The main purpose of using a tripod for real estate photography is to hold the camera steadily in the exact same position so that you can take the time to compose the image and shoot several bracketed shots of the same composition without any camera movement in-between or during the shots (especially when using longer exposures). You simply cannot shoot the HDR method without a sturdy tripod for real estate photography.
There are several things to consider when selecting a tripod to use for real estate photography, including size, load capacity, head type, leg locks, feet type, and material.
Tripod Size
When shooting interiors, you will require the camera to be at the height of approximately 1.3m most of the time, depending on the room and ceiling height. Exterior shots will demand a greater height with the tripod fully extended. Most three-leg section tripods allow a height of up to 1.8m (with the center column down) and four leg section tripods allow a height of 2m.
Tripod Load Capacity
The load capacity of a tripod is the weight that it can safely hold without risk of breaking. Calculate the combined weight of your camera and Speedlight to ensure that the total combined weight is less than the load capacity of the tripod you plan to use.
Tripod Head Type
The two main types of tripod heads are the ball head and pan/tilt head. I recommend using a 3-way pan/tilt tripod head over the popular ball head design as it gives you more control over the setup of your composition. It also allows you to adjust the pan, tilt, and rotation individually.
Tripod Leg Locks
Leg locks should be sturdy and easy to maintain as over time they will become loose and you will need to be able to tighten these easily. Faulty or poor-quality leg locks will make shooting interiors very difficult or impossible. The two most common types of leg locks are the twist-lock and lever lock; however, I would recommend the lever lock as these are faster to adjust and are more durable than twist lock.
Tripod Feet Type
The ideal tripod feet for shooting interiors are rubber balls or square caps as these offer a stable platform. Spiked tripod feet are unnecessary as they are designed for outdoor shooting.
Tripod Material – Carbon Fiber or Aluminium?
Medium-sized tripods are typically made from aluminium or carbon fiber materials. Aluminum tripods offer great value for money as they are durable and light enough for real estate work.
A good quality aluminum tripod (with head) will cost between $300-$500USD but should last you for several years if you look after it. I have used the same aluminum Manfrotto tripod for several years, and have not had any problems with it.
Carbon fiber tripods look impressive, are durable and are incredibly lightweight however, they can are expensive.
Avoid using ‘travel’ tripods as these are usually not tall enough and are generally too unsteady for real estate photography.
Note: This article is an extract from the resources on the Education page on this website.
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