I hope you have managed to enjoy the ‘summer’…..

Please note that there is a degree of sarcasm in the question/statement because quite frankly, as we all know, it has been a tad poor.

That is an understatement.

Because of all the rain/sunshine blitz we have had, (the latter in short supply) I am now a nice shade of rust…

We all look forward to those summer months but this year we have been let down by the weather gods.

Like most people, I enjoy the warmer months, not just so I can get my shorts on and my legs out, (I know, not a pretty sight and never whilst wading through Bracken I may add) but it is another change of season which allows me to look at ‘things’ in a totally different way with my camera.

Green trees and fields?

It never bothers me that it is more verdant. I applaud the different opportunities that are presented to me as a landscape photographer with Ferns being a particular favourite. The light is harsher at times but that all points to seeking ways of pushing the camera and me as a photographer.

Never a bad thing!

The landscape is there to be enjoyed and appreciated whatever the weather, whatever the season, so we should embrace it 365(6) days a year.

Anyway, we can’t change the poor summer we have had, so lets move on to my reason for writing this.

Choices.

When ‘we’ decide to take the plunge and move into photography, ‘we’ take time and deliberation buying our camera gear. It’s an integral part of the experience which can be enjoyable/frustrating and in some cases, wallet draining at the same time!

I can recall buying my first film camera, my first digital point and shoot and my first DSLR. I made those choices over time and was always happy with my purchases.

Occasionally, some of the industry companies will ask me to test their equipment and let me have them on loan for my opinion and I am fortunate that I can do that but I still purchase my own kit. I always have done.

Making those decisions gets you up and running. You will try to establish what is best for you by reading magazine articles, reviews of gear, watching videos on line and chatting with people to formulate your decision making. All engender that spirit and movement you are taking into this fantastic world with a camera. One point I will emphaise, is that rather than just reading or seeing something you like the look of, please go and actually ‘feel’ what it is like. I don’t want to sound condescending but it is your money, so spend it wisely.

Every manufacturer will tell you that theirs is the one you should choose. To be fair most of them are right because the kit is built for purpose and so the choices we make are based upon what we like as individuals and that should always be the case, again not forgetting what is best for your pocket!

It is quite an investment for any of us to make because it isn’t just the camera and a few lenses. There is ‘other stuff’ we need too.

This ‘other stuff’ comes in many forms.

Whilst there is a plethora of equipment you can purchase and adorn yourself with, a couple of the buys that come under the heading of ‘other stuff’ are bags and tripods.

Tripods are the focus of this article.

Naturally you want a camera that will do what you want it to but other pieces of kit you buy will either prove worthy of your time and investment or become something you regret purchasing.

We have all been there….

As a landscape photographer tripods are an essential to me. I do take images ‘on the hoof’ and ‘up the ISO’ to give me the ability to handhold the camera BUT the majority of times I use a tripod. I know some people will say they don’t need one. However, I think that will change during their photography. There are positives and negatives, for and against but I will be writing from my perspective.

I have had a number of tripods over the years and in the main have been pleased with what I had bought at that time. Various factors effect your reasoning to buy ‘that one’ and in most cases, provided you look after it, there should be many years of good service in the field.

As I have aged, I find I need to use one more and more. Many of you reading this who are of ‘that age’ will appreciate how we change and adapt. I am no different.

At the beginning of this year, I decided to replace my tripod. Not on a wim or a, ‘well I’ve had it for years’ basis but a considered decision to change.

I have had this particular model for over ten years and it was a big decision to make because it wasn’t falling apart, nor on the verge of collapse. I knew that one of the legs was ‘sticking’ and a number of the rings needed replacing but when I had the cost of service, repair and replacement put to me I thought, ‘crikey, I could buy a new one for just short of that.’

Allied to that, I had endured two significant accidents with the camera over the years whilst it was on the tripod which resulted in substantial insurance payouts. Your biggest enemy whilst using them? The wind which can be very hostile. A reminder then to always insure your kit! I like to go out in any weather (sensible though) hence my talk ‘IN HIS ELEMENT’ but the concept of ‘it’ happening again is always there.

The idea of replacing was in my mind but I didn’t do anything immediately, so I waited several months after researching and headed off to the Photography Show earlier this year.

I won’t go into the acquisition of my new set up here as I will undertake a full review once I have gone through more use with it but I did go for a Benro TMA 48XL and coupled it with the Benro G3 head.

There are several factors in selecting a good tripod. No, I will change that statement: not just a good one but one that suits what you and what you want to achieve with it.

Fit for purpose.

There are those who attend my landscape photography workshops with the most fabulous kit and have lavished large sums on it but like I have already eluded to, it is your/their choice.

In stark contrast, I have been dismayed at the badly matched selection of tripods I have seen presented to me by some. Flimsy legs, that are not fit for purpose and heads that aren’t easy to operate and have worn out quickly. In many cases I have leant them one that will work well and they immediately see the benefit. Whilst I haven’t been a party to their original decision making, I know that if they want to move forward using a tripod they will have no alternative but to ditch the one they have. They acknowledge that too.

What do I mean by ‘badly matched?’ Quite simply the weight of the camera and lens are too much for the head and legs of the tripod they have acquired. When looking at the tripod check that it will be able to take the weight of not only the camera but the lenses you have and factor in any future purchases. Always better to get one with ‘room to spare ‘ which will future proof your purchase.

What should you look for?

You need sturdy tripod legs (they don’t have to weigh a ton) and a head that moves smoothly and is easy to operate and that you feel comfortable with. Some people like the geared heads as opposed to the ball heads. Again, you need to try before you buy. That purchase should be as considered as the camera. Having lashed out ‘X’ number of pounds on the essential camera and lens, you could be thinking, ‘well just how much do I put into the tripod? Will it make me a better photographer?’

Really good questions and ones you should ask yourself and fully explore. Only you can decide the answers.

I like a tripod that has a decent height to it without having to crank up the centre column because when the wind kicks in, movement increases and you can and will run the risk of camera shake. They will generally cost a little bit more but for me that is worth the extra cash. Carbon or aluminium legs? Quite frankly there isn’t much in it. I have had both and they work just fine which ever you choose. If you look after them etc etc…..I always say to people ‘look after the investment. Accidents do happen but they are rare.’

One other thing to consider is how much will it add to the load of your bag when walking the fells? It is a fair point and only you will know what you can manage with. Whilst I don’t have the greatest back in the world and a substantial tripod, I have matched my physical situation with a camera bag that really is outstanding and wonderfully comfortable. It is the Shimoda Action X40 V2 and I will be writing a review of that soon.

Don’t forget that you will have to factor in the weight of the head too. Again I would advise that you physically handle and try them. Some are quite heavy but whatever you buy needs to be fluid in its action. I also prefer the Arca type plates that fix the camera to the tripod as they are more versatile and allow the use of an L bracket.

For me, all of those are worth the acquisition of a tripod that fits in with your photography.

Whilst most of you will search and explore new tripods, don’t forget that companies such as MPB and WEX offer really good deals on quality used equipment and I would seriously consider going down that route if the budget won’t stretch to a new tripod. I have acquired kit from them both over the years and have never been disappointed.

I hope you have found this useful. Go and explore your options fully before diving in and make sure it is exactly what you want.

Enjoy your photography!

Regards

Mark