Most people don’t understand what all that fuss is about when they see a platypus first time. If I showed it to my mother, she would probably pretend to be excited in a way that only a mother can do. However, if you’ve ever used a Platypus, you know how strong such a small piece of aluminum can be. You can use them for everything from travel and landscapes to photography of toys and food as a way to show your audience a new perspective on the world. You can even use them to mount flashes in hidden locations for portrait photographers. Okay, I’m a Platypod evangelist, but their company really changed the way I take pictures.
Platypus in hand
A pediatrician and a brilliant photographer himself, Dr. Larry Tiefenbrunn invented platypus and built an entire ecosystem around it. He created the novel ball head, clip, gooseneck for lighting and other devices that changed the industry. As with those accessories, I see Platypus in hand as an evolutionary supplement. Retailing at $69 ($55 currently on pre-order), its utility is somewhat limited when taken apart, though there are certainly use cases as a vlog handle. While I can envision it for this purpose, I’d rather use the gimbal myself for more stability and control. That said, you don’t need the Platypod base to use the device, as it has multiple mounting points and is arca compatible.
The first thing we will talk about is the build quality and design. As with all Platypod products, it’s made from finely machined aluminum, making it incredibly sturdy yet surprisingly light at 7.6 oz. The base has a 3/8″-16 socket on the bottom and extends from 6.5″ to 10.5″ using a twist lock that also rotates 360 degrees. The inner tube can be removed to reduce it to 3″ if you need it shorter . Finally, there are eight 1/4″-20 threads around the top along with 3/8″-16 pins for attaching accessories.
An accessory you didn’t know you needed
Now that we have a solid understanding of the specs, let’s talk about how I envision using it as a (very novice) photographer and videographer.
Turn my tripod into a light stand
Flash has become an important part of my life as a wedding and portrait photographer. The downside is that I need to carry a stand that is light in most cases, can be flimsy (if light) or difficult to adjust and is only good for flat surfaces (if heavy loads). In contrast, my tripod is sturdier and more flexible than many lamp stands. When traveling, I also love portrait photography but having both tripods and lamp stands can be overkill in terms of weight and space. For years I’ve wanted to use my tripod for both use and to hold light fixtures, but I was worried about needing a flimsy extension pole. I don’t have the same concern with the Platypod Handle. In fact, I’m amazed at how hard it is. This tripod and device allows me to mount a Profile A2 And Click the softbox at the perfect height for outdoor portraits while the softbox would just be at shoulder height otherwise.
Set costs for product photography
Taking photos from above is not something I do much, but mostly because I don’t have the equipment to do so. I think those days are over. For a solid mount, I placed a tripod on the table, rotated my ballpoint 90 degrees, and attached the Platypod Handle. As you can see, I can use my Insta360 Flow (my review is coming up soon, but it’s a great device) for aerial photography as well as video showcasing the printed products we print. I provided. There is no judder in this setup and I would feel completely comfortable placing my mirrorless camera on it.
Riser for food or macro work
I choose a different photography goal each year and would like to do more macro shots by 2023. Having said that, I’m usually about a year behind, so I’m just comfortable with video (my goal). for 2022). In any case, I expect to use the Platypod Handlebar in this macro endeavor. If you connect this to the Platypod base, you get all the functionality of a tripod but with a small enough footprint that you can place it easily on a table. The Grip’s four years of design makes it clear with the precision that you can shoot at the perfect height and angle as it ranges from 3″ to 10.5″ and rotates around perfectly. perfect until locked in place. Add some goosenecks connected to small LED lights and you’ve got a complete setup
What I like
- The build quality is perfect but it’s incredibly light. I don’t have any concerns about durability or stiffness. In my camera bag, it’s barely noticeable.
- By attaching this to a tripod, I got a lamp holder.
- I have the flexibility to take different types of photos or videos than I’ve done before, such as product shots from above.
- Completing your setup is easy and secure with 360-degree rotation and all mounting options.
What I don’t like
- Personally I wouldn’t use it as a vlog processing tool. My hand wouldn’t be steady for anyone to see the footage being filmed. For me, the lightweight phone gimbal is the perfect blend of size and stability
- I wish they had a bundle to buy two of these for a discount
deny the responsibility:
I was offered a loaner version of the Platypus Handle for this review but I have already ordered it.
Also, I take full liberty in this review and Platypod provides no input for the article.
