You’ve probably heard this advice before, and I’m sure you know that it’s true, but if you’re like most people you ignore it anyway… The single best way to get sharper images is to use a tripod. This is especially true for shooting video with dSLR’s where camera shake is a constant annoyance!

So use your tripod. It’s just that easy. Take your tripod with you, and actually use it. Even an inexpensive, simple, lightweight tripod that has no extra features (other than supporting your camera) will net you far better images on average than not using one at all. You can probably buy one of these at Wal-Mart for $20 or less.

It’s so simple that I don’t think I even need to explain it further.

What Tripod Should I Buy?

I was going to stop there, but because I get asked about it all the time, I’m going to provide a list of 3 really great tripods that you should consider buying. Note that you won’t find a $20 tripod from Wal-Mart on this list, but if that’s really all you can afford you really should go get one. Note also that you actually need 2 things: a tripod and a ball head. The ball head sits on top of the tripod and is the actual part that attaches to the camera. It allows you to quickly and easily point the camera in the direction, angle, and orientation that you want. I like Manfrotto tripods and ball heads, so that’s what I’m going to recommend here:

Tripods for Small Cameras: The Manfrotto 190xProB with a 496RC2 ball head is a great combination for the vast majority of photographers. This will be good for people with entry-level dSLR’s (or even for those bigger point and shoots). It is a relatively small and lightweight tripod that is easy to use and to carry, and you can get this combination for around $250. The max load rating is about 8 pounds, so if you have a big camera and/or lenses (or if you think you will be getting bigger stuff soon) then you might consider stepping up to the next level.

Tripods for Big Cameras: The Manfrotto 055xProB with a 498RC2 ball head is an excellent system for advanced shooters with bigger cameras or lenses. I bought this tripod (with the now discontinued 488RC2 ballhead) when I got my Canon 40D because I knew that I would be using it with some pretty heavy lenses for shooting birds and wildlife. It still works great with my Canon 1D Mark IV, but if I use any really heavy lenses then I’m starting to push its limits. This ballhead is much stronger than the 486RC2m (it supports up to 17 pounds) and the tripod is much heavier and stronger than the 190xProB too. The combination is also taller. I’m 6′ 2″ and I only have to bend slightly while using my tripod with the legs fully extended. I’ve been using this combination extensively (multiple times a week) for over 2 years now and it is still in great condition. This combination goes for around $300.

Lightweight Tripods (that you might actually use): The major problem with tripods is that they are big and heavy, and most people end up not using them because of that. If you want one that’s small enough and light enough that you will actually take it with you then you should consider getting Carbon Fiber. I can highly recommend the Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 or 190CXPRO4 for small cameras, or the 055CXPRO3 or 055CXPRO4for bigger cameras, or. These are essentially the same tripods as I described above, but they come in a couple of different options. The difference between the Pro3 and the Pro4 versions is in how many leg sections (3 vs 4) they have, and therefore the minimum length that they will be when folded down. More sections allows them to get smaller (for carrying in a hiking pack or a suitcase), but also makes them more time consuming to set up. They also get progressively more expensive (in the order I listed them) as you go up the chain, starting at around $400 for the legs alone. The choice is yours. I would use these with the same 496RC2 or 498RC2 ball heads I suggested above depending on the weight of your gear.