A camera tripod serves as a stable platform for the camera. Since astrophotos typically last several minutes or more, it's not possible to hold the camera steady throughout the exposure. Bogen, Tiffen and Velbon are companies that make reasonably priced camera tripods. My favorite mail order company, Eagle Optics, carries these and other brands.
The tripod can be broken down into two areas, the legs and the head. The more expensive brands allow you to mix & match leg and head combinations. Valuable features to look for in a tripod leg include an adjustable center column, leg spread and telescoping legs. These features make the tripod easily adaptable to any terrain. Spreadable legs allow you to place the camera very low to the ground. Aluminum tripod legs cost more and are somewhat heavier than plastic legs. However, aluminum is stronger and more rugged while still being light weight.
The tripod head should allow pan and tilt motion in at least two axes. The better heads have motion through three axes, pan, tilt and side-to-side. This flexibility in motion is valuable to the astrophotographer because the constellations are oriented haphazardly across the sky. A two or three axis head is essential to framing the perfect shot. The head should have a safety lock that, when engaged, prevents accidental release of the adapter plate. You'll be working with the tripod in dark and the last sound you want to hear is that of your new camera slamming into the rocky ground.
These are the features to look for in a camera tripod for astrophotography. Now, let's take a look at astro film.
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Revised: February 11, 2002 [WDF]