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PHOTOGRAPH! Y E R • S GUIDE TRIPODS & SUPPORTS These handy items are the telephoto and low-light shooter's best friends by Jack and Sue Drafahl ost good photographers don't get the camera and lens nestle into the bag. These that way by luck. They understand bags also come in handy if you already have a tri- their photo equipment and know pod and want extra weight at the base. You can how and when to put their tools to hang the filled bag from the bottom of the tripod, work. Most photo equipment sup- or lay it carefully across the top of a long lens. portMs the picture-taking capabilities of the camera The disadvantage to this system is locating a suit- itself, but the tripod literally supports the camera. able substance to fill the bag, lack of pointing There are a variety of tripods and devices de- controls, and possible dust from the bag itself. signed to support your camera. To understand why the purchase of a camera supporting device CLAMPODS is an important decision, you need know the The smallest device for supporting a camera is types available and the reasons for their use. called a clampod. They come in dozens of shapes and sizes. Most have two major components, the BEAN BAGS clamp and the tripod head. The clamp itself is a The first camera support device is called a large jaw that is clamped in place on a tree limb, bean bag but it is not necessarily filled with table edge, car window, back of a chair, side of a beans. In fact when you transport this bag to a tripod, or whatever will hold the camera stable. A location, it is usually empty. When you get to small tripod head is attached to the top of the clamp your shooting location, you then fill it with sand, and allows attachment of the camera. Once it is beans, small gravel, or any item that will fill the locked into place, the camera framing can then be bag and provide camera support. Generally, you fine-tuned using the tripod head movement con- lay the bag across a log, rock or rigid object and trols. An optional screw component on some clam- pods allows the clampod to be screwed into a PHOTO BY JACK & SUE DRAFAHL O 1990 IMAGE CONCEPTS branch, wood fence, or any wood material. SHOULDER/CHEST PODS The third group of camera supports rests on either your shoulder or your chest depending on what you prefer. The shoulder pod is much like a gunstock, with the camera in place of the gun bar- rel. You hold the shoulder pod as though you were holding a rifle, and a modified cable release runs from the camera down to where the rifle's trigger would be lo- cated. Most shoulder pods are used when shooting action or wildlife with very long telephoto lenses. A tripod is handy when making long exposures—it will hold the camera steady so that only the moving por- tions of the scene are blurred. But it can also do a lot more—see the text for more details. 1997 PHorographic Buyer's Guide 129 BENBO The chestpod uses a single tripod leg h • Benbo tripods feature a unique locks all three legs in place. A cen- on the ground, and two mini legs that K "bent bolt" swivel joint for the tral column extends up, down and brace against your chest. These three 0 legs, which allows them to be inde- to the sides to change the camera legs form a type of tripod. The chestpod a pendently adjusted to any angle. In position without otherwise moving is not as stable as a normal tripod, but Q. one quick move, a quick-lock lever the tripod. 3 offers better camera support than noth- ing at all, and can be quite effective. BOGEN MONOPODS Cfl • The Bogen line is diverse, with its variable-angle leg settings. The The monopod is a popular single leg O choices in every category. The new 401 compact geared head offers 0 camera support system. It is very a Workhorse 3036 is a pro model that precise geared movement in 3 direc- portable, yet provides a stable plat- towers to 80/4 inches, but can be tions. Designed for 35mm to medi- form for supporting the additional cc lowered to nearly ground level with um format cameras, it weighs 3 Ibs. h weight of a camera and long lens. The monopod usually comes with telescop- CAMBRON ing legs and a small camera head al- lowing minor framing adjustments. • Cambron tripods and monopods cusing device, which mounts on The monopod is also an ideal support are available in several sizes to fit the top of a tripod. Critical compo- device for photographing in those ar- most photographers' needs. Close- sition and focus can be achieved in eas where tripods are not allowed. The up photographers will appreciate precise, front-to-back or side-to- nature photographer may find that it the Duo-Micro-Just twin-rail fo- side measured movements. doubles as a great walking stick. CULLMANN TRIPODS The tripod is the best all around • The Cullmann line offers light- struts to steady the monopod against camera support device. It comes in weight through heavy-duty tripods a vertical surface, such as a wall or dozens of sizes and configurations to and monopods, as well as the your chest. The CU3430 tripod fea- match any budget or application. Since unique Multipod. The Multiped tures a clever center column that is tripods come in so many variations, consists of a monopod with two side actually a removable monopod. you first must analyze your shooting requirements before you make your DAVIS & SANFORD purchase. As your camera format in- creases in size, so must the size of • Davis & Sanford has all the format cameras, camera stands for your tripod. Medium-format cameras bases covered with a line of camera studio work and monopods. They need a larger tripod than 35mm, and a supports that includes lightweight also have pan-style tripod heads, 4x5 camera needs an even larger tri- and compact travel tripods, heavy- fluid pan heads, large-format heads pod. This also applies to the size of the duty tripods for medium- or large- and folding dollies. lenses you use with your camera sys- tem. A 15-pound telephoto lens and FOBA camera will definitely need more sup- port than a 3-pound telephoto lens. • Foba tripods and heads are pri- medium- and large-format cam- Another consideration in your tri- marily designed for larger, heavier eras. Foba also produces large, ex- pod selection is the size and weight of cameras, such as a pro SLR or tremely sturdy studio stands. your camera support. Generally, the bigger the tripod the better the sup- port. If you do a lot of photography GITZO hiking the back country or traveling to exotic locations via planes, then the • Gitzo tripods and monopods are quick-releases. New to their line are size and weight of the tripod will be a well known for their construction the carbon-fiber Mountaineer tripods determining factor in your purchase. and sturdiness. They offer over 40 and monopods, which are 30% Most tripods have from 2-5 leg sec- tripod choices and 13 monopods, as lighter while still maintaining 100% tions that extend the height of the tri- well as heads, lateral arms and of their strength and stability. pod from a couple of feet to well over your head. The center section of the KALIMAR • Kalimar's tripods range from the video or still photography. Some Pocket Pod for compact and feature a built-in spirit-level for lightweight cameras to heavy-duty leveling the camera and achieving tripods with fluid pan heads for straight horizon lines. KB SYSTEMS • If you like the aesthetic and black walnut, teak, mahogany or structural aspects of wood tripods, other handsome decorator woods. A Above: There are all sorts of clever camera-mounting devices on the mar- you'll enjoy KB Systems tripods. They have cast aluminum heads ket, such as this Celestron Car Window Their legs are made out of ash, and metal fittings. Mount. Others screw into wood, strap around trees or utilize C-clamps. 130 1997 PHorographic Buyer's Guide tripod can extend the camera another BG few feet in the air. Keep in mind that H the more the tripod is extended from its JO base, the weaker it becomes. •o When you are purchasing a tripod 0 look at the quality of the legs. Check to 0 see just how much they extend, and W how they lock in place. The easier the legs are to extend and lock, the faster to you can be ready for action. If you in- c tend to use the tripod in marshy areas, TJ look to see how long the bottom leg TJ extends before the first joint. This will 0 determine how deep into the water you 7) H can go before you are in deep trouble. to To keep the tripod level on a flat surface, all three legs must be extended equal amounts. Some tripods have in- dependent leg action which offers adaptability in those tight shooting po- sitions or unlevel ground. Tripods are made of materials from A to W (haven't seen a Z yet). Alu- minum is used because it is light A Above: When it's too weight, yet sturdy. Wood is used be- dark to handhold your cause it is warmer on your hands in the camera, a camera support cold weather, undoubtedly stable and will keep it stationery so has a historical charm.

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