A tripod in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?

WHEN I covered the Expocomm 2005 exhibition last year, people who saw me carrying my mobile phone-sized Digimax U-CA5 5MP camera always commented on the disparity in size between such a tiny camera and such a large tripod.

A large, conventional camera tripod

Yes, carrying a large standard tripod can be a pain, but a tripod is sometimes the only way to ensure a stable, blur-free image. If you have a digital camera but no tripod, the good news is that there has been a flood of "mini tripods" into the marketplace, moving the prices down as well. Mini tripods can be carried in your pocket without the burden and weight of a full size one and serve the same purpose when placed on top of tables and other furniture. Of particular flexibility is the Vanguard VS-41, which can be found for a price between less than $2 to $20, depending to where you buy it. It has a few limitations, like the inability to support heavy cameras and not being too rigid, but for the price, you can't beat its simplicity.

A flexible "mini-tripod" for $1.65

Personally I've chosen something a bit more sturdy, the Canon Mini Tripod 7, with rubber tipped legs for additional stability and a "telescopic design" which reminds of FM radio antennas, and allows it to be extended from the default size to over 8 inches, and which retails for around $14, sporting a lightweight metallic construction.

Canon mini-tripod fully extended

Canon mini-tripod fully collapsed

I'm very happy with my mini tripod, and since it fits in my pocket it's a perfect match to the U-CA5 digicam which I always have with me in its belt attached velcro carrying pouch. I was able to use it for instance to take some gorgeous night skyline images like this for which a steady hand is not enough.

Regardless of what mini tripod model you choose from among the thousands available let me tell you that if you're an enthusiast of digital cameras, getting one is a must. You'll be happy to see no more blurred images. µ