This post may contain affiliate links from products and services we love and trust.
If you said to me that I could only have three pieces of gear for food photography, I would definitely include a tripod.
A tripod is a must with food photography or still life photography.
You probably have the same ideas, and you’re wondering what the best tripod for food photography is. In this comprehensive guide, let’s look at:
- Why you need a tripod for food photography
- What to look for in a tripod for food photography
- What to buy when looking for a tripod for food photography
- What is the best tripod for overhead
photography - The best tripod for still life photography
- The height you need in a tripod for food photography
- Attachments you might need for food photography
- How to get the most use out of your tripod for food photography.
I’m going to outline some reasons why a tripod is necessary for food photography, still life photography and product photography.
Then look at which is the best tripod for food photography.
My Tripod & Accessories Quick Links
Why You Need A Tripod For Food Photography
Why do you need a tripod for food photography? Well, good question! Having access to a tripod for food photography helps us in a number of ways.
It is a piece of equipment that we need to really improve our food photography.
It will help you to take crisp, sharp images.
A tripod for food photography will help us to capture sharp images. Camera shake is the biggest contributor to blurry or out of focus shots.
One of the easiest ways to reduce camera shake from hand holding your camera is to shoot on a tripod.
If you experience blurry images, troubleshoot with these 14 tips I wrote about to take tack-sharp images.
A tripod helps create beautiful compositions in still life photography.
Having our hands free when shooting food photography or still life photography can help improve our compositions. This is because composition happens in two stages. First, you style your scene, which happens out of the camera.
Secondly, we compose the scene we’ve just created with our camera. So using a tripod for still life photography will help up your game.
Seeing the scene that you’ve styled with your eyes is quite different from seeing it with your camera.
You might style something that looks good, but in camera, you need to make adjustments.
Being able to have both hands free to re-style for composition in camera is important in getting great images.
Therefore being on a tripod to have your hands free can drastically improve your images.
A tripod will allow you to reduce your ISO and shoot lower shutter speeds.
The last reason that we want to own a tripod for food photography is that it helps us to improve the quality of our images.
The lower you can get your ISO, the better your image quality.
As most food photography and still life photography happens indoors, reducing our ISO usually results in reducing shutter speed. Low shutter speeds increase the risk of blurry images due to camera shake.
Having a steady tripod will help us to reduce ISO and shutter speed.
If you have low light in the place your shoot still life photography, then it is beneficial to have a tripod to increase image quality.
Now we know why we need a tripod in food photography, still life photography and product photography. So let’s now look at what to look for in a tripod for food photography or tripod for still life photography.
What To Look For In A Tripod For Food Photography
Tripods come in all shapes, sizes and budgets. You can get simple tripods or more elaborate tripods. The best tripod for food photography comes down to a few features that will help you improve your photography.
Here are some quick tips to help you know what to look for in a tripod for food photography.
Stability. To reduce camera shake as much as possible, it is a good idea to have a hook that you can add weight to for stability.
Adjustable height. The lens and focal length you are shooting, plus the height of your setup will determine the height of your tripod.
Being able to adjust height is important.
Adjustable orientation. The two most common angles of food photography are overhead and 45-degrees. You will want to get a tripod that allows you to switch to overhead orientation.
This is usually where the centrepost can be moved for overhead shooting.
Spirit-level. For product and food photography, it’s handy to have a spirit level measurement built into your tripod.
This is so that you can make sure your images are straight and level.
Stable footing. There are a few types of footings that come on tripods. As food photography is mostly indoors on slippery surfaces (cause no one like crumbs in carpet!), you’ll want rubber footings rather than pins.
This will help your tripod remain and not slip.
Payload.
When purchasing a tripod, you’ll want to make sure that the total weight the tripod can hold will safely cover the camera body, lens and any brackets you may use.
You’ll want a payload that can cover at least 7-10kg/15-20lbs.
As tripods are designed for different niches of photography and their requirements, there are a few features you don’t need when it comes to food photography.
You don’t need to worry about:
Minimum Height. This is more a landscape photography feature where you need to shoot angles close to the ground.
Leg Angle. Also another landscape photography feature.
You’ll find yourself in all kinds of uneven ground/terrain in landscape photography that you just don’t get in food photography.
Leg Lock system.
What To Buy: The Best Tripod For Food Photography
There are a huge number of good quality tripods out there that will get you results. Which one you chose comes down to:
- The most important features
- Your budget
In this post, I am recommending tripods from either Manfrotto or Gitzo (which is now owned under the Manfrotto brand). That’s because I have had experience with both of these brands and owned both.
If those brands aren’t for you, then this post will empower you to be able to choose a tripod that’s right for you. Here are the tripods I have had experience using in my career.
Remember that food is still life so these suggestions will also help in buying the best tripod for still life photography.
Starter Food Photography Tripod
My now husband was the one who inspired me to take up photography. Naturally, the gear he used become crucial at the start of my journey.
Way back 7 years ago this was the tripod that we used: Manfrotto 55MF4 MagFiber Tripod
Whilst this particular model isn’t available anymore, there is a similar option you can get today. Whilst this may not seem like a cheap option, it’s definitely a good one if you have a really limited budget.
Manfrotto MT190 XPRO4 190
Whilst this particular model isn’t available anymore, there is a similar option you can get today. Whilst this may not seem like a cheap option, it’s definitely a good one if you have a really limited budget.
Pro Level Food Photography Tripods
Now you don’t have to be a pro to buy a pro-level tripod. They just usually come with better features and so are more expensive. We’ve had this tripod for years and it is still in impeccable condition and performs really well.
It was originally purchased with multi-niche photography in mind:
Gitzo GT2541Ex Series Explorer 6X Carbon Fiber Tripod
Although this model is discontinued, you can find it’s replacement, Gitzo GT2542 Mountaineer Tripod Series 2 here.
The best advice I can give is to spend a little more money where you can to invest in the best you can afford.
$200-$300 tripods can be limiting in features and you may have to purchase another a year or so down the line. It’s better to put that into a better tripod now, save in the long run and get better quality shots along the way.
Being able to think about if you need something that is multi-niche will help you buy the best gear to cover all your needs.
Best Tripod For Overhead Photography
The overhead angle in food photography is one of the most popular ways to shoot. Particularly if you have flat food subjects. This angle also helps to tell a story.
Now as I’ve been mentioning, a great way to improve your compositions is to have both hands free in order to style your shot. Having a tripod that allows the centrepost to orientate overhead will make your workflow more enjoyable.
And allow you to get better shots.
What you want to look for is a tripod that allows the centerpost to orientate overhead. Here are some brands and models that do that, including the tripod I use.
Manfrotto Black Aluminum Triaut Camera Tripod w/ Spiked Feet
This tripod is great for food photography as it allows you to get really high. The benefit here is if you have a tall light source or like to work at table height. No more bending onto the floor to compose your scenes.
Best Tripod For Food Photography
Being able to capture the two most popular (and powerful) angles in food photography is important. It shows prospective clients have you are more than just a one-shot pony.
It always allows you to capture a range of angles and the angle that is best for your food subject.
Therefore having a centrepost that can be adjusted for height and orientation is important. Having the flexibility to pick and choose your ball head is another benefit.
Because you are most than likely going to be shooting at different set-up heights, having adjustable legs and centreposts are important.
They give you the flexibility to shoot with your lens of choice.
What you want to look for is a tripod that has adjustable legs and
There are two types of columns that you can get with tripods. Geared and Rapid.
Rapid – as the name suggests is when you can quickly make large adjustments to the height and orientation of the centre post.
Geared – Lets you make precise changes in height which comes in handy in getting that perfect angle in food photography.
Both types are found in food photography, you just need to make sure you know which your tripod comes with.
The Height You Need For the Best Tripod For Food Photography
The height of your tripod for food photography is dependant on the height of your setup. Those who shoot still life photography know that this varies depending on certain factors. It depends:
- How high your table is.
- The amount of space you need to fit into the frame.The lens and camera combination you’re shooting with.
- The height of your light source. (You can learn more about this in my ebook training)
Therefore it’s plain to see that adjustable legs and centrepost will get you the most results. You ideally want to get a tripod that maximised the most amount of height possible.
If your scene is largely set up on a table that is meant for dining at, you’ll want a tripod that is tall. Something similar to this. This will cost more as it is a premium feature.
If you shoot a lot on the ground or at coffee table height, then you can go for something more average. This will cost less than a tripod that can extend to large heights.
Something similar to this.
If you’re shooting with natural light and the height of your window is considered tall, so above hip or waist height, then you will likely need a tripod that can extend taller than the basic tripod height.
Behind the scenes from my e-book
How Light Should Your Tripod For Food Photography Be?
There are two answers to this question, and that depends on the type of food photography that you shoot.
There is either; studio based food photography or location-based food photography.
Studio Based Food Photography
For studio based food photography, and this largely includes shooting at home for your food blog. Even if you don’t have a designated studio space, you’re typically shooting in the one location and not travelling with your gear much.
As you aren’t lugging your gear around too much, you can get away with heavier tripods.
The benefit of heavier tripods is they are largely more stable.
You can then trade weight for other premium features like height extension and more expensive ball heads. Heavier tripods can also cost relatively less as they don’t require the more expensive lightweight materials.
Location Based Food Photography
If on the other hand you mostly shoot location-based food photography, which is for restaurants and cafe. Or maybe TV shows for book covers.
Then you are more than likely transporting your gear a lot of the time.
It is probably easier on you to then have a more lightweight tripod. This doesn’t need to be a ‘travel’ based tripod as you’ll be transporting your gear mostly by car.
Whether you go for a heavier or more lightweight tripod, you will want to make sure that you aren’t trading weight for height.
Height is a more important feature to have in still life photography.
Do You Need More Than One Tripod For Food Photography
Again the answer to this depends on what you shoot and at what level you shoot. Are you doing video as well?
Most professional food photographers have two tripods. They mostly go for a standard height tripod that they can use to travel on location. Then they will have a tripod that can extend to high heights.
They will usually use them for different things.
If you are shooting video, then it also makes sense to have a more than one camera angle set up. With the rise of behind the scenes photos for social media platforms, it’s not a bad idea to have a tripod that can hold your smartphone for Instagram Stories.
I have this little Manfrotto attachment that can hold my iPhone for shooting behind the scenes as well as Instagram Lives.
My advice is to save your pennies and get a really good tripod that has all the bells and whistle if you can. Then use the one you already have as your backup and for shooting behind the scenes.
Behind the scenes from my Toronto Workshop
Attachments And Ball Heads For Tripod For Food Photography
Depending on the brand that you purchase, there are a number of ball heads and panning mechanisms that you can purchase separately to customise your tripod to your needs. Examples of attachments and accessories are:
- Panning/tilting heads
- Ball head with a notch
- iPhone attachments
Panning and ball heads are important as they will allow you to switch between landscape and portrait orientation seamlessly. This will give you the most freedom to get the angle right in both overhead and straight-on shots. Being able to make small tweaks to your angle and having the ball head lock in that possible is desirable for the best shots.
If you’re using your tripod for video, then considering attachments that allow for smooth panning will be beneficial. Be sure to check out the reviews of attachments you’re thinking of buying, as the last thing you want is poor quality that loosens up over time.
The accessories I have are:
Manfrotto Junior Geared Head
It’s great for food photography as it allows for super small adjustments and tweaks to the position and angle of the camera, so that we can get the perfect angle to compliment the food. It also has a number of spirit levels to make sure you are level when you need to be.
Manfrotto 131D Overhead Arm
Double attachment to the tripod itself for stable overhead shots. This is a great addition to the tripod as it’s very stable and can extend quite a way without compromising your setup and introduce camera shake.
Manfrotto TwistGrip Tripod Adapter Clamp for Smartphone
Manfrotto Universal, clamp TwistGrip Tripod Adapter Clamp for Smartphones, Silver, compact (MTWISTGRIP).
I love how easily this attachment allows me to record landscape and portrait videos. Both straight-on and overhead. I love using it for Instagram Lives and video conferencing.
Acratech Ultimate GP Ballhead
I use this ballhead to be able to make fine tuning adjustments to my shooting angles. It has a few nobs to in which to make adjustments so I can get the perfect shot.
What I will say is that if I am shooting with a very head camera and lens combination it can slip a little. But I have had this tripod for well over 7 years and the grips are still strong as ever.
Acratech Universal L Bracket
This L bracket allows me to seamlessly change the orientation of my camera when in overhead, so that I can easily capture portrait and landscape. It is also adjustable which I have found to be great when tethering to preserve the cable’s integrity.
Getting The Most Use Out Of Your Tripod For Food Photography
There are two types of shooters, those who use tripods and those who don’t. Usually, they both have a very different workflow. But in my experience, if you want to capture quality work, then you need a tripod.
Especially those who shoot natural light. There are times when you will need to shoot in low light.
Not having to increase your ISO, but instead reduce shutter speed will help you keep a certain level of quality to your images
Here are some tips for getting the most out of your tripod.
Know the height of your light.
Knowing the height of the window or artificial set up that you have will tell you exactly how high your tripod will get you. If you don’t invest the all the money to get the height that you need, you’ll end up sacrificing money for beautiful light.
Because light is so important if your tripod doesn’t allow you to capture the beautiful light you need I can tell you that you won’t use it.
And that would be a waste of business investment.
Understand the height of your tripod for the lens/camera combo.
If you shoot with a really tight focal length, this will change what height and setup you need for a tripod. Analyse your favourite images or images you’ve tried to capture but couldn’t.
What focal length were they shot on? What lens were they take with?
What lens is your favourite to use?
Asking yourself these questions will help you to pick the right tripod for you and to make sure it doesn’t collect dust.
My set-up, including tripod for moody shots. Learn more.
Explore with your camera before mounting to the tripod.
A lot of photographers say that they don’t like to shoot on tripods as they get ‘stuck’!
This is because we usually set up a tripod and immediately put the camera on top. They then adjust the subjects rather than the angle.
In order to get unstuck and improve your images, you will want to explore your scene with your camera to your eye first. See what looks the best, what angle is the best for your subject.
Take note of the height and orientation, then set up your tripod to match that.
Make sure your tripod is steady
One of the best things about tripods that is they can help you reduce camera shake and get quality images. If you find that you are shooting blurry images all the time, then it could be down to how stable your setup is.
Be sure to check out these troubleshooting tips for tack sharp images.
At the end of the day there are a number of things to consider when it comes to choosing the right tripod for you.
And as always, budget tends to play a role here. I always think it is better to spend a little bit more money to get everything you want in one. If you sacrifice important aspects, then you might also sacrifice quality images.
The things to look at when deciding what the best tripod for food photography is, be sure to come back to these points.
- Adjustable height.
- Adjustable orientation.
- Stability.
- Ability to pan
- Customise your ballhead.
And as always, look at your light source. Think about the height you need to really capture the best light possible.
Read: How to Manipulate Light At Home.
Are you dreaming of a certain tripod to add to your food photography? Or perhaps you already have the best tripod for food photography.
Let me know which tripod for food photography that is currently on your wishlist.
Two Loves Studio was not paid to write this post, however, it may contain affiliate links. If you purchase an item from an affiliate link, we do get a commission on the sale which helps us run this site. Only affiliates for products/services we believe in appear on this site.
Cindy
Great post Rachel. Such a comprehensive summary. I adore the tripod I currently have. It’s a mono stand from B&H. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/2727-REG/6JRCW_Mono_Stand_Jr_with_Counter_Weight
It was a big investment but it is sturdy, I never trip on the legs and it is so excellent for overheads.
Rachel
It sure an investment but it can really improve your workflow and photos beyond belief. Thanks for sharing what works for you!
Susanne Geert
Great topic, Rachel – I am looking forward to reading it!
Can I ask where you got the backdrop from that is used in the image (and others in this post?) with the two round cakes (under the section “Pro Level Food Photography Tripods”)?
Thanks in advance and kind regards,
Susanne
Rachel
Sure can Susanne! The dark backgrounds used in the bundt cake shops was for a workshop I ran in Melbourne. They were part of the studio’s collection (Establishment Studios). In the other image there is a combination of ones I have made myself (you can see the tutorial on IGTV here: https://www.instagram.com/tv/BkRsiCHjuq7/ ) and the other is a canvas background from https://www.etsy.com/shop/FoodBackgrounds. 🙂
Nguyet
Very interesting read, Rachel. You’ve made me re-think my tripod strategy. I have been using a Bogen 3021 tripod with the Manfrotto 131D Arm for overheads. I went with this combination because my father had given me the Bogen since he was no longer using it and I only needed to spend $100 for the arm. It saved me a few hundred dollars which was huge when I was starting out.
However, I have found that the Bogen 3025 head on the tripod doesn’t attach solidly to the Manfrotto arm even though Manfrotto makes both products. I have to cut some rubber pieces to stabilize the connection. It works but is a headache every time I have to set up for overheads.
So I had been thinking it was time to upgrade and was considering the Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 Tripod with the 410 Junior Geared Head. The center column being able to swing into a horizontal position is a huge draw.
Two questions for you
1. Have you had any problems with the 410 Geared Head connecting solidly to the 131D Arm?
2. In the Best Tripod For Overhead Photography section, you mentioned having the Manfrotto 058B Tripod. Do you use the Manfrotto 058B with the 131D Arm even though the 058B has a centerpost that swings to orientate overhead?
Thanks for all the great information,
Nguyet
Rachel
I totally get it! I am grateful to be in a place where I can invest. It wasn’t like that at the start, but it’s definitely what I try to do 9 times out of 10. So far no problems with the head connecting to the arm. It’s a seamless screw into place, and is solid and stable. I did buy the 131D Arm for the 058B tripod as the tripod doesn’t have a centre column that moves overhead. I just double checked to make sure I linked to the correct tripod (in case I didn’t) but it’s correct. Perhaps you’re looking at another tripod from this post? Let me know!
Josué Rodriguez
Hi Rachel – Just posting here in case anyone wants to look at what I got.
For starters it’s daunting trying to pick a tripod lol. I did a lot of research. Then of course there’s the limitation of budget. I came across the Manfrotto tripod that had the crank and gets great height. But that’s out of my budget. Specially because I needed a head as well. In the end I stuck to my budget of $250 and got the following: – SLIK 700DX Pro Tripod Legs (it can reach a height of 70.1in/178.1cm) for $99.95
With this head: Sirui K-20X 38mm Ballhead with quick release for $129.99.
I used it this past weekend for my last three photos in my feed and it was great.
Also..I had a little extra $ so I ordered the sliding arm attachment from Slik ?. I got my gear inspiration from @peaceful_cuisine ?
Great article btw ??
Rachel
It sure is! That’s why I wanted to share what you need to look out for and what you don’t. Thanks for sharing your options. It is nice to hear what works for other so people in our community have more to choose from! x
Deena
Hey Rachel,
I need your help if this tripod (Manfrotto MK190XPRO3-3W 190 Aluminum 3 Section Kit ) can get me overhead shots as I am little bit confused. I am stuck between limited options and I felt this one may fit.
Thank you 🙂
Rachel
Hey Deena, in the specs it says ‘Quickly switch from vertical to horizontal operation’ so that looks like it does. There are a few YouTube videos that show the centre column does orientate overhead. This looks like a compact tripod and the payload is only 6kg, so it may not be good enough for a DSLR (depending on lens). My tripod payload is double that.
Deena
Thank you very much for your prompt response 🙂
Suhail
Hi Rachel
Which kinda head is best suited for Food Photography with Manfrotto 055X Pro3
Rachel Korinek
Hey Suhail, if you search for your tripod on the B&H website they usually recommend accessories that match. I am not sure if the gearhead I use will fit on this and they seem to be recommending ball heads. Sorry, I don’t keep up with every model of gear.
Susanne
Hope you can help me out here;-)
I have the Manfrotto 055XPRO3 with a center column (the standard that tilts 90 degrees for overhead shots, however a bit short).
I am looking for something to help me refine my food photographing.
I find that it takes too long time to finetune, level etc.
I have a standard ball head and am thinking about buying something else. You write about the Manfrotto Junior Geared Head and I have also heard about fluid heads (usually used for film but should be great for still photography).
I keep wondering how other do this tripod setup faster/easier than I do…
When I do overhead shots I find it difficult to get the lines straight and I find then once I tighten a screw in the setup and slip the camera it drops a little and is no more straight/even ?(same goes for other shots than overhead).
My questions:
– What equipment would I benefit from to fine adjust my setup to the manfrotto tripod?
– Would (how) I benefit from the Manfrotto 131D Overhead Arm? I supposed the longer arm helps avoid tripod legs in the shot that I sometimes struggle with. I just need to be sure that it is a ‘mistake’ to but this arm when I already have a tripod with a center colour that turns 90 degrees
– Any other tips on how to struggle less to setup both for straight on and overhead shots that never seem to be even/in level etc for me?
Thanks a lot for any advice;-)
Rachel
Hi Susanne, I definitely feel your pain. It seems like you have two issues here. One is that your ball head isn’t good or tight enough anymore. That is a problem. If it can’t hold the weight of your camera and lens, then it won’t allow you to work efficiently.
So in order to address that problem, you need to get something more quality as it isn’t allowing you to get overhead shots. In terms of fine-tuning, I would say it’s more of a luxury than a necessity. I used my Achratech Ballhead for years and it was fine. But the slipping issue needs to be addressed for sure.
In terms of the arm, it’s not just about the length. You also need the tripod to be sturdy enough to support a long arm and then 12kg payload. The length will also depend on the height. So if your tripod isn’t tall enough (and can’t extend) OR can’t hold a reasonable payload then the arm may not in itself provide much.
It sounds like to me, you need a better ball head. Getting perfectly straight overhead can be tricky. It’s a combination of quality gear, small adjustments, but also adjusting the legs. Sometimes floors or our work table isn’t perfectly flat either. I usually try my best to get the shot right in camera, but then make fine tweaks in post-production. Correcting distortion and lines is something I teach in Lightroom Magic so you can get the perfect shot each time.
Susanne
Dear Rachel
Thanks for your thorough reply.
I can see I need to clarify on the issue about the camera slipping from the ballhead. That it isn’t tight enough anymore. I didn’t make myself clear so I will try again.
The ballhead is suited for the weight and has had this ‘issue’ since day one. To clarify: It is not like it slowly slips a little and moves away from the position I left it in. It is more like this: While adjusting position I naturally ‘hold’ the camera since this is the way I move it around in the ball head. The issue is that once tighten it and let go of holding the camera than its like there is a natural little dive/move downwards as the camera weight is added.
Do you follow what I mean?
Do you think I would benefit from the Manfrotto 410 Junior Geared Head in that case?
Kind regards,
Susanne
Susanne
Also I consider the Junior head because i find I struggle when I try to level to scene;-)
Rachel
Totally! I completely understand as it is something I have experienced. In general, gearheads can be tweaked after tightening for perfecting the angle you’re after. Ballheads on the other hand, as you mentioned can’t be. So they are really for quick movements. Gearheads are for finer tweaks. I would however also stand by my comment, that you still need to have a stable tripod that can support a higher payload and perform stability in overhead shots. That’s why some tripods that are geared towards other niches of photography may not be able to handle what you’re looking for. So there are still those two issues that you will need to combine and weight up when making that choice. In short, you would benefit from a Gear-head as long as you have a sturdy tripod that can take a reasonably high payload and that has stable feet so they don’t slip. These things all add up to getting the perfect overhead shot. Let me know if that helps you out a little more 🙂
Maha
Hi Rachel, I am buying the Manfrotto arm , do I need as well to buy any extra head for the end of it? or the camera will be installed directly on the end of the arm? Thanks
Rachel
Hey Maha, excited to hear that you are looking to buy the Manfrotto! If you get the arm, you can attach the camera straight to the arm. However you will be greatly limited in changing angles. With higher-end tripods, you purchase all the accessories separately so that you get exactly what you want. I would strongly recommend getting a ball or geared head, as, without it, you won’t be a full range of movement or to make little adjustments. The geared head mentioned in this post is a gamechanger.
Ashley
Hello Rachel, I have not used a tripod before and I am realizing it would be positively impactful. I didn’t notice before that I always have a slight shake when I take photos. Barely noticeable, but present nonetheless. I liked the Manfrotto tripod ( Manfrotto 058B Triaut Camera Tripod – Replaces 3251) that you linked to in your post. It was around $500. Do I need anything else to go with it? I intend to shoot both angled and overhead photographs and eventually maybe video. Do I need an additional ball head (?) and the arm to enable me to do so? Thanks in advance!
Rachel
Hey Ashley! Absolutely. We can get ‘stuck’ in one place using tripods, but there are so many benefits to them as well. It will really allow you to shoot in low light and to style your set with your hands free! It’s a great question. As we start to get into the higher priced tripods (and more pro level tripods), you can think of them as ‘a la carte’. Meaning that you pick and choose the accessories so that you get exactly what you want. Entry level tripods tend to come all in one, but they can be limited. The 058B Tripod is just the tripod. We need to get a ‘gearhead’ or a ‘ball-head’ separately. I would also recommend getting the additional arm for overhead shots. I also use the arm in 45 degree shots. Sometimes the tripod is in a weird position and the arm helps me get extension and flexibility.
I recommend getting the Manfrotto 410 Junior Geared Head and the Manfrotto 131D Side Arm
It’s an investment, but this will be the only tripod you’ll need for in-studio. It’s such a game changer. It’s worth every penny.
Ashley
Thank you, Rachel for your helpful response to my questions. I have added all the items (tripod and accessories) to my Amazon wishlist and hope to eventually purchase them. My mom visited over Christmas and brought me her old tripod that is collecting dust at her house. For now I will use her “vintage” tripod to shoot my overhead shots. Something is not quite right with the arm as it will not support weight of my Canon Rebel camera in the 45 degree position. At least I have for the overhead shots, though.
Rachel
Sounds perfect Ashley! It will give you a good understanding of the limitations of the tripod and what you want in a new one.
Maya Sundari
Thank you so much for this informative post, I was so confused with all the options, and this has really narrowed it down for me. I am looking at getting the following:
Manfrotto 190XPRO4 tripod
Manfrotto 410 Junior geared head
Manfrotto 131D side arm
Originally I was just going to get a Manfrotto 496RC2 Ball Head but I feel like the geared head would be worth the investment, even if I am only just starting out? But then, paying as much for the geared head as the tripod seems a bit crazy!
The Manfrotto 058B Triaut Tripod you mention looks great, but a little more pricey than the Manfrotto 190XPRO4. Do you recommend one over the other?
You say that the 058B Triaut is great for over head shots as you can get really high, does that mean you don’t need the 131D overhead arm if you use this tripod?
Can the 190XPRO4 tripod take the weight of my DLSR and the geared head?
Thanks so much, I’d really appreciate your advice. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.
Rachel
Hey Maya! So glad that you found this helpful. Of course, we have to stick within our budget, but I do feel that making the best investment you can at the time is always the way to go. Sometimes spending less money, but more often ends up being more expensive in the long run and doesn’t always give us access to the best gear.
As you get into more pro (and expensive) tripods they can become more ‘al la carte’ in that you choose the accessories that are going to work best for you. In order to take overhead shots, you do need to get the 131D arm or similar. The benefits of the 058B or similar are that it can extend to such great heights. It’s about the height but also the overhead arm in combination that makes this a great tripod.
The 190XPRO4 is not to the same 058B in terms of steadiness or height capabilities. There is merit in having one tripod that is portable. I would make a list of the ‘must have’ features for where you are now and compare with your budget.
A gear head is more expensive but is so vital in making small adjustments that a ballhead can’t. I didn’t have one for many years, so it’s one of those things that can improve your photography, but so can a better camera or lens. When we have a limited budget it’s important to know which geared will give the best results.
Hope that helps a little 🙂
Mohit Bansal Chandigarh
The post is Brilliant and informative but to know more about “How to Invest In Good Camera Tripod” you can go through http://www.theodysseyonline.com/mohit-bansal-chandigarh
Mohit Bansal Chandigarh
John
Hey Rachael,
I was really looking forward to reading your tripod recommendations but I can’t read anything on the page because of your e-book popup that won’t close.
Do you have another place I can read your recommendations without popups over the text?
Thanks!
Rachel
Hey John, thanks for letting me know you’re experiencing issues. I’ve reached out to you via email to find a solution 🙂
sesja noworodkowa Warszawa
Olbrzymi wyczerpujący temat Artykuł, dziękujemy <3
Rachel
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by.
Tarequl
Great important post, where you make the main focus, really makes me happy for its necessary of importance.
After all it is a great article with everything. Thanks in advance for posting it.
marisa condello
Hi, so thankful for this wonder piece. Very informative. I’m wondering I should invest in the Manfrotto 131DDB Accessory arm versus the regular 131DB but wondering if I actually would find my laptop attached to the arm in my way, annoying, while doing overhead photography? What is your thoughts as a PRO?
Rachel
Hey Marisa! Are you planning on attaching the laptop to the overhead arm? I think you’d ideally want to have less attached to avoid issues with focus and camera shake. I would personally invest in something else like a laptop stand. I use a tether cord and my laptop/compter is a few meters away. That’s my two cents!
marisa condello
I saw that people attach the Manfrotto 183 Projector Table Attachment to the Manfrotto DDB arm to hold their laptop but I agree with you that it would be in my way. Thanks for your help!
Rachel
You’re so welcome!
marisa condello
Also, Is the manfrotto L bracket not as good as the Acratech Universal L Bracket?
Rachel
I don’t actually have a Manfrotto L bracket as I use the gearhead instead. Upon a quick look, they both seem good. The quality is good with both of these brands. But if you are going all Manfrotto, I would be inclined to get the same brand for the L bracket if you need it.
Anas Cherur
Struggling with my top angle shots a lot with my current tripod, let me do a search on black aluminum manfrotto model. Am using canon 1dx and its bit heavy, still you suggest same tripod for top angle shots? Thanks!
Rachel Korinek
I do suggest the Manfrotto 058B Triaut for overhead shots. It’s a very sturdy tripod and it can hold a considerable about of weight overhead. You always need to check the payload on a tripod as a full-frame camera with a macro lens can be super heavy:)
Leslie Nicole
Really helpful article. The comments themselves are very informative! Really nice how much you have responded. I’ve also been chatting on the forum at photo.net and they advised the same thing – sturdy tripod, Manfrotto side arm. I have a question about using the Manfrotto sidearm – do you pretty much dedicate that tripod to overhead shooting, or do you swap the arm out when you just want to use the head? It looks like you use the Gitzo when you are not shooting straight down? Thank you! I’m probably going to get older Manfrotto legs – (looking at the 075 Art right now) but the 058B is very tempting…
Rachel Korinek
Hey Leslie! Glad you enjoyed the post. I personally just use the arm all the time. I don’t take it off when I shoot 45-degree shots. I have a gearhead, so I can adjust the camera to be at any angle even with the arm attachment. I use the Gitzo for on-location work as the Manfrotto is too have to transport unless imperative that I use it. I solely shoot with the Manfrotto, arm and gear head in my studio space. YOu can see in this image that I still use the arm in 45-degree shots. I just prefer not to have to remove the arm and gearhead to save time. I usually will shoot multiple angles in a shoot. Hope that helps! The whole set was a gamechanger for me.
Joyce
Hi Rachel,
Can I use the Manfrotto 143BKT replacement camera bracket for magic arm instead of the Manfrotto junior gear head? Would the replacement camera bracket work with the Manfrotto 131D side arm and the Manfrotto 058B tripod that you recommended? Thanks for writing this, I was exploring getting a Kupo turtle base c-stand for overhead shots when your article came out.
Rachel Korinek
Hi Joyce, I believe that the 143BKT wouldn’t work with the arm. It doesn’t have the right attachment. You would need either the gearhead or a ballhead, but this bracket wouldn’t be the accessory to attach the camera to the arm or the tripod. C stands are study and a lot of studios use them. My husband works with c-stand and he thinks that the Manfrotto I have is more stable. The other thing to think about is that you can’t easily get a gearhead to fit the c-stand (if you want to go that option). The gear head will allow you to make more precise adjustments, which I can say is an absolute game-changer. I wouldn’t go back to not having one now. My preference for those reasons is the tripod.
Rachel Korinek
You could, however, attach the magic arm to the crossbar and then use that to attach the camera. But I feel like that wouldnt be as good or useful as having a ballhead/gearhead meant for the arm.
Joyce
Hi Rachel,
Thanks for replying! I decided that I needed a tripod for location shoots. For the Gitzo, which gear head do you recommend? The Manfrotto or the acratech that you mentioned in this post? Thanks!
Rachel Korinek
Hi Joyce, Both brands are great. I do recommend the Geared Head, as it allows you to make more precise adjustments than a ball head. Both of these should fit a Gitzo tripod, so I would recommend the Junior Geared Head before the acratech ball head.
Simal
Hi Rachel, just wanted to say thanks for this post. Thank you 🙂 It is very useful.
Rachel Korinek
So glad you enjoyed it! There is a lot to think about with purchasing a new tripod! But get it right and it will last you for your photo journey.
Helen
Hi Rachel! Thank you so much for this comprehensive guide! I currently have a basic manfrotto tripod that does not go very high. I like to do a lot of overhead shots. Do you recommend having a tripod or would a c-stand be more effective? Thank you so much for your time!
Rachel Korinek
Either I think. C stands are study and a lot of studios use them. My husband works with c-stand and he thinks that the Manfrotto I have is more stable. The other thing to think about is that you can’t easily get a gearhead to fit the c-stand. The gear head will allow you to make more precise adjustments, which I can say is an absolute game-changer. I wouldn’t go back to not having one now. My preference for those reasons is the tripod.
SP
Hi Rachel!
Wow, this information is exactly what I needed, especially when it comes to overhead shooting ~Thank you for taking the time to put it together!
I was wondering if you’ve ever tried the Peak Design Travel Tripod with its inverted center column for overhead shooting? I can’t determine if it would work well or would the legs simply get in the way of the lighting?
Thank you for your input!
Rachel Korinek
I have not used that tripod, unfortunately. That is one benefit to a c-stand is that the legs aren’t the same and don’t get in the way as much. It all depends on your setup really. I find the legs I have don’t get in the way but I do have some space to play with.
Roya
Hi Rachel. Thank you for putting this guide out, I just came across it after spending a whole day googling various blogs and YouTube channels on tripod setups.
I have a VERY SMALL studio space and wasn’t sure what setup would suite the overhead. The manfrotto 055 tripod was killing my back as everything had to be done on the floor, and I was considering 2 C stands with a bar… but what sold me on considering your setup is that you can easily switch from overhead to angled without having to remove anything or have another tripod, correct?
My only question is this… the 410 vs 405 gear head. I tried the 410 at the store and found it really hard on the hands/fingers. I loved the precision of it and saw a similar 405 model that is much heavier 7.5kg payload vs 5kg, but with larger ergonomic knobs and pricier. However, It felt more comfortable for my hands.
I was wondering if the manfrotto 058B tripod with the 131D extension arm can handle the weight of 405 head + Canon full frame DSLR (6D model) + heavy lenses (24-70mm).
Our stores here haven’t been useful in explanations, and I understand you don’t know all makes and models! So I was wondering how to best determine if overall weight is correct for this setup that is stable. What specs do I check? Thank you so much.
Rachel Korinek
Hey Roya, I am so glad to hear that. Thanks for stopping by! Absolutely, here are some thoughts on your questions.
Yes you can use the tripod for every angle, not just overhead. You can remove the arm if you want to shoot 45-degree shots, or just rotate the gearhead which is what I do for ease of use. You can see how I do that here.
Super glad you were able to test out the 405 geared head. I do know what you mean about being tough on your hands. My hands aren’t strong and turning nobs on my lighting stands can be hard for me. Definitely get something that you think is easier for you. The payload of the 058B Tripod is 12kg, so that will hold the geared head, camera and lens. Even with the 405 geared head which is 200g heavier than the 410, the most the geared head, camera and lens will weight (based on what you’ve told me) is 4kg. Which is under the payload for the 410 geared head, the 450 geared head and tripod. With the combination of 410, my Nikon D800e and my heaviest lens (Sigma 50mm Art Series 1.4) is around 3.4kg, (whereas yours is 3.6kg with the heavier geared head). It’s definitely the most sturdy tripod and I’ve also attached an extra magic arm, second camera and lens to it to film and it didn’t wavier at all. I just searched the weight of each piece of gear, added it up and it was under the payload. These geared heads ae designed to also hold medium format cameras which are much heavier. Hope that helps! xx
Ania
Super!
Harriet
Hi Rachel- The Manfrotto MT190X tripod you recommended is no longer available on Amazon (except from other sellers for $500). Do you have other recs for a less expensive starter tripod? Thanks!
Rachel Korinek
Hi Harriet! Thanks for letting me know. It’s important to know if a style is discontinued. It looks like Manfrotto are still making this tripod at the time of writing this according to their website. I’d see if you can find somewhere else rather than Amazon that might stock it. I will keep an eye on this model, however. Thank you 🙂
Harriet
Took me a while to get back to this, but I checked Manfrotto and then looked at Amazon again and it looks like it’s back in stock (but ships in 2-4 weeks). I wound up getting the MT190XPro4, for only $220, but now it looks like it’s at $289. Seems like there’s a lot of price fluctuation, or I somehow got lucky.
Much appreciation for all of the info you provide!
Rachel Korinek
So good to know Harriet! Thank you so much for letting me know. I hope you enjoy the new tripod. Let me know what you think 🙂
White screen
Hi Rachel- The Manfrotto MT190X tripod you recommended is no longer available on Amazon (except from other sellers for $500). Do you have other recs for a less expensive starter tripod? Thanks!
Rachel Korinek
Hi friend! This is still the current model, so it’s still my recommendation. As we are experiencing global supply chain issues (at time of writing) Amazon will sometimes be out of stock. It’s showing in stock at Amazon in Canada for regular price which doesn’t necessarily help everyone. The price of this tripod should be about $300 USD. Unfortunately I don’t recommend cheaper tripods as they just don’t perform and you will end up wasting money and having a piece of equipment that doesn’t work. What we usually do is look at the model direct from the brand or from a third party photography equipment store in your country. Hope that helps! Sorry it’s out of stock for you 🙂
Robert N. Jackson
Your post has given me a very special impression, unlike other posts.
I hope you continue to have valuable articles like this or more to share with everyone!
Dagmara
Great, very informative post. Comprehensive coverage of the topic. Thank you.
Michał
Great article, very helpful!
Thank you 🙂
Susanne
Hi Rachel! Thank you so much for this comprehensive guide! I really appreciate you taking the time to put this together as well as responding to all the questions. I just read through them all and can see that I posted questions you replied to – earlier in my “tripod career” ?
Situation now is that I have the Manfrotto 0055XPRO + a 410 Junior heard Head (the head happily bought on your suggestion). I have had my eyes on the Manfrotto 058B for a while but consider the extra use it will allow me.
Today I got the chance to buy a used Manfrotto 058B for half price but can’t wait too long.
So, where I could really used your input is to this:
In which exact images do you benefit from the 058B + 131 arm that the Manfrotto 0055XPRO with center column wouldn’t allow?
Thank you so much in advance for your time! ?
PS! Is the Manfrotto 131B and 131DB the same? It seems like I can only find the 131DNB here in Denmark where I am from?
Rachel Korinek
Hi Susanne! So fun that it’s on sale 🙂
The 131D and 131DB are the same overhead arm, it’s just the colour that differs from what I can see. I could be wrong, but I don’t recall when I purchased that there was a colour choice so thanks for brining that to my attention. Specs look the same.
Every image that I’ve taken since 2018 has been with the 058B tripod. The Manfrotto 0055XPRO is an entry-level tripod and doesn’t have the height or stability that the 058B has. I wouldn’t be able to use the Manfrotto 0055XPRO with my workflow as it can’t hold the same weight, extend as far or as high as the set up I have with the 058B and 131D arm. The 058B tripod is a beast. It’s large and heavy and great for studio work. The Manfrotto 0055XPRO is more transportable so that’s something to think about.
I hope that helps a little.
Magdalena
In these photos, someone can see how complicated it is to take food photos. Very good tips 🙂
Rachel Korinek
There is a lot to do in food photography, you’re right! Thanks for stopping by.
Smitha
Hi,
Such an in depth post. I’ve been toying with getting a new tripod which I would be using for mainly food photography. Can you please let me know your take on MK190XPRO3-3W with 3 way head ?
Rachel Korinek
Hi Smitha. How exciting you are thinking of getting a new tripod! The MK190XPRO3-3W is what I would call an entry-level tripod. The payload and total height won’t be as much as the Triaut I mentioned. 6kg is the payload and depending on your camera and lens, this isn’t a lot. You will be limited in how tall the tripod can go, so you might have to shoot flatlays on the ground. If you are able to pop into a store to test the height, that is a good way to see if it will go with your setup. Tripods aren’t cheap, but if you can invest more money, then you really only need to do that once. But the triaut is a studio tripod and not as portable as the one you mentioned. Not sure if this is helpful but I would be able to do my workflow with the MK190XPRO3-3W.
Marek
Great article! a large amount of knowledge. Thank you
Rachel Korinek
So glad you enjoyed it Marek. Would love to know what tripod you use!?
Pamela Hamel
The ball head you recommend is no longer in stock; any other suggestions. I’m a junior starting out.
Rachel Korinek
Hey Pamela! It’s showing as in stock for me. Even if you can hunt it down on another store (rather than Amazon), as I do recommend it and it’s the best one I’ve used. I just checked Manfrotto and they are still making this one so hopefully you can track it down!
Digital
Very helpful tips!
Louie
Great article, as of now what tripod with an arm would you recommend?
Susanne Geert
Hi Rachel! Just a quick question – do you know what the difference between the Manfrotto 058 and 058B is? Thanks a lot in advance 😀 Best from Susanne
Thompson
Great article! I am amazed how many photographers today refuse to use a tripod because they feel it cramps their creativity.
Sharp photos sell easier than soft focused creative photos from a hand held photographer.