Tripods

Video and photo tripods plus fluid heads, bought on load capacity, working height, folded length and the head that goes on top.

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Tripods
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How to choose a tripod

Load capacity with margin. Rate for the camera plus lens plus monitor plus microphone plus cage, then leave headroom. SmallRig's AD14 carbon fibre tripod states 10 kg load at 185 cm height; a rig at 9 kg on a 10 kg tripod is not a stable rig.

Working height. Eye level for the subject, not for you — an interview framed from a metre up looks wrong. Check maximum height without raising the centre column, because a raised column is the least stable configuration there is.

Head type. A fluid head is for video: it damps pan and tilt so moves start and stop smoothly. A ball head is for stills, fast to reposition and useless for a pan. Match head load rating separately from leg load rating.

Material and folded length. Carbon fibre is lighter for the same stiffness and costs more. Aluminium is cheaper and takes abuse. If it travels, folded length matters more than either.

SmallRig and Ulanzi make most of the range, spanning carbon-fibre video and photo tripods, travel kits like the CT150, selfie-stick tripods, tabletop and overhead stands. Shure's tripod stands here are microphone stands, not camera supports.

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Questions we get asked

Fluid head or ball head?

Fluid head for video — it damps pan and tilt so moves look smooth. Ball head for stills, where fast repositioning matters and damping does not.

How much load capacity do I need?

Total your camera, lens, cage, monitor, microphone and any accessory, then add margin. Running a tripod at its stated maximum leaves no safety factor and feels unstable.

Is carbon fibre worth it over aluminium?

If you carry it. Carbon fibre is lighter for the same stiffness and damps vibration better. Aluminium is cheaper and more tolerant of knocks, which suits a studio.

Should I use the centre column?

Only as a last resort. A raised centre column is the least stable part of any tripod. Buy legs tall enough that the column stays down for normal work.

Do the tripod and the head have separate load ratings?

Yes, and both matter. A 10 kg set of legs with a 4 kg head is a 4 kg system.