The best tripods for photography and video

Joby GorillaPod SLR-Zoom

The Gorillapod is nothing like its brethren. It is small (only 25 cm) and the legs are flexible and rotating. It would seem that all the canons of tripod construction are violated ... Yes, but thanks to its unique properties, this is a great option for a traveler.

Firstly, it is very light (only 200 g), therefore, even suitable for daily wear, not to mention trips and trips. Secondly, it fits in almost any photo bag and does not attract the attention of others. Finally, it allows you to install the camera almost anywhere - on the surface, on a tree or a fence, in a word, where it is possible to find three points of support or twist the legs around an object of suitable size.

The main difference between Gorillapod and many so-called. "tabletop" tripods - consisting of leg elements similar to joints. Each ball rotates 360° around its axis and can move at a small angle relative to the entire leg. This allows you to bend the most bizarre designs. At the same time, no additional actions are required to secure the position, the “joints” are relatively inactive and hold the given position due to friction.

To prevent the leg from slipping, for example, being wrapped around a pipe or branch, each “joint” is outside framed with a rubberized ring.

The tip of the leg is ball-shaped and also rubberized for maximum stability on flat, smooth surfaces.

Joby produces several Gorillapod models, they differ in size and weight of the camera they are designed for.

Immediately after the original Gorillapod hit the market, fakes and imitations appeared. Be careful, the products of unknown Chinese factories look like real Joby tripods, but they are often inferior in quality. Conscientious sellers warn that this is an "analog". Think thrice if it's worth risking an expensive camera and lens for a penny savings.

The Joby Gorillapod SLR-Zoom is the perfect travel tripod for lightweight camera owners. It does not pretend to be the main one, but it does an excellent job of fixing the camera for shooting at slow shutter speeds, bracketing series and self-portraits.

Velbon CX-888

The tripod is one of the longest used accessories. You can change several generations of cameras and lenses, and the tripod will serve faithfully without morally becoming obsolete. And when it no longer satisfies the requirements for load or stability for the camera, it can easily be used to install light sources, background holders or reflectors.

Velbon CX-888 belongs to the low-cost category, it is in moderation versatile and able to solve many shooting problems.

The legs are made of aluminium alloy. Each has four sections, there is also a central column. Leg locks are eccentric, with plastic handles.

To ensure the stability of the structure under load, there are additional braces between the legs and the central column. They are certainly useful, but they do not allow you to set a different angle of inclination for one or two legs, which is necessary both when shooting macro and when working in a complex environment.

The tips of the legs are rubber, with small areas.

The central column is lifted by a worm gear - not perfect in terms of accuracy, but it is a kind of safety device against sudden lowering and possible damage to the camera mechanics. Installation of the central column in other (other than vertical) positions is not provided.

The complete head has three degrees of freedom and a large handle that allows you to make smooth wires during video shooting. Of course, this is not a professional solution, but with a certain skill and regular lubrication, it gives sufficient softness of movement.

According to the manufacturer, the tripod is designed for a load of up to 3 kilograms, which allows it to be used with almost any mirrorless camera and light SLRs. devices. The perfect load is up to 1.5 kg.

When folded, the Velbon CX-888 is relatively compact and moderately heavy. It comes with a carrying case, although the handle on it does not stand up to scrutiny.

If you want to get your first tripod, Velbon CX-888 can be a great option.

Benro A-38T Manfrotto Compact Monopod

Monopod is an excellent helper of the optical stabilization mechanism built into the camera or lens, although it does not allow you to install the device completely autonomously. A monopod is especially useful when shooting with telephoto lenses as it minimizes movement in the vertical plane, making it easier to keep the subject in the frame. A monopod is an excellent assistant to the optical stabilization mechanism built into the camera or lens, although it does not allow you to completely autonomously install the device. A monopod is particularly useful when shooting with long-range lenses as it minimizes movement in the vertical plane, making it easier to keep the subject in the frame.

The Benro A-38T monopod belongs to the middle price category and has a balanced set of features. The company also produces corresponding carbon fiber versions, which are lighter and more expensive.Manfrotto Compact Monopod successfully combines affordable price, compactness, lightness and reliability. Yes, the maximum load is only 1.5 kg, but this allows you to shoot with almost all mirrorless cameras with low-cost zoom lenses, not to mention compact devices and superzooms.

There are four sections, and they are made of aluminium-magnesium alloy. The main body is 32mm thick, which together with the foamed rubber pad guarantees a comfortable hold.Its single leg has five sections, and they are made of aluminium alloy. The main section has foam rubber padding for a comfortable grip.

Clips eccentric, they provide a secure fixation in one click. The handles are made of plastic, although durable, but still plastic. In case of breakage, usability will be significantly reduced. hinders. The length is adjusted to the individual characteristics of the owner.

Sold as monopods A- 38T, as well as kits with heads based on them, this explains the significant difference in prices.Clamps provide secure fixation in one click. The handles are made of plastic, although durable, but still plastic. In the event of a breakdown, usability will be significantly reduced.

Even theoretically, when taking photos, you cannot do without tripod head, only it gives comfort when framing. For video shooting, a specialized head is a must.The rubber tip prevents slipping on smooth surfaces, but it can leave marks on the parquet, therefore, care must be taken indoors.

Except for the Benro A-38T head, you can use the tripod stand (included in some kits) instead of the standard stop. It provides easy rotation around a point near the mounting surface itself - even the spike does not give such freedom, especially when tilting. And at the same time, the monopod is very stable in one place. For photography, this is usually not required. But for shooting video, it is very useful, since a full tripod does not provide such mobility.Compact Monopod is on sale without a tripod head. In principle, the camera can be installed without it, but to make shooting more convenient, it is advisable to purchase a small ball head designed for the appropriate load.

{ lang_block}A passport load of up to 18 kg does not mean that the device with a lens will have such a mass. The margin of safety allows you to lightly press the camera at the time of shooting to suppress vibrations.The mount is standard, a quarter-inch. In order not to get hurt on a metal screw and not to spoil the contents of the bag, a rubber cover is provided. It won't get lost because it's also attached to the body of the monopod.

Benro A-monopod 38T, depending on the configuration, can be recommended to both photographers and videographers. Yes, this is not a full-fledged tripod replacement, but a compromise between camera mobility and stability, but in many shooting situations, a monopod is quite enough.Manfrotto Compact Monopod can be recommended for both photographers and videographers. Yes, this is not a full-fledged tripod replacement, but a compromise between camera mobility and stability, but in many shooting situations, a monopod is quite enough.

Slik Sprint Pro II 3way Rekam ZET-75

The Slik Sprint Pro II 3way, a classic mid-range amateur tripod, is designed to work with a load of up to 3 kg.Classic amateur medium price tripod Rekam ZET-75, designed to work with a load of up to 3 kg.

The legs are made of aluminium alloy, they are four-section. The top sections have rubberized foam pads, which makes using the tripod camphor in cold or rainy weather. made of aluminium alloy, they are four-section, in the context of a complex profile. The top sections of the pair of legs have foam rubber overlays for a camphor feel in cold or rainy weather.

The mechanism for fastening the sections is eccentric, the handles are plastic. The tips of the legs are also plastic, they can slip on a smooth surface.The section fastening mechanism is eccentric, the handles are plastic. Leg tips with spikes that can be hidden for indoor shooting.

Thanks to the mechanism leg angle adjustment with three positions, this tripod provides a wide range of working heights - from a human height (162cm) to a low point of view - just 18cm.With a three-position leg tilt mechanism, this tripod provides a wide range of working heights from a human height (158cm) to a low shooting point - 17 in total see Adjusting the slope of each leg individually.

The center column can be rearranged “upside down”, as a result, the camera will look down, which is convenient when solving some problems in macro photography. For installation in the lowest possible position, the central column is dismantled. There is no hook for hanging a bag or weighting agent.The central column can be rearranged “upside down”, as a result, the camera will look down , which is convenient when solving some problems in a macro. At the bottom there is a hook for hanging a bag or weight.

The central column is fixed with a wing screw. Care must be taken when working - the camera can drop sharply down if it is loosened by carelessness.The center column is fixed with screw. Care must be taken when working - the camera may drop sharply down if it is loosened by oversight.

Complete head with three degrees of freedom. It is heavily photo oriented, making it difficult to pan in video due to the design of the knobs. The head has a bubble level (round) and rotation graduations in 15° increments, which is very useful when shooting panoramic photos. Stitching horizontal panoramas will become much easier.Complete head with three degrees of freedom. With proper skill and regular lubrication, thanks to the elongated handle, you can make fairly smooth wires when shooting video.

Included is a bag with a carrying handle. When the head is installed, it is impossible to hide the entire tripod in a branded bag; you must either remove the head or unscrew one of the knobs.В The head has two bubble levels, which makes it easier to accurately position the camera relative to the horizon. The package comes with a convenient bag with an adjustable shoulder strap for carrying and storing the tripod.

Slik Sprint Pro II 3way can be recommended for outdoor enthusiasts - it is convenient to transport and provides enough stability for a small camera. In addition to black, there is a “dark gray metallic” coloring.Rekam ZET-75 can be recommended to fans of filming in the open air - it easy to transport and provides enough stability for a small camera.

Manfrotto 190XPROL Manfrotto 055XPRO3 Price from 10 100 up to 13 641 ₴ →

Professional solutions differ from amateur ones not only in price - in them, developers provide durability and implement specific functions that you can live without, but making money is already inconvenient.Professional solutions differ from amateur ones not only in price - in them, developers provide durability and implement specific functions that you can live without, but making money is already inconvenient.

Manfrotto 190XPROL can withstand a load of up to five kilograms, i.e. suitable even for full-frame SLR cameras with fast telephoto lenses.Manfrotto 055XPRO3 can withstand loads up to nine kilograms, i.e. suitable even for full-frame SLR cameras with fast telephoto lenses.

This tripod with aluminium legs, Manfrotto also offers similar models with carbon. The construction is very reliable, the tripod is great for night shooting with exposures of minutes and even tens of minutes.This tripod with aluminium legs. The design is very reliable, it is great for night shooting with shutter speeds of minutes and even tens of minutes.

Three-section legs, eccentric clamps, with large comfortable handles. Two of the top three sections are "dressed" in rubberized pads. Each leg can be set to one of four corners in relation to the base, the positions are fixed with a simple clip. eccentric, with large comfortable handles. Two of the three upper sections are "dressed" in rubberized pads. Each leg can be set to one of the four corners in relation to the base, the positions are fixed with a simple clip.

One of the highlights of the 190XPROL is the central column. It is fixed with a wing screw and can be easily rotated to a horizontal position, that is, parallel to the floor or ground surface. No disassembly or unscrewing is required, the camera can be left on a tripod. The center column mount is equipped with a bubble level for precise tripod placement.One of the highlights of the 055XPRO3 is the center column. It is fixed with a wing screw and can be easily rotated to a horizontal position, i.e. parallel to the floor or ground. No disassembly or unscrewing is required, the camera can be left on a tripod. The center column mount has a bubble level for precise tripod placement.

Series 190 popular and serves as the basis for several sets of tripod-head. You can only purchase a tripod if you already have a head or choose one from the range of other manufacturers, since the mounts in photographic equipment are universal. The 055 series is popular and serves as the basis for several tripod-head sets. You can only purchase a tripod if you already have a head or pick it up from the range of other manufacturers, since the mounts in photographic equipment are universal.

Manfrotto 190XPROL is a worthy choice for a professional and a serious investment for an amateur. Experts say that this tripod is worth every penny spent, you can find better, but it will be a completely different low-cost.Manfrotto The 055XPRO3 is a worthy choice for a professional and a serious investment for an amateur. Experts say that this tripod is worth every penny spent, you can find better, but it will be a completely different low-cost.