New Gear: Tamrac ZipShot Tripod

Tamrac has just unveiled one of the most innovative new tripod designs we’ve seen in years. Called the ZipShot, it was created with the intention of making a full-sized tripod that can fold down small enough, and is lightweight enough, to bring with you anywhere. And at 44-inches tall when fully set up, 15-inches when folded up, and weighing 11 ounces, it certainly fits the bill.

The design was actually inspired by collapsible tent poles. The aluminum, tube-shaped legs come apart in four sections, which are all held together by strings of bungee cord running through the middle of the tubes. Each section inserts into the one below it to set the tripod up. Though, one of the most magical things about this design is that all you need to do to set it up is hold the ballhead on top and unstrap the legs. The bungee takes care of the rest. Carefully rounded ends let the poles guide themselves into position. You can have the ZipShot standing on its own inside of ten seconds.

Of course, this design is not without its quirks. First, the height is set at 44 inches. While Tamrac doesn’t officially recommend it, we quickly realized that you could pull the lower sections out to disconnect them and then let them flop on the ground to make the whole thing shorter, or do so with only one or two legs to accommodate for uneven terrain. The reason Tamrac would rather you not do this is because it will place undue strain on the bungee cord and might make it break. They’re exploring ways to modify the ZipShot to overcome this.

Another peculiarity--the ultra-thin legs aren’t the most stable, so even the process of pressing the shutter button will make the whole rig shimmy for a second or two. Tamrac suggests using your camera’s self timer to let it settle down before the image is captured, or using a wireless remote to trigger the shutter.

Still though, this little ‘pod is stronger than you’d expect. Tamrac rates it to hold 3 pounds, so you shouldn’t break out your 300mm f/2.8 with the ZipShot. However, as with any tripod, you can count on being able to overload it slightly. It easily held a Canon EOS 40D with an EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens attached, which together weigh about 2.7 pounds. In addition to using it as a camera support, the ZipShot could also be used to hold a small light, such as a hot-shoe flash with a tripod adapter (most accessory flashes come with a table-top stand that has a tripod socket in the bottom).

We’d run out and buy three or four to set up a multi-flash wireless lighting rig, but at $50 each, we quickly had to nix that idea. As a bring-anywhere camera support that’ll let us shoot images when we know we’d never otherwise have brought a tripod along, we’ll settle for just buying one.

-- Philip Ryan

Comments

[Richard]

Lessee here... a tripod built of rubber and loose tubing that is far too short, can't be adjusted for height and which wobbles when touched (or the wind blows) and/or when you press the shutter.

And can you imagine the antics when you're trying to get all the legs folded up again?

In a word... useless as a camera tripod. PERHAPS it might do to hold a flash, but there are cheaper, better and more secure ways of doing that too. Most flashes you want HIGH not at 44" only.

So, Tamrac you get a 7 for trying but if you sent ME $50 with the rig I'd likely send it back.

[ArtyG]

Oh yeah. I definitely look forward trusting my D700 to this shaky pile of tubes. My advice, settle down. lock your elbows in to your sides, hold your breath and gently squeeze off your wide angle frames. Works fine down to about an eighth . Price: free and you don't risk your DSLR to a tripod collapse in a gentle breeze.
BTW, I own four tripods but my favorite is the Velbon Maxi 34SE. Sadly, it is no longer produced but other models have succeeded it and fill the same ecological niche.
I predict this little Tamrac Zip-Shot will never be seen again after the initial production run is dissipated.
No offense, Tamrac, I have loved and used your bags for decades.

[hyu]

"""Another peculiarity--the ultra-thin legs aren’t the most stable, so even the process of pressing the shutter button will make the whole rig shimmy for a second or two.""
great..just what everybody needs a flimsy,unstable,expensive tripod..i always have a small(size of a flashlight when colapsed) no-name tripod made out of metal ..7$ ..it can handle 7 kg no problem..it s not much but you won't complain about carring it in a coat pocket
for more serious shooting i just use a monopod :)

ps:i was like you,excited about the prospect of using these as very portable light stands for a flash but at that price..never..still..i am sure that the price will come down a lot

[Nikonshooter]

Is 44 inches even tall enough to call this a flash stand? Maybe if you are shooting midgets? Good concept, horrible design. Wouldn't put a $1000 rig on this thing, unless Tamrac covers broken gear in the warranty policy, which I highly doubt.

[sam]

i have to echo everyone elses opinion!
there is no way i would trust my camera on this thing and as a light stand it would be useless because of the set height... and i dont know that i would put my flash with a diffuser on this thing on a windy day either!

[Craig]

Got one today at b&h, cool idea but definate blur from the pod shaking with shooting. Used with a Canon G3, very disappointed. Had to bend over to much to compose shot. Would never but my Digital Rebel on it.

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You give us very nice detail on tripod that its useful to take perfect picture or photo I amm very excited about this one.I am professional photographer I want to plan to buy this one it is really very useful

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I have a KILLER idea for a tripod that you can carry in your jeans pockets...more to come pretty soon! :)

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it might do to hold a flash, but there are cheaper, better and more secure ways of doing that too.

[jc]

I think this is meant for backpackers and others who need/want to travel light. If you are on a mutli day trek, every lb counts. This will do in a pinch.

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While Tamrac doesn’t officially recommend it, we quickly realized that you could pull the lower sections out to disconnect them and then let them flop on the ground to make the whole thing shorter, or do so with only one or two legs to accommodate for uneven terrain.

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[mckytm]

Bought this before a trip to Europe. Was quite useful for my Lumix LX3, and a bit wobbly with a 40D + 17-55; however, it was still usable when using a 2-second shutter delay, and I didn't feel uncomfortable having my heavy camera on it.

Problem was, the countersunk screw fell out somewhere halfway through my trip, so it was useless after that point. :( guess it really CAN'T take the strain of SLRs, even if they're only slightly heavier than 3lbs...

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Got one today at b&h, cool idea but definate blur from the pod shaking with shooting. Used with a Canon G3, very disappointed. Had to bend over to much to compose shot. Would never but my Digital Rebel on it.

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