Induro 214cx
Tripods. Some photographers swear by them. Some swear at them. I fall in to the middle. I think that for most wildlife, landscape, macro, and fine art photograpy a tripod is a must. But when shooting in most sports, people, street scenes, and travel situations a tripod is a real problem. Finding the right tripod was important to me. My first set of criteria was that it was relatively light, easy and quick to set up, durable, and most of all, solid.
In addition, I don’t have unlimited resources so I needed a tripod that would be a multi-tasker. I wanted one that would be solid in the following situations: landscape shooting where the ground might not be level; it needed to be able to get low to the ground so that I could shoot wildlife at eye level or sit while shooting, it needed an articulated column so I could use it for macro shooting; and it needed to be able raise the camera up to my eye level. Also, I was looking for a tripod with four leg sections so that it would close down for travel.
I had been using the Calumet 7500 tripod, but it was heavy and didn’t have the articulating column. Also, made of aluminum it got VERY cold, VERY quickly. I didn’t mind using it because it was very solid, it was durable, and the set up was quick. But I needed something more.
After some research, I found that the Induro line was intriguing. In particular the 214cx model. It was made of carbon fiber, had twist locks on the legs, the legs allowed the top of the tripod to get very low, it’s articulating arm allowed me to move the camera around into different positions for macro work, and the center column was solid.
I know that there are a lot of photographers that despise a center column on a tripod, claiming that it becomes a mono-pod with legs. I disagree. I think that the center column doesn’t add to the stability, but if used correctly, it doesn’t detract from it either. Plus, I don’t use it that often.
The Induro was not at the bottom of the tripod cost curve by any means, but it isn’t at the top either. It comes with a nice case to store/carry it in, tools for both the breakdown and adjustment of all of its parts including spikes for the ends of the legs , and a carrying strap, which I don’t use.
The storage case it nice, a bit short for the tripod and a ballhead, but it works. The set up of the tripod is easy. A quick twist of all three leg locks undoes the legs allowing them to extend quickly by pulling on the end of the legs. I like to tighten them up by tightening from the bottom of the leg so that my hand is ready to undo the next set of locks at the top of the leg, thus speeding up the set-up process.
The process is just the opposite when breaking down the tripod. Move your hand down the each leg, unlocking each section as you move down. Push up on the bottom of the legs to collapse them and tighten all of the locks with a quick twist before moving on to the next leg.
The center column is adjusted just as quick. A quick twist of a knob just below the ball head, move it up, and tighten the knob when it is at the right height. To move the column to a different position, just pull it up until the end of the column is almost out, loosen the other knob, rotate the arm until it is the position you want, and tighten the knob again. Simple, secure, and quick.
Yes, you can buy one of those super-cheap Best Buy tripods or you could spend loads and buy one of the expensive ones, but if you want a good, flexible tripod that will securely hold your camera steady, look at the Induro brand of tripods.
