This prototype camera tripod is designed to be used one handed, it's much quicker to set up and adjust than a traditional design so it's ideal for action camera users with GoPro type cameras or camera enthusiasts and professionals alike, it's a super tripod.
Setting up a traditional tripod requires a lot of hand dexterity and you generally need to use both hands. But a lot of the time our spare hands are full carrying other equipment which we have to put down before we can set the tripod up. There is a need for a more inclusive tripod that can be operated easily with only one hand.
After a bit of head scratching I built this one handed tripod prototype (well this is actually about version 3). My design is similar in size and weight to a standard tripod, but it can be used entirely one handed. My design has several advantages over traditional tripods. It's easier to use and adapts to different terrains more quickly, you simply hold the tripod out and shoot out the legs. Moving locations is easier and faster too as you don't have to make multiple adjustments. Because everything is controlled from a central hand grip, the economy of movement required to set up and position the camera is greatly reduced. This innovation means it will be much easier to use by everyone.
The prototype is made from aluminium square extrusion, off cuts of plywood and beech hard wood, a bit of pine, some rubberised tube, a few springs and some odds and ends including a sink un-blocker. I would prefer to use slightly stronger springs, but because of the mechanical advantage I get from the locking arms, the tripod can easily hold more than the weight of most cameras. The brick used to demonstrate this in the video, weighs just under 7 and a half pounds.
In production my super tripod would look completely different to the prototype, but there's a hundred improvements to make and lots of other ideas to incorporate too, including a very cool hot shoe idea I've had.
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