The best tripod for landscape photography

Let’s explore what is the best tripod for landsсape photography.

The most important tool for a landscape photographer is a sturdy tripod. In my opinion, photographers pay little attention to the tripod, despite the fact that a sturdy tripod allows you to catch a higher technical quality photo.

Many people carefully choose a camera with maximum resolution, professional lenses, and then shoot holding the camera in their hands and are surprised by the lack of high detail in the picture. You are not letting your camera and lenses reach their full potential.

Let’s explore why you need a tripod for landscape photography? Which tripod is best for you?

QUICK ANSWER – THE BEST TRIPODS FOR LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY

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Why do you need a tripod?

It’s very simple. A tripod holds your camera for as long as you want while keeping your hands completely free. What benefits does this have and why do you need to waste time setting up a tripod?

1. You can set up your camera and attach your filters without the risk of dropping them both.
2. Thoughtfully choosing your frame composition and fixing it.
3. Use slower shutter speeds and avoid blurred frames.
4. And most importantly a tripod will allow you to think about and improve your future photos.

A tripod for landscape photography is quite bulky and heavy. Don’t rush to set it up when you see the first scene you see. Take the camera in your hand and look at the scene from different angles, from your height, sit down, step aside.

Once you find the best angle, set up a tripod and start shooting.

A tripod allows you to position the camera at any height from the ground. You can shoot from your own height or set the camera at ground level. And you’ll always get high technical quality photos.

Once you start shooting with a tripod, you’ll notice very quickly that your shots are better and that the process of shooting has transformed from mindless clicking of the shutter button to a creative and enjoyable process.

Picking the best tripod for landscape photography

What factors should I consider when choosing a tripod?

• Quality
• Price
• Weight
• Sturdiness
• Length

It is no accident that I put these factors in this order. In this case one follows the other.

Quality

I recommend choosing carbon tripods. Unlike aluminum tripods they are more solid and better absorb vibration. The quality of these tripods is higher.

First of all you should buy a tripod of the highest possible quality. Analyze the weight of the camera with the heaviest lens and preferably multiply this weight by two times.

Pick the highest quality tripod for those specifications for the price you’re willing to pay.

How much to pay

Just think about how much money you’ve invested in your photography equipment. A cheap tripod will be useless. And sometimes dangerous if you bought a heavy camera and use it in high winds with a $30 tripod.

Weight of the tripod

Not everything is so simple with this parameter. None of us wants to carry extra weight on our shoulders. Especially since professional tripods weigh a lot. Nevertheless, you can buy a more expensive but lighter tripod that has the same characteristics as the heavier one.

In fact, the trick is to have two or three tripods.

For example, if you are shooting somewhere in Tuscany in good windless weather, a lighter and less sturdy tripod will be enough.

But it’s different when you get to Lofoten Islands or even worse to Iceland. A knocking wind will instantly topple the tripod and all the equipment attached to it will sink into the sea or drop down a cliff. Under such conditions you need a solid and heavy tripod.

Of course, take into account the weight and size of the camera. If you are shooting with a lightweight camera or a mirrorless camera, the weight of the tripod may be less than for owners of heavy DSLR cameras.

Sturdiness

As I’ve already written, modern carbon tripods are lighter and sturdier than aluminum tripods, but still more expensive. The variety of brands and manufacturers of carbon tripods allows you to choose any of them for a price that is attractive to you.

If you’re planning to shoot with a telephoto lens, always go for the sturdiest tripod. The longer the focal length of the lens, the more likely it is to blur.

PRO TIPS

Length is an important parameter

I once bought my first carbon tripod Gitzo. I was happy with it. But I didn’t know at the time that there was an identical but longer version. At my height of 184cm, using a 149cm high tripod remained a bit uncomfortable throughout the entire use of this tripod.

The height of the tripod should be at your shoulder height or slightly lower in its unfolded, full-height state.

A tip that doesn’t fall into any category. There should be no center columns. Just three legs and a pad for the tripod head. A tripod with a center column will not be able to unfold to ground level. And even if you can, by the time you take it apart and attach your camera, a new day begins.

PRO TIPS

Tripod Spikes

When buying a tripod be sure to purchase spikes.

Only if you use a tripod with spikes do you get full stability and durability. The tripod legs won’t slip on the surface and vibrations will be dampened more effectively. I’ve been using spikes for over a decade and can’t imagine a tripod without them.

Summary

So, I hope you are finally confused. If so, let me offer you a choice of the best landscape tripod for different conditions.

• Collet Clamp. Unlike clips, it is more reliable. Collets are more reliable and can be cleaned and lubricated. This extends the life of the tripod.
• Carbon. Carbon is lighter and damps vibrations faster. The thicker the wall of the carbon tube, the stronger the tripod and… more expensive.
• Rubber boots. Must be removable and threaded to fit spikes.
• Center column. It should not be. Buy a tripod only without a central column.
• Spikes. Be sure to buy spikes.

QUICK REVIEWS – THE BEST TRIPODS FOR LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY

Personally, I have favored Gitzo tripods for 15 years and have now Gitzo GT3543LSUS Lightweight Systematic Tripod SER.5 3S L.
Perhaps for some people, Gitzo will be too big an investment, so I picked up 5 other tripods in different price niches, but united by good quality and the absence of the proverbial center column.

Gitzo GT3543LSUS Lightweight Systematic SER.5 3S L

Best for professional use

Pros: Quality assembly, lifetime warranty

Cons: Price

Benro Mach3 Long Carbon Fiber 3 Series Tripod

Best for professional use

Pros: High and lightweight, holds a heavy load

Cons: Less quality assembly than Gitzo’s

Induro Tripods CLT204

Best for professional use

Pros: Very well made, easy to use and reliable at a low price

Cons: The extra weight and size don’t seem to make it exceptionally stable, so if you’re short, I’d recommend a more practical and portable device.

SIRUI AM2-Series AM-284 ProfiLegs Carbon

Best for semi-pro use

Pros: There is a waterproof sealing system that prevents water, dust or other particles from entering the legs tubes.

Cons: Amazon’s rating is 4.7 out of nearly 600 reviews. Oddly enough, there are no pronounced cons.

Carbon Fiber Tripod-LT364C by INNOREL

Best for pro and semi-pro use

Pros: A very good tripod with many excellent features such as weight limit, 10 layers carbon fiber and ball adapter. A huge number of accessories allows you to upgrade the tripod for any purpose.

Coins: No

Carbon Fiber Bowl Tripod, AS80C by INNOREL

Best for Mirrorless

Pros: analogous to the previous tripod, but weighs less and has a lower weight limit. The perfect solution for the owner of lightweight cameras and mirrorless cameras. Considering its low cost, this tripod is an excellent pick for beginners.

Cons: Significant disadvantages are also not found

Although I am still a fan of Gitzo, the tripods studied in this review are a very good alternative to the conservative and very expensive Gitzo. Anyway, you have a choice.