The new Zeiss Universal Tripod model. The Universal and Lightweight models come standard with the smooth-operating Zeiss Fluid Head. Zeiss Tripod Kits come with a variety of quality accessories.

Zeiss elevates tripod design to impressive new levels with the introduction of 2 new Pro-Series Tripod Kits – the Universal and Lightweight models. With these new Pro-Series Tripod Kits, Zeiss has achieved new levels of ruggedness, stability, rapid setup, and user friendliness. Tripod strength and reliability begin with rugged legs, built with 10 layers of rigid carbon fiber connected to an aluminum framework. All Pro-Series Tripod Kits include Arca-Swiss mounting systems, the most widely accepted, most secure mounting system in the world. This feature provides rapid, reliable, and easily interchangeable mounting of a variety of birding optics, including all Zeiss tripod accessories.

The Universal model, as the name implies, offers the most complete package for a variety of applications, with special emphasis on rock-solid stability. The Universal comes standard with the silky-smooth Zeiss Fluid Head, perfectly balanced and with a telescopic handle that can be installed for left-handed or right-handed use. The tripod head includes an Arca-Swiss top mounting system as well as an extended 1/4-20 adapter plate with rubberized anti-slip strips and a safety pin for secure, solid mounting of non-Arca-Swiss compatible optics or other devices. The Universal tripod extends to 73 inches, collapses to a mere 30½ inches, and it will support up to 132 pounds of weight. The tripod, with the head, weighs slightly more than 6 pounds.

The Lightweight tripod kit also comes standard with the Zeiss Fluid Head and is ideal for applications that require you to make frequent relocations and adjustments during birding observation sessions. Its center column is longer than the Universal’s, which makes frequent, small height adjustments quicker. Its carbon fiber legs are slightly smaller than the Universal’s, contributing to its mere 4½ pounds in overall weight. Even so, the Lightweight model supports optics that weigh up to 88 pounds and it extends to 69 inches tall.

The Zeiss Pro-Series Kits

Zeiss is packaging the Pro-Series as complete kits, which is rather unique. “Most premium tripods are sold bare bones,” according to Kyle Brown, Zeiss director of marketing/product. “You pay a premium price, but still must spend hundreds more on a ball head and other components just for basic operation. We believe that when you purchase a top-tier tripod, your investment should deliver everything you need to get started as a complete package. That’s why all Pro-Series tripods come as full kits.”

Both the Universal and Lightweight Kits include the tripod, fluid head, removable center column, flat plate adapter with a 3/8-inch stud,1/4-20 extended adapter plate, spiked feet, leg wraps, a tripod kit bag, tool kit, and a user manual.

All Pro-Series heads are special in that they allow you to pan as well as tilt the optics – panning is usually a feature only found on tripods that are made for video applications. One of the biggest complaints leveled against ordinary tripods is the difficulty to adjust them, and the time required to make adjustments. Every locking lever, button, twist-lock, and adjustment knob on a Pro-Series Tripod Kit is longer or larger than normal, which provides an easier, less frustrating, far more user-friendly experience in the field. You get faster, smoother tripod operations, even with cold, wet, gloved, large, or small hands.

The click stops on each leg are easily operated with one finger via a large thumb lever, and they provide a choice of multiple leg angle settings at 24, 55, and 85 degrees. At full width, all 3 legs are almost flat on the ground, allowing the user to lie prone while using whatever device is mounted on the tripod head. Conversely, maximum height, which ranges between 69 and 73 inches, provides comfortable viewing even for birders well over 6 feet tall. All Pro-Series Tripod Kits feature extendable and removable center columns.

Mounting heavy and/or expensive optics on a poorly built tripod is a recipe for disaster. Each Zeiss tripod accepts a load ranging from 66 to 132 pounds, depending on the model. Removable rubber feet are standard on all models and can be replaced with spikes (included in the kits) for use in icy or unstable terrain. All center columns include an extended bottom hook where additional weight can be added for even more stability during windy conditions.

While each Zeiss Pro-Series Tripod Kit includes all necessary components, a few specialized Zeiss accessories are offered too: For Universal and Lightweight models, Ballhead V-60 and Ballhead L-55 are offered as accessory options. A tripod-to-binocular adapter, which is Arca-Swiss and 1/4-20 compatible, is also available for all tripod models. Similarly, a universal Arca-Swiss binocular clamp is offered to hold a variety of sizes and brands of binoculars.

The handy Multi-Device Rail, which is also Arca-Swiss compatible, permits you to mount multiple devices atop a single tripod. For example, combining a phone with binoculars, a video camera alongside a spotting scope, and other applications. For exceptionally windy or unstable environments, the Accessory Rock Bag allows you to easily add weight to the center column, providing more downward pull and stability.

Zeiss is so confident in the quality and durability of their Pro-Series Tripod Kits, that when you register your tripod, it is backed with a full 10-year warranty. For more information, see ZEISS Tripods | For reliable stability & precise adjustments.