How to use a photographic tripod

First understand the basic structure of the tripod, as shown below.

Pan-tilt is a structure used to adjust the camera shooting angle, which is generally divided into spherical pan-tilt (as shown below), hydraulic pan-tilt, cantilever pan-tilt and three-dimensional pan-tilt, among which spherical pan-tilt is more common and can adjust the angle flexibly and quickly.

Most of the angle adjustment plate buckles are pressed, and some are pulled out to adjust the angle of the foot tube. There are generally three angles to choose from.

The central axis is used to help extend the height. The longer the central axis extends, the lower the stability. First pull the foot tube to the longest, if it is still not high enough, then raise the central axis.

Hook is a device used to increase the stability of tripod, hanging heavy objects such as camera bag within the load-bearing range.

Foot pads are used for anti-skid, and some tripods have feet nails, which can be used under soft soil. You can use the foot nail by breaking the foot pad. But some tripods only have feet nails, so they can't be disassembled.

First, unfold the foot tube and adjust it to a proper angle. Then stretch the foot tube, and the locking structure of the foot tube needs to be unlocked, which is generally divided into screw locking, flat locking and eccentric tube locking structure. Screw type is to loosen it first, but not too loose, and then pull out the foot tube. The operation of eccentric tube is similar. Generally, the foot tube can be pulled out by screwing the foot pad counterclockwise for half a turn. Plate buckle type, first pull the plate buckle, and then pull out the foot tube. These three methods generally follow a principle, first pull out the thickest foot tube, because the thick support is more stable, so use the thick foot tube first.

Adjust the tripod to the proper height. If the foot tube is not high enough, loosen the lock sleeve under the tripod head and raise the central shaft. After adjustment, stand between the two foot tubes.

Loosen the knob next to the camera position on the pan/tilt, and remove the quick assembly plate on the pan/tilt. Use coins to connect the screws on the assembly board with the screw holes at the bottom of the camera. The overlapping position of the mounting plate and the camera is usually perpendicular to the camera screen, and the edge of the camera screen is aligned between the camera and the lens. After adjusting the position, tighten the screws.

Put the quick loading plate back into the slot and tighten the knob.

Adjust the knob of the pan/tilt, and rotate the pan/tilt to make the lens direction coincide with the front foot tube, so as to distribute the lens weight more to the front foot tube and make it more stable. Finally, tighten the knob.