The perfect tripod doesn't exist. That's why I have several.
If it's for hiking, the ideal is a lightweight carbon tripod.
If you won't be carrying it for long or if it's at home, the best is a very stable tripod.
As for heads, there are, of course, fluid heads for video, and gimbal heads for sports or wildlife photography. Personally, I often use heads where you can adjust the three axes independently.
The worst head (and unfortunately the most common) is the ball head. When you think the adjustment is almost correct and you want to fine-tune it, you have to unlock it and adjust everything again.

This is exactly the kind of guide I was looking for! Clear, informative, and super helpful for anyone trying to choose the right tripod. Great job breaking down the options!

I thought for a sec you said ”bogus height”.
Good explanations, needs more views, likes

Great vid for everyone coz we all need a good tripod. Doesn't matter what we're taking shots of, it's all covered in this vid. Great advice and makes all the difference if you want a sharp image 👍👍👍👍

Great info! One of the best reviews I seen!

I needed a compact tripod for travel and taking with me when I go walking & fishing, so went for the Three legged Thing - Brian 2.0 model (before I'd seen this video). Key things that drew me toward this one were the size and weight, Arca Swiss compatible and part of a modular system with quite a few add-ons. So far its seems perfect fit for me and might be worth a look if you're in the market.

I love my Leofoto TP's! And the Acutech pano and ballheads.

Thanks for posting. So many options, such a broad range of choices.
Personally, my favourite tripod is one somebody gave me, a Libec TH-650 with a fluid head, maybe considered more a video tripod than a photographic tripod.
I've a lot of confidence in its stability, rigidity and build quality, plus its a tall tripod and it utilises a half cup construction plate rather than a centre column, which allows easy setting of a level platform for  use in both photography and video.
Agreed its not the lightest, nor the most compact when packed (at nearly 80cm), but I've recently ordered a 65mm half ball to flat base adapter that will not only reduce its overall weight, but allow me to use a range of different heads, depending on what I plan to shoot: geared head for astro, pano rig for multiple panoramic exposures and a gimbal head for wildlife, or my minimalist do it all at a pinch option, an Andoer VH-10 2-way Pan/Tilt Head (note my preference for avoiding ball heads. I prefer an L bracket to keep the camera weight over the tripod centre axis).
My closing comment is don't rule out buying secondhand providing you're confident enough to check for possible damage or excessive wear before parting with your hard-earned..

Well made guide!

Thanks Marc. I appreciate the tripod tips

Great video , thanks Marc

A great and helpful introduction of tripod styles for new users, I still use my old Giottos MTL9361B I bought when it first appeared on the market, along with the Benro B2 ballhead both of which coupled at times with the weight of a 5D mkII/battery grip/pano kit and various size lenses have never let me down and is still going strong to this day.

I appreciate the effort put into the video and IMO a lot of good advice. Also, appreciate that you’re not too hung up in Arca Swiss compatibility (many influencers are) as Manfrotto and their quick release system still have a large market share. Personally, I use mostly the Arca Swiss “standard” now, but I’ve also used the Manfrotto RC2 a lot and it’s frankly easier in use than any Arca Swiss head/plate combo I’ve used so far.

I’ve one large, sturdy Benro carbon tripod that’s tall enough, stable enough, can handle heavy gear etc. It also stays in one place and is not that much used. Maybe my use case is special but the tripod(s) I use most weigh less than 1.5kg, have five leg sections, need the center column to get to a “comfortable” height and the lightest even have a center column that’s not adjustable (can be removed though).

I agree with almost everything said in the video for the “ideal tripod”, but still find it worthwhile to compromise to get a tripod that’s: Short enough packed to go inside a mid-sized daypack and light enough to carry everywhere. I’ve found that (for me) max height isn’t as important with live view and a tilt/swivel LCD as it used to be with a SLR/dSLR and an OVF.

Also, the combination of electronic shutter/electronic first curtain combined with a self-timer or remote greatly reduce vibrations generated by the camera. Of course, this don’t solve vibrations from wind or when you can’t use a delay. However, when I need to press the shutter at a exactly the same time it’s also often some kind of action that’s captured that need a fast enough shutter to make vibrations much less of an issue.

Still, there are pictures that can’t be made or is much more difficult to achieve with a too weak/unstable/low tripod so this is clearly not a solution for everyone but for me it works quite well - most of the time.

Excellent video. Answered everything I wanted to know as a new photographer looking for my first tripod. I'd struggled to find info on all the intricacies and even some basic stuff.

Great video, and aligns with my research except for the difference in the twist lock and clip lock-   Thanks.  Being 6’2” tall finding a tall enough and stable one has been a struggle.   Again great video

I love my RRS.

I have x3 Tripods, each quite different.

1). Benro Tortoise 03C Carbon
+ GX25 - Arca Swiss head.
●Tabletop or Ground-level work Tripod.
●Bombproof design, fits inside most camera bags

2). Manfrotto Element, Traveller Kit Carbon
- Arca Swiss head.
●Lightweight, compact full size travel Tripod
●Extendable centre-colum
●Fits inside larger camera bags.

3). Manfrotto Befree GT XPRO Aluminium
+ Benro + GX25 - Arca Swiss head
●Heavy loadouts, robust, stability full size Tripod.
●This Tripod can go to Ground-level & also centre-colum can position horizontally or upside-down.

What an excellent review. No hype and some real practical advice. I’m  thinking that my CF Manfrotto 055 with 3 leg extensions is too large for trekking around the Lake District.

Around 1991 or '92, I purchased a Bogen, (aka: Manfrotto,) 3021 tripod with the 3265 Grip Action Ball Head.  Though it's seen some slightly rough treatment over the past 34 years, the thing still works like a pro!  Quality product from Manfrotto, (aka:  Bogen in the past.)  Same company, just different branding.

The Manfrotto was the "bread and butter" tripod throughout Europe for many years ! Manfrotto does not have as good quality as the brand used to have.