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Tripods anchor a camera to get a steadier shot and smoother video.
Tripods should be used when you're shooting scenes that are relatively static and do not have a lot of movement in them, and where the movement of the camera thus will be more noticeable.
They're particularly good for a sit-down interview with someone, where the person is relatively stationary and the camera movement again would be noticeable.
You adjust the height of the tripod by loosening and then extending or retracting the three legs on the tripod.
Most tripods have a little bubble level to help you adjust the legs so the camera is level. Just change the length of the different legs until the bubble is centered.
Some more expensive tripods also have a ball on the top on which the camera rests that allows you to swivel the camera once it's attached for easier leveling.
You attach the camera to the tripod by removing the small cork plate in the top of the tripod. Usually this means turning a small lever to release the plate.
Then fit the plate onto the bottom of the camera by lining up the two differently sized buttons on the top of the plate with the correspondingly sized holes on the bottom of the camera.
Screw the small plate into the bottom of the camera, using the hand screw on the underside of the tripod plate.
Now insert the plate and camera at a slight angle into the top of the tripod, fitting it under the lip of the tripod. When you have it aligned properly and press down gently, you'll hear a click as the plate snaps into place (this clicking is caused by the lever you first used to remove the plate snapping back into place).
If you have trouble getting the plate into the top of the tripod, check the lever to make sure it is open so the plate can slide in.
Once the camera seems attached to the tripod, jiggle the camera a little bit before you let go of it, to make sure the camera is securely fastened to the tripod.
The tripod also has small levers or handles you can use to pan from side to side, to tilt the camera at an angle or to make final height adjustments (using a hand crank to raise the camera).
In each case you need to unscrew a knob to free the camera so it can be moved with a particular lever or handle. Be sure to tighten each knob after you've made an adjustment, or the camera will slowly shift or sag after you've let go of the handle.
Some tripods have a remote control handle that allows you to control the functions of the camera (zooming, recording, etc.), by plugging a cord on the handle into the camera.
On the Sony TRV900 the jack for the cord from the tripod's remote control handle is on the right front of the camera under the gray flap. It's blue jack labeled lanc (which stands for local application control)
On the Sony PD150 the jack for the cord from the tripod's remote control handle is on the right middle of the camera under the gray flap. It's blue jack labeled lanc (which stands for local application control)
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