B Triman Camera Tripod with Geared Center Column
- Load Capacity: 30.9 lb
- Max Height: 89.4"
- Min Height: 30.3"
- Folded Length: 32.3"
Benro TAD28A Series 2 Adventure Aluminum Tripod
- Load Capacity: 26.5 lb
- Max Height: 61.4"
- Min Height: 12.2"
- Folded Length: 20.7"
Manfrotto MT055CXPRO3 Carbon Fiber Tripod
- Load Capacity: 44 lb
- Maximum Height: 67"
- Minimum Height: 3.5"
- Folded Length: 24"
Robus RC-8880 Vantage Series 5 Carbon Fiber Tripod
- Load Capacity: 77 lb
- Maximum Height: 80.5"
- Minimum Height: 4.5"
- Folded Length: 28.5"
Sirui ST124 Standard Series 4-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod
- Load Capacity: 26.5 lb
- Maximum Height: 62.2"
- Max Ht w/o Center Column: 50.8"
- Minimum Height: 14.8"
FLM CP30-L4 II 10X Carbon Fiber Series II Tripod
- Load Capacity: 44.1 lb
- Maximum Height: 68.3"
- Minimum Height: 3.6"
- Folded Length: 23"
Oben CT-2491 Carbon Fiber Tripod
- Load Capacity: 39.6 lb
- Max Height: 72.5"
- Min Height: 6"
- Folded Length: 23.3"
Manfrotto 058B Aluminum Triaut Tripod
- Load Capacity: 26.5 lb
- Max Height: 85.4"
- Min Height: 17.3"
- Folded Length: 37"
How to Choose Tripod Legs
Camera tripods belong in every serious photographer's toolkit. Comprised of tripod legs, feet, and mounting heads, these stands provide vital stability and expand creative choices. Using the right photography and video camera tripods ensures you're always prepared to take the optimal pictures in any situation.
Using a Camera Tripod
Camera tripods are camera stands that hold cameras in a stable position and eliminate shake and blurred pictures. However, they can also expand your creativity in many ways. For example, using one allows you to take long exposures, shoot dark scenes without a flash, and even take selfies with the use of a timer.
Camera Tripod Parts
One of the most important components of camera stands and tripods are the tripod legs, as these determine the stability of the unit. Traditionally, the legs were aluminum, which offers reasonable strength and durability at an affordable price. Today, the trend is moving toward tripod legs made of carbon fiber. While costing more than aluminum, this material offers a matchless combination of strength and lightness. Many tripod stands offer telescoping legs, which allow you to quickly adjust the height.
The next key component of a tripod is the mounting head, of which ball and pan-and-tilt are the two main options. The mounting head sits atop the legs and enables connection with the camera, usually via a threaded screw. Most budget and table tripods come with fixed heads, while more sophisticated models let you choose and change your own head as needed. Heads also come equipped with mechanisms such as levers that allow you to pan or tilt the camera to frame just the picture you need. Also available are tripod head platforms, which expand functionality.
How to Choose a Tripod
The main criteria when investing in a tripod include the height, collapsed size, load capacity, and head type. In terms of height, they range from tabletop and mini tripods that measure less than 12 inches, to studio tripods that extend to 5 feet or more. You can find more flexibility in models with telescopic legs that you can expand as required from a compact, collapsed size.
Load capacity refers to the maximum weight of camera and lenses that the tripod legs and head can handle. Telephoto lenses can be heavy, and if you're shooting movies, video camera tripods are available. These often feature fluid heads for smooth panning.
You should also consider any creative features you may need, and pick your tripod stands accordingly. For example, some models also offer heads with the ability to move quickly between landscape and portrait aspects, which can help you capture just the image you want. Be sure to pick up some tripod cases to protect your gear when traveling and to stash it away safely.
Find your ideal camera tripods and parts including tripod legs and lens quick release plates and tripod collars among the extensive collection at B&H Photo and Video.