Tripods come in all sizes and configurations. Photographers and videographers can purchase small, flexible rubber tripods designed for use with point-and-shoot cameras, up to large, 75 lb. wooden monsters made for large-format view cameras. Tripods available today offer more stability and less weight than tripods did years ago, as those manufactured today consist of aluminum or carbon fiber. Carbon fiber's design makes it light weight and resistant to scuffs, while aluminum remains slightly heavier and takes a lot of punishment. Using a tripod effectively relies on basic knowledge of its parts and movements.
Head and Feet
Most tripods consist of the legs, feet and the head. The head serves as the platform where the camera rests and may have one or more handles or extensions attached. The head may sit on a telescoping neck that raises up and down via a crank handle and gears. The camera body should fit squarely on the base of the head. A head that's too small can cause the camera to wobble. Tripod feet usually are of two kinds---rubber and spike. Rubber feet perform well on surfaces such as tile, linoleum and wood floors. Spikes easily handle rough terrain surfaces or soft surfaces such as grass or dirt.
Legs
Tripod legs each have several independently functioning extensions, an ideal design when setting up a tripod on an uneven surface. When faced with a rocky or uneven surface, Videomaker.com suggests the following, "To remedy this situation, begin extending one leg of the tripod at a time. Hold the tripod so the head is level (some models include a bubble level for this purpose) and at the height you want for shooting. Then open the tripod and extend the first leg until it hits the ground. Lock it tight. Do the same thing for the other two legs. You may find that each leg is extended to a different length, yet the tripod remains stable and the camcorder level."
Avoid the automatic inclination to extend the tripod legs all the way out. Although designed for sturdiness, the higher the tripod reaches, the less sturdy and more prone to movement it becomes.
Movements
Tripods have three basic movements---tilt (moving the tripod head up and down), swivel (moving the tripod head from side to side) and pedestal (raising and lowering the tripod head). Each movement allows for full control of camera height/angle and function independently of each other. A locking mechanism on each movement keeps the camera in a fixed position until released or loosened. Do not over-tighten the locking mechanisms, as they can crack or break. When using the tripod to pan (follow) a subject with a camcorder, tighten the tilt or swivel movement only enough to make the action fluid.
Additional Support
Some tripods have a center column extending down from the head with a hook attached at the end. The hook's design allows for the attachment of extra weight to the tripod for added stability. Make sure the weight isn't too heavy or it may pull the center column out of its housing. A small sandbag or hand weight is ideal for this job.
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