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Gear

Gadget Bag: Unusual Tripods

Tricky photo ops require tricky solutions. These tripods offer uncompromised stability and innovations designed for atypical situations.

There’s really no debate whether or not a tripod is essential gear for steady shots, and advances in technology have given us incredibly light and more durable models to carry in the field.

Creative photography requires more than merely a steady shot, however, and you may often encounter photo opportunities for which a typical tripod isn’t the best solution. Whether aiming for new and exciting angles, looking for unusual portability or originating a new kind of tripod altogether, the models we’ll look at here feature creative answers to some unique situations.


Manfrotto’s 190XPROB sports a popular new innovation in tripods. By extending the center column camera support all the way to its uppermost vertical position, the column can then be swung, still attached, into a horizontal alignment for extremely low shooting, perfect for macro photography of flowers or insects. The 190XPROB works in a height range from 57.5 inches all the way down to 3.3 inches, with four leg-angle settings at 25, 46, 66 and 88 degrees. Leg warmers are included to ease handling in harsh weather. Estimated Street Price: $145.


Communing with nature is a lot more natural when you’re carrying a wooden tripod. The wood frame of Berlebach’s BE8043 offers a more comfortable touch than metal or carbon-fiber tripods in temperature extremes. More importantly, the natural vibration-absorption qualities of wood offer a potential advantage when working in environments where even the ground isn’t stable, such as in streams. The included leveling ball has a bubble balance and sits atop a center column that provides 30 degrees of swivel in each direction. A three-position adjustable leg and a maximum height of 69 inches cover the bases. Estimated Street Price: $280.


Sunpak’s FlexPod Pro mini-tripod takes a flexible approach to camera support. The FlexPod Pro wraps segmented legs around uneven surfaces like tree branches or fence posts to help you work at difficult angles. The non-slip leg joints grip on dry, smooth surfaces, and the legs can be extended for the FlexPod Pro to function as a traditional tripod. When the tripod is entangled, a quick-release plate detaches the camera swiftly. It supports a maximum load of 1.8 pounds. Estimated Street Price: $30.

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