A Leitz table tripod 14100 from the 1950s in closed position
Toronto. In this day of smartphones and digital cameras with maximum ISO settings beyond our wildest dreams in the film era, camera supports are seldom necessary (other than to take selfies or closeups where framing is critical).
In the early days of photography, studio cameras were massive pieces of furniture usually with four legs terminating in wheels to move across floors. Outdoors, cameras were mounted on sturdy tripods – the three leg wonders were quite stable on either uneven ground or level ground. The camera could be raised or lowered or turned in place allowing a steady photo to be created with media that took a few seconds or longer exposure.
The trusty tripod was a ubiquitous accessory for well over a century of serious photography adding both stability and framing to each photograph. When faster media arrived in the 1870s, handheld cameras using shutters became popular – often so called detective cameras since they could be operated without the tripod appendage. We continued to use tripods indoors and for close-ups and/or where framing was important.
When we approached the end of film and the beginning of digital technology, tripods and other stands be came unnecessary for most photos. Even at slower ISO ratings there was often built-in optical stability to counteract a small bit of shake. In the late years of last century, I used a tripod, clamps, and even the camera strap to steady my camera. Holding the strap of my Leica tight around my neck, I could take photos as slow as 1/8 second successfully without any built-in optical stability. Of course I was much younger then …
NB. Regular tripods are so common, even today, that I chose to show one of my small Leitz table top tripods. A ball & socket head can be added to allow limited camera adjustment.
