Tripod ABC's

A good! tripod is a fundamental part of any photographer's kit, and is well worth its weight in gold - especially since tripods are getting lighter all the time. A quality tripod can provide you with the sharpest possible pictures from your camera and lenses, and allow you get those shots you've only dreamed of – giving you time to think more carefully about composition. In fact it will probably improve your hit rate more than any other piece of equipment you use.

While most people associate tripods with only expensive DSLR cameras, they can also be a great benefit to the lowly Point & Shoot camera. Some of these cameras have quite an extended range of zoom, over 400mm in some cases. While most now have some form of Image Stabilization, nothing can replace the rock steadiness of a good tripod, when using such extended focal lengths.
Also Image Stabilization is not really designed to work at it's best, with slower shutter speeds. Such cases being "Low Natural Light" photography, or "Night Scenery" shots. Of course this also includes Panoramas, and 3D Anaglyphs where several exposures are made and combined. Keeping these in perfect alignment produces much better images, something nearly impossible to do without a tripod.
Not to leave out the multiple shots needed when making HDR (High Dynamic Range) exposures, keeping these in good alignment is even more critical! than when taking shots for a panorama. Primarily because HDR programs do not have the extended re-alignment functions, most panorama programs contain.

When in Macro mode, a tripod is also a distinct advantage. The depth of field is so shallow, even the slightest movement after you have focused the camera; can ruin an otherwise crisp shot.
Tripods also come into their own when doing Portraits, giving the camera a sturdy/steady platform to help you adjust for the best lighting/composition, and getting that just right angle.

I realize in this run and gun world, where time is at such a premium, a tripod will not be everyone's cup of tea. Some, feeling they just don't have, or want to take the time to set one up. But using one for the 50 plus years I have taken pictures, believe me the little time it takes (a few seconds) is well worth the the disadvantage/inconvenience. Resulting in sharp well focused and composed images; with much better fine detail resolution.
I suppose, I should mention cameras with image stabilization, should have that feature turned off when using a tripod.
Nearly all camera makers mention this in the instruction manual, those who don't should. The stabilization mode is looking for movement, and there is none on a tripod, sometimes confusing the cameras auto focus. Resulting in something less then a well focused image. DSLR's, and other cameras with manual focusing (when used), are not affected in this way. But the best bet; is to turn off the image stabilization when using a tripod in any case.

When purchasing your tripod, the key word at the beginning of this page was "GOOD". There are nearly as many choices, as there are trees in the woods. First of all stay away from the discount store junk!, these tripods do have their place, unfortunately it is not in serious photography. Nearly all have a "Pan & Tilt Head", ok for video, but a curse in still photography. The real world is not flat, and trying to level one of these beasts! is a test of ones patience, and faith.

First of all - consider what kind of camera, you are going to be using with your tripod. If its a small compact point & shoot, or bridge camera (non DSLR), you don't need a $400 tripod; to support a $400 camera. Leave the big sturdy heavyweights, for the larger DSLR's. Some folks however! attach some long, and heavy accessory lenses to their bridge cameras. In this case! they might need something in the medium weight range. But bear in mind the studier, and the more weight capacity a tripod bears, the heavier it is. The idea is NOT! to buy something, you will not want to lug around. A tripod left at home is not any better than no tripod, and needlessly expensive.
Then there are mono-pods; a discussion here is somewhat needless, as one is the same as all. This is like a single leg of a tripod, made to give the camera about a 1 to 2 stop advantage in steadiness (some have ball-heads). You can do the same thing by extending only one leg of your normal tripod, using it as a mono-pod.

Things to look for; there are several types of leg locking devices, Internal Twist Locks, External Threaded Cuff - Twisting Locks, and the old reliable, and sturdy Flip Pressure Locks (my preference). Also make sure your selection has a "Ball-Head". These come in simple basic types, to fancy (but expensive) pistol grip mechanisms. All will adequately do the job.
Leveling devices; some tripods have one or two "Vial Levels", I personally don't like these. My preference is for a "Bulls Eys Level". A bulls eye level is one round eye with a raised middle, and a target ring in the center. This kind of level looks at 360 degrees of a circle, and makes perfect leveling much easier and quicker. Its also nice to see if your choice allows exchanging heads, some tripods have a fixed head, and you are stuck with it. Not so bad if you are sure you are going to like it, but too bad if you don't.

One more thing; tripods referred to as "Grounders" are a must for doing macro work. These tripods allow for multiple leg angle adjustment, and can lower the head to within inches of the ground. So can a reversible center coulomb, but this places your camera at an odd angle (Upside-down). I could never get used to standing on my head, so needless to say! this type of tripod is not my first choice.

There are several tripod manufactures that make models to fit all the above criteria, and more. Excellent ones come from companies like Bogen, Manfrotto, and Velbon. Good ones come from Sunpak, and several other reputable makers. You can buy very compact lightweights, good for day use or travel, for around $100.00 give or take a few.
One I own, and can recommend is Manfrotto's "Modo-Maxi 785B", a combination ball–pan & tilt head (this one does it all) for around $90.00. Its a lightweight sturdy compact good for day use, travel, or back-packing. Its a compact 17.13 inches long when closed up. Weighs just over 2 pounds, and will support any lightweight camera up to 2.2 pounds (I feel this is a conservative rating, and the tripod can support more). Its not a matter of tripod construction, but how much weight the locking device in the head will keep stable. I have seen it rated at 4 lbs elsewhere.
It also has a camera "quick release plate", something else to be desired when searching for a tripod. The head is not interchangeable, and is a "Hybrid Joystick Head" a toss-up between a pistol grip, and a fishing rod handle. It has a quick lock thumb setting, with an opposing quick release trigger (Neat!). And can drop your camera, to within three inches of the ground, about the lowest adjustment of this type I have seen.

A good heavyweight tripod can run from around $200.00 less the head (head purchase is separate with these tripods), to over $1000.00. All reputable makers like Bogen, Manfrotto, and Velbon make many models, with lots of varied features.
One possible recommendation would be the Manfrotto "055XPROB", the unit has good grounding capabilities, and a tilting center coulomb (comes in real handy, for those hard to get at macro shots), at around $167.95 for the legs. With the Bogen/Manfrotto "322RC2" Heavy Duty Grip Action ball-head, for around $124.95 (has quick release plate). This combination is good for supporting around 11 pounds of weight, more than enough for most photographers. Tripod weight less the head, just over 5 lbs. Combination price: $292.90 not including the tax.
Or maybe you would prefer something a little more conventional in a ball-head like the "488RC2". This combination will support the full 15.5 lbs, the tripod is rated for. Combination price: $277.95 not including tax. Either head will increase the combined tripod and head weight by 1.5 lbs, for a total of about 6.5 lbs.
The sky is the limit, and remember you do get what you pay for – or you pay for what you get. Bargain discount tripods are cheap, and usually in more ways then just the price.