STEP BY STEP

Six simple steps to get your tripod stable

1 Look at the feet

Most tripods have small rubber feet, which are great for maximizing surface area and holding on to hard surfaces. But if you’re shooting on soft ground, like grass or sand, you’ll want a smaller surface area. Some tripods also have built-in spikes that can be extended.

3 The last resort

Not all tripods have centre columns, but when you’ve maxed out the height of your tripod legs they’re a handy way to get some extra elevation. Be aware that lifting the camera higher raises the centre of gravity of the tripod, making it less stable, so extend it only as a last resort.

5 Look for the hook

Most tripods have a hook built-in to the centre-column or in the body of the tripod itself. This is useful to hang a weight off and provide extra stability when out shooting. However, carrying a weight around all day can be a drain, so wrap a bungee cord around your camera bag instead.

2 Don’t get top heavy

Extend your tripod legs in the right order by starting with the thickest sections of your legs first, and then if you need more height, extend the thinner portions at the bottom of the tripod. The thicker sections are stronger so it stands to reason to use these first.

4 Not too tight

The tripod head sits atop your tripod. Don’t be tempted to over-tighten the locking mechanism or you’ll risk damage. If your head is fastened tight and your Nikon is still slipping, it could be a sign that your payload is too heavy. We’ll look at tripod heads in detail next issue.

6 Using a telephoto lens

If your telephoto lens is sufficiently heavy, it will have a tripod collar. Mount the tripod to this collar, instead of the camera body, and you should have your kit perfectly balanced. Our collar has two threads in case you need to adjust the weight forward or backward.