Many picture problems such as exposure, cropping and color balance can be corrected later, but if the image is blurry due to camera shake, there isn't much that can be done. This is as true with digital photography as with film cameras. But with prices for tripods ranging from as little as $20 to several hundred dollars, how do you select one?

The type of photography you do may be the best starting point. A wildlife photographer will have different requirements for a tripod than a studio photographer. While many pro photographers have different tripods for various situations, the average amateur will purchase one all-purpose tripod and use it for years. To select the best one, ask yourself:

• How heavy of a load will it need to support?
• How tall should it extend?
• Is adjustable leg spread for ground-level shooting an important feature?
• How compact does it need to fold for carrying?
• Will it be used for still photos only, or for video, too?
• How critical is the tripod’s weight?
• How much do I want to spend?

	Most tripods under about $75 have pressed aluminum legs with plastic knobs or locks. These tripods will generally have non-removable heads and have a variety of weight limits. Tripods in this category vary widely, but typically weigh 3-5 pounds, extend to around 56-65 inches, fold to 22-26 inches and support cameras up to about 5 pounds. They are well-suited for most amateur use. ______________________________________
	Tripods designed for travelers are small and light enough to put in a suitcase or carry-on luggage, yet extend to a comfortable height for shooting without stooping. Some have ball heads for compactness, while others have a 2- or 3-way pan head. This type of tripod may weigh 2 pounds, extend to 60 inches, fold to a very compact 16 inches and support 6 pound cameras. Because of the more advanced engineering these tripods are a little more expensive and will range from $50 to $125. ______________________________________
	For serious amateur and professional users, heavy-duty tripods are recommended, such as many of the Bogen Manfrotto models. The legs are precision-machined spun aluminum. They are usually sold as legs and heads separately, so you can customize the tripod for your type of shooting. For example, someone doing videography will want a fluid head for smooth pan and tilt adjustments. A portrait or wildlife photographer may prefer the freedom of movement that a ball head gives. Many tripods have adjustable leg spread angles. This is particularly helpful when the terrain is uneven, there is high wind, or you want to shoot very close to the ground. Tripods in this category weigh 4-12 pounds, extend from 60 to 75 inches, fold to anywhere from 22 to 37 inches and support cameras ranging from 11 to 26 pounds. Costs for the tripod without head range from $100 to $300, with most heads in the $50 to $100 range. __________________________________

While aluminum is the material of choice for most tripods, carbon fiber tripods are favored by many landscape and wildlife photographers. Carbon fiber tripods are very sturdy, good at dampening vibration and weigh less than aluminum. This is particularly important when there is a lot of foot travel with a backpack full of supplies. There is a fairly limited selection of carbon fiber tripods and the prices in the $300 to $500 range. Specifications typically are 55 to 65 inches fully extended, 20 to 25 inches folded, weight 3.5 to 4.5 pounds and load ratings of 10 to 15 pounds.

Once you've decided on which tripod to purchase, you need to protect your investment. Storing your tripod in a tripod bag between shoots will prevent sand or moisture from damaging the leg locks and impeding the movement of the leg extensions. Bags also have straps attached, which makes the tripod much easier to carry.

Another highly recommended item is a spare quick release camera mount for your tripod head. This way you’ll have a quick release available if you are unable to find the quick release you took off the tripod yesterday. It is also a good idea to have one quick release for each camera body you will be using so you can quickly change from one camera to the next. A rule of thumb is, "one to use, one to lose" will always assure that you will be up and shooting.

We Have A Winner!

Congratulations to Liz Masoner for winning the December "Santa" Porter's/Tamron Calendar Photo Contest. His winning entry and the other monthly winners are ready for downloading as 2006 monthly calendars on our web site at http://www.porters.com. We will soon be judging the monthly 2006 calendar entries and the winner of this “Best of the Year” final round will receive a Tamron AF28-300mm XR Di Zoom Lens worth $399.99.

Tamron Photo Calendar Contest 2006!
        Back by popular demand, the Photo Calendar Contest is back for another exciting year. The game is the same but the themes have changed. Submit one photo per month based on the theme and have a chance to win a $25 Porter's gift certificate or $50 towards that new Tamron Lens!

Themes this year are as follows:

For January 2007 Calendar Page - White
February 2007 - Pets
March 2007 - Expressions
April 2007 - Circle
May 2007 - Tiny Tots
June 2007 - Flowers
July 2007 - Red, White and Blue
August 2007 - Night
September 2007 - Action
October 2007 - Bridges
November 2007 - Surreal & Fantasy
December 2007 - Time Goes By

Thank you to everyone who submitted photos in 2005. We have a great calendar to show for all of the great entries this year. Didn't win in 2005? You have 12 more chances!
Download & Print your 2006 calendars today!

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