Peak Design is back with its latest crowdfunding campaign. This time, the San Francisco-based accessory manufacturer has found a way to put a unique spin on a new line of cases and accessories for smartphones.
The legs of the tripod accessory fold out wide to create a sturdy base. If you’re using larger, heavier devices, the case even has a built-in hex tool for tightening the joints of the ball mount and legs.
The new Mobile by Peak Design lineup consists of smartphone cases and universal mounts that use Peak Design’s ‘SlimLink’ hardware to easily connect an ecosystem of accessories, including an ultra-compact tripod, various magnetic and locking mounts, a wallet and even wireless charging mounts.
The tripod accessory is tapered and easily snaps into place on the rear of the case or universal mount.
What makes the SlimLink connection on each of the cases and adapters unique is its ability to work with both hard-locking (mechanical) and soft-locking (magnetic) mounts. This means some of the accessories, such as the mobile tripod, can connect with a quick snap of the built-in magnets, while mounts that need a more secure hold, such as the bike and moto mounts, can lock into place for a more secure hold.
A close-up shot of the proprietary SlimLock system.
The SlimLink connection is made of ceramic-zirconium, meaning it will still allow Qi charging to work through the case. At launch, the Mobile by Peak Design lineup will offer dedicated Peak Design Everyday Cases for the following devices (other phones will work using the universal adapter):
iPhone 12 (6.1” + 5.4”), Pro Max, Pro
iPhone SE2
iPhone 11, Pro, Pro Max
Samsung S20, S20 Ultra, S20 +
The universal mount ensures nearly any older device—even those with cases—should be able to be adapted to work with the Mobile by Peak Design system.
Peak Design is also supporting cross-compatibility between its mounting system and the new MagSafe connection found in Apple’s latest iPhone 12 devices. Specifically, Peak Design says its soft-locking mounts and accessories (tripod, wallet, charging stand, wall mount and car mounts) will work with Apple’s MagSafe phones and cases. Peak Design also says iPhone 12 devices in the Peak Design Everyday Case will work with Apple’s MagSafe charger and notes Apple’s MagSafe accessories, such as their wallet, will be able to be connected to a Peak Design Case, but it doesn’t specify how exactly that will be achieved.
As of the announcement of the Kickstarter campaign, Peak Design lists four different cases or adapters and eleven different accessories. An infographic overview of the ecosystem is shared below:
You can find out more information on the Mobile by Peak Design lineup by heading over to the Kickstarter campaign. Below is an infographic with a pricing breakdown for the various accessories, adapters and cases. As with all of Peak Design’s other products, all cases and accessories are individually serialized and guaranteed for life.
This is Peak Design’s 10th Kickstarter campaign and should, if it reaches its goal, ensure Peak Design surpasses smartwatch manufacturer Pebble for the all-time most money raised through Kickstarter campaigns — $ 43.4M.
After a successful funding and launch on Kickstarter, the Mobile by Peak Design system will be available to purchased through Peak Design’s online shops as well as partnered retailers in Spring 2021.
Disclaimer: Remember to do your research with any crowdfunding project. DPReview does its best to share only the projects that look legitimate and come from reliable creators, but as with any crowdfunded campaign, there’s always the risk of the product or service never coming to fruition.
Stacked Architecture of the chipset Samsung details in its new paper.
Samsung has published a paper detailing a new stacked CMOS mobile image sensor that uses a 14nm processing layer to deliver high-resolution images while reducing power consumption.
The stacked sensor consists of two chips: a 12MP backside-illuminated (BSI) pixel chip on the top that uses 65nm process and a bottom chip for analog and logic circuits that uses 14nm process. By using the super-fine 14nm process on the processing layer, Samsung says it could achieve a 29% drop in power consumption compared to current conventional sensors that use a 65nm/28nm process.
Microphotograph of Implemented Sensor (Left: Top Chip & Right: Bottom Chip)
Samsung says the chip is capable of outputting at 120 frames per second while consuming just 612mW of power. The analog and digital power supply requirements also drop to 2.2V and 0.8V, respectively, compared to conventional 65nm/28nm process chipsets.
What this all translates to is a more energy-efficient stacked sensor for future smartphones that also manages to improve data throughput and reduce noise. It also paves the way for creating sensors with smaller pixel pitches, maximizing the potential for even higher-resolution sensors without increasing the size of mobile sensors. As illustrated in the below graphic, a 16MP sensor with a 1.0um pixel pitch is the same size as a 13MP sensor with a 1.12um pixel pitch.
Of course, smaller pixels means each pixel will be less sensitive, but Samsung emphasizes this shortcoming can be overcome through its pixel-merging technologies such as its Tetracell (2×2) and Nonacell (3×3) technologies, which will merge data from neighboring pixels together to achieve better image quality when light is scarce.
Specifications of the 12MP sensor Samsung details in its paper.
Samsung specifically notes the power-saving nature of stacked sensors using the 65nm/14nm process will be ‘critical’ for 8K video capture and even higher-resolution sensors, as power consumption is one of the biggest factors limiting 8K capture on current smartphones.
As tends to be the case with developments of this kind, there’s no knowing when we might see this 65nm/14nm stacked sensor design inside a consumer smartphone.
Editor’s note: Skip to just under 30 minutes again to avoid the static intro image.
Blackmagic Design has taken the wraps off its new Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K digital film camera with support for recording video at up to 12K/60fps with 80MP per frame. The model is joined by a pair of new off-camera monitors from the company, the Blackmagic Video Assist 3G in 5″ and 7″ sizes.
Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K
The Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K is a digital film camera offering advanced options combined with a 12288 x 6480 Super 35 image sensor. This is the company’s third-generation model, one offering 14 stops of dynamic range, 4K/220fps Super 16 and 8K/110fps options in addition to 12K, an interchangeable lens mount and a SuperSpeed USB-C expansion port.
Blackmagic Design has packed a number of other notable features into its new pro-grade digital film camera, including built-in ND filters, an interchangeable PL mount and UHS-II SD and CFast card recorders. The company says that the Super 35 sensor found in this model is ‘optimized for images at multiple resolutions’ and that it features a unique (non-bayer) design with an equal number of RGB pixels. We’ve contact Blackmagic Design for further information on the sensor and will update with additional information when it becomes available.
Blackmagic Design has also streamlined its entire workflow to be more efficient, going so far as to demo that with the help of Apple’s Metal graphics architecture, it’s possible to edit 12K Blackmagic Raw footage directly on a MacBook Pro.
The Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K is aimed at professional productions, including use with television and movies. Videos shot in 12K Blackmagic RAW can be tweaked with multiple constant bitrate encoding and quality options. The 12K sensor enables oversampling so that users get sharp, highly detailed 4K and 8K images, giving creators a bit more freedom during post-production.
This is joined by a new film curve feature for Blackmagic Generation 5 Color Science that takes advantage of the 12K sensor color data. According to Blackmagic, this will ensure that highly saturated colors are better rendered and that skin tones are particularly ‘pleasing.’ The camera is compatible with PL cinema lenses, as well as EF and F mount lenses.
Talking about the new model is Blackmagic Design CEO Grant Petty, who said:
With Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K we have advanced imaging technology into a new generation where new styles of shooting will be possible. It’s not just the 12K sensor, but there is so many other innovations in this camera. From the Generation 5 Color Science, the in sensor scaling, new symmetrical color pattern, full RGB quality and of course the 12K resolution, it’s going to be exciting to see what DOPs do creatively with this technology!
Blackmagic Design is launching the URSA Mini Pro 12K this month at $ 9,995.
Blackmagic Video Assist 3G
Joining the new digital film camera is the Blackmagic Video Assist 3G, an off-camera monitor offered in 5in and 7in sizes. According to the company, Video Assist 3G is a touchscreen model offered at a lower price point than the company’s other options; it features HDMI and 3G-SDI with support for all Standard and High Definition video formats.
Likewise, Video Assist 3G has upgraded batteries compared to past models, as well as built-in scopes, a rear tally light, headphone jack and front panel speaker. Both size options feature standard SD and UHS-II SD card support — the larger model has two SD card slots so that a full card can be swapped out while recording to the second card continues.
As well, the Video Assist 3G utilizes Sony L-Series batteries and features two battery slots so that one can be swapped out with a charged battery while recording. The obvious benefit to the Video Assist 3G is that it offers a larger display than the often small screens built into cameras, giving users considerably more control over their work.
Likewise, the Video Assist has an integrated pro-grade audio recorder, exceeding the quality of many cameras while eliminating the need to tote around audio gear, though it is also possible to attach microphones to the 7-inch model via a pair of XLR inputs. In addition to the monitor’s many other features, Blackmagic has included support for several languages, including English, Spanish, German, Chinese, Russian, Japanese and more.
Blackmagic Design is now offering the Video Assist 3G monitors starting at $ 495.
Blackmagic Design has announced it will be hosting a ‘Camera Update’ livestream on YouTube at 12pm EDT (UTC -4) on July 29 (roughly 27 hours after this article is published).
No additional information about the event has been shared at this time, but if past Blackmagic Design ‘Update’ livestreams are anything to go by, there will likely be new and/or improved hardware on display. Click through to YouTube using the above video embed and sign up to be notified so you don’t miss the announcement.
What would you like to see from Blackmagic Design, tomorrow?
The post Peak Design Donates 100% of Profits from Travel Tripod Launch to Charity appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.
Peak Design, the camera carry company based in California, launched their Travel Tripod in early April.
And they donated 100% of the profits to charity.
The Travel Tripod has been making waves ever since it was funded on Kickstarter, where the promise of a stable, compact tripod drew in 12 million USD from nearly 30,000 donors.
Fast-forward a year, and the Travel Tripod was ready to launch as two separate products:
A carbon fiber option and an aluminum alloy option, both offering unprecedented compactness and stability as a pro-level travel tripod solution.
Then, in the weeks prior to the launch, Peak Design announced its intentions to donate all profits to two charities:
The CDC Foundation, for COVID-19 relief, and Climate Neutral, an organization that works to combat climate change.
As explained by the Peak Design CEO:
Now more than ever is the time for us to act on our core values and ensure that our employees, contractors and retail partners can find economic shelter in a product we’ve spent years developing…Peak Design is also in a unique position to offer financial support to those that are solving the problem. To be able to donate in a time of need speaks volumes to the company we’ve built over the last ten years.
Now that the launch is complete, Peak Design has released their numbers; the company sold over 2000 tripods, culminating in a whopping $ 218,000 USD donated to the CDC Foundation and Climate Neutral.
For those who are interested in the Peak Design travel tripod, it offers:
A weight of 2.81 lbs (1.27 kg) for the carbon fiber model
A weight of 3.44 lbs (1.56 kg) for the aluminum model
A weight capacity of 20 lbs (9.1 kg)
Minimum height of 15.2 in (38.5 cm)
Maximum height of 60.2 in (153 cm) with the center column raised
Setup in 9.8 seconds
A ball head with a phone mount
You can pick it up for $ 599.95 USD (carbon fiber) or $ 349.95 USD (aluminum).
Now over to you:
Do you own a travel tripod? And how does the Peak Design Travel Tripod compare? Share your thoughts in the comments!
The post Peak Design Donates 100% of Profits from Travel Tripod Launch to Charity appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.
The post Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip Review appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Suzi Pratt.
In October 2016, Peak Design released the Everyday Backpack, a pack that has become iconic and ubiquitous among photographers and non-photographers alike. You might recognize this bag by the MagLatch and unique design that doesn’t scream, “I’m carrying tons of expensive camera gear!” Three years later, Peak Design updated its Everyday Bags to V2, and added brand new bags to the line including the Everyday Zip. In this Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip review, I’ll discuss some of the unique features of this bag and who this bag is for.
The all-new Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip (20L). 1/125, f/7.1, ISO 500.
Everyday Zip 20L specs
Even though its formal name is the Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip V2, this is the very first iteration of this backpack design. Its design borrows heavily from the original Everyday Backpack, but there are a couple of key differences. First, the Everyday Zip is only available in 20-liter or 15-liter versions, while the Everyday Backpack can be either 20 liters or 30 liters. This review is of the 20-liter version of the Everyday Zip. Second, the Everyday Zip does not have the MagLatch and instead is secured via the wrap-around zippers.
Weight: 2.91 lbs (1.3 kg) without dividers, or 3.42 lbs (1.55 kg) with dividers
Maximum laptop carry: 38.1cm x 25.4cm x 2.5cm (15″x10″x1″) – Holds 15/16” Macbook Pro
Maximum tablet carry: 30.6cm x 22.1cm x .7 cm (12″ x 8.69″ x 0.27″) – Holds 12.9″ iPad Pro
External dimensions: 48cm x 31.5cm x 23.5cm (18.9” x 12.4″ x 9.3″)
Internal dimensions: 45cm x 28.5cm x 20cm (17.7” x 11.2″ x 7.9″)
Peak Design Everyday Backpack V1 (left) and Everyday Backpack Zip (right). 1/125, f/7.1, ISO 500.
What’s new?
If you’re familiar with the Everyday Bags V1, here are some of the V2 changes:
More streamlined seams and rounder profiles.
Softer, more comfortable bag straps.
New UltraZips that are 20x stronger than standard zips.
Sleeker and more ergonomic MagLatch (on applicable bags).
New colors (navy and cream) and two new bags: Everday Backpack Zip and Tote.
Who is this bag for?
I originally purchased the Everyday Backpack V1 (20L) as a daypack for shooting and working in the city. The features that most appealed to me was the ability to carry my full-frame DSLR camera, 2 lenses, and flash, plus my 15-inch MacBook Pro in a low-profile bag to fit my 5’2″ frame.
Many other camera backpacks out there are either too big and bulky or have an outdoorsy design that doesn’t fit well in corporate photography settings, which is where I often find myself. I also appreciated the fact that the bag dividers are not specific to camera gear and you can even remove them if you want to use the backpack for non-photography purposes.
If you can relate to my situation above, then the Everyday Backpack might be right for you.
Contents that can fit inside of the Peak Design Everyday Backpack V1 and Everyday Backpack Zip (20L). 1/280, f/4.5, ISO 2000.
Is the Everyday Zip better?
Throughout my 2 years of using the Everyday Backpack V1, the main thing that I disliked about it was also its main selling point: the MagLatch.
It gives the bag a unique look and makes it very easy to access the top portion of the bag, but it was not possible to lock or secure. In many of my photography settings (corporate events), I empty my camera bag of most of its contents and walk around to shoot, while leaving the bag in a semi-secure area. Oftentimes, my laptop and a spare lens are in the bag, and it is unnerving to leave the bag unlocked. While I haven’t had the bag or its contents stolen before, I am often pushing my luck.
My hope with the Everyday Zip was that all of the big compartments could be locked and secured. While it takes a little DIY work to secure the 5 zippers on this bag, it does indeed live up to this standard.
Top access on the Everyday Backpack Zip (20L). 1/125, f/7.1, ISO 500.
Other positive points
Another great feature of the Everyday Backpacks is that you can access your camera gear (or chosen contents) via the side zippers. This means you don’t have to empty the entire contents of your bag to reach things sitting on the bottom.
Given the wrap-around zipper on the Everyday Zip, side access requires a bit more attention to detail to avoid accidentally opening your entire bag, but it is still a nice feature.
Side access on the Everyday Backpack Zip (20L). 1/125, f/7.1, ISO 500.
The Everyday Zip also has side pockets for stowing things like a small tripod, monopod, water bottle, etc, and a back panel for easily attaching the bag to a rolling suitcase.
There are also straps for attaching a tripod or large item to the outside of the bag, but I always find that a cumbersome and impractical way to carry a tripod.
Another selling point of the Everyday Backpacks is their ability to carry a 15″ or 16″ laptop, or so Peak Design claims. A lot of modern bags have sized down and only carry 13″ laptops or tablets. On the Everyday Zip, my 15″ MacBook Pro from 2015 fits, but it is very tight and leaves no room for adding anything else to that pocket, even though there are dividers for adding other items such as documents.
Modern laptops are getting thinner and will likely fit more easily, but be wary if you have an older computer.
Laptop compartment on the Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip (20L). 1/125, f/7.1, ISO 500.
The final selling point of this bag and Peak Design products in general is the overall aesthetic and attention to detail. This is a really unique and modern-looking bag with tons of storage pockets throughout. Peak Design values not wasting any space and that rings true for the Everyday Backpack Zip. It’s easy to pack this bag full and not have any loose space anywhere.
However, the maximization of space comes at a cost, which echoes my original complaints about the Everyday Backpack V1.
When filled with heavy contents, this definitely is not the most comfortable backpack out there. Sure, the bag has sternum and waist straps to distribute the weight more ergonomically, and the shoulder straps are noticeably more padded.
But the comfort problem stems from the ultra-stiff back padding, which seems to be there to allow the bag to attach to rolling luggage. This is indeed helpful if you travel a lot, and is a feature lacking on my favorite large camera backpack. But in general, this bag still feels like a pair of stilettos – you sacrifice some comfort for the sake of fashion.
The all-new Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip (20L). 1/125, f/7.1, ISO 500.
Let’s end this on a positive note by talking about the real reason why I’m sticking to Peak Design: there’s a lifetime warranty on all of their products.
My Everyday Backpack V1 was a trooper for 2 years, but the zipper came apart recently, rendering the bag useless. Upon realizing there was a lifetime warranty, I contacted Peak Design via their website, and within days organized for a replacement bag to be sent my way.
I could not arrange for a new style of bag as the replacement and paid for the Everyday Zip out of my pocket. I still have a brand new version of my old bag that I can give away or sell, and I know that my Everyday Zip is covered under a similar warranty.
The all-new Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip (20L). 1/125, f/7.1, ISO 500.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a sleek, modern backpack to hold light camera gear and a laptop, this might be the camera bag for you. Because this bag is uniquely structured when compared to other camera backpacks on the market, it can take some time to get used to if you’re new to Peak Design backpacks.
Given its compact size, thorough utilization of space, and that lifetime warranty, this is a great bag to consider. It’s not perfect, but then again, what bag is?
The post Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip Review appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Suzi Pratt.
Bag manufacturer Peak Design has donated 100% of the profits it made from the launch of its first tripod to charities dealing with the coronavirus response and with climate change. The four-day launch saw the company sell 2265 units of its new Travel Tripod, which generated $ 218,150.
The funds were then split equally between the non-profits Centers for Disease Control Foundation which is assisting in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Climate Neutral organization that helps companies to reduce their carbon foot print. Peak Design is actually a founder of Climate Neutral, which has so far certified 105 brands as being climate neutral, including Kickstarter, and is helping numerous others to achieve this goal.
The development of the Travel Tripod was funded by a Kickstarter campaign, and over the launch period, the aluminum alloy version generated $ 75,110 in profits while the carbon fiber version made $ 143,040 after selling 110 units more.
You can see more information about the Travel Tripod on our initial news coverage, as well as our hands-on with the carbon fiber version.
Press release:
Peak Design Donates 100% of Profits From its 4-Day Travel Tripod Launch Funds will be Distributed Between COVID-19 Response and Combating Climate Change
Peak Design, the worldwide leader in crowdfunding and everyday carry solutions, has announced it will donate 100% of profits from all Travel Tripods sold during the company’s highly anticipated launch, April 7, through April 10, 2020. Profits will include both sales of tripods through PeakDesign.com and through retailers worldwide. Funds generated by the launch will be donated to the CDC Foundation to support their efforts on the front-lines of COVID-19 response, and to Climate Neutral, an organization that helps businesses from all industries verifiably achieve carbon neutrality.
Peak Design depends on a global network of partners to ensure their products are safely manufactured and delivered. The launch of the Travel Tripod is an opportunity for Peak Design to continue to financially support their colleagues while helping to address two global crises. “Now more than ever is the time for us to act on our core values and ensure that our employees, contractors and retail partners can find economic shelter in a product we’ve spent years developing,” commented Peak Design CEO, Peter Dering. “Peak Design is also in a unique position to offer financial support to those that are solving the problem. To be able to donate in a time of need speaks volumes to the company we’ve built over the last ten years. I couldn’t be more proud,” continued Dering.
Peak Design understands that sustainability programs may come under threat as businesses are forced to examine expenditures due to COVID-19. In addition to donating to the CDC Foundation to support Coronavirus relief, Peak Design hopes additional aid to Climate Neutral will help to bolster the response to climate change. “Unfortunately we haven’t swapped one global disaster for the other. Climate change is still a very real threat amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and we fear that many businesses will be forced to consider the economic viability of their sustainability commitments,” states Dering. “We can’t afford to relinquish the progress we’ve made in combating climate change.”
The Peak Design Travel Tripod was originally launched on Kickstarter in May 2019, and raised $ 12.1M from 27,168 backers. Praised for its ground up reexamination of traditional tripod design, Peak Design achieved the world’s most portable, packable, and easy-to-setup tripod for professionals and first-time tripod owners alike. Customers can choose between carbon fiber (MSRP: $ 599) and aluminum alloy (MSRP: $ 349.95) starting April 7, at 12am PST.
For more information about the Peak Design Travel Tripod, please visit: http://www.peakdesign.com/pages/travel-tripod. To learn more about the CDC Foundation’s efforts in supporting the people, communities, and healthcare providers on the global frontline of coronavirus response, please visit: http://www.cdcfoundation.org. To learn more about how Climate Neutral assists businesses to achieve carbon neutrality, please visit http://www.climateneutral.org.
As part of today’s ‘Imaging Unleashed’ virtual press conference, Canon has announced the Canon C300 Mark III, its latest Super 35mm cinema camera with a new Dual Gain Output (DGO) sensor and a modular design based on the same frame as Canon’s C500 Mark II.
If the outside of the Canon C300 Mark III looks both different and familiar, there’s a reason why: it uses the exact same body as Canon’s C500 Mark II camera. This design not only allows for more modularity within the C300 line but also means all accessories designed for the C500 Mark II will also work with the new C300 Mark III. Canon has also added anamorphic desqueeze support for 2x and 1.3x lenses, as well as a user-swappable lens mount accessory that makes it easy to swap out lens mounts without the need to take it to a service center (it comes with an EF mount, but can also use EF cinema lock and PL mount lenses with the optional kits).
An illustration from Canon’s virtual press conference that shows how each pixel on the sensor is split into two different diodes.
At the heart of the C300 Mark III is a new 4K Super 35mm DGO sensor powered by Canon’s new DIGIC DV7 video imaging processor. The new DGO system allows the sensor to capture up to 16 stops of dynamic range by splitting each pixel into two diodes that simultaneously capture two images at different gain levels. Helpfully, this is a completely different ‘dual gain’ concept to the one used by most other camera makers, in which all the sensor’s pixels use one of two gain modes.
These two diodes within each pixel are also used to power the phase-detection of Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF, which will now work at up to 120 frames per second (fps) with the new C300 Mark III.
Also new is support for Canon’s Cinema RAW Light format, which Canon first announced alongside the EOS C200. The Cinema RAW Light format is a more lightweight version of its Cinema RAW format that captures Raw video data in files as little as 1/5th the size of a standard Cinema RAW file. Canon Europe has a great breakdown of its Cinema RAW Light capture format.
The sensor is capable of recording 4K DCI/UHD video at up to 120fps, as well as 2K at up to 180fps with 4:2:2 10-bit XF-AVC recording. Canon has also included Canon Log 2 and Log 3 support, 12G-SDI output over a single BNC cable, timecode I/O, genlock input BNCs as well as User LUT support for applying custom LUTS in-camera and two CFexpress card slots.
Without the included grip, the modular frame measures in at 183mm (7.2”) for both width and height and 149mm (5.9”) deep with a weight of roughly 1750g (3.9lbs).
Canon says the camera will be ‘available later in 2020’ with an estimated retail price of $ 10.999. The camera will come with 13 accessories, including a 4.3” LCD monitor, the GR-V1 grip, a BP-A60 battery, a battery charger and more. It is currently available to pre-order on Adorama and B&H.
We’ve already seen the Peak Design Travel Tripod and gotten our hands on it for a short period of time, but after successfully sending out units to its Kickstarter backers, Peak Design is ready to open up orders to the public. At 12am PST on April 7, Peak Design will allow the general public to purchase their latest piece of gear; but that’s not all. Peak Design says 100% of profits from every tripod sold will be split 50/50 to COVID-19 disaster relief and climate change relief funds.
The Travel Tripod launch announcement was originally embargoed for the day of the launch, April 7, but Peak Design Founder and CEO Peter Dering took to YouTube in the above video to explain the decision to launch the tripod at the time they’ve chosen, as well as announce a ‘Weird Times Sale’ that is currently live and sees nearly all Peak Design gear (everything except the Travel Tripod) between 20–40% off to help keep inventory moving during a time when sales have all but ceased.
A breakdown of the discounts for Peak Design’s sale.
Travel Tripod Updates
The Peak Design Travel Tripods were first introduced in May 2019. Over the course of its Kickstarter campaign, the company raised over $ 12.1 million from more than 27k backers. Over the course of production, Peak Design altered a few aspects of the design to refine the initial version to improve the overall experience. Specifically, Peak Design’s revisions include a new hex tool key with leg clip holder, an updated padded, weatherproof carry bag and an ultralight conversion kit that turns the tripod into a more compact tabletop tripod.
Peak Design also opted to use an aluminum center column for its carbon fiber tripod, citing testing its own engineering team came up with as well as insight from tripod testing extraordinaire David Berryrieser of the Center Column. Peak Design says Berryrieser’s testing, ‘revealed a significant improvement in the aluminum center column resisting lateral twist, less vertical slip and higher max load for the counterweight hook […] All this for the price of 16g or 10 paper clips worth of additional weight.’
As previously mentioned, 100% of profits from each Travel Tripod sold from April 7–10 through PeakDesign.com and Peak Design’s retail partners around the world will be distributed to the CDC Foundation and Climate Neutral.
You can find the ‘Weird Times Sale’ on Peak Design’s online shop and authorized Peak Design retailers. Travel Tripod sales should go live at 12am on April 7 if you’re interested in securing one.
Photographer and LEGO designer Ethan ‘LegoDog0126’ Brossard has recreated the iconic Nikon F3 film camera as a LEGO kit featuring 549 pieces. The design has been submitted to the LEGO Ideas website where it was selected as a Staff Pick on November 25. At this point in time, the submission has nearly 1,400 supporters and 190 days remaining for others to support it.
Brossard detailed his project in a recent post on Emulsive, where he explained that his LEGO recreation of the Nikon F3 is only a bit larger than the actual camera. The render features an impressive degree of detail for something made from small plastic bricks and other components, including almost all of the levers found on the F3, the main dials and a plastic representation of the SLR’s mirror.
Though the renders include a blocky roll of film, Brossard notes that it can’t actually fit in the camera due to the thickness of the LEGO bricks. As well, the recreation features an approximation of the Nikon AI-S prime lens. The shiny chrome featured in the renders isn’t actually a color produced by LEGO, meaning anyone who attempts to build the model will need to use gray or some other color.
Brossard has shared a Google Drive folder containing the Studio and Ldraw model files for anyone to download. As well, the model can be found on Rebrickable. The submission will need to achieve 10,000 supporters on LEGO Ideas in order for its to undergo a LEGO Review, at which point the company will evaluate the design for its potential as an official LEGO kit.
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