Tripods are boring. But these deals on tripods with hydraulics, rotating columns, and more are anything but

Setting up a tripod typically involves extending each leg sectionn, locking it in place, and repeating for all three legs. But the SmallRig x Potato Jet Tribex uses hydraulics to extend all three legs at once with a single clutch. That design makes this tripod quick and easy to set up without messing with fiddly leg sections. The included fluid video video is also a big plus and works well. The biggest downside is that what the tripod gains in speed it lacks in precision, but videographers that need to be able to quickly set up, tear, down, move then set up again will like the hyrdualic design on this tripod. The aluminum version is the most affordable, but the carbon fiber version are also discounted right now in this Prime-only deal. B&H also has a similar deal.

The reason I get so frustrated with tripods is the limited shooting angles – and then I tried Vanguard's options with rotating center columns. The Alta Pro 2+ 263 is a more affordable version of the Veo 3T series tripod that I own, but it still has the rotating center column that's fantastic for macro and flatlays, as well as video. Four different leg angles also add to this tripod's versatility, and a counterweight hook helps add stability while keeping the weight of the tripod under 6 pounds.

My own Manfrotto BeFree Advanced tripod has held up for years – it's a well-built tripod that folds down easily for travel. The other thing to love about the Befree is that there are several varieties, so you can take your pick of the different leg locks and builds. I'm partial to the flip locks with an Acra-Swiss quick-release plate, and the aluminum version has hit its lowest price in more than 30 days at $149. This deal also isn't exclusive to Prime members.

I haven't tried this tripod before, but the price on a compact travel tripod from a well-known brand is hard to ignore. The SmallRig CT-20 is a budget tripod that can accommodate up to 11 pounds of gear, including both dedicated cameras and smartphones with the included adapter.

Carbon fiber legs create the sturdiest tripods while remaining lightweight. This set of legs from Manfrotto is a versatile set that can handle up to 22 pounds, despite weighing under 4 pounds itself. This tripod deal is for the legs only and doesn't include a tripod head.