Cool Product

Have you ever been on location and need a little desk space?  Do you shoot tethered?  I just saw a product advertised to solve those little problems.  The Tripad is a simple plastic and glass device that fits over your tripod and is strong enough to support a laptop.

I have a quad arm unit from Manfrotto that fits on top of my tripod and I use in my studio, but it is large and bulky and costs a lot more than this unit.  I found that I could not use it in my real estate shots because I may be crowded into a tight corner of a bedroom in order to get the proper angle on a shot. 

I sometimes photograph homes for a Realtor client.  Many times I will arrive at the location and discover that there is no furniture in the home and I have to place my laptop in the kitchen and then I can't tether to see the shots I am getting.  When I saw this product the big light bulb went off over my head.

Then, after saying that I could have invented this (you all know that feeling),  I placed an order.

Best of all it costs around a $100 plus shipping and compared to a lens that is a drop in the bucket.  As you can see in the photo on the right it also includes slide out arms to support a mouse and a cup of java.  I'm not so sure about the propriety of having a mug of liquid next to my laptop, but sounds like an idea.

Tripad in use

Now, don't go out and buy one just yet.  I have not received mine and I would not want to steer you down the wrong path.  Mine should be here in about a week and I will update this blog post to tell you if it will actually work.  Their web site has several videos and pictures showing it working, but I want to know if it will fit on my tripod.  So, stay tuned.  If you want to check it out yourself their web site is: http://www.gotripad.com/tripad/.They also have a similar product that fits on the top of your rolling luggage and makes it into a desk at the airport.  Oh, so simple, but so innovative.

Do you have any little inventions that you use in your daily photography?  Let me know and I will note them on my blog.  Who knows, some of these manufacturers might give away some free products.  I will note that I did not get this product for free (or even discounted). But, when I see a product that I will use I will tell all you other photographers about it.

Update: I have now received the product and it does exactly what they advertised to do.  The unit fits over my tripod easily and does not interfere with any of the levers on the tripod. It is a sturdy hardened plastic hybrid and it does hold my laptop (a 15" ACER), although I would not want to place a lot more weight on it.  The only thing disappointing is the time it took to arrive.  In this time of instant gratification it took several weeks to arrive.  It was shipped via UPS, but they then delivered it to the Post Office for home delivery.
All in all, it is a product that will help me in my real estate shots as I move my tethered laptop/tripod from room to room.