How tall does your tripod need to be

The tripod height is the most important factor when you are buying a tripod. If the tripod is too short, you have to bend over, and sometimes, the frame has to crop the actual image and if the tripod is longer, your eye cannot see the viewfinder. 

How tall does your tripod need to be? A general tripod needs to be extended from ground level. And from the ground level, The standard height range of the tripods is 50 to 64 inches. At this height, the viewfinder can be easy to watch and the image you want to capture will fit perfectly. Shorter than 50 and longer than 64 inches might have some issues.

Let’s discuss the perfect size that matches your height and the purpose of the shoot. Wildlife photographers have to think of taking a strong and medium height tripod if they are about to shoot wild animals from a long distance. Photoshoots like Volcano need a tall tripod. So, apart from your height, the image purpose also matters.

Average Height of the Tripod

Most of the tripods have a center column that allows to reposition the center column height to adjust the height levels. If in the case, any longer tripod more than 65 inches may also work better because you have the option to adjust the camera to your eye level. Some tripods don’t have an adjustable center column and you have to choose accordingly.

The Benro C3770TN Combination Tripod doesn’t have the center column but has very premium legs to stand on. This is the standard 62 inches tripod you can use anywhere but remember, the center column is not adjustable. 

So all it depends on your need and the field you are interested in. Any tripod with and without a center column can be available on any budget. So, here are some best tripods that have good extended height. 

It’s not necessary to match the eye level with your camera’s viewfinder. It’s good sometimes but not required all the time. Buying a tripod with a center column and taller than you, there would be some benefits. 

Suppose if the tripod has a center column and you get a ball head, it’s completely under your control. To get better sharpness in Images and focus, you must verify the viewfinder or display. Matching eye level with little or no bed over is all you need. 

I recently got a 69 inches tripod to match my eye level. The good thing is, it has a center column. There wouldn’t be a problem with the height because of the height adjustment from the center. 

Now, this is one side, let me tell you the other side of the story. Suppose if you have the largest tripod more than 72 inches, obviously, the folded height will also change. Some brands care about the material and quality where some care about the height and features.

Suppose if you are traveling frequently, or if you are a travel blogger, you need to fit the tripod to your backpack. You must consider the fact that you cannot take tripod bags every time, and there will be situations where you just have to attach your tripod to the backpack. 

Do short tripods fit all cameras?

Yes, short tripods can also be used with most of the cameras but not with all lenses. Any camera and smartphones that can be used on any Gorillapod or monopod or tabletop tripods. The thing here is when you want to attach a lens with your camera, you need a strong tripod. 

There are some tripods with great padding legs and balanced weight even if you attach some lenses. I have covered an article on some small yet best tripods for DSLR you can check where I’ve covered really strong padding tripods. 

But wait, does short tripod is the solution all you need if you are in tight budget? No. Here are some problems you face with the short tripods.

Issue:1 Back & Neck pain

It is true that most of the short tripods are under $50 and if your budget is tight and thus you choose a short tripod. But remember, if you are an enthusiastic photographer or a professional photographer, you must care about your neck back. 

There would be some special scenarios where you need to continuously check focusing points through the viewfinder. And if the tripod is short and you want to check the frame continuously, trust me it hurts your neck and back a lot. 

Issue 2: Sharpness

Do you know your tripod height might affect the sharpness of your images? Yes, it does. Suppose if you use some lengthy tripods, the perfect eye level matches with the perfect viewfinder and the sharpness of the images can be seen even before capturing the photo. 

The latest tripod which I got has a good height of 70 inches and my eyes from the ground level are at 66 inches. So the extended height is not at all a problem and In fact, I don’t have to bend over. That’s the perfect case. You have to use your tripod and camera to take photos and videos with little or no bend over. 

For better weight balance, I use the center column at the maximum level and according to my eye level, I’ll adjust the tripod legs. The weight in the tripod legs and center column will balance the tripod with more grip. 

How heavy should a tripod be?

Weight is a serious consideration when you are traveling or you are a professional photographer. Especially, in wedding and traveling photography, you always need to carry the tripod wherever you go. 

The standard weight of the tripod must be between 3 to 6 pounds to carry the tripod anywhere you go. If the tripod is too light in weight, it cannot carry your camera and lenses together and if the tripod is too heavy, you cannot carry the tripod easily. 

You have a bag, camera, and lens (multiple), and a tripod. All the weight goes on the camera kit and a tripod. For continuous traveling, you need to get rid of as much as weight you can. So, the weight must be a crucial factor when buying a tripod. 

Iron material used for tripods might add a bit more weight, there is no particular weight to keep in mind. However, after talking with my friends and buyers in my area, I covered some light-weight tripods in the budget range. 

My recommendation

Out of all the tripods on Amazon and other stores, here are some decent tripods that can be a perfect fit for a wedding, wildlife, portrait, and architectural photography. Considering the fact ‘Height’, price and quality are also essential.

Perfect Height tripods

1 Cayer CF2451 Video Tripod

One of the finest brands that manufacture tripods. The company makes premium-quality tripods to stand alone in the market and Cayer CF2451 is one of the finest tripods for every use. The extended height of the tripod is 67 inches and you will get a fluid drag head. 

This tripod can be converted to a monopod with a simple hand-in technique. The weight of the tripods is 5.2 pounds and the maximum weight it can carry is 13.2 lb. And yes, it fits any backpack easily when you fold it. The folded length of the tripod is 25.9 inches. 

Where to Buy: You can buy on Amazon and B&H Photo Video. Click here to check the current price on Amazon.  

2 Regetek Camera 70-inch Tripod

The Regetek 70 inch tripod made with aluminum material is a professional tripod with aggressive pricing and ratings from the users. This tripod is under $50 and the maximum height you can extend is up to 70 inches. 

This is a 2 in 1 tripod and monopod and has an adjustable center column. You will get a mobile phone holder with this tripod as well. The tripods are compatible with all kinds of cameras and camcorders and the maximum weight can be 8.8 lbs.

Where to Buy: You can buy on Amazon and B&H Photo Video. Click here to check the current price on Amazon.  

3 Neewer Portable 2-in-1 Tripod

Another 70-inch tripod is from Neewer in the list. Around $50, this tripod is a great option especially if you want to take a branded tripod. This 3-way swivel Pan head tripod is sturdy and good in most of the difficult weather conditions. 

This tripod has four legs and the center column has a right hook to add some weight bags. This weight is only 4 pounds which is ideal for most of the cases and the tripod comes with a carry case too. The minimum tripod height when folded is 21 inches and the monopod height when folded is 18 inches.

Where to Buy: You can buy on Amazon and B&H Photo Video. Click here to check the current price on Amazon.  

To make it clear, If your budget is over $100 and you need a premium tripod with suits all the conditions then Cayer CF2451 is the best option, if your budget is over $50 and you need a black colored tripod with a Telescopic panhandle, you need Regetek tripod. Finally, if you need a famous tripod with quality finishing, the Neewer tripod might suits you the best.