Digital Camera Stabilizers
What is a camera "tripod"?
Tripods are used for a number of different reasons. The primary use for a tripod for most digital cameras is simply a device to allow you to get in your own picture. To use the self time and run around. So Mom or Dad, the picture taker in the family, can be in the family portrait. That's what most people use a tripod for.A tripod for more serious photographers allows us to shoot at slower shutter speeds, to get better quality pictures, to do better composition and get better framing. Now, you have to realize that tripods come in any size, any price and any quality. It just depends on what you want to do with your tripod.
What factors should I consider when choosing a tripod for my digital camera?
When choosing a tripod, I have to tell you that I'm a tripod fascist. I believe in big, expensive tripods to give me the ultimate stability. I do a lot of landscape photography, high quality photography, so I use a high-quality, carbon fiber tripod. My tripod and the tripod I recommend for most of my customers generally will cost many times more than the digital camera you're considering buying. So if you're looking for a high-quality tripod, come to me or come to any camera store and we'll show you what a high-quality carbon fiber tripod costs. They're between two hundred and a thousand dollars apiece for a tripod. For most of you looking for a tripod for your digital pictures, it's generally a small tripod in the sixty to a hundred dollar price range so you can run around and get in your own pictures with the family for an occasional fireworks or low-light city lights picture. Sixty to a hundred dollar tripod will generally suffice. But if you want to get better, look for more stability, better-quality tripods.
What is a "monopod" and why would I use it with my still camera?
A monopod is one leg, so, it's a stick to hold your camera. We use a monopod in video photography; we use a monopod in still photography. And, basically what you use a monopod for is to hold the camera steady. I use a monopod for sport photography because I have a big lens that weights three pounds. Even though, I'm a strong guy I can't hold the three pound lens for a two hour sport's game, Right, so, you have the camera on a monopod, holds it steady, holds the weight for me so the camera is always ready to go. A lot of people try to use a monopod as a substitute for a tripod to get better pictures. I don't find that to be a valid use for a monopod. Monopod for bigger lenses for sports, where you wanna hold the camera up. Don't think, also that you can take a monopod where you can' take a tripod. Because most places that prohibits tripods also prohibit monopods.
How do camera monopods differ?
When looking at monopods as well as tripods, you need to consider two things: size and weight and cost. The bigger they are, the more they hold and the more stable they are, but the harder they are to carry and the more expensive they're going to be. You can cheat the weight thing by going to some of the newer materials like carbon fiber. But now your price is going to go way up to get the comfort factor to come way down. So, you have to choose. I recommend usually a $60-$80 monopod for most family photographers whether they're doing sports, or video or general purpose just to hold the camera still. A good accessory to use for good general purpose photography.
What is a "mini-pod", and why would I use it with my still camera?
With regards to digital camera stabilizers, a "mini-pod" is generally a small tripod used to put the camera on top of a trash can, park bench or a picnic table when you're out shooting. This allows you to be able to run around and get in your own picture with family and friends. Mini pods are cool little devices but I don't find them that useful for myself because when I'm out taking pictures, I can't ever find a park bench, trash can or whatever to sit the mini pod on. However, a lot of people find mini pods a useful camera accessory, especially for stability.
How can I keep my camera steady in my hands?
It's very simple. The grip to the camera is very important. We always hold the camera in the right hand whether it's a big camera or a small camera. You should be able to control the camera with your middle finger, ring finger, and thumb. You have to have enough strength to hold the camera properly. With the SLR type camera we make the letter “U” and drop the camera in. Bring the camera to eye putting pressure on the eye to give you your stable platform and then you squeeze the shutter ever so gently and that gives you sharp pictures. If you have the compact style camera, we hold the camera in the middle finger, ring finger, and thumb again and then we make the letter “L” dropping the camera into the letter “L” and that gives you your stable platform. Once again, you hold the camera elbows in tight and squeeze the picture ever so gently. If you have a hard time holding the camera still, maybe an image stabilizing technology is a good choice for you when you buy your camera.
