Sandmarc Tripod Pro Review: A Great Companion for iPhone Videography
If you are looking for a tripod that is designed specifically for your iPhone, you might want to check out the Sandmarc Tripod Pro. This is a full-sized tripod that is made from high-grade aluminum and features a versatile ball head that allows you to switch between portrait and landscape orientation easily. In this review, I will share my personal experience and research on the Sandmarc Tripod Pro, and compare it to some of its competitors on the market.
Features and Build Quality
The Sandmarc Tripod Pro has a lot of features that make it a great choice for iPhone videography. Here are some of the main ones:
- It is lightweight and compact, weighing only 2.43 lbs (1.1 kg) and folding down to 15.35 inches (39 cm). It comes with a canvas carrying case that makes it easy to transport and store.
- It has a maximum height of 63.4 inches (161.1 cm) and a minimum height of 15.35 inches (39 cm), giving you a lot of flexibility in adjusting the angle and perspective of your shots.
- It has a weight capacity of 13.23 lbs (6 kg), which means it can support not only your iPhone but also most DSLR and mirrorless cameras, as well as other accessories like lights and microphones.
- It has a quick-release plate that attaches to the ball head, which has a panoramic 360° rotation and a 90° tilt. You can easily adjust the position and orientation of your iPhone using the locking knobs on the ball-head.
- It comes with an iPhone mount that is made from aluminum and is spring-loaded. It can fit any iPhone model from iPhone 4 to iPhone 15, as well as most other smartphones. It has two 1/4 inch holes for mounting to the tripod, one on the base and one on the end. It also has a cold shoe mount on the other end for adding accessories.
- It is compatible with other Sandmarc gear, such as lenses, filters, and sliders, which can enhance your iPhone videography even further.
The build quality of the Sandmarc Tripod Pro is very impressive. The tripod feels sturdy and stable, and the locks are smooth and secure. The ball head is well-made and allows for precise adjustments. The iPhone mount is solid and holds the phone firmly without scratching it. The tripod does not wobble or shake when extended or in windy conditions.
Benefits and Drawbacks
The Sandmarc Tripod Pro has many benefits that make it a worthwhile investment for iPhone videographers. Here are some of the main ones:
- It allows you to take sharp and steady videos with your iPhone, especially in low-light situations or when using long exposures or slow-motion effects.
- It gives you more creative freedom and control over your compositions, as you can experiment with different angles, heights, and perspectives.
- It enables you to shoot in both portrait and landscape mode, which is useful for different types of content, such as Instagram stories, TikTok videos, or YouTube vlogs.
- It enhances your audio quality by reducing the vibrations and noises from your hand or the environment.
- It expands your possibilities by letting you use other accessories like lenses, filters, lights, microphones, etc.
The Sandmarc Tripod Pro also has some drawbacks that you should be aware of before buying it. Here are some of the main ones:
- It is more expensive than some other tripods on the market, costing $300 at the time of writing this review.
- It is not very portable compared to some other tripods on the market, as it is still relatively large and heavy when folded.
- It does not have any special features like Bluetooth remote control or built-in level indicator that some other tripods on the market have.
Comparison to Similar Products
The Sandmarc Tripod Pro is not the only tripod that is designed for iPhone videography. There are many other options on the market that have similar or different features, benefits, and drawbacks. Here are some of the most popular ones:
- Joby GorillaPod Mobile Rig: This is a flexible tripod that has bendable legs that can wrap around objects or stand on uneven surfaces. It also has two arms that can hold additional accessories like lights or microphones. It costs $99 at the time of writing this review.
- Pros: It is very versatile and adaptable to different situations and environments. It is lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry around.
- Cons: It does not have a ball-head or a quick-release plate, making it harder to adjust the position and orientation of your phone. It does not have a very high maximum height or weight capacity, limiting your options for shooting angles and perspectives.
- Manfrotto PIXI Smart Mini Tripod with Universal Smartphone Clamp: This is a mini tripod that has three legs that can fold into a handle for handheld shooting. It also has a universal smartphone clamp that can fit most smartphones. It costs $29 at the time of writing this review.
- Pros: It is very affordable and simple to use. It is lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry around.
- Cons: It does not have a ball-head or a quick-release plate, making it harder to adjust the position and orientation of your phone. It does not have a very high maximum height or weight capacity, limiting your options for shooting angles and perspectives.
- UBeesize 67’’ Phone Tripod Stand & Selfie Stick Tripod: This is a tripod that can also transform into a selfie stick by detaching the center column. It also has a Bluetooth remote control that can trigger your phone’s camera from up to 30 feet away. It costs $24 at the time of writing this review.
- Pros: It is very affordable and multifunctional. It has a high maximum height of 67 inches and a low minimum height of 20 inches, giving you a lot of flexibility in adjusting the angle and perspective of your shots. It has a Bluetooth remote control that can make your shooting more convenient and hands-free.
- Cons: It is not very sturdy or stable, as it is made from plastic and aluminum. It does not have a ball-head or a quick-release plate, making it harder to adjust the position and orientation of your phone. It does not have a very high weight capacity, which might affect its compatibility with some accessories.
Personal Opinion and Recommendation
Based on my personal experience and research, I think the Sandmarc Tripod Pro is a great tripod for iPhone videography. It has a lot of features that make it easy to use and versatile for different types of content. It has a high build quality that makes it durable and reliable. It is compatible with other Sandmarc gear that can improve your iPhone videography even more.
However, I also think the Sandmarc Tripod Pro is not for everyone. It is quite expensive compared to some other tripods on the market, and it might not be worth it if you are on a tight budget or if you do not use your iPhone for videography very often. It is also not very portable compared to some other tripods on the market, and it might not be suitable if you travel a lot or if you need a tripod that can fit in your pocket or backpack.
Therefore, I would recommend the Sandmarc Tripod Pro to anyone who is serious about iPhone videography and who wants a tripod that can give them more creative freedom and control over their shots. I would also recommend it to anyone who already owns or plans to buy other Sandmarc gear, as they can work well together and enhance your iPhone videography even further.
However, I would not recommend the Sandmarc Tripod Pro to anyone who is looking for a cheap or simple tripod that can do the basic job of holding their phone steady. I would also not recommend it to anyone looking for a very portable or flexible tripod that can adapt to different situations and environments.
I hope this review was helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Get Your Sandmarc Tripod here… https://www.sandmarc.com/adrianvideoimage
~ Adrian Lee
PS:
(This is the last line… Carry the pouch over the shoulders… Unzip the pouch… Pull out the tripod… Loop to the first line.)
One more thing… It’s lightweight and easy to carry.
(Hold the folded tripod and knock on its legs to hear the aluminum sound)
This tripod is compact and sturdy.
(use a transition trick to flick a compact tripod into a fully extended tripod)
But don’t be fooled. It can extend up to an average adult height.
(Close-up of the smartphone mount)
The mount is solid aluminum. It even has a cold shoe mount for adding accessories.
(Close-up of the ball head)
It has a ball head so that you can move in all directions.
(extend and contract a leg)
Its four-section legs allow for flexible height adjustments.
(Cut to Demonstration of Slider shot)
I like to put a cloth underneath and pull the tripod sideways so that I can create smooth slider shots.
(Cut to Demonstration of Dolly shot)
Or pull it backward for the dolly shot effect.
(Cut to Demonstration of Shoulder mount)
Fold two legs over your shoulder and voila! My iPhone is now a shoulder-mount camera.
(Cut to Demonstration of Crane shot)
Lift one leg away from the floor and rock the camera away or toward the subject on two legs. Now I have a crane or jib.
(Fold the legs the other way)
Want some more? Overhead shot.
(Show various uses quickly)
Selfie, Low-angle, Steadicam, Drone, Spin!
(Show the tripod name)
This is the Sandmarc Tripod for iPhone – Pro edition. Get Yours from the shopping link below.
(This is the last line… Carry the pouch over the shoulders… Unzip the pouch… Pull out the tripod… Loop to the first line.)
One more thing… It’s lightweight and easy to carry.