Tripods, Tripods, Tripods

iKan E-Image Monopod
If traipsing around with a tripod is just too cumbersome, iKan’s video monopod makes a portable package at just 4.4 pounds and a collapsed size of 28 inches. With a max height of 70 inches, you can hit the stepladder and get great crowd shots. It’s adjustable in three stages with a carrying capacity of 13 pounds.
Price: $275

EDITOR’S CHOICE: Miller Air
This is the tripod of choice if you shoot video and stills at the same rate, and often find yourself on rough terrain. The Air’s rubberized feet wind up to reveal spikes for digging into the earth (or brandishing at rampaging wildlife, clients, etc.). Miller’s carbon-fiber-based Air includes a fluid pan-and-tilt head and can hold up to 11 pounds of camera and lens. Unadorned, the Air weighs 9.9 pounds. This tripod has great range, too; you can drop it down to as low as 9 inches from the ground or extend the Air to 69.4 inches high.
Price: $1,453

Cullmann Concept One 622T
Great for budget-conscious road warriors, the aluminum Concept One 622T’s legs can be folded 180 degrees and packed down to 13 inches (including the ball head). It extends giraffe-like to 53 inches and is strong enough to support up to 11 pounds, confidently backed with a 10-year warranty.
Price: $200

Manfrotto 055 Series
If you’re lugging the heavy glass, the 055 series is for you. It can support up to 19.8 pounds of gear and offers four leg angles for striking a creative pose. An Easy Link attachment lets you connect lights, light shapers and other accessories to the tripod on an arm for a mobile studio-to-go.
Price: starts at $267 (aluminum)

Benro S Video (C373)
The sturdy C373 can keep up to 17.6 pounds of gear aloft at a max height of 63.8 inches. The three legs—built from a combination of carbon-fiber and aluminum-alloy components—can be positioned and locked independently of each other. You can outfit the S Video with interchangeable rubber or spiked feet.
Price: $625