Tamrac ZipShot Tripod
The Tamrac ZipShot compact ultra-light tripod makes the perfect take along tripod for point and shoot cameras and light weight camcorders but may be used with care for full sized DSLR cameras.
Ease of Use, Performance: 24/25
Look & Feel: 24/25
Features 22/25
How much I enjoy 23/25
Total: 93/100
The Tamrac ZipShot is a compact ultra-light tripod that makes a great portable easy to carry tripod for in the field work or those quick shots with an easy to use piece of equipment. The ZipShot is a four section tripod with each section measuring about 12 or 13 inches and the tripod head about 2 and a half inches.
The ZipShot uses the common 1/4 inch 20 thread size and uses a ball head design with a screw release for swiveling of the typical ball head type for photography gear. The three legs of the ZipShot have a bungee shock cord running the length of the legs so when you pull the leg pieces out of each other you can fold them over.
The two bungee cord holders on the side of one leg hold the leg pieces together in the folded position and secure on the bungee cord holder with an overhand knot. To undo the holders you simply pull the knot end out and let go then just hold the ball head of the ZipShot and let go of the legs.
The leg pieces will unfold and pop into their sockets for a quick setup which really looks impressive every time you perform this quick setup. Once the legs are unfolded you can set the tripod down and secure your camera or camcorder to the head on the threaded post.
Adjusting the head in any position using the side screw is easy, just loosen the screw enough to allow the head to move and once it is in the position you want simply tighten the screw. The head tilts and allows you to turn your camera or camcorder side to side quickly to catch any action.
The tripod weighs about 11 ounces and can carry about three pounds according to the Tamrac website but I would be a little leery of trying anything much over this. My DSLR camera, Canon EOS Rebel XSi, weighs about 2 and a half pounds with the battery pack I usually use and this was about the most I would be comfortable using on the ZipShot.
With my Rebel XSi on the ZipShot it does sit nice and securely but does bounce a little bit when you push down or move the camera and longer lenses would make this worse. When taking pictures this way, using a heavier camera or camcorder, I would recommend using a timer to delay the shutter opening for two seconds or more.
I normally use the 2 second delay when taking all product shots to allow the camera to settle after hitting the shutter release and this would be a good idea when using the ZipShot. Using a lighter camera like my Canon PowerShot or one of several camcorders that all weigh about a pound or less the tripod is just fine and plenty secure.
The ZipShot makes the perfect tripod for these lighter point and shoot or smaller pocket camcorders as it is light weight and quick to set up. The ZipShot also packs away easily in packs or other types of bags like laptop bags for easy transportation for keeping it handy.
The ZipShot when folded is about 15 inches long but when fully extended is 44 inches tall or just under four feet and has a leg spread of three feet between each leg. The legs are made from light weight but sturdy aluminum and are hollow to allow the bungee cord running up the inside.
The ZipShot design is much like those tent leg sets that make for quick setups for tents but taken logically to a tripod for a really quick setup tripod. The ZipShot makes a great camcorder tripod as well as the point and shoot camera tripod for a quick and stable base.
I have been using the ZipShot around the house and out away from home on trips but the tripod does not allow me to do much for my favorite nature photography. The ZipShot does not make all that sturdy a tripod for my larger DSLR camera but it does work very well for those point and shoot cameras.
It also makes a fantastic tripod for smaller camcorders that weigh a bit less than that three pounds Tamrac says is the recommended weight. I think the tripod makes a fantastic piece of equipment for smaller gear but is not quite sturdy enough for full sized DSLR cameras like my Canon Eos Rebel XSi.
I have no problem using the ZipShot with my point and shoot and my pocket camcorder but really do not like using my full sized DSLR camera. The ZipShot would also make a great flash tripod for use in a field setting but I think the main use you can use the ZipShot for, the one it really stands out as would be for point and shoot cameras.
The Tamrac ZipShot tripod makes a fantastic light weight tripod that is easily portable and I feel is great for those light weight point and shoot or pocket camcorders but not for full sized DLSR cameras.