#Fotonica tripod how to#

The handle should be in a position that feels natural to ensure smooth camera movements. The position of the handle will also depend on the preference of the camera operator. Lastly, most tripods will enable you to adjust the angle and position of the tripod handle. Locks should also be used to secure the camera in between takes. They should not be used for any shot with a pan or tilt. Locks are meant to lock the tripod into a position for a static shot.

Like drag, there is a lock for the tripod’s tilt and pan. Tripod locksĪ key component of the tripod is the lock. This step is based on feel and it is important to test the drag before shooting. If the pan is long and slow, you may want more resistance. The amount of drag a camera has ultimately comes down to the operator’s personal preference. Tripods typically have two separate drag adjustments for pans and tilts. Cheaper tripod’s achieve it through friction pads which are inferior to true fluid heads.

Drag should come from real tripod fluid heads. The drag of a tripod is the amount of resistance there is for a camera operator when panning or tilting. Leveling your sticks will ensure that your camera pans are precisely horizontal. In this case, you may need to adjust the legs of your sticks to level them. Adjust your tripod head bowl so that it is centered and precisely leveled.Ĭheaper tripods made for DSLRs may not have a tripod head bowl. Most video tripods have a built-in level guide. Once your camera is properly mounted to your tripod and it is at a proper height, it’s time to level it. Also make sure that the legs are spread out optimally to best stabilize your camera. This will make your sticks more stable and secure. This way, the most rigid and wide leg sections will be used first rather than the thinnest. Secondly, when extending the legs, extend from the top down rather than from the bottom leg upward. Extending the legsįirst and foremost, it is important to make sure that someone is supporting the camera system whenever adjusting the height of the tripod. This will save time as it is easier to move and change frames with a handheld camera than it is with a camera mounted on sticks. Once you find your general frame, you can position your tripod accordingly to your camera’s position. Get a frameīefore mounting your camera to your tripod, find the general camera framing of your shot. Here are some perhaps obvious but nonetheless critical steps to take. After all, sticks can be supporting incredibly expensive camera systems.Įnsuring that they are properly mounted will help you keep your gear safe while helping you capture the perfect shot.

#Fotonica tripod how to#

Tripods may seem pretty straight forward, but there are a few key steps to keep in mind when learning how to setup a camera tripod. Tripod Parts Explained How to setup a camera tripod