Old Leitz pocket tripod and small ball and socket head
Toronto. … said the queen in the famous “Alice” stories. Those of the smartphone generation have little use for tripods or tripod heads as the media (sensor) is so sensitive that the majority of shots are taken hand held. Only doing close ups with care and videos are such devices necessary – always used with a cradle since smartphones do not have any kind of socket to accept a tripod head directly.
During most of the plate/film era, a tripod was essential to hold the camera stable and steady, pointed at the subject. The early stands were used in studios to hold the heavy cameras at the correct height and distance. Outdoors a tripod was essential. The head gave a means of rotation and tilt whereas the tripod’s legs could be adjusted for stability and balance.
A later alternative was a ball and socket head so the camera could be tilted, turned and tipped as needed. As film neared the end of its life, media sensitivity was still too low for hand held photos in poor light or carefully framed shots in any light. Now that digital sensors are so sensitive such stands and heads have generally been relegated to history.
Nevertheless, if you have a need for such accessories, you may well find a suitable tripod or head at one of our auctions or fairs (coming up fast this May).
