Many people skip the tripod, thinking it's just extra weight, but without one, you limit yourself to daytime shooting and miss out on the best moments. A tripod isn't just a tool for pros; it's an essential piece of gear for anyone looking to expand their creative options.
Coming to you from Belinda Shi, this practical video discusses why a tripod is a must-have for travelers and walks through seven key factors to consider when choosing one. Weight is the first thing you need to think about. You don’t want to lug a heavy tripod, especially when hiking or climbing. Carbon fiber tripods are lighter, often 30-50% lighter than aluminum ones, which makes them ideal for travel. But weight isn't the only factor—your tripod should also be able to support your gear. Shi explains that most lightweight carbon fiber tripods can handle up to 20 pounds, more than enough for a DSLR with a telephoto lens.
Size matters too. You want a tripod that’s tall enough to bring your camera to eye level without extending the center column, as doing so reduces stability. On the flip side, the tripod should be compact when folded so it fits easily into your backpack or suitcase. Shi highlights the balance between having enough sections in the tripod legs to make it compact, but not so many that setup becomes a hassle. She recommends a four-section tripod as the sweet spot between portability and convenience.
Durability and stability are other crucial aspects. Shi notes that carbon fiber tripods hold up better in harsh conditions and resist corrosion, which is key if you often shoot in rain, snow, or sandy environments. To extend the life of your tripod, especially if used in the ocean or on sandy beaches, cleaning it after each use is essential. Stability is where some tripods fail. A sturdy tripod will stay still even in windy conditions, but extending the center column can make your setup top-heavy. Shi suggests adding weight to the tripod by hanging your camera bag from the bottom of the center column to improve stability, especially when using heavy lenses.
Finally, convenience and budget play their roles. Shi prefers twist-lock legs over lever locks, as the former are quicker and less likely to get jammed with dirt or sand. While budget is always a consideration, Shi advises investing in a quality tripod that will last. Carbon fiber models tend to be more expensive than aluminum, but if you're an outdoor shooter, the durability and weight savings are worth the cost. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Shi.
My requirement besides function and weight for a "travel" tripod: If it breaks or gets lost/stolen, is it cheap enough that I don't really care. $50 is about where I draw the line. The cheapies with basic pan/tilt head seem to fit that category. Yay.
I believe Brenda's preference for tripod twist versus flip locks is mistaken, because the internal plastic twist locks (shims) lock up and jam with dirt, sand and other particles inevitable in the outdoors, but flip locks jam less, are easily cleaned in the field, or can be quickly cleaned with running water. Flip locks are mostly metal, but the internal plastic twist shims can have their threads destroyed by sand grains.Gitzo, Benro(Induro), others do a substantial volume of internal plastic twist lock replacements. My otherwise perfect Induro tripod is now unusable because of internal plastic twist lock failure and unavailability of replacements from Induro. Flip lock levers can get caught on small bush branches in the field, otherwise have no problem.