! 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 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 , 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 . 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 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 , 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 and 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 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. you can use as long a speed as you TRIPOD HEADS wish. *• Right: Even in daylight Tripod heads are available in many you may need a slow shut- styles depending on their intended use ter speed—such as when and your budget. They can be grouped using a narrow into two basic types: pan/ heads and (f/22. for example) to get monoballs. The pan/tilt heads allow both the foreground and movement along two planes-up and the background in focus down and from side to side. These con- at the same time. trols usually have separate handles that lock the camera in position easily. The ball head gives full movement ened down, the camera is locked in Some of the more advanced fluid heads of the camera on the top of the tripod place. Ball heads usually have a rotat- give very smooth moves throughout the with one locking control. As the con- ing base for the camera panning motion. These more advanced trol is tightened down, the movement through and action scene or for shoot- tripod heads were originally designed on the head has more resistance. The ing panoramas. for video cameras, but photographers ball heads allow complete rotation of found them the perfect choice for the camera in any direction. When the QUICK-RELEASE PLATES smooth panning action. ball head control is completely tight- If you find yourself constantly changing from hand holding the cam- era to tripod and back, you will proba- bly need the use of a quick-release plate. Half of this device attaches to the top of the tripod, while the smaller piece attaches to the bottom of the camera. When you need to mount the camera on the tripod, you simply slide it on the quick release plate until it locks in place. To remove the camera, press the quick-release lever or screw and the camera comes off the tripod.

Far Left: A fast , such as /4oo, freezes the water as it falls. •4 Near Left: A slow shutter speed blurs the water in a more aesthetically pleas- ing way. Had the camera been hand- held, everything in this picture (includ- ing the rocks) would be blurred. In- stead, a tripod held the camera still, so stationary objects appeared normal, and moving objects blurred.

1997 PHOiographic Buyer's Guide 131 EG LINHOF CABLE RELEASES (0 h • Linhof offers tripods for general low on one leg, gives you the option No tripod set up would be complete K use, as well as some to perform spe- of low-to-the-ground work. Their 2 without a cable release of some kind. 0 cialized tasks. If you need height, Universal and 3 Profi ball heads of- The act of pushing down the shutter Q. the Pro Giant model soars to 72 fer 9 variations for 35mm to large manually creates the possibility of Q. inches. Plus, an extra tripod thread format work. 3 camera movement and voids the W tripod's purpose. The high tech elec- MAJESTIC tronic cameras today generally will not accept a simple mechanical cable re- (A • Majestic tripods are specialized studio. To give you an idea of their lease. If you do need a cable release, Q units designed for heavy-duty cam- capacity, the smaller Majestic 0 camera manufacturers have a variety of Q. eras or film and video equipment. tripods can support up to 40 pounds, hard wired and remote shutter releases. Many are mountable on accessory of equipment. They also make pan If you forget your cable release, or just dollies to facilitate movement in the heads, gearheads and sidearms. haven't found the right one yet, you can always use the self-timer to delay MOHAWK the . Now that we have reviewed the • Coast Manufacturing produces 5xl4-inch rectangle. The unique types of support devices available for the Mohawk line of tripods. Their design allows it to be used as a 62- photography, let's take a look at what Fold-Away model is designed to be inch monopod or 56-inch tripod photographic situations would call for tucked in a camera bag or luggage, when fully extended. It includes a the use of these three-legged beasts. because it folds down to a flat pan head and quick-release plate.

PHOENIX

• Phoenix distributes tripods with long when collapsed and rises to black anodized finishes. The new 50" height. Like the other tripods in Wildcat tripod is ultra compact, de- the line, it features a geared center signed for point-and-shoot cameras column, leg braces and a fluid pan and small SLRs. It is less than 14" head with quick-release fitting.

• Slik makes a varied line of quickly and smoothly position your tripods and accessories The 3-AF camera at any angle—great for ac- Sport tripod has one of the more tion photography. The 300DX is a unique heads, featuring a ball head new pro level unit that is light and with a trigger-action pistol grip to compact and can hold up to 11 Ibs.

TUNDRA TARGA

• Tundra Targa offers various lenses. The products are designated tripods for use with compact cam- 1-6 with 6 being the most heavy eras to 35mm SLRs with telephoto duty version. A Above: The new Gitzo Mountaineer tripod and monopods offer the extreme VELBON strength and ultra-lightweight of the new carbon fiber technology. By build- • Velbon tripods range from low- The Carmagne-series tripod and ing the legs out of this material, the tri- cost basic tripods to high-end monopod have carbon fiber legs pod boasts 30% less weight that its alu- heavy-duty professional models. for strength and light weight. minum counterparts, while still main- taining its strength.

VIVITAR

• Vivitar's new line of economical rubber feet and aluminum alloy photo and video tripods feature construction. The smallest fold to geared center column for precise 13 inches and weigh less than two vertical control, removable quick- pounds, including a pan head. The release platforms, non-marring largest tripod extends to 67 inches.

ZONE VI A Above: Most manufacturers make a • Zone VI makes beautiful wood 8x10 large-format view cameras. selection of tripods from light to heavy. tripods from clear mountain ash. They feature oversized knobs, The models in the line that are the They are big and solid, designed to spiked feet and legs that can be largest, heaviest or have the fewest leg sections for the height (i.e.—they don't handle everything from large spread out flat to place the camera collapse into a very small size) are gen- 35mm SLR cameras to 4x5 and as low as ground level. erally the most stabile. Shown here is the Tundra Targa aluminum tripod line.

132 1997 PHOiographic Buyer's Guide LOW LIGHT BG As the light level drops, so does the shutter speed, and over- •0 all image sharpness due to camera 0 movement. One solution is to use 0 faster film, but in many cases the light level is so low that the use of a tripod and slow film is preferred to the result- 0) ing grain of faster films. c We all think that we can hold the •o camera steady no matter what the con- •o ditions. Remember that when fatigue 0 sets in, our strength and stability often 7) H fail us. A basic rule of thumb is that (0 I/ of the lens is lowest shutter speed you should hand hold for normal shooting situations. For exam- A Above: Wood tripods have always ple, %o is the slowest shutter speed you held an elite lure for photo purist who should hand hold a 60mm lens. That believe they do not vibrate as much as makes a 500mm mirror lens barely metal tripods. Shown here is the Zone able to be hand held at !&». VI line, made from clear mountain ash, If you find yourself at the point with oversized knobs and spiked feet. where the shutter speed is slightly low- A Above: The monopod/tripod decision er than the focal length, then you need come slower, then you must consider a is made easier with the clever Cullmann to use at least one of the support meth- sturdy support. The tripod is the choice CU3430 tripod. It's center column is ac- ods. Although the bean bag, clampod, for nature photographers who often re- tually a removable monopod. shoulder pod or monopod would be a main in one place for some time. Sports consideration, the tripod is going to photographers often opt for the monopod longer, and a tripod is necessary. The give you best results when you need so they can keep the weight off their result is an exceptional photo, but camera support. arms, but be able to move in seconds. added effort is required. LONG LENSES HIGH-SPEED MOTION ZOOMING ON A TRIPOD Long lenses tend to be bulky, heavy, Action photography usually requires Once you learn how to effectively and difficult to retain accurate subject fo- the use of a steady support platform use camera support devices, a whole cus. The additional weight and size play and the ability to pan with the subject. new world of special effects become havoc on your arms when holding the The gunstock, chestpod, monopod, and camera system, and eventually cause tripod, all allow the photographer to camera movement. As the focal length hold the camera system steady and pan gets longer and the shutter speeds be- the subject smoothly at the same time. The tripod is the only system that would allow repeatability. PANORAMAS Good panorama images require two things: a level horizon, and accurate im- age framing. This makes the tripod the only choice. Once the camera is mounted on a leveled tripod, the camera is panned back and forth to see that the horizon is level and that none of the important ver- tical elements are cut off. Some of the more sophisticated tripods have built-in levels and degree markers on the rotation part of the head. LONG EXPOSURES The use of very long shutter speeds to create special effects such as blurred waterfalls, star trails, carnival rides, and lightning all require the use of a tripod. In these situations a cable re- lease, additional weight on the tripod, A Above: This is an example of a A Above: Some photographers swear or even a black card at the beginning lightweight tripod with three way-pan by the unusual bent-bolt joint design of of the exposure might be needed. head and leg braces. Other features of Benbo tripods (shown here). The bent- the Vivitar VPT-120 Video/Photo tripod bolt swivels to allow the legs to be inde- Another reason for long exposures are a crank-operated center column, a pendently adjusted to any angle—ideal may be the desire for extreme depth of removable quick-release camera plat- for shooting on uneven ground. field in a photo. As the f-stop is in- form and a built-in circular bubble level. creased the shutter speed becomes The unit is fitted with a carrying handle.

1997 PHOrographic Buyer's Guide 133 shutter is open. The resulting image BG shows an "explosion" effect. For best results, use exposure times of [A-2 sec- onds—shorter times don't give you 0 time to zoom through the lens's entire Q. range, and with longer times, you'll Q. 3 complete the zoom before the exposure (0 is over, so you'll get an identifiable im- •tf age of the subject along with the zoom streaks. (This isn't necessarily bad; just (0 be aware of it.) Q 0 PAINTING WITH LIGHT Q. tr Painting with light is another effect h that can only be accomplished with the A Above: Tripod legs come in sections A Above: Ball heads, such as this Kaiser camera and tripod duo. The camera re- (usually from three to five) that release 6012, allow the photographer to quickly mains stationary and the light is moved and lock in a number of different ways. and smoothly fine-tune the camera by throughout the scene while the shutter The Gitzo tripod uses threaded knobs rotating the head's ball in its socket. is remains open. The longer the expo- that are turned to tighten. Others use This model features tension presetting sure, the smoother the lighting in the clips and or screws. for fingertip control with a panorama scene. You can light an entire house or base and easy-grip clamp screw and other large subject using this technique The tripod can usually be placed so that can accomodate up to 22 pounds. (at night, of course), in a flattering or it does not show, but this isn't always eerie manner—your choice, as you are the case with the photographer. part of your photo exploration. One tri- the one moving the light. You can Nature photographers may find they pod trick is using a at night keep the light on as you move it, or cannot be near the camera because they or in low light. The camera and lens are turn it off while you move to each new will scare their subjects away. Birds, focused on a subject, and then the lens spot. Plot out your lighting scheme in for example, will eventually get used to is zoomed from its shortest focal length advance, and walk through the area be- a camera and tripod near their nesting to its longest (or vice versa) while the fore it gets dark, so you don't trip over area, but will rarely tolerate human anything as you move the light around presence there. the subject. Don't shine the light to- ward the or yourself (un- STUDIO PHOTOGRAPHY less you wanmt to appear in the pic- The studio photographer may spend ture), and wear dark clothes. hours setting up a shot and will need to process the film before moving to the REMOTE PHOTOGRAPHY next setup. The tripod insures the same There will be some photographic situ- camera angle, assuming that the tripod ations where the photographer cannot be doesn't get kicked. The tripod also at the camera when it is fired. Group locks in your composition while shoot- photos including the photographer will ing—it's easy to accidentally move the definitely require a tripod, a camera camera (and thus change that precise with a self-timer and a photographer in composition) while shooting with the track shoes. camera hand held. Reflections often force the photogra- pher to move away from the camera to IMPOSSIBLE ANGLES avoid photographing their reflection. Some specialized tripods and clam- pods give the photographer a creative edge in placing the camera at difficult angles. By putting a camera on a long pole, pictures can be taken from a high angle while the photographer remains on the ground triggering the camera with a remote. Ground-level shots are possible by mounting the camera to the tripod head and inverting the center column under the tripod. This is especially useful when shooting low angle photos and the ground is wet. Some tripods permit you to completely spread the legs for low-angle shots. There are also mini- tripods for ground-level shooting. As you can see, the world of camera support devices offers something for A Above: Although designed for film and most any photo situation. Put camera video, fluid heads are preferred by many A Above: The unique Slik pistol-grip ball photographers for their repeatable pan supports to work for you and see how head allows quick and easy positioning of and tilt controls. The Bogen 510 Pro Flu- they help improve your pictures and the camera by depressing the "trigger." id Head can support up to 19 pounds. creativity. J

134 1997 PHOTographic Buyer's Guide