Photography has become a major art form, gaining mass adoption in the past few years. The ability to capture a moment and share it with the world is magical.
To click awesome pictures, you need an innate desire for photography along with exceptional tools to make it happen.
Apart from a top notch camera, you will also need a good quality tripod to capture photographs in challenging circumstances, night conditions and to prevent shaky images.
A tripod is a prerequisite camera accessory for professional photographers and the ones available in the range of $400-$500 are ideal for the most intense photography sessions.
How to choose the best tripod based on your needs?
Tripods are available in many varieties, and you need to choose the suitable one depending on your priorities and use case. All the tripods in this price range are of superior quality and provide exceptional stability. However, the type of photographer you are or are trying to become will have a huge role to play in the tripod buying decision. The best available tripods in the market for the price range of $400-$500 are listed below, perfectly categorized as per their ability and type.
Choose the variant of tripod you want – lightweight, compact or heavyweight – and then select the product that aligns perfectly with your requirements. This is probably the best way to choose a tripod based on your needs.
Lightweight Tripods
Lightweight tripods are perfect for carrying around and the ideal choice for travel bloggers who usually carry a light backpack. You can’t afford to carry a heavyweight accessory along with you in various circumstances. Thus, a lightweight tripod is perfect for situations where the tripod is to be carried a long distance for a photoshoot.
1. Vanguard Alta Pro 283CT
The Vanguard Alta Pro 283 CT is probably the best lightweight tripod currently available. It is the preferred choice of many professional photographers owing to its exceptional build quality despite being lightweight. The carbon fiber legs ensure that the tripod stays lightweight yet remains sturdy to be used in all circumstances.
The legs can be adjusted to surprising angles such as 25, 50 and 80 which is simply not possible with most of the other tripods. This allows for extremely low angle photography which is a requirement of many photographers. Even the central column can be moved up to 180 degrees which is phenomenal.
There are many premium features in the tripod including the availability of a magnesium die-cast canopy, quick flip leg locks and rubber feet with retractable spikes among others. For the price that it comes, the Vanguard Alta Pro 283CT is worth every penny it costs.
[ryvl video_url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEYNyR7TnSM” auto_play=”yes”]Watch vanguard Alta pro 283ct review[/ryvl]2. Induro Tripod CLT 303 No. 3
Induro is a well-known brand catering to people in need of tripods for several years. Its CLT 303 is a spectacular offering in the lightweight category of tripods. The tripod is built in a traditional 3 section carbon fiber method but includes all the modern features and functionalities.
The legs are a 9x weave of the latest stealth carbon fiber pattern which is known to handle heavy camera weights with great ease. Since it is a carbon construction, the weight is quite low too.
The tripod offers unmatched stability as it is equipped with concave leg locks which spread over a greater surface area than other tripods. It promises exceptional reliability due to the inclusion of a large center column lock to adjust the vertical position with absolute firmness.
The Induro CLT 303 is designed from the ground up to be suitable in all conditions and offer high portability in terms of weight and size.
[ryvl video_url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzZINZbLci8″ auto_play=”yes”]Watch induro tripod clt 303 no. 3 review[/ryvl]3. Vanguard Auctus Plus 323CT
Vanguard has maintained a good repute of manufacturing the best in class, high utility tripods. The Auctus Plus 323 CT lives up to the consumer’s expectations by providing all the necessary features and specifications a professional photographer would need.
All the 3 legs of the tripod are equipped with rubber foams to provide extra grip and firmness which improves the stability of the tripod. There is an anti-shock ring right under the column post which prevents the image from being ruined due to any vibrations or movement in the camera.
This is one of the best tripods for photographers who usually take low angle captures as it offers an amazing angle adjustment in the leg section. Setting up the tripod is completely hassle-free as it comes with easy locks having just a single twist.
The tripod offers exceptional reliability as its legs are super solid and ensure that no amount of dust accumulates in it which is beneficial for outdoor shoots. All of this makes the Vanguard Auctus Plus 323 CT a perfect overall lightweight tripod.
[ryvl video_url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9Gozx6P5XY” auto_play=”yes”]Watch Vanguard Auctus Plus 323CT vedio[/ryvl]Compact Tripods
Travel enthusiasts love to click stunning pictures, and it is only made possible by photographic tools which are compact. Traveling with heavy and oversized equipment or a camera is not viable, and this is where compact tripods come handy. They are small in size, light in weight and easy to carry which makes it perfectly ideal for your travel extravaganza.
1. Manfrotto MT055CXPRO4 055
Manfrotto is among the best tripod manufacturers in the world, and this model is all about compactness with top-notch stability.
It is a 4 section carbon fiber tripod which ensures maximum strength along with being extremely lightweight.
This amazing tripod is equipped with the advanced QPL leg locking system which enhances the rigidity and makes it sturdy enough to absorb random vibrations during the shoot. Be assured that your camera equipment will be highly stable even in the most uncertain conditions. Professional photographers love it because it is very quick to set up and adjustment of the legs happen instantaneously, all thanks to the QPL.
The tripod is small enough to be easily transportable and is packed with features to be used in even the most difficult photo or videography setups. Choose this for a stellar companion to your camera and get exceptional image stability in every scenario.
[ryvl video_url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fhh6ONj2qc” auto_play=”yes”]Watch Manfrotto MT055CXPRO4 055 vedio[/ryvl]2. Benro S6 Single Leg Carbon Fiber Video Tripod Kit
Benro is a reputable name in the camera equipment industry; its newly launched ‘S’ series offers the full range of tripods catering to every need. The S6 is a compact tripod which consists of a two-way head and the legs are made up of carbon fiber.
Mounting a camera and releasing it is quick and happens without any hassles due to the presence of a quick release plate.
The tripod is designed in a way to be perfectly suitable for both, studio as well as location shoots. Benro S6 offers superb stability in all conditions owing to the interchangeable rubber feet as well the stainless steel spiked feet that it comes with.
Setting it up and making necessary adjustments is a breeze due to the availability of efficient flip lever leg locks. It’s an amazing option for those who indulge in much more than basic photography through a tripod.
[ryvl video_url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITUvFr-8Oqg” auto_play=”yes”]Watch Benro S6 Single Leg Carbon Fiber Video Tripod Kit[/ryvl]3. Manfrotto 055CXPRO4
Manfrotto is widely known to offer some of the best compact tripods between $400 to $500 in the market, and this offering is a serious contender for an all-round compact-round. It comes with 4 section legs which allow it to fit easily into the smallest of the backpacks.
The carbon fiber and magnesium construction of the tripod ensure that it stays extremely lightweight. The quick center column system gives you the ability to mount and remove the tripod as and when needed easily.
Rigidity is one of the strongest qualities of this tripod as it comes with 3 layered carbon tubes. These full tubes also make the tripod lighter and offer better portability than other tripods.
It will allow you an amazing level of stability due to the presence of ergonomic leg locking levers as it ensures firmness of the tripod in all conditions. Along with exceptional utility, it looks beautiful too. The tripod is perfect for travel photographers who are seeking a good compact tripod.
[ryvl video_url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fhh6ONj2qc” auto_play=”yes”]Watch Manfrotto 055CXPRO4 vedio[/ryvl]Heavyweight Tripods
Heavyweight tripods are the perfect choice for photographers who have a huge camera weighing much more than the average ones.
They are full-fledged tripods having the ability to be extremely stable in possibly all scenarios, and you can rely on them to keep your heavy camera setup firm without any unnecessary movements.
1. Benro S8 Single Leg Aluminum Video Tripod
Benro’s S8 is a complete tripod package majorly meant for production of high-quality videos but is an ideal photography tripod too. Heavyweight tripods are ideal for professional photographers who make use of heavy camera equipment to carry out their shoots. This tripod is perfectly capable of handling cameras weighing upto 17.6 lbs.
The aluminum construction of the tripod makes it a bit heavy but it offers exceptional stability and rigidity as compared to other kinds of tripods. If you are a cinematographer, you will love the precision it offers over controlling and adjusting the pan and tilt drag. All this is made possible due to the availability of exclusive S8 Pro Video Head.
The tripod also allows you to lock the legs at different degrees which is essential in many conditions.
The Benro S8 is one of the best heavyweight tripod, specially built and designed for videographers to create stunning videos.
[ryvl video_url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_x35gmmkpw” auto_play=”yes”]Watch Benro S8 Single Leg Aluminum Video Tripod review[/ryvl]2. Manfrotto MVK502AQ 502
Manfrotto, a popular name in the tripod industry has a range of heavyweight tripods under its brand.
The inclusion of a 75 mm half-ball mount in this tripod lets you attach almost any heavy camera during the shooting of intense sequences which demand high flexibility and rigidity. The camera movement with the tripod feels utterly smooth, precise and perfect in every sense.
The tripod is made keeping in mind the functionalities of HDSLR cameras as well as the new interchangeable lens cameras. As it is a heavyweight equipment, it comes with an effective counterbalance system which reduces the efforts required to perform mechanical actions on the tripod.
It is highly sturdy and reliable which makes it capable of handling a camera of upto 15.4 lbs.
The tripod also allows attachment of other necessary camera equipment which is great for professional photographers as well as cinematographers.
[ryvl video_url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blYBN146znE” auto_play=”yes”]Watch Manfrotto MVK502AQ 502 review[/ryvl]3. Celestron 93493 Heavy Duty CPC 1100 Tripod
The Celestron Heavy Duty CPC 1100 is a robust tripod meant to be used for cameras that are heavyweight. The amazing tripod is equipped with 2″ steel legs which keep it sturdy and reliable in all possible conditions.
You can expect exceptional levels of performance from the tripod in terms of image stabilization and the ability to handle large camera units with great ease. You also get an accessory tray attached to the tripod which can serve multiple purposes while you are on a shoot.
Although the tripod is extremely heavy at 34 pounds, it provides the necessary rigidity and stability to shoot difficult sequences.
Mounting and removing the camera in the tripod is extremely easy especially during the night when there is limited light available. The Celestron Heavy Duty CPC 1100 comes with an ergonomic trendy design which is ideal for photographers who carry out professional shoots.
[ryvl video_url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APCBzZyKp4Y” auto_play=”yes”]Watch Celestron 93493 Heavy Duty CPC 1100 vedio[/ryvl]Conclusion
No matter what your requirements are, you will find a suitable tripod from the above-categorized collection. They are the best available tripods in the market and offer high performance in all scenarios.
Professional photographers must have one of these depending upon what kind of tripod is ideal for them. Although the budget for these tripods is in a higher range of $400-$500, all the tripods are worth the money you will spend on them.
Get your priorities and expectations straight regarding the tripod as it will help you in choosing the perfect one for your needs.
All of them come with a set of features which are exclusive to those tripods, thus you can choose to buy your desired tripod in this price range.