Quick Setup Tripod - New Design

[JustinZ]

I'm a photography enthusiast who's become frustrated with tripod setup.


I've designed and patented a twist lock tripod that can be set up in a few seconds by twisting the center column of the tripod only, thereby eliminating the need to bend over and to adjust legs individually. Before marketing the design I am conducting a survey to demonstrate the design's marketability.


Please answer: Would you be willing to spend extra money on a tripod that can be set up by twisting the center column only, rather than each leg lock individually?


Thanks for your feedback, and any additional comments would be welcome!

-Justin

 

[Buckster]

Define "extra money".

While you're at it, describe how to make one or two legs shorter/longer than the other(s), how many sections are the legs, what's the compacted size, what's the fully extended size, what's the weight, what material is it made from, how much weight can it hold, and any other information you may feel is pertinent to our decision.

 

[tirediron]

What Buckster says; there's really not enough information. From my perspective, I rarely use all three legs at the same length, so I don't see that this would be beneficial for me.

 

[JustinZ]

Thanks for your response, Buckster.

Good questions. "Extra money" is not yet determined; however, let's say an increase of roughly 15-20% in cost of any given tripod.

To clarify, my design is not yet incorporated into any particular product; I will likely sell it to a manufacturer which will in turn incorporate it into their tripod design. I now only have a generalized working prototype and design. I've made the design universal enough such that it can be implemented onto any tripod with two twist locks (three sets of legs, including the top stationary set) and a center column, regardless of size, weight, or material. Of course these details are paramount to production, but for our discussion let's simply consider the basic principle of being able to quickly and easily setup the tripod, without any significant trade-off, besides a slight increase in weight (how much depends on the material, of course, which depends on which manufacturer purchases the design).

I can't reveal the design until I've successfully sold it!

Thanks

 

[480sparky43 43]

I just don't bend over to set up my tri. I can be done with a straight spine.

 

[JustinZ]

480, thanks for your response. The benefit I ought to emphasize about my design is that it allows all legs to be unlocked, extended, and re-locked from the same position on the center column. If this doesn't save your back, it certainly saves time, and is generally more convenient. I suppose the purpose of the survey is primarily to determine whether saving this time and adding this convenience is worth spending some more money. If not, so be it, that's why I survey before heavily investing.

 

[480sparky43 43]

The only issue I would have is how you would reverse the setup. Once you're done taking photos, does it take longer to retract the legs than you saved when setting it up?

I've seen tripods built with the same technology used for tent poles... with shock cords. Yeah, you can set up the tripod in seconds, but it takes forever to fold it back up!

 

[Derrel]

I've used a Bogen "automatic tripod" for almost 20 years...pinch ONE of the MULTI-leg triggers and either LIFT or PUSH DOWN, and the tripod can be raised or lowered. LET GO of the trigger, and all three legs lock. If one leg needs individual adjustment,each leg has its own "single trigger". Go from eye-level, around 6 feet, down to knee level in 2,3 seconds...

Bogen 3051 I think is the "old" numbering for this leg set. It has been re-numbered under the "new" Manfrotto number system.

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