subject: Camera Stabilizers: The Outstanding Benefits Of Camera Stabilizers In Photography [print this page] Essentially the most necessary components of photography gear is usually the most neglected. A reliable camera stabilizer can bring your pictures to great levels, but most people don't ever use one. Here are some guidelines that can possibly persuade you to start using a camera stabilizer and viewing your photos in a totally new manner.
Camera stabilizers give your camera a solid support in just about any situation you can imagine. A good camera stabilizer gives you more time to compose your images. It also allows you to shoot at slower speeds which in turn, can provide greater depth of field. Tripods allow you to have your hands free for other things like a flash and allows you to capture identical images with different settings and enables very slow shutter speed images like star trails.
Most camera stabilizers are light-weight and fairly easy to carry. Some come with foam insulation around the legs which adds bulk, but creates a nice cushion when carrying the camera stabilizer on your shoulder. Look for one that has independent legs that are only connected to the center column only at the top. These will usually allow you place the camera stabilizer almost flat on the ground.
Camera stabilizers are commonly made from either carbon fiber or aluminum. Carbon fiber camra stabilizers offer equal or greater stiffness, and are lighter weight, but more expensive. Keep in mind that though they are durable, a direct impact could shatter a carbon fiber leg while only denting an aluminum one. Your camera stabilizer also needs to be strong enough to support your largest lens and camera combination.
Camera stabilizers are meant to offer you sold support for your camera. With that in mind, you should find one that rises up to roughly your eye height and skip any with a center column that rises up any further. Raising the center column negates the advantages of your sturdy tripod, so avoid them whenever possible. It might be possible to remove the center column and mount your tripod head directly to the legs. If this isn't an option, make sure to keep the center column as far down as it will go and lock it there.
They can be a bit awkward at the start, but with practice, they become second nature to use. Use one on your next shoot and see what an improvement a camera stabilizer can make to your photography.
