AmazonBasics Travel Camera Tripod, 60-Inch

The camera tripod, a three-legged stand used to mount devices for recording visual images, is a must-have for both novice and professional photographers. Since camera motion is any photographer’s enemy, the main purpose of the tripod is to hold the camera steady and eliminate vibration to boost the technical quality of images. While most tripods have a similar appearance, there are a bounty of brands, styles and variations to choose from.

The basic components of a tripod are the head (where you attach your camera), the chassis (a platform at the apex of the tripod for mounting the head), legs and leg locks (allowing you to adjust the tripod to different heights) and the center column (the piece attached to the chassis to extend the height even farther). All of these parts are engineered to work together to help photographers stabilize their cameras on all types of terrain and help them use their devices more creatively.

Camera tripods are also used by photographers to capture the same scene multiple times or images using slow shutter speeds (long exposure). Due to the widespread usage of smartphones to take high-quality photos in recent years, three-legged stands are now used more widely by those without traditional cameras, like point-and-shoots and digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) varieties. Many tripods even come with handy smartphone mounts.

• One thing to consider when shopping for a camera tripod is the cumulative height of the product. Before making your purchase, add the heights of the legs and head together to find out how high the viewfinder of your camera will sit. Then, consider your height and whether the viewfinder will be higher than your eyes, which is ideal. If the total height comes up short, you will have to bend down to see through your lens.
• Camera tripods equipped with lateral arms allow users to move the center column to a horizontal position, which is perfect for overhead or tabletop shooting of products or food.
• Modern tripods are typically made from wood, aluminum and carbon fiber. Aluminum tripods are favored for their affordability and durability.
• Many tripods are equipped with flip or twist leg locks, preventing them from retracting or extending further during usage.
• There are several types of camera heads (the piece your camera attaches to), but the two common ones are the pan-and-tilt (also known as the three-way) and ball. The pan-and-tilt option lets you pan the head left and right and tilt it up and down and to the side; this allows users to execute precise movements. but may also make the product bulky. The ball head, which is smaller and easier to use, uses a rolling ball to control the movement of the head and is popular for smartphone use.
• Since using the center column attached to your chassis can increase the wobbliness of your tripod, don’t extend it unless you need to (for example, to capture a specific shot).