There’s absolutely no doubt that a tripod is very important in photography. The same is true for smartphone photography. A good tripod helps to keep your shots steady, so you can have awesome pictures with no blur among other benefits.
However, not all tripods are the same. This can make it a bit challenging to know which one to get if you’re looking to invest in a new tripod for your smartphone.
So, it’s important to understand the different parts of a tripod unit, what they’re made of, and how they work, in order for you to be able to make an informed decision.
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In this article, I’ll go over all the key features and functions of a tripod suitable for your phone. The focus will specifically be on regular full-length type of tripod that is also popularly found in traditional photography.
Sure, some people might think getting a full-size tripod for use with a smartphone is overkill, but I think of it as an investment. A good tripod can last for many years. In that time, you can use it for smartphone photography or as support for any other camera you might buy along the way. If you’re serious about photography of any kind, it’s honestly really worth investing in one of these.
That said, let’s jump right in. Feet first.
Legs, Feet, and Locks
This is the part that actually makes the tripod a tripod. It is usually made out of carbon fibre or aluminium. Carbon fibre tripod legs are lighter than aluminium legs and have a really good strength-to-weight ratio, but they are expensive and can easily fracture. Aluminium tripod legs, on the other hand, are more durable but heavier and can succumb to weather damage over time.
The legs
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The main feature of a tripod is its three legs. These are the very things that give it stability. Most tripods have telescopic legs which can be extended. These tubular legs are divided into sections, each with a circumference slightly bigger or smaller than the other. When the legs are extended or retracted, these sections slide into or over one another.
The more sections the legs have, the longer they can extend. The downside to this, though, is that the more sections the tripod has, the more unstable it becomes at maximum height. At this point adding weight to the weight hook of the centre column will be a must.
The nice thing about multi-section tripod legs is that if you’re shooting on an uneven surface, each leg can be extended to a length that is required to counter the unevenness of the surface. For example, if you’re shooting on a staircase, one leg can be shorter or longer than the others in order to accommodate the uneven surface.
Leg locks
To ensure that the legs remain in place when in use, multi-section tripod legs employ a locking mechanism. These leg locks can either be a flip lock or twist lock. The flip lock (or lever lock) is a lever that is flipped to the lock position once the legs have been adjusted to the desired length.
Although they are quick and easy to use, flip locks are not weather sealed and can get stuck due to things like sand and debris getting stuck in the mechanism. They can also lose their strength over time, but this is an issue that can be resolved by simply re-tightening the locks.
The twist locks, on the other hand, locks the legs in place by turning a small knob. This is a far better leg lock system as it has better weather sealing, but some may find it tricky to use.
I’ve personally used tripods with flip locks and ones with twist locks. The only issue I experienced was with the flip lock loosening after a while, but it wasn’t a big deal at all. Twist locks can be really annoying, though.
Leg angles and locks
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Most tripod legs can be spread in multiple angles. This allows for the tripod to be used at even the most awkward of angles. Depending on the chassis, some legs can spread almost flat on the ground while others can invert their legs all the way above the head. This actually makes for some really cool ground-level shots and packing away for storage or travel.
Leg angle locks should not be confused with leg locks. Where leg locks keep the legs from sliding in or out of each other once the desired height is set, leg angle locks are designed to keep the legs spread at the chosen angle.
Of course, not all tripods are the same and, therefore, not all leg angle locks are either. Some tripods use a spring-loaded mechanism that automatically locks into place as the leg angle is adjusted. Other tripods have other systems like friction knobs, sliders or pull-out tabs.
If you know you’re the type that might find themselves needing to take photos at really weird angles, not only is the multi-angle leg feature of a tripod important to look out for, its also worth considering which leg angle lock system will be the easiest for you to use. Getting pinched by these locks is a real thing!
The feet
Consider the type of photography you’re going to do and where you’re going to do it in order to determine what type of tripod feet will suit your requirements. Some tripods simply have rubber feet, which is probably just fine for everyday use.
Tripod feet (left to right): Claws, spikes, rubber, adjustable feet
Other options include spikes and clawed feet that work well in rough and rocky terrain. A tripod with interchangeable feet is a big plus because then you can switch the feet to match your environment.
The Chassis and Centre Column
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The chassis is found at the top of the tripod where the legs connect. This is the platform on which a tripod head can be mounted or, if the tripod doesn’t already come with one, this is where an add-on centre column can be attached.
The centre column of a tripod is basically a pole that is either mounted on the chassis or slides right through it. The main purpose of the centre column is to add extra height to the tripod. In some tripods, this is done by using a lever to crank up the column or lower it. It’s worth noting, though, that extending the centre column too far may compromise its stability.
Another use of the centre column is as a lateral arm. This is where the centre column is positioned horizontally from the chassis. This positioning makes the tripod suitable for shots taken from directly above the subject such as food photography and product photography, to name a few.
In most cases, the centre column has a hook at the bottom, which is sometimes retracted. The purpose for this hook is to allow you to hang weights from it in order to make the tripod sturdier. When the centre column is used as a lateral arm, the centre of gravity may shift. Adding weights to the hook will help resolve that issue.
Some centre columns can be removed from the chassis and used as standalone monopods. Again, it all depends on design.
The Head
Affixed to the top of the centre column (or chassis, if a centre column isn’t there), you’ll find the tripod head. The main function of the head is to allow you to attach a camera to the tripod and point it in the direction in which you want to shoot, all while keeping your camera steady. Whether the head is fixed or detachable depends on the tripod. Cheaper ones tend to only have fixed heads.
There are a few types of tripod heads available but only two that I’d like to talk about. The others are either a variation of these two or aren’t intended for smartphone use.
Pan and tilt head
This type of tripod head is also called a 3-way head because you can pan left and right, tilt up and down, and also tilt it to the side (to switch between landscape and portrait). It has three twist handles that are used to lock/unlock and adjust the movement of the tripod head. Only one axis can be adjusted at a time, meaning you can’t pan while tilting.
Although you get precise movements on each axis, pan-tilt heads are cumbersome because of the many control handles they have. And because of it’s bulkiness, this head is found predominantly in the world of traditional photography than smartphone photography, although, with the right mount, it can work for both.
Ball head
Ball heads are smaller, lighter, and simpler to use than pan-tilt heads and are, therefore, the preferred choice in smartphone photography. And because you only have one control instead of three, it’s much quicker to set up your shots using this type of head.
Ball heads have a ball that controls the movement of the head. Attached to the ball’s enclosure is a tightening knob that keeps the ball and, ultimately, the camera still once they have been positioned.
The ball head is a rather flexible type of tripod head, but it can be quite difficult to change the position of the camera on one axis without affecting the other.
Spirit level
To help you keep your tripod level, some tripod heads have a spirit level. This is a liquid with an air bubble that you have to manoeuvre to the centre to ensure your horizon is level. This is a useful feature that prevents your photos from coming out skew.
The Tripod Plate and Smartphone Mount
Tripods usually have a removable plate with a screw that sits atop the tripod head. This plate can be screwed into the port found at the bottom of ordinary cameras. It has a quick release system, which allows you to remove the camera from the tripod should you need to take some hand-held shots in a hurry.
Note that the plate has a screw that screws into the bottom of a camera. However, smartphones don’t have a screw port to attach them to a tripod plate. Therefore, a special mount or clamp is required in order to securely do so.
Sometimes, tripods come pre-packaged with such a mount. In other instances, this adaptor needs to be purchased separately. Great care must be taken when buying this accessory because it has to fit your phone perfectly. An ill-fitting mount certainly defeats the purpose of keeping the phone steady and you run the risk of it slipping from the mount.
Some mounts are fixed in size to accommodate specific phones while others are adjustable to accommodate a wider range of phones. It’s important to know your phone’s dimensions and which mount will fit it best.
For some reliable, high-quality smartphone mounts that come highly recommended, check out my reviews here.
And there you have it. Everything you need to know about regular tripods. Most entry level tripods come packaged as a unit together with the head and centre column.
On the other hand, the parts of top-quality tripods come separately, in most cases. I personally prefer this because it allows you to assemble a tripod that suits your needs exactly.
And if you’re uncertain whether or not you should get invest in a tripod, here are eight reasons why you should get a tripod for your smartphone. Just make sure you consider these important points before you buy a tripod so that you get the right tripod that suits your phone and your needs.