The tripod, one of the most overlooked accessories that we as photographers, videographers and creators, take for granted but without it, you would probably not have been able to get those amazing shots.
Remember those low light shots that you got, because you used your tripod, that allowed you to use a slower shutter speed without causing blur from the nature camera shake if you simply held for camera, or those long exposure shots that you got last summer of that waterfall.
Tripods should be more than just an oversight, because they give you more control over your camera settings, such as aperture, ISO, and focus, by freeing your hands and reducing the need to compromise on image quality, therefore helping you improve your compositions, by giving you time to think and adjust your framing, perspective, and alignment.
Those techniques and shots that you just wouldn’t be able to get free hand, such as certain panoramas, macro, timelapse, or video, which require precise and consistent camera positioning.
The importance of one of these tripods is very much going to depend on your personal style, preferences, and goals as a creator.
But upgrading, if you’re looking for a step up from an old tripod or if you’ve not had one before shouldn’t be discounted, as it could help you and your creative flow.
Manbily Aluminium Travel Tripod
I’ve been using the Manbily Aluminium Tripod, which comes with a nice branded bag, not sure who uses their tripod bag. Once I take it out of the bag, that’s usually the last time the tripod will ever see the bag. But, at about just under 17 inches in height, is going to fit nicely in my own gear bag.
The tripod has a 360 degree panoramic ball head with a Arca Swiss type compatible quick release plate, angle adjustable legs that are each comprised of 5 height adjustments tubes that in their most extended position, allow the tripod to reach up to 74 inches, which is just over 6 foot 1”, which for me at my height is just a bit taller than me.
All of the height adjustable legs and the centre pole use the twist to loosen and tighten method which some people prefer to the flip locks, having used tripods with both locking methods, I definitely prefer this method.
It’s a versatile and sturdy tripod, that can support up to 17.6 lbs (8kg) of camera gear. Which makes it ideal for all of my own gear, when I’m indoors filming my talking head A Roll, as not only do I have my camera mounted to the tripod, but I’ve also got my teleprompter on and the monitor so I can see myself.
If you’ve got a heavier setup, then there is a column hook under the centre pole, that’s going to give you extra stability when you’re setup is a bit heavier and if you’re outdoors, in windy conditions.
For me, as the ball head mount is Arca Swiss type compatible, I’m able to attach and detach my Sony ZV-E10 to the tripod with ease. With the Smallrig cage attached, I haven’t got to attach anything additional to the camera as the cage fits directly into the quick assembly plate, and with the handle and locking knobs that allow you to adjust the angle and orientation to get your camera in the position to want to, this is one of the most functionally easy tripods I’ve used, no matter what the scenario, whether that is photography or videography.
Many modern tripods these days need to be multi-functional in order to adapt to the workflow of the modern creator, in the past we would need one tripod for our landscape shots, one for our macro shots, one for our low down shots, and one for other scenarios, but tripods like this are able to meet those needs perfectly.
First of all, it can be just that traditional tripod that we need that allows us to get those mount, point and shoot shots at a variety of different heights thanks to those 5 height adjustable tubes on each leg, but what about those other shots, what if you need to get lower, well the angle of each leg is also adjustable allowing you to go from a high, medium, all the way to low height.
But what if you want to get your camera positioned even lower, you can take out the central pole, invert it by positioning it upside down and locking it in place and now securely lock your camera in place and it’s now in the lower position.
One of the best features of this tripod, is that it can also be converted into a monopod by unscrewing one of the legs and attaching it to the centre pole. At its tallest, as a monopod it can reach, 77 inches. This is going to be great for situations where you might need more mobility and flexibility, such as shooting wildlife or sports and it can also be used as a hiking stick.
If you’re looking for a tripod that can do more than just hold your camera steady, you might want to check out this tripod. Not only is it light and compact, but also has many features that make it adaptable to different situations and environments. You can adjust the height and angle of each leg, rotate and tilt the ball head for landscape and portrait shots, and even turn it into a monopod.
The tripod is strong and stable, and can support heavy cameras and lenses. This is a great choice for photographers, videographers and content creators who want a multifunctional, reliable, and economical tripod, that’s compatible with most cameras and smartphones, that will help you capture stunning images and videos.
If you would like to see the video version of the article, check out the YouTube link below.