Tripod

[Jerome Delécluse]

Hello,
I’m looking for a tripod and its head that can hold a heavy camera (1kg without lens for example). I can’t afford the kind of column Alex uses in his studio. What are the alternatives for product photography? My guess is that I need :

– a heavy tripod, with maximum stability
– for the head: one that has knobs to make a very precise adjustment (no ball head that would move too erratically)

Am I right? Anything else I would need?

And that would be nice if someone could point at some ideal tripod and head that would be ideal for product shots.

Thanks a lot

jerome

Topic

[Brian Ross]

Hi Jerome,

Manfrotto has been my go to for tripods and heads since the dawn of time. Really Right Stuff (RRS) makes some next level gear as well. If you need specific suggestions on tripods let me know, but I think you’ll be good to go, sounds like you know what to look for.

I have to tell you I thought I could get away with using a tripod for product photography, and within a couple of months I got a camera stand after much frustration and never looked back! It’s a matter of time until you need to get c-stands as tight as possible to your camera, or raise / lower the camera a fraction of an inch, or have to carefully walk around your wide tripod legs to get some dust off of a product for your FINAL shot and you tap (or kick) a leg… the list goes on!

If you can swing around a $1,000 for a camera stand, you won’t regret it. My basement has short ceilings, so I got an Arkay 6JRCW Mono Stand Jr with Counter Weight (6′) B&H #AR6JRCW MFR #605138.

For product photography heads, I use a gear head. Manfrotto 405 3-Way, Geared Pan-and-Tilt Head with 410PL Quick Release Plate, they also make a ‘studio’ head for a couple of hundred more. On the gear head I use a Really Right Stuff quick release that clips to a Really Right Stuff L-bracket for my camera. When doing macros, I use the same quick release on the gear head, and use RRS macro focusing rails.

- Brian

[Jerome Delécluse]

Hello, thanks for your answer.

I was thinking about this one: Head
It’s cheaper than the one you are suggesting, but I don’t really understand why.

I understand what you say about camera stands. But they have to be fixed on the ground right? (implying some drilling…) They also cost around $2400 here (for Manfrotto). And they don’t allow you to go shooting on site. I might have to do that, and thus have a solid tripod. So I guess that will be for later, especially if I see I have no assignments outside my place.

Thanks again!

jerome

[Brian Ross]

When it comes to heads, the nicer / more expensive ones can usually handle more weight with more refined movement and other features. So first, look at your weight requirements and overestimate a little and see where that puts you in the product line, then it’s a matter of features. Have a close look.

There are camera stands that are fixed to the ground, those are good for police mug shots and any fixed application like department of motor vehicles or passport photos. I’d use one on wheels! See my link to the Arkay above, it’s $1100, and I’ve linked to general camera stands from B&H.

If you mostly do shots outside of the studio, a camera stand isn’t very portable though it can be done. A solid tripod is better in this case.

- Brian