I’ve found that buying a good tripod has greatly increased the types of photos I can take. It has given me a lot of new ways to be creative. I can now take beautiful long exposures of landscapes, make interesting time-lapse videos, and stitch together mesmerising panoramas without any problems.
Personally, I’ve learned that sometimes spending a little more money or having a clearer idea of the photos you want to take is necessary to get the best tripod. A simple tripod can keep your camera safe and steady, but the results you can get from a better one are truly amazing.
A good tripod can make a big difference in your art and is one of the most important tools for photography and videography. So you’ll want to make sure your gear kit has a good one. They help you steady your shots so you can take beautiful landscape photos with your DSLR or stop your videos from shaking. There are a million different kinds of tripods on the market today, and they all have different features and uses. Sorting through them can be confusing, time-consuming, and, let’s be honest, boring.
We tested each model on my list of the top camera tripods before selecting it as a superb representative of its category. In order to make sure I’m only including the best, we considered a variety of aspects, such as the maximum height, the folding height, the load capacity, the simplicity of utilizing the tripod mount, and much more. This list will be updated over time as new models are released and firms expand their product lines. Below we have mentioned some of the best Tripods.
Best Tripods
Manfrotto 190XPro4
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Maximum Height | 63.8 in (162 cm) |
Minimum Height | 3.5 in (9 cm) |
Folded Length | 20.7 in (52.5 cm) |
Weight | 5.3 lb (2.4 kg) |
Load Capacity | 15.4 lb (7 kg) |
Leg Sections | 4 |
Material | Aluminum |
Head Type | Not included |
Leg Lock Type | Flip Locks |
Center Column | Included, extends and rotates |
A rotating bubble level that is easy to view regardless of the tripod’s location is one of the convenience features. The other is gripping, rubber leg warmers on two legs for cold or bad weather. Finally, Manfrotto’s commitment on form following function has produced a tripod that you will be happy to use and proud to display.
The revised 190’s Quick Power Lock (QPL) mechanism is one of its most striking and distinctive characteristics. It is a powerful, incredibly quick, ergonomic locking system that enables full leg extension with just one hand. With the help of Manfrotto adjustable arms and brackets, the plug enables quick connection between the tripod and accessories like LED lights for macro photography and DSLR video applications.
3 Legged Thing PUNKS Travis Tripod
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Maximum Height | 65.7 in (167 cm) |
Minimum Height | 3.5 in (9 cm) |
Folded Length | 16.5 in (42 cm) |
Weight | 3.6 lb (1.6 kg) |
Load Capacity | 44 lb (20 kg) |
Leg Sections | 4 |
Material | Carbon Fiber |
Head Type | Not included |
Leg Lock Type | Twist Locks |
Center Column | Included, reversible |
The newest product from 3 Legged Thing is the 165cm, 1.6kg Punks Travis tripod. Don’t let the quirky graphics and anodized parts fool you; this tripod is really serious. It has the company’s trademark design, colors, and branding, just like previous tripods.
Tripods are essentially made to support your camera; everything else they can do is just an added bonus. The Punks Travis is a feature-rich support that is fundamentally strong; the fact that it is lightweight, collapses into a small space, can be used as a monopod, and can handle virtually any camera and lens combination are all added advantages.
MeFOTO GlobeTrotter
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Maximum Height | 64.2 in (163 cm) |
Minimum Height | 16.1 in (41 cm) |
Folded Length | 16.1 in (41 cm) |
Weight | 3.7 lb (1.7 kg) |
Load Capacity | 26.4 lb (12 kg) |
Leg Sections | 5 |
Material | Aluminum |
Head Type | Ball Head included |
Leg Lock Type | Twist Locks |
Center Column | Included, removable |
The largest tripod in MeFOTO’s family, the GlobeTrotter is made to support larger DSLR bodies. Versions made of aluminium and carbon fibre are available. It is a little portable tripod, and the legs may extend in five different ways. It weighs 3.7 lbs, folds down to a minimum length of 16.1 inches, and has a maximum load capacity of 26.5 lbs.
The locking system uses twist locks with grips made of rubber. Compared to some of the more expensive rivals, like the Gitzos, they don’t feel as sophisticated, but they do function as intended. Leg shafts are made of carbon fibre, and the joints are made of aluminium. Foam cushioning is on one leg, which is quite useful in extreme cold.
Manfrotto 190go!
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Maximum Height | 57.5 in (146 cm) |
Minimum Height | 3.1 in (8 cm) |
Folded Length | 17.7 in (45 cm) |
Weight | 3.7 lb (1.7 kg) |
Load Capacity | 15.4 lb (7 kg) |
Leg Sections | 4 |
Material | Aluminum |
Head Type | Not included |
Leg Lock Type | Twist Locks |
Center Column | Included, extends and rotates |
There is no perfect tripod for outdoor photographers; the best tripod is typically a delicate compromise between weight and stability. Travel tripods don’t usually offer enough height for convenient camera operation, even if they are frequently heavier to carry around or fasten to a backpack.
The leg mechanism is what distinguishes the 190 Go! range from Manfrotto’s 190XPro line at first appearance. The leg pieces don’t need to be unlocked with clips like in the latter; instead, you merely need to rotate the locks 90 degrees. These discrete M-locks enable quick setup while also ensuring that the tripod’s legs are sleek and without any protruding pieces that could grab on a bag during storage.
Gitzo GK1542 Mountaineer Series 1 (4 sections)
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Maximum Height | 60.6 in (154 cm) |
Minimum Height | 6.7 in (17 cm) |
Folded Length | 20.9 in (53 cm) |
Weight | 3.5 lb (1.6 kg) |
Load Capacity | 22 lb (10 kg) |
Leg Sections | 4 |
Material | Carbon Fiber |
Head Type | Not included |
Leg Lock Type | Twist Locks |
Center Column | Not included |
For DSLRs with 135mm lenses, the GK1542-80QD tripod/head set, which consists of a GT1542 Mountaineer Tripod and a GH1780QD Center Ball Head, is advised (up to a maximum of 200mm). The GT1542 is a compact, 4-section Series 1 tripod with normal height that uses Carbon eXact tubes with bigger tube diameters for noticeably increased stiffness.
Its top leg part has a 25.3mm diameter. The tripod is expertly paired with a GH1780QD centre ball head, which ensures a high maximum load and includes Gitzo’s exclusive, one-of-a-kind technical solutions, including as the hollow Bubble Ball, Spring-Assisted Double Lock (SADL), and our innovative hybrid quick release system (supplied with an Arca-Swiss style plate, but also accepts Gitzo C Profile plates).
Vanguard Veo 3+ 263AB
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Maximum Height | 59 in (150 cm) |
Minimum Height | 8.7 in (22 cm) |
Folded Length | 15.9 in (40.5 cm) |
Weight | 3.5 lb (1.6 kg) |
Load Capacity | 30.9 lb (14 kg) |
Leg Sections | 3 |
Material | Aluminum |
Head Type | Ball Head included |
Leg Lock Type | Twist Locks |
Center Column | Included, removable |
The VEO 3 tripods are now divided into two ranges in terms of the actual tripods. If you’re looking for a tripod that you can carry around all day, the VEO 3 Go series will be a travel-oriented alternative. The smallest model folds down to a tiny 13 inches (33cm) and weighs only 820g (1.8lbs).
Each VEO 3 Go model has a foldable monopod selfie stick and has an Android/Apple smartphone tripods and bluetooth remote. They come in a variety of pricing ranges to fit all budgets and are offered in both aluminum and carbon fibre variants.
Peak Design Travel Tripod
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Maximum Height | 60.2 in (153 cm) |
Minimum Height | 5.5 in (14 cm) |
Folded Length | 15.25 in (38.7 cm) |
Weight | 2.8 lb (1.27 kg) |
Load Capacity | 20 lb (9 kg) |
Leg Sections | 5 |
Material | Aluminum |
Head Type | Ball Head included |
Leg Lock Type | Twist Locks |
Center Column | Not included |
There are cheaper and higher travel tripods than this one, but none that offer this performance or this level of design ingenuity while still folding down into such a tidy, portable box. When folded, this tripod is also incredibly small. Its closed length is only 38.5 cm, making it not only more slender and organised than competing tripods. Without using the typical travel tripod trick of extending the middle column and folding the legs up around it, this is accomplished.
The Peak Design Travel Tripod opens up and sets up quite quickly despite its small packing size. Because the cam locks on the legs are close to one another, you can stretch the leg parts by releasing all of them at once with one (strong) hand. Even with the legs extended in the low angle mode, the rubber feet on the end provide a smooth surface thanks to their chamfered edges.
Sirui NT-1005X/E-10
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Maximum Height | 55.1 in (140 cm) |
Minimum Height | 7.1 in (18 cm) |
Folded Length | 14.6 in (37 cm) |
Weight | 2.6 lb (1.2 kg) |
Load Capacity | 22 lb (10 kg) |
Leg Sections | 5 |
Material | Aluminum |
Head Type | Ball Head included |
Leg Lock Type | Twist Locks |
Center Column | Included, reversible |
It can easily fit into any bag and collapse to just 36 cm, making it ideal for travel. One of its legs may be taken off, allowing it to be used as a standalone monopod. The NT-1005X is a multi-use 2-in-1 tripod as a result of this capability. It has all the features necessary to guarantee that its users are ready for any circumstance.
The monopod may be raised to an amazing height of 153 cm by using the center column, which is an additional feature. The producers’ hot-compromise working height is a staggering 148.3 cm, despite its compactness. The secret to the NT-1005X tripod’s 31 cm extra height is its incredibly robust extensible center column, which provides double extension.
Joby GorillaPod 1K
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Maximum Height | 10.1 in (25.6 cm) |
Minimum Height | 2.4 in (6 cm) |
Folded Length | 8 in (20.3 cm) |
Weight | 0.5 lb (0.23 kg) |
Load Capacity | 2.2 lb (1 kg) |
Leg Sections | Flexible |
Material | ABS plastic, stainless steel, TPE |
Head Type | Ball Head included |
Leg Lock Type | N/A (flexible) |
Center Column | Not included |
A flexible and adaptable support system is created by combining the Joby GorillaPod 1K stand and BallHead 1K in the Joby GorillaPod 1K Flexible Mini-Tripod with Ball Head Kit. You can precisely regulate the direction and angle of your equipment with the ball head, and you can lock that position in place for convenient use.
The GorillaPod 1K’s joints and feet include rubberized coatings in some places to assist it grip and balance better on uneven terrain. The rest of the tripod is constructed of stainless steel and an exclusive ABS material that offers stability and longevity.
Vanguard ALTA PRO 2+
Specification | Details |
---|---|
Maximum Height | 69.1 in (175.5 cm) |
Minimum Height | 7.25 in (18.4 cm) |
Folded Length | 29.5 in (75 cm) |
Weight | 5.4 lb (2.45 kg) |
Load Capacity | 15.4 lb (7 kg) |
Leg Sections | 4 |
Material | Aluminum |
Head Type | Not included |
Leg Lock Type | Twist Locks |
Center Column | Included, multi-angle adjustment |
Although Vanguard has been making photographic equipment for a while, the firm has just recently begun to have a significant impact. Vanguard is currently updating their tripod lineup with a number of newly released versions of well-liked models, including its workhorse, the Alta Pro.
Your height is limited to a maximum of 1500 cm, which can be compressed to 50.5 cm when necessary. The legs themselves are divided into four sections and are fastened together with twist locks. Each of the three legs has a little rubber foot at the base that can be unscrewed to reveal a screw thread, allowing for the addition of additional feet as needed.