Digital SLR Photography

(Jacob Rumans) #1

we have some basic tripods without toomany extrafeat ures, though basic isarelative term here. All but one havefour legsections to achieve either extra height, orashorter closed length, or a bitof both. Theyhave sliding centre-columns too, and usuallythree leg angles to go low, so none areexactly spartan. The extrafeat uresavailableinclude articulating centre-columns that tiltover and are very helpfulfor getting intoawkward positions. They're particularly goodfor macro work, or table-top work.Others have a monopod option, withadetachable leg that simply bolts onto theremovable centre-column. This createsavery good and tall monopod, though theydon't close down as compact as dedicatedversions. Then there's the cunningfold-down-small traveller-type design, whichsubstantiallyreduces the closed lengthfortransport. Oneof the Benros on test hereincorporates all threeof these extrafeat ures.There are three Gitzos, each withadifferent take on tripod design, optimisedfordifferent purposes. They're predictablyexpensive, butoffer very high performance``````and low weight. And we have a topof therange Manfrotto – an awesome device withmilitary grade build quality and extremeheight. It also has a geared centre-column,and they're unusual these days, but makeaccurate positioning a lot easier.And we have a Berlebach from Germany,where they've made wooden tripods since1898!Wood still has a certain appeal andBerlebachs are not as pricey as you mightthink. So there's somethingfor everyonehere, and while £300+ may seem like a lot,these tripods are so much nicer to use,offerexceptional stability, and are built to last.``````Test:RICHARD HOPKINSNove mber2016Digital SLR Photography 109Premiu mtripods\Gear

Free download pdf