FlexTILT gives your tripod more flexibility

NEWS – If a tripod is a photographer’s friend, then the FlexTILT Head 2 from Edelkrone will become their BFF. The FlexTILT is a CNC machined aluminum adapter that fits between your camera and the head of the tripod to provide more functionality. Where a tripod typically only goes up and down, the FlexTILT will let you vary the angle of the camera which opens up a whole new range of shooting angles.

Extra functionality comes at a price though. The Edelkrone FlexTILT Head 2 will set you back $149. If you’re interested, in adding one to your camera bag/tripod, head over to Amazon for more info.

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FlexTILT gives your tripod more flexibility originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 29, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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The Fat Gecko Camera and Camcorder Mount will keep your weighty cameras safe


Another one of my passions is writing, filming and producing short films. I have only worked on one so far, but I have several more planned for the future. One of my scripts includes a scene in an SUV, where I need to mount sizeable and somewhat weighty video cameras at various positions on the external of the vehicle, including on the hood, and on the sides of the driver and passenger doors. Obviously, a major concern is the ability to do so and ensure that there is no damage to the quite expensive video and audio equipment that will be mounted.

My search for a very safe, budget-friendly solution led me to the Fat Gecko Camera and Camcorder Mount. These mounts come in various sizes for various applications, but the focus of this news story is safety and the “bang for the buck” for this specific model, primarily because it is designed for cameras and rigs that weigh up to 8 pounds. This capability makes it more eligible for professional productions, with the ability to mount a large variety of professional video cameras and DSLR cameras. As with these types of gear, it can be mounted to any flat surface, and with this model via the dual 3-inch diameter suction cups, which do a great job of creating a strong and secure bond that will hold even when the vehicle is moving. This mount is designed to reduce vibration, and with the 3 adjustment points and the ball head, it allows for great versatility.

The Fat Gecko Camera and Camcorder Mount is available for purchase at Amazon or B&H Photo Video for $65.

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The Fat Gecko Camera and Camcorder Mount will keep your weighty cameras safe originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 22, 2018 at 12:00 pm.

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The Manfrotto Befree Advanced Travel Aluminum Tripod with Ball Head aims to travel light


Getting back for a moment to the news stories about travel tripods, there is a new release coming soon to join the existing bunch of existing solutions. The Manfrotto Befree Advanced Travel Aluminum Tripod with Ball Head (Lever Locks, Sony Alpha Edition), is a relatively compact travel tripod measuring 59.1 inches when fully extended, but just 15.7 inches when collapsed. This tripod was specifically designed for the Sony Alpha a7 and a9 cameras, but I do believe that since it is compatible with both RC2 and Arca-type systems, it is likely that it can be adapted to be used with other DSLR cameras with the correct Arca plate. Since it was designed specifically for Sony, it does feature matching graphics and a dedicated release plate.

The legs consist of four sections featuring OPL lever locks, and a side button gives you the versatility to set up the tripod at three different angles. The ball head that is included “offers a dedicated knob for panoramic movement as well as a friction control knob for precise control over the tension during use.” The tripod is constructed from an aluminum alloy, weighs only 3.6 pounds, and has a load capacity of 17.6 pounds.

The Manfrotto Befree Advanced Travel Aluminum Tripod with Ball Head (Lever Locks, Sony Alpha Edition) will be available soon and can be currently pre-ordered from B&H Photo Video for $189.99.

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The Manfrotto Befree Advanced Travel Aluminum Tripod with Ball Head aims to travel light originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 6, 2018 at 11:11 am.

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The iFootage Cobra 2 C180 Carbon Fiber Monopod is a nice addition to your photo/video gear


Staying on the subject of monopods, I found another interesting one that I think is worth mentioning, and has its own place in the photo/video gear box.

The iFootage Cobra 2 C180 Carbon Fiber Monopod is not necessarily considered a small footprint monopod for traveling or for easily attaching to a backpack, but its features are great, and it would work well on location. It does come in two sizes, but for this news story, I will be focusing on the larger one that when fully extended reaches a height of 70.9 inches, and when collapsed is still reasonably small at 27.8 inches. The leg has 4 sections and uses “buckle-like” leg locks. It can support a load up to 22 pounds, and the mounting plate includes both ¼”-20 and 3/8”-16 threaded studs to accommodate just about any tripod head. At the base of the monopod there are 3 feet that provide stability. The base has a lock, and includes a knob that allows you to adjust and apply the correct amount of friction to accommodate the weight of your camera. The base is also completely removable. The feet have a button release that either allows them to fold up completely, or at specific angles of 20, 50 or 78 degrees. Despite its size, this monopod weighs only 3 pounds. If necessary, the entire base-foot section can be removed, and the monopod can be used as low-angle minipod.

If you would like to take a closer look at the iFootage Cobra 2 C180 Carbon Fiber Monopod, you can head over to B&H photo video and check it out. You can also purchase it there for $179.

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The iFootage Cobra 2 C180 Carbon Fiber Monopod is a nice addition to your photo/video gear originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 3, 2018 at 12:00 pm.

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The Velbon Ultra Stick Super 8 Monopod can stand on its own


As I continue to chase down that perfect but elusive travel tripod, I am coming across many products with great potential. Even if they do not exactly fit my search criteria, they certainly are interesting enough, and possibly fit another need that could win them a space in my gear bag.

The Velbon Ultra Stick Super 8 Monopod is exactly such an item. It is a seriously compact monopod that has an 8-section leg, and a simple twist lock system to extend or collapse the monopod. The beauty of this system is that it can lock at any point along the length of the leg, which makes it easy to obtain a very specific height. When collapsed, it is a super compact 10.2 inches, and when fully extended, it is 57.9 inches. Since it has a load capacity of 6.8 pounds, it should work well for use with DSLR and mirrorless cameras, as well as many video cameras. A monopod presents much more difficult when using a video camera, and especially so because of the lack of stability. However, I have used one for video with acceptable results. A wrist strap and a belt clip are included with the monopod. The belt clip will help with stability since the traditional flip-out legs are not a part of this design.

If you would like to check out the Velbon Ultra Stick Super 8 Monopod, you can head over to B&H Photo Video and take a look, or purchase one for $69.95.

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The Velbon Ultra Stick Super 8 Monopod can stand on its own originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 29, 2018 at 8:00 am.

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