Tripods & Monopods
For years, JOBY has been creating a line of odd-looking but creatively functional tripods like its GorillaPods, which allow photographers to mount their cameras (and smartphones) in places where normal tripods and supports dare not attempt. It is with this history of innovative camera supports that JOBY is entering
If someone were to ask me what is the fastest, easiest, and most effective way of instantly improving their photography, my answer would be: a tripod. In the quest to make better photographs, we often dream of owning the latest camera body or the most expensive lenses. For many of us, these remain out of reach and impractical. A quality tripod, however, can be had for less than the price of a New York City dinner for two (with drinks) and, because of that, I
Did you know that the first photograph ever taken was of a landscape?
“View from the Window at Le Gras” was captured by Nicéphore Niépce, in 1827. It features a very abstract view from Niépce’s window. Then, in 1839, Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre made history with his image of
Upping the weight capacity while maintaining the precision and smooth operability it's known for, Gitzo has just released the Ball Head Series 4. This top-end ball head has been redesigned to support loads up to 66 lb, making it a truly solid choice for professional applications involving heavy camera-lens combinations, such as when working with super-telephoto lenses. Beyond just an increased weight limit, the new Series 4 head manages to
We have probably all seen images in which the photographer has panned with the action—photos where the subject is in fairly sharp focus and the background is blurred due to the motion of the camera. The subjects you might have seen in action panning photos include cars, trucks, airplanes, runners, motorcycles, bicycles, etc. Done well, action panning photographs are a pleasure to look at and, believe it or not, action panning is not the most difficult technique to learn with your camera. However, getting great results can be a bit of a
Tunnel View in Yosemite National Park is one of the most scenic overlooks on the entire planet. Because of its sheer beauty, it is difficult to walk away from it with a bad photograph. (I have always said that it is easier to make a beautiful photograph of something that is already beautiful than it is to make a beautiful photograph of something that is not beautiful.) And, almost every camera-armed tourist who drives out the end of the Wawona Tunnel on State Highway 41 comes away with a very similar photograph—similar to the one that Ansel
If you’ve just ordered your first camera system, now you may be wondering what else you need to get started. Deciding which accessories to buy when you’re first beginning in photography can be a bit of a challenge to the uninitiated. Some accessories, like lens wipes for instance, are universal, but other types of accessories to consider may vary quite a bit depending on the kinds of photos you’re interested in making, and where you plan on shooting
Before heading out on assignment, I make a mental checklist of the gear I will be needing, and camera supports are always on that list. Depending on where and what I plan to photograph, I might take a mid- or full-size tripod and be done with it. If I anticipate taking low-angle photographs, I will also pack along a tabletop-size tripod and, for ground-level shooting, one of my Platypods. Truth is, if I have the space, I take all three options, because if I leave any of these options behind, I know I will need it when I get where I’m going
I went out for a walk with my camera one recent morning. It was bright and sunny—a perfect day for taking pictures. The camera ISO was set at 400, the aperture on my 105mm lens was three-and-a-half stops down from maximum aperture (the “sweet spot”), and my shutter speed was set to 1/500-second. According to the rules—never handhold a camera at a shutter speed slower than the numeric value of the lens in millimeters you are using—there was no reason I should have expected anything other than sharp pictures. Imagine my surprise when I opened
How many times have you looked at something and said, “Why didn’t I think of that?” That’s exactly what I said the first time I saw a miniature tripod made by JOBY. They’re brilliant, they perform as advertised, and they’re as popular among shooters as ice pops on a hot summer day.
Designed to handle a range of weight loads and available in a variety of configurations, from JOBY’s ever-popular GorillaPod
The Sachtler aktiv SpeedLevel tripod system with SpeedSwap Stud is a quick release method for mounting your tripod head on legs. However, there is so much more that the aktiv system brings to working with tripods and fluid heads, that the word “jaw-dropping” may not be enough to cover it. Fast, simple to use, and smart, the Sachtler aktiv system is not just a new mounting system for a tripod head and legs, it also has a separate mounting base for working with sliders or getting lock-off shots. The aktiv system expands the capabilities of
Manfrotto has announced its Element MII collection of camera and smartphone support for on-the-go creators. A variety of tripod options is available, including the Mobile and Mobile Bluetooth Carbon Fiber Traveler Tripods, as well as the Mobile Bluetooth Aluminum Traveler Tripod in
In recognition of World Photography Day 2020, Manfrotto has introduced the Befree 3-Way Live Advanced Tripod. Manfrotto’s latest addition to its flagship tripod line is being billed as the world’s first travel tripod and 3-way fluid head kit specifically designed to address the dual-purpose needs of budding photographers, videographers, vloggers, and travel enthusiasts seeking a single, lightweight tripod for capturing
Recently, I tested the new Manfrotto 504X Fluid Head on a variety of tripod legs. This included a kit with the 645 FAST Twin Leg Aluminum Tripod and 2-in-1 Spreader, as well as swapping the head over to the 635 single-tube carbon fiber legs and putting that
Prior to reviewing the Robus RTH-1050 Ball Head, I was familiar with the Robus name but had zero hands-on experience with its products. After spending a few days with an RTH-1050 Ball Head mounted on a Robus RC-5570 Vantage Series 3 Carbon Fiber tripod, I can tell you I’m not only familiar with Robus products—I’m also liking them.
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