Whether it is food or apparel photography, flat lay photography is widely used nowadays for its ability to make the products look attractive and professional on social media platforms or eCommerce sites.
Using a tripod to capture sharp flat-lay photography is recommended, as it helps keep the camera steady. But which tripod should you buy?
This article will give you a brief idea of why a tripod is essential for flat lay photography and discuss the features of some of the best tripods for flat lay photography.
So without further ado, let’s dive in.
What you’ll learn in this article
Why Do You Need a Tripod for Flat Lay Photography?
Flat lay photography, also known as an overhead shot, is the process of photography where the camera is placed directly parallel and above the product at a 90° angle.
For this type of photography, it is crucial to keep the camera steady to capture a sharp and crisp image. So, using a tripod is a good choice. Let’s see why a tripod is crucial for flat lay photography.
The benefits of using a tripod are-
- Keeps the vantage point constant
- Retains stability of the camera
- Helps to take clear, sharp pictures
- Liberates hands to be used for other purposes
- Allows to shoot at a lower shutter speed
- allows for remote operation of the camera
The 7 Best Tripods for Flat Lay Photography
Every now and then, new models of tripods enter the market. However, not all of them can be used for the same purpose; some are better suited for indoor use, while others are better suited for outdoor use or landscape photography.
The following are some options to consider if you’re looking for a tripod for flat lay photography.
1. Manfrotto 055 Aluminum 3-Section Tripod with Horizontal Column (MT055XPRO3)
Manfrotto is a top-tier company loved by everyone for its best quality products. The Manfrotto 055 (MT055XPRO3) is one of the most popular and best flat lay tripods among professional users.
The durable aluminum tripod has a 90° center column that can be extended horizontally and vertically with a finger, even with an attached camera. Besides, the locking system is so smooth that the legs can be extended with a single hand.
Another distinctive feature is that users can move the bubble level in the center column however they see fit.
Key specifications:
- Compatible device: Camera
- Adjustable height range: 9cm – 170cm
- Weight: 5.5 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 9kg
- Material: Aluminum
- Number of leg sections: 3
- Color: Black
| Pros | Cons |
| Quick Power Levers (QPL) guarantee strong locking of each section. | The counterbalance hook is absent |
| QPL makes it more rigid and stable | Need to buy heads separately |
| A wide range of leg angles is available | The knobs may crack if they are overtightened. |
| The bubble level rotates freely for precise framing | Without the original packaging, it cannot be registered for a warranty. |
| The horizontal column can be extended and shortened | |
| A link connector is available for attaching accessories. |
2. Vanguard Alta Pro 263AP Aluminum Tripod
The Vanguard Alta Pro 263AP is one of the most versatile flat lay tripods for its multi-angle central column system, which can rotate horizontally and vertically from 0° to 180°. Its lightweight and compact size make it easy to operate and carry. Moreover, the three-way pan head makes panning and tilting smooth enough to make the framing precise.
Key specifications:
- Compatible device: Camera
- Adjustable height range: 42cm – 151.5cm
- Material: Aluminum, Rubber
- Weight: 2.6kg
- Weight capacity: 5g
- Head type: Pan heads
- Color: Black, Silver
| Pros | Cons |
| Multi-angle central column system rotates 360° and can be moved from 0° to 180° | Screws can get rusted if used in a wet condition |
| Legs can be set up at 3 angles: 25°, 50°, and 80° | Need to be extra careful as the plastic part that locks the central column is quite flimsy |
| Premium magnesium die-cast canopy with a bubble level for position accuracy | |
| Vibration and shock controllers have been included | |
| A detachable hook is given for holding camera gear and extra weight | |
| Rubber feet, including spikes for stability | |
| 3-way fluid pan head with two handles |
3. K&F Concept SA254T1 94″ Camera Tripod
K&F Concept SA254TI has a great height of 94 inches, which makes it the most suitable flat lay camera tripod. This tripod will support your inventive product photography even if you are shooting on a table, which is something that the majority of other tripods can’t do.
Despite being so tall, it can be folded down to a smaller size, making it easier to transport in the tote bag that is provided to safeguard it from scratches and other damage. Additionally, the ball head and the central column can rotate 360° and are sturdy enough to support your bulky camera and lenses and keep them secure.
Key specifications:
- Compatible device: DSLR
- Adjustable height range: 27 inches – 94 inches
- Folded size: 22 inches/57cm
- Weight: 2 kg
- Weight Capacity: 10kg
- Material: Aluminum
- Head type: Ball heads
- Locking system: Spiral lock
- Color: Black and Orange
| Pros | Cons |
| The central column can be moved from 0° to 180° and rotated 360° | Counterweight should be used to maintain the balance if extended to the maximum height |
| Robust stability | The tripod needs more room when fully extended |
| A detachable ball head can support up to 10kg | Not advised for use outdoors when fully extended as winds can cause camera shake |
| It has two center columns: inner and outer | |
| Both the inner and outer center columns can be adjusted independently | |
| Spiral locking knobs make height adjustment effortless | |
| The transverse central column allows shooting at a low angle. |
4. Neewer 2-in-1 Aluminum Alloy Camera Tripod
Neewer 2-in-1 aluminum alloy camera tripod is a durable and solid multifunctional transverse tripod. The 360° rotation capability of the center column and the ball head makes it one of the most commonly used tripods for flat lay photography. Besides, it comes with a portable carrying bag that protects the tripod from damage.
Key specifications:
- Compatible device: DSLR
- Maximum height: 165cm
- Weight: 7.16 Pounds
- Weight capacity: 22 pounds or 10 kg
- Material: High-Density Aluminum Alloy
- Head type: Ball heads
- Leg lock type: Twist lock
- Number of leg sections: 4
| Pros | Cons |
| A link connector is given for attaching accessories. | Sandbag is not included |
| The center column can rotate 360° horizontally | Balancing bubble works only if the camera is 90° from vertical |
| A hook is attached to the center column to hang a sandbag for stability | It is advised to handle knobs and legs gently due to their sensitivity. |
| Leg grips made of dense sponge insulate against extreme temperatures. | |
| The non-slip foot design assures safety and stability | |
| Legs lengths are adjusted by spiral twist locking knobs | |
| Bubble level helps to balance | |
| The ball head rotates 360° | |
| It can be used as a monopod |
5. Manfrotto MT190XPRO4 Aluminum 4-Section Tripod
Manfrotto MT190XPRO4 is the best choice for photographers who need to travel extensively, as the four-leg sections make the tripod more compact. The most convenient feature is that the 90° central column can be operated with only one finger.
Moreover, the quick power lock is strong, smooth, and fast enough to be extended with one hand. Additionally, the easy link plug allows connecting lights to enhance the lighting for flat lay photography.
Key specifications:
- Adjustable height range: 8cm – 160cm
- Weight: 4.6 pounds
- Material: Aluminum
- Head type: Video heads, Fluid heads
- Color: Black
- Number of leg sections: 4
| Pros | Cons |
| Rotating bubble level | Only two legs have rubber grips |
| Quick Power Lock system ensures fast setup | Need to buy heads separately |
| Link plug for connecting accessories | The plastic parts of the joints require extra attention while extending and collapsing |
| Q90 column gives excellent positioning | |
| Rubber grips on the legs make it easy to hold |
6. K&F Concept SA254T3 74-inch Camera Tripod
K&F Concept SA254T3 is one of the tallest and most versatile camera tripods available on the market. The most intriguing feature is the ability of the legs to collapse and invert around the ball head, making it the ideal size for travel. Despite being lightweight, it is pretty sturdy. Moreover, the 360° makes this a good overhead tripod.
Key specifications:
- Compatible device: DSLR
- Adjustable height range: 61cm/24 inch – 189cm/74 inch
- Folded size: 49cm/19.3 inch
- Weight: 4.1 Pounds
- Weight capacity: 22 Pounds or 10kg
- Weight Capacity: 10kg
- Material: Aluminum Alloy
- Locking system: Metal spiral locking
- Head type: Ball heads
- Color: Black, Orange
- Number of leg sections: 4
| Pros | Cons |
| The 25mm diameter aluminum alloy tube is strong enough to support up to 10kg | Not compatible for use in wet conditions |
| The central column can be moved from 0° to 180° and rotated 360° horizontally | Should be extra careful as metal leg clips can become jagged and sharp, causing injury. |
| The metal ball head can be rotated 360° | Balancing a telephoto lens requires a tripod mount ring |
| Bubble level helps to detect the position accuracy | The instruction manual’s language is a bit unclear |
| 4 section legs make it both compact and flexible | |
| It has a detachable monopod |
7. Manfrotto 190 Go! M-Series Aluminum 4-Section Tripod (MT190GOA4US)
Another excellent model from Manfrotto is the 190 Go! M-Series. Its capability of using the central column at every possible angle makes it versatile for professional product photography. Besides, the tripod’s four leg sections enable compact folding. Moreover, its sturdy structure supports more than 15 pounds and has an easy link for connecting camera accessories.
Key specifications:
- Compatible device: DSLR, CSC, Mirrorless Camera
- Adjustable height range: 3.54 inches – 59.84 inches
- Weight: 3.66 pounds
- Weight capacity: 15.43 pounds or 7kg
- Material: Aluminum
- Head type: 3-way head
- Locking system: Twist lock
- Number of leg sections: 4
- Color: Black
| Pros | Cons |
| M lock mechanism speeds up the extending process | The head section is quite heavy |
| Accessories can be connected through an easy link | Need to buy head attachments like a ball or pan head separately |
| The center column can be set at a 90° angle parallel to the ground | The bubble level is on the head rather than the tripod |
| Easy to carry | Carrying bag not included |
You Can Also Read: What are the Best Tripods for Food Photography?
Choosing the Best Tripod for Flat Lay Photography
When choosing the best tripod for overhead shots, you should consider the following features.
Quality:
The materials used to construct a tripod determine its quality. Tripods can be made from various materials, including wood, plastic, steel, aluminum, and carbon fiber, which affects their weight and lifting capacity.
Carbon fiber is considered the most durable and lightest of all these materials. However, aluminum is also durable but a bit heavier than carbon fiber. Therefore, the quality of these tripods would undoubtedly be much higher than those made of plastic.
Stable footing:
Buying a tripod with a secure footing is essential because a tripod without one could slip and break your equipment. It is better to use a tripod with rubber feet when shooting indoors on a slippery floor.
However, to stay on the safe side, purchase a tripod with both spikes and rubber feet so you can use it indoors and outdoors.
Stability:
When a heavy camera is mounted on a tripod at a high altitude, there are chances that the tripod will shake or even topple over. So, it is essential to check if the tripod has a hook attached to the center column so that a counterweight can be used to create the balance.
Besides, the legs and head joints must be sturdy enough to prevent loosening or breaking.
Payload:
Payload is the maximum weight that a tripod can support without shaking the camera or toppling over, which could then cause the camera to crash to the ground. Before mounting a heavy camera and counterweight, it is essential to know if the tripod can hold such a large load.
So it is essential to consider the payload before purchasing. Usually, good-quality tripods have a maximum weight capacity of 10 kg.
Customizable height:
Flat lay photography is done mostly on a table. It’s crucial to mount the camera much higher to keep enough distance between the camera’s lens and the subject of the photo to capture the entire subject.
Therefore, choosing a tripod whose height is pretty decent and can be adjusted as needed is vital.
Flexible orientation:
Usually, flat lay photography is done at a 90° angle. However, there are times when a 45° angle is required to highlight the texture, design, or details for close-up shots.
For this reason, the tripod’s central column should be able to be extended so that it can be moved both horizontally and vertically to position the camera at a 90° angle. Also, the heads should be able to tilt and pan 360° to set the framing.
Balancing device:
When mounting the camera for flat lay photography, it’s crucial to make sure that it is perfectly parallel to the object being photographed so that the image will be straight.
In that case, a tripod with a leveling device such as a bubble level can help detect whether the camera is straight or tilted.
Final Thoughts
Undoubtedly, a sturdy tripod is necessary for flat lay photography. As there are numerous models to choose from different brands, it becomes quite challenging to make purchasing decisions. However, when making a purchase, quality and features are more crucial to take into account than cost and brand reputation.
Hopefully, this article has provided you with ideas about some of the finest available tripods and helped you select the best tripod for flat lay photography.
