Cameras are getting smarter by the minute, but the same can’t always be said for accessories like tripods. After all, it’s pretty hard to reinvent the wheel when the wheel is three metal legs used to hold up a camera, right?
Wrong, according to Benro, the well-known manufacturer of camera gear with 30 years of experience in the field. On March 7, Benro launched a Kickstarter campaign for its newest innovation - the Benro Theta, a truly smart tripod that will blow your mind.
If you’re a busy photographer or videographer needing to shave back time from your setup process, or a newbie wanting to focus on getting the shot instead of trying to do the tripod tango with your unwieldy camera stand, then look no further.
Make it modular
The most important starting point when diving into the Benro Theta are the four modular attachments, which serve to enhance the already robust and intelligently designed tripod.
These electronic modules can be attached to the tripod just beneath the head in the space between each leg section. The first, and arguably the one almost every Theta owner will benefit from, is the battery module, which functions as a power bank for not only the attached camera or smartphone but also the tripod itself (which is crucial if you want to use the tripod’s smart-leveling feature - more on this shortly) and any other connected modules.
Next up is the GoLive module, which allows you quickly and easily share your live camera feed to social platforms, including YouTube - and best of all, it only requires one wire from the camera to the module’s HDMI port, the Theta app and a WiFi connection.
Then there’s the camera control module, which enables you to remotely control the camera from your smartphone or tablet using the Theta app. From up to 150 feet away, you can set the shutter speed, aperture and ISO, and even preview and capture your video or photograph without ever having to fiddle with a single dial.
Last but certainly not least is the optical matrix sensor, which will be the best friend of photographers who love a good time-lapse. With this module, your Theta tripod will work in tandem with your camera control module to dynamically adjust exposure settings.
Smart self-leveling
With your modules in situ, you can unlock a world of features in the Benra Theta. For example, one of the most exciting things about the Theta tripod is its one-button self-leveling feature, which uses the battery module. If you’ve ever tried to set up a shot on uneven terrain or even on stairs, you’ll be all too familiar with the hassle that comes with manually adjusting tripod legs.
To tackle this, Benro has achieved two technical feats. Firstly, the Theta features a ball head that can be locked to align with the tripod at all times in addition to the standard free rotation mode.
In just a few easy steps, you can click the ball head into place and at the press of a button, then in its second technical feat, Theta will determine which legs need to be adjusted to level out the camera as quickly as possible. If that’s not the epitome of easy living with photography setup, we don’t know what is.
A tripod for all
Whether you’re a streamer ready to level up your video feed quality or take your camera on the road as a travel photographer, the Benro Theta is the perfect companion for the full spectrum of photographers and videographers.
If you buy Benro’s Theta today, you can grab an exclusive early-bird special discount of up to 52% off on Kickstarter - the biggest discount you’re ever likely to see on such a premium product.
