In photography, tripod is used to stabilize and enhance the camera, flash unit, or other photographic equipment. All photographic tripods have three legs and a mounting head for pairing with the camera. The mounting head usually includes a paired screw with a threaded female receiver on the camera, as well as a mechanism to be able to rotate and tilt the camera when mounted on a tripod. The tripod legs are usually made for telescopes, to save space when not in use. Tripods are usually made of aluminum, carbon fiber, steel, wood or plastic.
Video Tripod (photography)
Usage
Tripod is used for still photography and motion to prevent camera movement. They are required when low speed exposures are being made, or when a lens with extreme focal length is used, as any camera movement when the shutter opens will produce a blurry image. In the same vein, they reduce camera shake, and thus are instrumental in achieving maximum sharpness. Tripods also help in achieving the right picture framing, or when more than one image is created from the same scene, for example when grouping exposures. The use of a tripod also allows for a wiser photographic approach. For all these reasons, a tripod of some kind is often necessary for professional photography as well as the use of certain videos. Tripod is also used as an alternative to C-Stand to photographic accessories.
Maps Tripod (photography)
Construction
For maximum strength and stability, most photographic tripods are installed around the central mast, with the legs of the telescope folded and the telescoping portion at the top which can be raised or lowered. At the top of the tripod is the head, which includes a camera holder (usually a removable dish with screws for holding the camera), multiple connections to allow the camera to shift, rotate and tilt, and usually a handle to allow the operator to do so without pushing the camera. Some tripods also have integrated remote controls for controlling camcorders or cameras, although this is usually the company that builds the camera. Materials used in the construction of a tripod or monopod leg include metal (usually empty or painted aluminum), wood and carbon fiber reinforced plastics, among others.
Screw thread
As of ISO 1222: 2010, the current screw tripod screw standard for attaching camera calls to UNC 1/4-20 UNC or 3/8-16 UNC threads. Most consumer cameras are equipped with 1/4-20 UNC threads. Larger professional cameras and lenses can be paired with 3/8-16 UNC threads, coupled with a removable UNC 1/4-20 adapter, allowing them to be mounted on a tripod using one of the standard.
Historically, The Royal Photographic Society recommends a standard thread for installing older cameras to a tripod is 3/16-24 BSW (nominal diameter 3/16 inch, 24 thread per inch), or 1/4-20 BSW for more camera small and 3/8-16 BSW for larger camera and pan/tilt head. In this app, BSW and UNC thread profiles are quite similar so that one can install a modern camera on an old tripod and vice versa. The UNC thread is a 60 degree angle and leveled, while BSW is a 55 degree angle and rounded peak. However, at least one British manufacturer uses No.1 B.A. (British Association) for its tripod screw.
Variations
There are several types of tripods. The cheapest, generally made of aluminum tubes and costing less than US $ 50, is used primarily for consumers and video cameras; this generally comes with an attached head and rubber feet. The head is very basic, and often not completely suitable for panning a smooth camcorder. Common features, mostly designed for still cameras, allow the head to turn sideways 90 degrees to allow the camera to take pictures in portrait format rather than the landscape. Often included is a small pin on the front of the mounting screws used to stabilize the camcorder. This is not found on the more expensive tripod photography.
More expensive professional tripods are stronger, stronger, and usually do not have an integrated head. A separate head allows a tripod-head combination to suit the needs of the photographer. There is an expensive carbon fiber tripod, which is used for applications where the tripod should be lightweight. Many tripods, even relatively inexpensive ones, also include a leveling indicator for the tripod and head feet.
Many more expensive tripods have additional features, such as a reversible center post so that the camera can be mounted between the legs, allowing for low-angle shots, and legs that can open to different angles.
Small tripods table (sometimes called tablepods ) are also available, ranging from relatively thin models for less than US $ 20, to professional models that can cost up to US $ 800 and can support up to 68 kg (150 pounds). They are used in situations where a full-sized tripod will be too large to carry. The alternative is clamp-pod , which is the head of the sphere attached to the C-clamp.
Another technique involves the formation of tightly held string triangles around two foot photographers and associated with the camera. " negative this" tripod "string can stabilize the camera enough to use the shutter speed three stops slower.