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The Best Compact Tripods for Professional Photographers and Filmmakers

While advances in digital camera image stabilization have certainly been impressive, there’s no substitute for a rock-solid tripod when you need a razor-sharp image. Whether you need a compact tripod built from carbon fiber or aluminum, or a durable outdoor tripod for landscape work, Rangefinder’s product reviewers can help you find the essential brands. Carbon fiber has revolutionized the landscape for outdoor tripods, creating models that can hold very heavy camera gear—including full cinema camera rigs—while weighing a fraction of their aluminum counterparts. However, aluminum tripods and monopods remain popular due to their relatively inexpensive price tag. With features like removable spiked feet, integrated pan-and-tilt heads, telescoping and locking leg sections and more, today’s tripods have something for photographers of every skill level.

Great Monopods for Still and Video Work

Wedding filmmakers typically rely on monopods for their high portability and relative ease of set-up. With rotating bases, today’s monopods are not simply built to stabilize your stills and video, but to create smooth camera movements. Collapsing down to extremely small sizes, monopods can easily be clipped to the outside of a photo backpack or stowed in your carryon. Rangefinder regularly covers the latest news and product developments among today’s leading monopod manufacturers. For times when you need greater stability, compact tripods are an excellent option. Ranging in size from table top units and those with flexible legs that can wrap around objects like tree limbs and fence posts, you’re sure to find the ideal tripod for your next photo assignment.

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