Few scenes are as exhilarating as a starry night sky, but capturing the perfect Milky Way or star-speckled backdrop requires more than an astrophotography camera. You need a wide lens with an aperture around f/4 or faster, a low-light-pollution sky, and, perhaps most important, an astrophotography tripod.
Whether it’s long exposures or capturing night-sky time-lapses, a tripod is integral to keeping your images blur-free and focused. But not all astrophotography tripods are the same. Some night-sky tripods are better for aurora hunting while others may be perfect for on-the-go photographers who need to pack light. That’s why we’re breaking down the five best tripods for astrophotography and time-lapse content, with ideas for when and how to use each tripod to its fullest.
Do you need a tripod for astrophotography?
Before we dive into the best tripods for astrophotography, you might be wondering, “Do I really need a tripod for astrophotography?” The answer is yes. In fact, it’s a requirement for shooting at night time.
Your camera needs a solid, steady surface for shooting astrophotography because you’re always shooting at extremely slow shutter speeds to bring in maximum light in the sky. Depending on your objective, you could be shooting for several seconds, minutes, hours, or even overnight.
So simply put, without a tripod, astrophotography would be impossible. It is the most important piece of equipment in your kit, outside of your camera and lenses.
5 Features to Look for in an Astrophotography Tripod
Here are five important features you need to look for when purchasing an astrophotography tripod:
1. Large payload
One of the most important features of an astrophotography tripod is the payload. It needs to be able to handle the weight of your camera gear and large accessories, like a star tracker or telescope with a camera adapter. Typically, a tripod with a 20-25 pound payload is plenty for the average astrophotographer.
2. Portability
Portability, like most camera equipment, is important for an astrophotography tripod. Depending on your payload needs, look for features that offer the greatest portability. Whether it’s a small, compact design or lightweight construction, invest in a tripod that is built for mobility and portability.
3. A strong, reliable construction
Portability leads to our next feature, which is a strong, reliable construction. There are two types of tripod materials that provide this while still being lightweight and carrying a large payload: aluminum and carbon fiber.
Both materials are lightweight, strong, and provide corrosion and weather resistance. Of the two, carbon fiber is the best option since it is lighter, stronger, and more durable, but it also comes at a premium price. Aluminum tripods offer a better value for those on a tighter budget.
4. Versatile Design
When it comes to astrophotography, it’s important to shoot with a tripod that has features that allow for a variety of different angles and shooting positions. You need a tripod with a versatile design to accomplish this, with features like a 360-degree ball head and convertible tripod column, that easily switches from a vertical to horizontal format.
5. Easy to Operate
Finally, it’s important to look for a tripod that is easy to use and operate. Photographing at night can be challenging, from the colder temperatures to lower visibility. You need to invest in a tripod that is easy to use throughout the day, but especially at night.
Look for features like one-handed locking leg levers, quick-release plates, tripod spikes, bubble levels, and hang hooks, to weigh down your tripod in strong winds. You want a tripod you feel confident operating with, even in the middle of the night.
5 Best Tripods for Astrophotography & Time-Lapse:
- MeFOTO RoadTrip Travel Tripod
- Joby GorillaPod 3K
- Manfrotto Befree GT Travel Carbon Fiber Tripod
- Manfrotto 645 FAST Twin Leg Aluminum Tripod
- Sirui ET-2204 4-Section Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod
For travelers: MeFOTO RoadTrip Travel Tripod
While this MeFOTO is no longer available new, Adorama’s used department often has great deals on these second hand. The world is full of dazzling astrophotography destinations, but you don’t want to lug a heavy tripod halfway around the globe every time you jetset. That’s where the MeFOTO RoadTrip Travel Tripod comes into play. This lightweight travel tripod extends to 5.13 feet, and folds down to a compact 15.4 inches. The tripod supports up to 17.6 pounds of gear, and has a recessed center-column hook for hanging additional weight to stabilize, which means this portable and lightweight travel tripod is also impressively sturdy and reliable. You can convert the MeFOTO tripod into a monopod, use the 360-degree pan index for panoramas, and adjust the top-mount height quickly to ensure you never miss the perfect shot.
For beginners: Joby GorillaPod 3K
If you’re just dipping your toes into night-sky photos, it’s helpful to start with an affordable and user-friendly tripod like the Joby GorillaPod 3K. Setup is seamless for this versatile little tripod. Just configure its flexible legs to the angle you want, attach your camera, and snap away. The GorillaPod’s low vantage point and versatile ball head let you angle up to capture even more of the night sky. It holds a maximum of 6.6 pounds (which includes most DSLR and mirrorless cameras), and can double as a grip for vlogging or livestreaming, giving you more bang for your buck with this affordable night-sky tripod.
For timelapses: Manfrotto Befree GT Travel Carbon Fiber Tripod
The Manfrotto Befree GT Travel Carbon Fiber Tripod may be in the “travel tripod” category, but don’t let that fool you. This sturdy tripod is a favorite among professional landscape and astrophotographers. The Manfrotto Befree GT Travel Carbon Fiber Tripod is 16.93 inches when folded, and expands to allow 22 pounds of equipment with a built-in spider created to help photographers capture long exposures and steady timelapses on uneven terrain. The tripod’s advanced 496 aluminum center ball head gives you smooth, precise camera movements to tackle moving Milky Way timelapses and panoramas. Plus, with an ultra-sturdy build, this tripod is ideal for experimenting with star trails and star-stacking shots — two methods that require absolute stability.
For speed: Manfrotto 645 FAST Twin Leg Aluminum Tripod
Nothing’s worse than missing the shot due to clunky tripods that take all your patience to configure — especially with a subject as fleeting as the night sky or auroras. But Manfrotto’s new 645 Fast Twin Leg Aluminum and Carbon Fiber Tripod puts those woes in the rearview. This tripod is fast — and we mean really fast. You can set up the Manfrotto 645 FAST in mere seconds, with a 55-pound load capacity built with heavy equipment in mind. This tripod comes at a pro-level price — it’s a favorite among video crews — but it’s well worth the investment if astrophotography is a priority, because this sturdy tripod was built to last.
For aurora hunting: Sirui ET-2204 4-Section Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod
If northern lights adventures are on the horizon, you need the Sirui ET-2204 4-Section Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod in your life. This durable tripod is a compact and easy-to-use travel companion. It can hold up to seven pounds of gear, and reaches an impressive 57-inch maximum height. A flip-lock leg system makes setup and breakdown simple, while the fluid video head ensures steadily panning across aurora-filled skies is a breeze — even if your body’s shivering from the cold. These features make the Sirui ET-2204 ideal for general astrophotography, but perhaps the most important feature that sets it apart for chasing auroras (an activity that often happens in the dead of winter) is the easily manipulated adjustment knobs, which you can actually control without removing your gloves.
Astrophotography Tripod Buying Guide: Comparison Table
| Feature | MeFOTO RoadTrip Travel Tripod | JOBY GorillaPod 3K | Manfrotto Befree GT Travel Tripod | Manfrotto 645 FAST Twin Leg Tripod | Sirui ET-2204 Travel Tripod |
| Load Capacity | 17.6 lbs (8 kg) | 6.6 lb (3 kg) | 26.5 lbs (12 kg) | 55 lb (25kg) | 26.5 lbs (12.02 kg) |
| Maximum Height | 5.13 ft (1.56 m) | 1 ft (31.8 cm) | 5.31 ft (1.62 m) | 5.15 ft (1.57 m) | 3.98 ft (1.21 m) |
| Material | Aluminum | ABS Plastic, Stainless Steel, TPE | Carbon Fiber | Aluminum | Carbon Fiber |
| Weight | 3.6 lbs (1.63 kg) | 0.75 lb (0.34 kg) | 3.41 lb (1.55 kg) | 8.6 lb (3.9 kg) | 2.9 lbs (1.32 kg) |
| Quick Release | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
To take your night-sky images even further, check out our guide on the best camera settings for astrophotography.
Feature photo by Taneli Lahtinen on Unsplash
