how tall should a tripod be
how to choose the best tripod height for you

Do you want to know how tall should a tripod be? This article will give you a real simple formula to calculate the right height for your tripod, but there's an important warning you need to know about too.

The simple formula to the right tripod height is followed by more detailed thoughts on what else you need to consider about the best length your camera tripod legs.

Updated Tips for choosing the right Tripod height

Before you get to the recommend method of determining the best maximum height remember these two points.

MAXIMUM LOAD. If your camera and lens combination is on the heavy side you may want to choose a tripod that is a little bigger, heavier, and made from stronger materials than you think you need for better stability and safety of your equipment.

MAXIMUM HEIGHT. It's best that you err on the side of caution and get a little more height than you NEED, rather than a little too short. You can shorten a tall tripod, but you can't lengthen a short tripod.

Let's move on to figuring the right height for your tripod.

how to figure the right tripod HEIGHT

Diagram of how tall a tripod should be

That's the simple formula to calculate the maximum height your tripod must reach, but... Houston, we have a problem. Your stability will be compromised at its maximum height. I shot this video to help explain everything you need to consider.

tripod recommended height video

tripod size guide warning

Formula Shortcoming

Sometimes a simple formula like this doesn't give you the complete story. Just using this equation on how to calculate the right tripod height for you gives you the absolute minimum required height for you to able to stand up straight when you're shooting.

There is one more very important thing to consider. Raising your tripod legs and center column to its maximum height won't give you the best stability. In fact, raising your tripod legs, and even more importantly your tripod's center column to their fully extended position gives you the least possible stability.  

Here are some tips on getting the most possible stability out of your tripod.

here's the in-depth answer to how tall should a tripod be

This tripod is not tall enough with center column lowered

The mathematical answer above is oversimplified, but it's a good starting point. There are more factors to use than simple math when choosing how tall your tripod should be.

1. STABILITY. Tripods lose stability when they are fully extended to their maximum height. with the center column fully extended,  up away from the intersection of the three legs, your camera becomes more susceptible to movement, almost acting like a monopod.

Buying a tripod that is just high enough with the center column fully extended may disappoint you with its performance. This is even more true if you are looking at cheap tripods in order to save money.

Here is a short video on what is a good height for shooting portraits. There are no sample photos, but the narrator gives you some really good ideas.

Watch how shaky the tripod looks when the actor raises up the center post: YouTube Video-Tripod Height and Portraits.

Ground Level Tripod

2. MINIMUM. Minimum height photography. Do you ever shoot macro photos?

If your tripod has a long center column, it will get in the way when you are trying to shoot objects at ground level.

Tripod without center columns are harder to adjust for height, but they are much more stable to use than tripods with the center pole extended upward.

3. PERSPECTIVE. High perspective photography. What about shooting from above your subject? 

Group photo with elevated tripod

Taking a group photo from a high perspective can simplify the background and emphasize eyes and faces in a portrait. You need a tripod that can get much higher than your subject.

4. WEIGHT. How heavy is your tripod? Taller tripods weigh more. If you need a travel tripod or want to carry your tripod on hikes you may have to sacrifice some height for easier portability. Shorter tripods may suffice if you are not shooting a whole bunch of photos. You won't break your back, bending over forward continuously, if you are only shooting a few photos.

tall camera tripods

Low tripods are great for shooting close-ups in nature and photographing small children on their level. What about high level photography. When does it make sense to shoot from higher levels?

1. HIGH PERSPECTIVES. There are many situations where you will need to have your camera higher than eye level. Architectural views can be more interesting from higher angles. You can eliminate the horizon and simplify the background in your nature photos by getting your camera high and shooting downward. 

2. SHOOTING IN A CROWD. You may need a stool to stand on, but a tall tripod comes in handy when you are behind a crowd of people. Tripods make it easier to hold your camera at a vantage point above the level of spectators in a crowd.

The downhill tripod leg must be longer when shooting on a downward slope for it to reach your eye level.

3. SHOOTING ON A DOWNWARD SLOPE will mean you are at a higher elevation than your tripod. You may need a taller tripod than you think because the tripod's downhill leg will be at a lower elevation than your feet. You need a tripod with longer legs in this situation. This is important when shooting landscape photos.

Is a 60 Inch Tripod Tall Enough

A tripod should be tall enough to hold your camera steady at your eye level. 60 inches is tall enough unless you're shooting on a hill, you want to take a higher perspective, or you have objects at eye level that are blocking your view.

Here are 4 more tripods that I recommend and that have a variety of maximum heights for you to choose from. My free website is 100% funded from the readers. Please consider supporting this site.

closing thoughts on how tall a tripod should be

If you're in the market for a new camera tripod, there's more to consider than just how tall a tripod should be to reach eye level. If you don't mind bending over for an occasional use of a tripod, you can save on weight and price by going a little small.

The maximum height a tripod goes to is just one consideration when choosing the best tripod. If you are only using a lighter point and shoot camera, there are plenty of  checaper plastic tripods that might be okay for you.

Take just a second to realistically think about how you will be using your tripod first. Then do a little more investigating. 

Thanks so much for visiting my website. Please share this article titled "how tall should a tripod be." It helps me keep this web site going. The more you click your shutter, the better your clicks will be.

ABOUT BRUCE LOVELACE

Bruce is the publisher of this website. He is the author of the book "Improve Your Photography Instantly."  Read more on Bruce on his Bio Page. He's been known as The Traveling Photographer ever since 1994. Read more about this website.

View some of Bruce's photos on Instagram.   Visit the Facebook Page. Watch him on YouTube.  Bruce runs photo workshops for kids and adults, and provides one-on-one photography coaching.

Digital Photography Education Location on Google My Business

This tripod is too short for her

RELATED TRIPOD ARTICLES

• The 9 Tripods That Crush the Competition
• Camera Tripod Reviews
• All Tripod Articles
• Tripod Accessories
• Photography Tips HOME PAGE