Good, better, best

Three tripods that we recommend at different budgets

Vanguard VEO 2 235AB £139/$117

We like this Vanguard as it’s affordable, small, light and versatile. A bigger, costlier tripod will give you more stability, but may also end up being left at home because it’s too bulky. The VEO is a typical ‘travel’ tripod – small enough to pack and carry anywhere.

Benro FGP28C Go Plus £319/$359 (head extra)

For more versatility and stability, invest more in a midrange tripod like this Benro. You’ll need to buy a head to go with it, but this lets you pick the type best suited to your needs. It is bigger, but uses carbon-fibre to keep the weight down. We love the rotating boom design.

Gitzo GT4533LS Systematic £749/$900

(column & head extra)

Gitzo is the

Rolls Royce of tripods. The Systematic range is modular: you choose the legs, centre column and head separately. The GT4533LS is in the middle ‘Series 4’ size; you specify leg lengths and number of sections to get your perfect folded size and set-up speed.