What is the top tripod available now for taking pictures of landscapes? There are hundreds of alternatives available when looking for the ideal landscape tripod; the difficult part is to sift through them all to discover the one that’s best for you.
This article will assist you in sorting through the several tripods available to select the one that best suits your requirements. Of course, recommending the finest tripod for black-and-white photography is challenging, as it is with many areas of the art. It depends on your objectives, equipment, and if aspects like price and portability are more important than attributes like height and durability.
However, I would advise against purchasing a cheap, all-inclusive model like the $25–$50 models you could buy at your neighborhood department store or online. Although some of these tripods seem excellent and have a big list of capabilities, they are often built of flimsy materials that won’t keep your camera stable and will shatter very easily. Therefore, go through our list if you’re looking for a decent landscape photography tripod; you’re sure to discover a far better alternative that meets your requirements.
Let’s get going.
Best Tripods for Landscape Photography
1. The Peak Design Travel Tripod (Best overall)
In 2019, Peak Design introduced its Travel Tripod, which shocked the photographic industry. The tripod was (and still is!) compact, lightweight, and adaptable, which appealed to various photographers.
Photographers rapidly noted certain significant drawbacks. This new tripod cost a lot of money, had certain restrictions and had strange design decisions. Nevertheless, despite its flaws, I suggest the Peak Design Travel Tripod as the finest tripod money can buy for taking landscape photos.
There isn’t anything else like it, and I’ve used this tripod extensively, from isolated hiking locations along the US-Canada border to mountaintops in the southwest United States. Landscape photographers who respect quality and mobility will appreciate its small size when completely compressed and incredibly low weight. With the middle column extended, the total unit is almost as tall as any other tripod on our list. The built-in ball cap is flexible, the legs are secure, and the box is lightweight.
The small (but very sturdy) structure of the Peak Design Travel Tripod can’t quite hold up when you start adding pounds of equipment, so I wouldn’t advocate using it with heavier cameras like the Canon 1D X or Nikon D6. However, this tripod strikes the ideal balance between size, functionality, and mobility for most landscape photographers.
Pros
- Exceptional portability
- Very adaptable
- Numerous little design details that show great attention to detail, such as the mobile phone holder nestled into the central column
Cons
- The carbon fiber model is incredibly pricey.
- Lower in height than other tripods
- For highly hefty camera/lens combos, not intended.
2. MeFOTO Travel Tripod Backpacker S Aluminum (Best budget)
With the MeFOTO BackPacker S Travel Tripod, you can’t go wrong if you’re a landscape photographer on a tight budget. Although it isn’t as small or adaptable as other things on our list, it still provides incredible versatility, particularly for the cost.
To conserve space, the legs fold up around the ball head. During setup, you may lock the legs into a variety of configurations. The total height of this tripod is constrained by the absence of a real center column, yet it meets the requirements of many landscape photographers fairly well.
The parts of the legs are extended and secured in place by several twist-lock mechanisms on each leg. Although I prefer the clip-lock or twist-lock mechanisms seen on other tripods over this design, I understand that the primary purpose of this tripod is to cater to more cost-conscious customers.
Although it’s not very significant for landscape photographers, one great feature is the option to transform it into a genuine monopod by removing a leg and connecting it to the central column. It attests to this tripod’s general adaptability, and the MeFOTO BackPacker S is a good alternative for photographers looking for a single affordable solution for landscape photography and other uses.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Flexible
- Convertible to a monopod
Cons
- Not as tall as other choices
- Not everyone like twist-lock extension systems.
3. Manfrotto MT190XPRO3 with Manfrotto 496 Center Ball Head (Best semi-professional)
There is a little paradox about camera equipment: the more you pay, the less you receive. Higher-end tripods often come as two distinct pieces: legs and heads, as opposed to many less costly tripods that include everything you need to start shooting immediately. Although the Manfrotto MT190XPRO3 is an excellent pair of tripod legs, it also requires a head. Thus I suggest the 496 Center Ball Head.
Although the Manfrotto tripod legs aren’t the smallest and lightest, they are robust, solid, and tall enough to allow you to take distinctive, impossible landscape photographs with shorter tripods. The clip-lock leg extensions allow for fast and simple modifications while allowing the legs to be secured in various positions. My favorite function is the ability to lengthen the central column and then move it horizontally to take pictures in wholly different ways.
While the 496 Center Ball Head doesn’t provide anything especially novel, it provides stability and remarkable use. It improves on the design Manfrotto has used for years. The ball head’s large, chunky knobs make it simple to adjust the position in which it is locked, and it is designed to accommodate more than 20 pounds of equipment.
In conclusion, this configuration is ideal for landscape photographers who utilize high-end cameras and lenses and don’t want to risk damaging their equipment by using a weak support system.
Pros
- Sturdy
- Simple to change ball head position
- Leg locking systems that are simple but effective
Cons
- Unsuitable for hiking due to its bulk
- Lower in height than other tripods
4. Gitzo GT2545T Series 2 Traveler (Best professional tripod)
The Gitzo GT2545T Series 2 Traveler is a tough competitor for landscape photographers looking for a no-compromise solution to the tripod issue. It’s compact, lightweight, stretches to more than five feet, and is made to withstand punishment.
This tripod is no exception to Gitzo’s reputation in photography as a producer of durable, dependable equipment for the most demanding settings. It folds down enough to fit most backpacks or bags, but it isn’t nearly as tiny and portable as the Peak Design Travel Tripod. Its carbon fiber construction makes it lightweight for trekking out to your favorite locations for landscape photography.
Although a ball head is commonly included with this tripod, you are free to purchase just the legs and choose a head that most suits your requirements. However, I highly suggest the often included ball head since it is excellent for landscape photographers. The head can be adjusted into almost any position you want thanks to its large knobs, which are simple to tighten and loosen. This ball head, as opposed to other cheaper ones, is coated with a specific substance to reduce sticking, making it ideal for photographers who take pictures outside in bad weather.
Pros
- very high-quality construction
- very light but strong enough to hold heavy cameras and lenses
- compactly folds for mobility
Cons
- Expensive
- not as little as some of the others on this list
- When fully expanded, height is respectable but not exceptional.
5. JOBY TelePod Pro (Best small tripod)
Large tripods that reach far into the sky are excellent for taking pictures of nature and landscapes, but sometimes you simply need something compact and adaptable. And I suggest the JOBY TelePod Pro if you value compactness above everything else.
This tripod is designed for compact setups, such as a consumer-grade DSLR or mirrorless camera with a thin lens, and it collapses down to the size of a water bottle so you can carry it anywhere. It boasts strong, rubberized feet and an unusual design feature that replaces the extensible legs with a central column. While sacrificing stability, this preserves exceptional compactness and mobility.
Of course, it’s important to keep expectations realistic while using the JOBY TelePod Pro. The fact that it resembles a three-foot selfie stick makes it unattractive to many seasoned landscape photographers. But the TelePod Pro is almost ideal for individuals new to this kind of photography or who don’t have large cameras and lenses.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- amazingly small
- very portable
- Simple to utilize in a variety of landscape scenarios
Cons
- Not recommended for heavy cameras
- Limitations of an extended center column design on overall stability
6. Feisol Elite Tripod CT-3472LV M2 (Best heavy-duty tripod)
Wind, snow, rain, filth, dust, high heat, and cold are all common in landscape photography, and in these situations, it pays to have a tripod that will never fail you. The Feisol Elite Tripod fills that need.
It’s a terrific choice for anyone who prioritizes build quality and longevity above everything else, partly because of its sturdy legs, which outperform almost every other product in its class and can support over 60 pounds. Because it is made of carbon fiber, it is expensive but weighs a manageable amount, which is ideal if you want to carry it long distances on your back or over your shoulder.
The Feisol Elite Tripod has one significant advantage: its size, even if it is not as adaptable as other alternatives on our list. It’s certainly not a little portable gadget like the Joby TelePod Pro. When folded, the Feisol Elite Tripod is around two feet long and rises to a lofty height of about six feet to let you capture the images that other landscape photographers can only imagine.
Pros
- Massive legs provide incredible stability.
- greater weight capacity than comparable tripods
Cons
- Expensive
- includes a ball head but nothing else
- Not recommended for photographers who prioritize portability
7. Manfrotto MK055XPRO3-3W (Best full-size tripod)
The Manfrotto MK055XPRO3-3W tripod has all the bells and whistles but not the kitchen sink. If you’re a landscape photographer looking to purchase a single tripod with everything you require for rock-solid stability, this one is it. Yes, it’s big and not ideal for long walks or tramping about in the bush.
Good luck fitting this beast into a backpack; you won’t get a carbon fiber construction, but it is rock sturdy, has simple flip locks to extend the legs, and soars to a height of more than 72 inches. As long as you can carry it to your destination, it can handle any circumstance you may throw at it.
Although you may alter this tripod with a different ball head, the built-in 3-way pan/tilt head works well for shooting landscapes. The huge adjustment handles provide a strong connection to the tripod that I enjoy and give a more cautious, deliberate approach than other ball heads that need knob-turning. For even more versatility, the middle column can be moved horizontally, just as with other premium Manfrotto tripods.
Pros
- The exceptional balancing act between features, flexibility, and cost-strong, dependable legs can reach six feet in length
Cons
- Not everyone can use the included pan/tilt head.
- Rather immobile
- The load limit is adequate but not exceptional given the size.
8. Vanguard Alta Pro 263AP (Most flexible tripod)
For landscape photographers looking for cutting-edge capabilities at a far more affordable price than Gitzo or Feisol tripods, the Vanguard Alta Pro 263AP is a fantastic choice. It stretches to a respectable 70 inches and is quite small, albeit not as small as the Peak Design Travel Tripod. The ball head may be twisted and moved in any direction possible, and the middle column can be positioned in several different ways.
I truly like the thoughtful details that make this tripod for landscape photography a bit more enjoyable. Metal points on the feet provide the most stability (especially in nature). You have an almost unmatched degree of flexibility since you can move the middle column while simultaneously changing its height.
And although some photographers may like to use a more conventional ball head, I value the big, simple handles that let you independently control the pan, tilt, and rotation. Given that it is suitable for practically all shooting situations, I wouldn’t consider recommending this tripod to most photographers.
Pros
- Comparatively affordable in comparison to some other items on this list
- Very adaptable
- Excellent in many circumstances, not just landscapes
Cons
- Not everyone likes the included tripod head.
- Not little when compressed
9. Joby GorillaPod with smartphone mount (Best mobile phone tripod)
The maxim “the best camera is the one that you have with you” is often applied to mobile phones. If we extend it a little bit, we might argue that the best tripod is the one you already have. I’m usually pleased to suggest this little Joby tripod to landscape photographers who use their phones to capture shots. The tripod can be wrapped around various things, such as trees, fence posts, benches, and more, thanks to its distinctive wraparound legs that enable you to take steady pictures on almost any surface.
While I wouldn’t suggest a GorillaPod to anybody who uses a DSLR or mirrorless camera, it’s perfect for smartphone photographers. With a phone connected, the tripod will stay securely in place, and the ball head is fantastic for moving your phone around to obtain the perfect photo. It is exceedingly portable, lightweight, tiny, and reasonably priced.
There is practically no reason not to purchase this tripod if you often take phone photos of landscapes. It’s a fantastic solution and a great asset to your equipment set, despite certain drawbacks.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Small
- Flexible
- very portable
Cons
- Very brief
- Unsuitable for specialized cameras
Final thoughts on the best tripod for landscape photography
Although a tripod is not strictly necessary for landscape photography, it will provide consistently superior results. You can take pictures you just can’t reach while shooting handheld and utilize lower ISO settings, smaller apertures, and longer shutter speeds.
One of the choices on this list should work for you whether you’re searching for your first tripod or if you currently own one and want to improve.
Remember that these are just my recommendations for the finest tripods for landscape photography; however, if you have a favorite, please let me know in the comments below, along with any of your landscape images.
FAQs about landscape tripods
What is the finest tripod manufacturer for taking landscape photos?
Try to avoid seeing something objectively and categorically. Every tripod brand has advantages and disadvantages, as well as several considerations. Consider your requirements first, then choose a tripod that meets your budget rather than focusing on which brand is the best.
Does a tripod that can withstand the elements cost more money?
Although some tripods tout features like waterproof knobs and dials, I don’t care too much about this kind of stuff. I wouldn’t advise paying extra for these functionalities if you don’t have a particular use case. Any model should work perfectly, except for the daily use of your tripod in the pouring rain.
Do I need a certain kind of camera to take landscape photos?
For taking landscape photos, any camera will do, including smartphones, point-and-shoot cameras, and expensive DSLR and mirrorless versions. Although landscape photographers often prefer wide-angle lenses to include more of the area, telephoto lenses may also provide stunning landscape images. Landscape photography is almost not limited by your camera; regardless of the equipment you choose, a tripod will certainly be helpful.
What kind of tripod head should I use?
While some individuals choose pan-and-tilt heads, others favor ball heads. There is no one right solution. However, I like ball heads due to their size and practicality. Using a tripod head intended for filming while still taking pictures is one thing I do not advise. As opposed to a head made for still photos, they often do not provide the same degree of free-form movement and placement.
