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Tamrac Zipshot Tripod review - lightest full size tripod in the world
The Tamrac Zipshot Tripod is one of the smartest travel tripods I have ever seen. The basic design of the Zipshot will instantly look familiar to anyone that has ever assembled a tent. The three legs of the Zipshot are essentially metal tent poles, with elastic straps inside to pull them together when you unfold it.
At a mere 10.9 ounces, tripods don't get any lighter - and despite the lightweight design and flimsy looking legs, the Zipshot is remarkably sturdy. No - it won't be a replacement for your heavy carbon fiber tripod used with a bulky dSLR camera, but for a basic point and shoot or lightweight Micro Four Thirds camera, it'll certainly get the job done.
Unfolding the Zipshot really is that simple - you unbuckle the two straps, and let the tripod unfold itself. In about 5 seconds, it is ready for use. Folding it is just as simple - you pull on the three legs, and fold it back into its compact state.
When playing around with the Zipshot, I also discovered another (unmentioned by Tamrac) use for the product - as a monopod. By folding the legs in, and wrapping them with the locking straps, the Zipshot actually becomes a very usable monopod.
Stability is always going to be an issue with any lightweight tripod, but when combined with a remote trigger or timer, the results are very good. In moderate wind, the tripod stays quite stable, especially since you can flex the legs a little to keep things from moving around.
The camera mount is quite flexible too - a screw loosens a ball joint, allowing for some flexibility in positioning your shot.
The tripod is rated for cameras up to 3lbs and when fully extended, it reaches 44 inches. All in all, the Zipshot surprised me - it is "stupid light", very compact and an actual viable replacement for a large(r) tripod.
PROS: Very, very lightweight, compact, easy to open and close, also functions as a monopod
CONS: Won't be stable enough for large cameras
The Zipshot Tripod retails for $49.95 and is available from most major photography retailers and electronics vendors. An overview of all dealers can be found at the Zipshot site.
Filed under: Gadling Gear Review
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
DASPIZ Apr 15th 2010 2:11PM
Used one last month on a trip to Vietnam and Siem Reap, Cambodia- must have been stopped 10 or 12 times by people as they saw me pull it out and use it to take shots. Works great with the Canon G9- which is my current travel camera.
Ed Apr 16th 2010 8:08AM
This will be great to bring along when you travel.
http://www.photographyblueprints.com
harold Apr 16th 2010 11:49AM
I have a very old one, made out of light metal the poles slide into each other
so it looks like a 1 foot tripod or pull the sections out and extend then to various heights
Show Me Apr 16th 2010 12:17PM
Your tri-pod is your friend.
eric Apr 16th 2010 12:46PM
AOL must be getting kick-backs for advertising again. I've got a tripod almost identical, it weighs 13.0 ozs. and I've had it for 20 years. This is no new tripod. like so many other things on the market, old item are simply repackaged under a different name and a new advertising campain. What was once old is sold as new. The media is so brainwashing.
Pete Apr 16th 2010 1:07PM
I still fancy and much rather prefer the Slik line of tripods. Heavier,although much stable. Can't risk vibration in those critical moments. For my lighter work,I can get by with a nice monopod. Seems rather silly that light weight tripod.