What are the most frustrating aspects of "normal" tripods for you? Difficulty leveling the tripod on uneven terrain? The fact that you generally need to make multiple purchases to fully equip the tripod? Or the relative fragility of a device that should be sturdy? Zeiss is here to change all that with its new Pro-Series Tripod Kits. Created to address all the drawbacks inherent to "old-school" tripods, the Pro-Series Tripod Kits offer ruggedness, stability, rapid setup, and user friendliness.
For example, ZEISS’ single-point leg adjustment, found on the MAX-DUTY models, fully extends—or collapses—each leg with a quarter turn of an oversized, easy-to-grip twist lock. No more fumbling with multiple adjustments on each leg, which consumes time and makes simple leveling difficult. Strength and reliability begin with those legs, built with 10 layers of rigid carbon fiber connected to an aluminum framework.
All Pro-Series Tripod Kits include Arca-Swiss mounting systems, the most widely accepted, most secure such system in the world. This allows rapid, reliable and easily interchangeable mounting of a myriad of devices, including the ZEISS tripod accessories.
What's also unique is that Zeiss sells the Pro-Series as fully complete kits. “Most premium tripods are sold bare bones,” according to Kyle Brown, ZEISS director of marketing/product. “You pay a premium price, but then still must spend hundreds more on a ballhead and other components just for basic operation. We believe that when you purchase a top-tier tripod, your investment should deliver everything you need to get started as a complete package. That is why all Pro-Series tripods come as full kits.”
One of the biggest complaints leveled against ordinary tripods is their difficulty to adjust, and the time required to make adjustments. This is exacerbated should you have cold, wet, gloved, large or weak hands. Every locking lever, button, twist lock and adjustment knob on a Pro-Series kit is longer or larger than normal. This provides an easier, less frustrating, far more user-friendly experience in the field—along with faster, smoother operation.
The click stops on each leg are easily operated with one finger via a large thumb lever and allow for a choice of multiple leg angle settings at 24, 55 and 85 degrees. At full width, all three legs are almost flat on the ground, allowing the user to lie prone while using whatever device is mounted. Conversely, maximum height for these kits with center column extended and head attached—ranging between 69.3" and 82.7"—provides comfortable viewing even for those well over 6' tall. All Pro-Series Tripod Kits feature extendable and removable center columns.
Mounting a heavy and/or expensive optic or other device atop a poorly built tripod is a recipe for disaster. Each ZEISS tripod accepts a load that would crush lesser support systems; from 88 to a whopping 154 lbs., depending upon the model.
Removable rubber feet are standard on all models and can be replaced with spikes (included in the kits) for use in icy or unstable terrain. All center columns include an extended bottom hook, on which additional weight can be added for even more stability in windy conditions. Four different ZEISS Pro-Series Tripod Kits are available: UNIVERSAL, LIGHTWEIGHT, and two variations of MAX-DUTY. MSRP depends upon model chosen; ZEISS.com.
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