CAMERA STAND (Pr., Pied ; Ger., Static) A raised support for the camera, to keep it steady during focusing and exposure. There are several varieties, differing in construction accord ing to their purpose. In the older but still very common form of studio camera stand B the top is raised or lowered by rack and pinion, or by a counterpoise and weight, while the table has a tilting movement. The better class of studio stand is, however, much more ornate and elabor ate (see " Studio Camera"). The Hana studio stand C is novel in construction, having a counter ease and smoothness of movement, the camera may be raised as high at 7 ft. or lowered to only 2 ft. from the ground. The tripod stand A for balanced platform travelling on two upright pillars, to which it may instantly be clamped by pulling a lever. Besides the advantages of field cameras is usually made to fold up, the three legs being then strapped together for carrying.
The bottom joint should have a sliding ment to allow of adjustment on uneven ground. The top, or head, is detachable ; it is covered with felt to avoid scratching the camera, and it has d hole for the screw by which the latter is secured. Many tripod legs, however, are made to fit a turntable at the bottom of the camera. The tripod head must be sufficiently large for the apparatus which it is to support, or vibration will occur. Steadiness and rigidity should be the distinguishing characteristics of a tripod stand, and should be considered before lightness, though the two qualities are not necessarily antagonistic. Telescopic stands D of brass, steel, or aluminium, are very portable, but are suitable only for light cameras.