We’ve seen some funny photography-related products before. The latest one we’ve stubmbled upon has been introduced by Japanese tripod manufacturer Velbon. Is it a tripod? Is it a chair? Well, it’s actually both. If you want to stabilize both your camera and your butt, Velbon is soon to launch Chairpod, a tripod that doubles as a folding chair.
According to DC Watch, the Chairpod HY 127 was originally introduced at CP+ 2017. It can be described as a crossover between a chair, a tripod, and a monopod. When you unfold the chair, you can extend one of its legs up to your eye level and attach your camera onto the integrated tripod mount. If you want to use it standing up, when you fold the chair and extend the rod, you get a kind of a monopod.
Here are the Chairpod’s specs:
- Center rod extension + extension rod: 1,280 mm (50”)
- Center rod extension: 1,170 mm (46”)
- Center rod storage: 660 mm (26”)
- Center bar slide: 595 mm (23”)
- Seat height: 480 mm (19”)
- Contraction: 735 mm (29”)
- Weight: 1,460 g
- Recommended loading: 2 kg
- Maximum user weight: 80 kg
As DC Watch reports, the product will be released in Japan in late January and it will be available “only at major retailers and direct sales sites.” The price is set to be around 19,850 Yen, which is close to $180. There’s no word yet on whether it will be launched in the US and Europe.
The announcement of this product has caused different reactions amongst photographers. One group calls it “ridiculous” and claims it was made for “lazy photographers.” But those who have a hard time standing for long periods are actually eager to buy this product.
Personally, I think this is one of those products that are both ridiculous and brilliant at the same time. On the one hand, I don’t think you can stabilize the camera perfectly if you’re sitting on your tripod. This is why Chairpod probably wouldn’t be too useful for long exposures. But on the other hand, it can indeed be convenient for those who can’t stand for a long time. And I don’t think you’re “lazy” if you sit down. After all, sitting is a part of the job for many of us.
All in all, I believe Chairpod could be useful for some photographers no matter how quirky it looks. And if you pair it with this hands-free umbrella or this photography tent, I guess the full comfort is guaranteed. : )
What do you think? Would a chair-tripod be useful to you, or it’s just ridiculous?
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