Tripods and shooting sticks come from two worlds: camera-support makers with decades of engineering behind them, and hunting and shooting brands that built rests for the field. These are the names worth knowing.
Camera support makers
Manfrotto
Headquarters in Cassola, Italy. Founded by Italian photojournalist Lino Manfrotto, who began designing and selling products under his name in the late 1960s. The brand is now owned by Videndum plc.
Known for: Tripods, monopods, heads and lighting supports
Gitzo
Founded 1917 in France. Started by Arsène Gitzhoven and now part of the same Videndum group as Manfrotto. Production moved from France to Italy between 2001 and 2005.
Known for: The first professional carbon fiber tripod in 1994, plus the Explorer, Traveler and Ocean lines
Shooting rests
BOG
BOG-POD and BOGgear brands. Built around founder Kim Hicks and manufacturing since 2006. Battenfeld Technologies acquired the company in January 2014.
Known for: Monopods, bipods and tripods for shooting, photography and videography
Primos
Founded 1976 in Mississippi. Started by Will Primos, who began by building wild turkey calls in his garage. The company grew into a broad hunting brand.
Known for: Trigger Stick shooting rests, including the one-hand-adjust Gen3 tripod and bipod