Most “travel tripods” don’t actually travel. Anything under 5 pounds qualifies in marketing copy, but the list that rides inside a carry-on is much shorter. The same trick applies to stability, a 60-inch max-height spec usually requires a center column cranked all the way up, which is where stability disappears. Heading into the 2026 summer […]
7 Compact Travel Tripods Under $200 That Actually Survive a Flight Read More
Most tripods try to do everything. Manfrotto tried that last year with the ONE Hybrid, a tripod built to handle both photo and video in one package. It worked. It also meant photographers were carrying features they didn’t need and paying for flexibility they didn’t need. The new Manfrotto ONE Photo Tripod cuts that problem
Most tripods try to do everything and this one refuses Read More
REVIEW – I never caught on to the selfie stick boom. It seemed a little too “look at me”. But, combine a selfie stick with a tripod stand? Now you have my attention! ⬇︎ Jump to summary (pros/cons) Price: $42.99 Where to buy: KraftGeek (Save 15% with code: gadgeteer) and Amazon What is it? Is it a selfie
KraftGeek JustTap magnetic phone tripod review – hold the phone! Read More
REVIEW – A solid tripod system is crucial for any kind of video or film production. While handheld shooting is increasingly popular all the time, there is still going to be a need for a solid tripod setup. There are many manufacturers with endless combinations of tripod heads & legs to choose from, so which
REVIEW – When it comes to gadgets, I always prefer multi-purpose ones. I never really thought about my drink containers – until I saw the Ringo Tripod Bottle. I had to have it. What is it? The Ringo Tripod Bottle is a high-performance water bottle with a MagSafe lid that doubles as a tripod/phone holder.
Ringo Tripod water bottle review – It’s perfect Read More
REVIEW – I am, at best, an amateur photographer. I don’t have a lot of fancy equipment. I do have what I consider to be a good camera but my tripod was getting long in the tooth. One of the legs just flops around willy-nilly and I have to take apart the head numerous times
Smallrig FreeRover AP-100 carbon fiber tripod review – light and fast! Read More
REVIEW – I’ll be honest. I have always made fun of people who use selfie sticks. It’s true. I mean, why not just hold the phone in your hand when taking a selfie, like respectable people do, right? So when I saw the Mapleparty tripod/selfie stick I was a bit hesitant. What if I like
Mapleparty Tripod/Selfie Stick with remote review Read More
REVIEW – I didn’t order my iPhone 15 Pro Max until a couple of months after it was announced, and as a result, I lost out on all of the case review offers that flooded my inbox in the early days of the 15 series of phones. Luckily another offer came in days before the
MOFT Snap Case Movas and Snap Invisible Phone Tripod Stand review Read More
REVIEW – Recently I have been adding videos of some parts of my sample reviews to most of my reviews. When recording videos showing the features of smaller devices, I am finding that having an overhead stand with my phone mounted would be extremely helpful. I use my iPhone a lot for recording. This Da
Da Vinci Eye review – record your art the easy way Read More
REVIEW – Having a tripod for your video camera is just another tool in the proverbial toolbox for filmmakers and videographers alike. But not all tripods are made alike. The SmallRig SmallRig FreeBlazer Heavy-Duty Carbon Fiber Tripod Kit is one that is worth checking out. If you have used a standard video tripod before then the
SmallRig FreeBlazer heavy-duty carbon fiber tripod kit AD-100 3989 review Read More
REVIEW – My iPhone 13 Pro Max is the main camera that I use for everything from random personal snapshots, to Gadgeteer product photos and videos for my reviews. Most of the product photos that I take are handheld or with my SHOTBOX photo light box. But sometimes I need to be in front of
SANDMARC Tripod – Pro Edition review Read More
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
FlexTILT gives your tripod more flexibility Read More
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
The Fat Gecko Camera and Camcorder Mount will keep your weighty cameras safe Read More
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
The Manfrotto Befree Advanced Travel Aluminum Tripod with Ball Head aims to travel light Read More
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
The iFootage Cobra 2 C180 Carbon Fiber Monopod is a nice addition to your photo/video gear Read More
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
The Velbon Ultra Stick Super 8 Monopod can stand on its own Read More
When I am in the studio “messing around” with macro photography trying to use various objects to produce an amazing photo, I often use a tabletop as my platform. The object would be on the tabletop, and I use my DSLR mounted to a full-size tripod. This can be a pain sometimes when I have
The Benro 75mm Hi-Hat tripod keeps your camera as low as it can go Read More
For those of you that have been following my news stories, you know that I have been on a quest to research and find a travel tripod that is the perfect fit for me. The next travel tripod that I am looking at is the Benro Aero 2 Video Travel Angel Tripod Kit. This is
The Benro Aero 2 Video Travel Angel Tripod Kit is ready for your next adventure Read More
Filmmakers, videographers and photographers alike always hope to have the right equipment on hand, when an opportunity for a once in a lifetime shot comes along. There are times when we either go to the most difficult terrain, or the tightest places to get our shot. On many occasions, I have found that a monopod
For those of us who pursue the adventures associated with photography and videography, traveling light is a must. We have to take so much gear in anticipation of what we might get the opportunity to shoot, that every little reduction counts. One way to reduce weight and bulk is by using a compact lightweight tripod
The MeFOTO GlobeTrotter Air Travel Tripod: Don’t leave home without it. Read More