A tripod stand is one of the important accessories for a photographer irrespective of shooting a digital or a video film. The most often encountered blur in the picture is due to a shake in the camera induced by the photographer. A tripod is an ideal choice to eradicate those shaky shots. A tripod enables you to take better shots with a smaller aperture and slower shutter speed. It takes you a step closer to obtaining sharper images. There are more than 550 different varieties of tripods for still photography and video shooting. It is essential to understand the features of the tripod in order to make a better purchase.

The most important features that are collective to all tripods include size, load capacity, head type, feet and leg locks. The heap is featured on top of the center column. It has a tube in the midpoint which facilitates movement with the help of a hand crank or a locking collar. The twist features of leg locks enable concrete locking in its position. The rubber non-slip feet of the tripod are an ideal choice for indoor shooting, on the other hand, spiked feet are best suited for outdoor shoots. Check out the maximum height extension and load capacity of the tripods.

The tripods are made with a wide variety of materials. However, plastic is the most common material used for constructing tripods. It is less expensive but does not offer good durability. Aluminum is the next inexpensive material used which adds colossal weight to the tripods making it a less ideal choice for extensive travel. The carbon fiber is the trending material for tripods with added advantages of extended durability, flexibility and lightweight features. Tripods made out of wood are often preferred by nature photographers. The five basic categories of tripods that are commercially available in the market include Pocket, Tabletop, Portable, Medium Duty and Sturdy Duty tripods.