For the selection of a camera tripod, payload may be first considered by most users, while the actual effective counterbalance is the key. There are four main parameters of a tripod head: payload range, number of horizontal damping gears, number of vertical damping gears, and number of counterbalance adjustment gears. 

What is counterbalance force?

In the absence of damping force, the force that can keep the camera from tilting forward and backward is the counterbalance force, which we think is the most important index to measure the quality of a tripod.

What factors affect counterbalance?

This force is affected by two parameters, one is the weight of the camera, the other is the height of the center of gravity. If the force is too small, the camera will fall in one direction, and if the force is too large, the camera will spring back to the middle.

What is the payload range of counterbalance?

In addition to the weight of the camera itself, we also need to consider the weight of the accessories needed. For example, when we install high position devices such as display screen or teleprompter on the camera, the gravity center of the camera is seriously affected by the lever principle, which is also the reason why we need a 25kg counterbalance payload head for a studio camera with a total weight of less than 15kg.

What is effective counterbalance?

The effective counterbalance is the minimum balance force given by maintaining the front and rear balance without tilting after the camera is mounted on the tripod head. And with effective damping, users can maintain a good shooting handfeel.

What are the types of resilience?

The tripod has two kinds of counterbalance structure resilience at present, one is spring, the other is rubber sheet.

The Spring has low cost and simple structure, and the disadvantage is that it is easy to elastic fatigue and is easily affected by temperature. 

Metal rubber sheet, usually 1-3KG per sheet, the counterbalance payload can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the number of discs. The stability is very good and the use is convenient. But it has a strickt requirements on machining accuracy and high cost. The representative brands of tripod with this structure are SEEDER, Sachtler, and Miller.

Of course, there are some brands use plastic parts to ensure the accuracy and reduce the cost of processing, but the durability is poor.

SEEDER manufacturer provides the most flexible and high-quality camera tripods, from large payloads of up to 60kg to lightweight, can give the most smooth handfeel and excellent durability.