The Newest Platypod, Platypod eXtreme, just launched via Kickstarter 4/6/2022
Before I get started, if you’d like a “Quick Link” to the Kickstarter project for the Platypod eXtreme that I mention below, You Can Find It Here. Or just click on the image below:
Platypod eXtreme compact tripod and case. Photo courtesy Platypod Pro LLC
Now for the longer story…
I have great respect for inventors who create products or services that solve their own problems, and then follow-up by creating products and/or services to help others who have similar wants or needs.
The Platypod and Platyball product lines are perfect examples of that. I’ve been following the story of the company’s founder Larry Tiefenbrunn since the first Platypod hit the market in 2015. I then backed the Platypod Ultra in 2017, the Platyball Ergo in 2019 and today, April 6, 2022, I backed the Platypod eXtreme on Kickstarter.
The Platypod is described by the company as an “all terrain camera support,” and the best way to see what it (as well as their Platyball tripod heads) can do is to watch some videos of the products in use, like the ones on the company’s website at Platypod.com.
Another great resource is the video replay of a livestream from earlier today on THE GRID with Scott Kelby. On the show, the product was described by Larry Tiefenbrunn, Scott Kelby and photographer Lizzy Gadd. Some of Lizzy Gadd’s incredible environmental self-portraiture was featured throughout the show, as well as some “behind-the-scenes” photographs showing how she used the Platypod eXtreme on location. To say that I was blown away by Lizzy’s work is an understatement!
A replay of the livestream can be found below:
And to see more of Lizzie Gadd’s work, visit: https://www.elizabethgadd.com.
And here’s some more technical information about Platypod eXtreme from the company’s press materials:
Like all Platypods, the new eXtreme utilizes four independently adjustable legs for precise adjustment on uneven terrain, and greater stability than conventional three-legged tabletop and travel tripods. What makes the new model unique is that the threaded legs not only adjust up and down, but also rotate for instant deployment (Editor’s note: Those new rotating legs are a big deal! That’s because of the speed at which they can be deployed compared with the previous models.)
When not in use, the legs fold flat for storage and needn’t be removed. The Platypod eXtreme also features an integrated handle and multiple attachment points for compact lights, extension posts, and other important mobile accessories.
Barely 5mm thick, measuring only 7.75×5.25 inches (19.7 cm x 13.3 cm), and weighing just 9.6 oz. (about .27 kg), the Platypod eXtreme features a plate constructed of premium aircraft-grade aluminum, with a standard 3/8” titanium main bolt. The precision eXtreme utilizes stainless steel rubber-tipped legs, screws, and springs, and is designed to securely support camera/lens combinations up to 22 lbs.
As I mentioned above, the Kickstarter project for the Platypod eXtreme can be found HERE. There is also a special offer for people who back the project during the first 72 hours of the campaign. I always note to my readers that Kickstarter is not a store, and you may want to look over the Kickstarter basics HERE. That being said, the company behind the Platypod eXtreme has always delivered to their customers and their communication to backers, especially during the recent pandemic when some delays occurred, was excellent.
Full disclosure: I received no compensation or products for review from Platypod Pro.
Get Access to My 30 Days of Photo-Related Tips: Instructions Here!
Highland Park Fireworks, Highland Park, NJ, July 3, 2019 © Andrew Darlow
Since the beginning of July, 2021 I’ve been sharing photo-related tips, tech reviews, useful apps, and inspiring video content that I’ve found with my main email list. Here are some of the subject lines from the collection (some have been edited a bit for clarity).
1: Some of my Favorite Fireworks Photography Tips (the photo above is from that one)
2: iOS and Android Photo Tips that Blew My Mind
3: A Fantastic Series That Has Inspired My Photography
4: This Video Speed Controller for Chrome Can Save Hours
5: A Simple List App I Never Knew I Needed
6: Another Outstanding List App
7: Fantastic 20 to 25 Dollar Wireless Items Perfect for Photography
8: Another Useful App That I Use Constantly
9: A Highly Recommended Photo-Related Podcast and Short Video
10: A Collection of Fantastic Historic Street Videos
11: How to Quickly Remove Power Lines in Three Apps
12: An Amazing Power Line and Object Removal App for iOS and Android
I did something very similar back in 2019 and the response was very favorable, so I decided to give it another go. The best part about it is that it helps me to dive into topics that I otherwise may not have spent the time to research to the same degree. If you have a list or social media account, you might want to do the same.
If you’d like to begin getting the tips (there are 18 more to go as of today!), just visit THIS PAGE and enter your name and email (you can unsubscribe at any time, and be sure to check your sp*m or Promotions tab in Gmail in case they go there).
Also, if you’d like to be able to read the previous email newsletters in the series, just reply to the email you receive from me and ask! I will then give you access. Here is that page again to sign up to receive the next 18 tips, plus future news, reviews, tips, and more.
Hope you enjoy the tips!
All the best,
Andrew
Andrew Darlow
Editor, The Imaging Buffet
Join me at Imaging USA 2020 in Nashville, Plus Some Very Special Offers!
I’m packing my bags for Music City, (a.k.a. Nashville, TN) to attend and speak at Imaging USA 2020. I’m honored and excited to have the opportunity to meet some of the 10,000+ photographers who are expected to attend. According to the show’s website, “It’s the longest-running photographic conference, trade show, and exhibit in the USA,” dating back to 1880–I think that was a bit before the first digital camera!
Back to the year 2020, I invite you to join me at Imaging USA 2020, either during my talk in the PRINT for Success Theater (Booth #957) on Sun. 1/19/2020 from 1:00-1:30pm, or at the PhotoFlashDrive.com booth on one of the days and times shown below. I am a customer of PhotoFlashDrive.com and they’ve been very kind to spend some time in their booth to answer questions and also give away one of my absolute FAVORITE products, their PlayBook Video Player.
The title of my talk is: Monitor to Print Matching Made Easy, and I’ll be covering step-by-step workflows as well as secrets that I’ve uncovered in my 25+ year career as a professional photographer and consultant. The first 60 people to arrive will receive a GalleryPouch™ bag, two pre-cut mats, and a full-color calibration print (a $20+ combined retail value). I Hope to See You There! To register, visit the show’s site HERE.
TWO VERY SPECIAL OFFERS FROM FrameDestination.com
As indicated in the image above, Frame Destination (FrameDestination.com), a Dallas and Internet-based supplier of fine-art photography picture frames and framing supplies, is sponsoring my talk at Imaging USA 2020, and I thank them for their support. I’ve been a customer of Frame Destination for many years, and I’m happy to announce that a product idea that I brought to them, called the GalleryPouch™, is Celebrating its 10 Year Anniversary! GalleryPouch™ is a custom bubble bag that acts like a pillow of protection for framed artwork and many other uses. Made of smooth, 3/16-inch thick durable polyethylene bubble (smooth on both sides), GalleryPouch™ was created to help you guard artwork against damage during transport or storage. Each bubble wrap sleeve is sealed on three sides, and its opening is available with either a flap or resealable Velcro® brand closure. Frame Destination can create custom sizes for you from envelope size to 52 x 156 inches.
To mark the anniversary, Frame Destination has created some very special offers, including $10,000 in savings and free products! This is a perfect time to stock up or try out a GalleryPouch™. Below are the active codes:
• TAKE $10 OFF any GalleryPouch™ ORDER* (Use CODE: GP10YEARS), or
• TAKE 20% OFF any GalleryPouch™ ORDER* (Use CODE: GPSAVE20)
NO MINIMUM ORDER IS REQUIRED (expires 2/28/20)
(Excludes shipping. For orders to USA addresses only.)
To see a video overview of me demonstrating the GalleryPouch™ bag (shown above), or to order, visit FrameDestination.com.