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Q&A

Questions & Answers

CHIH-CHUN C : Does standard ACRA plate or Peak Design pro plate compatible with the grip?larry b : Does this work on a canon DSLR EOS 5 mark IV ?Brands@ A : Manfrotto type plate... but Peak says: Tripod compatible: Includes Standard Plate, which works with most Arca-type tripods. Need Manfrotto RC2 compatibility? Get Dual Plate Capture (Clip Only). Which i BLV is this: pdpld2PETER L : Does not appear to be Arca Swiss compatible. I use the Black Rapid strap system and Arca plate. Works really well. 3Pod should tell you what quick release plates work with their grip.FRANCIS S : I don't believe this will fit the ACRA style plates including the Peak Design plates. This is plate is Manfrotto/Bogen unique design.JERRY D : No. It is a Manfrotto type plate.
Alicia M : What is this head made of?Brian C : Composite, but very sturdy. Have used and abused mine with no issues at all.Leith C : It's mostly a hard plastic, wiith metal components.RICHARD J : not sure seems to be cast metal and maybe some magnesium..it is well made for the price..I also have a manfrotto grip head..which this seems to designed after..and this works very favorably to that ball head..at about 1/3 the price!IGNACIO A : Just like many other heads of this type, this one is metal and some composite but 90% is metal.MICHAEL S : metal with a plastic handle ... works wellJOHN D : Solid metal. Overall, I think it is mostly steel.DAVID K : This is an all metal Unit, more than likely Aluminum.JEFFREY A R : Cast metal. I don't know if it's aluminum or something else but it is not plastic. I was pleasantly surprised with the weifht and quality when I received this item. More sturdy than expected.GREG U : Metal it has some heft to it, I would say it is almost the same weight as my 5D mark 2. Most likely metal alloy/aluminum alloy very sturdyJERRY D : All the larger pieces are metal, though I can't tell what kind for sure. I am guessing it is an aluminum alloy, since a magnet won't stick to it. Only the logo, the adjustment wheel and the level are plastic.and the mounting plate has a rubber pad. It has a quality feel to it.GILBERT P : The exact composition of the metal I don't know but the grip is made of some kind of metal. I hope that helps.
Douglas S : Is the removable plate compatible with my existing H1 3pod?GILBERT P : As far as I know it should be.SCOTT R : I don't know about H1 3pod, I wish I could help you on that oneJERRY D : I have the 3Pod pistol grip but not the H1. From the photos, it looks to me like the plates are not compatible.IGNACIO A : Yes! The plates are the same. When I ordered mine I ordered 3 additional plates to have one on each of my cameras, the plates are permanently mounted on each camera and that makes very easy to use any of my cameras on this tripod.DAVID K : No it is not.RICHARD J : I do not know..it is a standard sized plate!

Reviews about this item

Review Summary

2023-01-19T07:07:19

Rated 5 out of 5

Nifty 3pod ball head

Super easy to use. Stable. As expected.

Barton B.

2022-12-30T10:06:52

Rated 5 out of 5

Best Pistol Ballhead For The Money Hands Down

This pistol grip ballhead is worth 3 times what Adorama is selling it for. I loved the heavy duty quality and functionality so much I bought 2 of them just to have a backup. The 3Pod ballhead operates extremely smooth and I can compose my subject with one hand which is awesome and I don't need to fumble around with loosening and tightening controls which can be a pain especially since most of my work is in the dark doing astrophotography. I highly recommend this pistol ballhead to other photographers.

DOUGLAS C.

2022-09-01T08:20:38

Rated 5 out of 5

Best bang for your buck

This tripod head is the third I've purchased. I've played with higher priced competitors and see no difference. It appears that they're are discontinued because other than here I can't find them anywhere. If this is so get them while you can.

CHRIS B.

2022-07-20T20:03:40

Rated 5 out of 5

3pod pistol grip

This was suggested from a friend, wanted the manfrotto but this was a fraction of the price. Build quality was amazing for the cost when compared side by side. Will order more in the future

CLINTON S.

2022-07-16T06:08:07

Rated 5 out of 5

Quality production . . .

Great product. Bought this to support my Olympus OM-1 and a 100-400mm lens. It is sturdy enough to properly support this combination.

Anthony G.

2022-01-26T10:21:42

Rated 5 out of 5

Nice for still pics.

This tripod ballhead works great for still pics. I enjoy using it. I do use a gimbal head for moving wildlife, but I like this grip.

SIMPSON D.

2021-11-21T05:28:17

Rated 5 out of 5

Great Product!

Use this with both my monopod and tripod. Easy to adjust and locks tight!

MICHAEL B.

2021-08-04T12:06:54

Rated 5 out of 5

It is awesome

It is great item

NGOC B.

2021-08-03T11:57:58

Rated 5 out of 5

Excellent tripos head!

I have a manfrotto like this that I wore out from using my medium format Mamiya RB67. This one will take the weight!

FRANK H.

2021-04-30T06:43:43

Rated 5 out of 5

Full metal grip

The thing is great. Built like a tank.

Robert W.

2021-04-21T12:12:57

Rated 5 out of 5

Built like a Tank

Very easy to handle. I saw one of these heads on my first photo assistant job. It is heavy but very well built. Has a built in bubble level too!!

MELISSA W.

2021-04-20T08:27:55

Rated 5 out of 5

Works great.

Every bit as good as the Manfrotto for 1/3 the price. I don't get it. Very nice build quality.

Arthur W.

2021-03-08T13:21:04

Rated 4 out of 5

Better than you would expect

This was a much sturdier product than the price would sugest, and have mounted it on my tripod but yet to mount the camera ornspotting scope. Very haooy so far.

DAVID B.

2021-02-11T05:50:44

Rated 1 out of 5

Ball grip

Very good quality and is easy to use, but not helpful in my type of photography

PHIL C.

2021-01-22T08:03:48

Rated 5 out of 5

Great, Strong Head

This pistol grip tripod head is just great. It holds my DSLR with very little “wobble.” I have a focus rail between the grip and my camera, and I don’t feel like anything is going to fall or fail. It’s heavy, yes, but the heft in this case is a positive factor. I do wish it came with some sort of instructions… for example, there are hex keys included but nothing to tell me how to use them. Still, overall, I totally like this great head.

William M.

2020-12-09T11:30:34

Rated 5 out of 5

Sturdy

Holds my heavy camera and able to make quick adjustments. I've used the Manfrotto version for years. Mounted this one on heavy aluminum for those Shot-from-the-ground moments, like mushrooms, at low heights where a tripod won't go, or takes far too much time to invert.

Richard E.

2020-11-16T07:46:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Very good, it’s effortless to change the position of the camera. Very easy to work with

Just what I needed!

CARLOS E.

2020-09-16T09:05:45

Rated 5 out of 5

Great tripod and value!

I love this tripod! It’s light, stable, easily adjustable to fit the terrain. And, with the pistol grip super simple to move the camera. It also has the ability to extend horizontally for taking shots straight down or around an obstruction! Did I mention the price: it can’t be beat!

MICHAEL G.

2020-08-14T10:40:19

Rated 4 out of 5

Great Price - A Little Sticky.

I've been using a similar Manfrotto pistol grip for years and that really is all I have to compare it to. I found the trigger to have good action, not too easy, not to tough to squeeze. The only issue I had was with the friction roller. It was difficult to find the right balance from being too loose where the camera wouldn't stay in place and too tight where it was difficult to move. For the price though I'd recommend it for someone just starting out.If you make money from taking pictures though, you will likely move up to a Manfrotto later.

JOHN S.

2020-07-29T09:21:34

Rated 5 out of 5

I need this for all my tripods

Great for rapid set up and with adjusting the tension just right, no drift. I would definitely recommend this product.

Jim B.

2020-01-01T07:03:46

Rated 3 out of 5

Too big and heavy

The good news is, like many reviews said, this thing is built like a tank. I would have been happy to keep it if it had worked for me. Seemed very well constructed and made of heavy, quality materials. But, ladies, beware. This thing is just not built for smaller hands. The grip is wide. The tension on the part you have to pull in to release the ball head is pretty strong. Assuming you would be pulling this release in many times per shoot, could get pretty tiring. And, it is freakin heavy. Oddly top heavy on a light tripod or monopod. Also, there is no rubberized material or anything to make the grip more comfortable. You are squeezing metal. Not a huge deal, except it sat on my cold porch after delivery for a few hours and by the time I brought it in and took it out of the box, it was very cold to hold. Made me think of how uncomfy it would get on your hands in the field. It's probably good for bigger, stronger hands, but not a great fit for smaller, not quite as strong hands. I had to return it.

KimberK

2019-11-06T07:26:31

Rated 5 out of 5

Excellent grip!.

I was pleasantly surprised at how big and how sturdy it is. The grip is firm and very reliable.

DANIEL N.

2019-10-06T10:03:06

Rated 3 out of 5

Porky ball head

TOO heavy.

PHIL S.

2019-07-14T23:30:26

Rated 3 out of 5

Does a good job

Convenient, quick and versatile. I like it.

MARK B.

2019-02-15T06:00:37

Rated 4 out of 5

Your request for comment

This fit well on my monopod. Still looking for the spike attachment for the monopod as advertised. I have not had a chance to use this yet, but intend on using it for taking some pics of nesting Bald Eagles.

JP G.

2019-01-17T13:30:51

Rated 5 out of 5

Manfrotto replacement!!!

Beats the hell out of Manfrotto’s plasticized downgrade. Ordering a second one for travel legs.

BRIAN G.

2018-11-14T14:13:14

Rated 4 out of 5

Great for light weight rig

Don't plan to use this grip with a heavy camera/lens, but for light to mid-weight, it's a joy. I reconfigured the quick-release plate for left-hand use.

Michelle H.

2018-10-22T17:19:32

Rated 5 out of 5

3Pod Pistol Grip Ballhead / Highly Recommended

If you are looking for strength , stability and locked in camera security, you've found it ! Fully adjustable, and fast, I love them . I work at night a lot , photographing the Auroras, and can't have any movement, and these work perfect. I shoot two cameras on tripods both with these heads, at the same time. When the action starts you set, squeeze the handle, release and shoot ! Any position !!

JIM B.

2018-06-27T02:54:57

Rated 5 out of 5

Excellent

This mono pod can work with all kind of cameras. Well built quality and solid body can hold the any camera up to 4 kg weight . Really good for all kind of photographers. Recommend to all

MOORTHY R.

2018-06-14T16:23:52

Rated 3 out of 5

Does not hold up my camera with 70-200 lens.

Does not hold up my camera with a 70-200mm lens.

Gary T.

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3Pod Pistol Grip Specifications

  • Tripod mount

    3/8

  • Camera mount

    Standard ½-20

  • Movement

    Ballhead freedom and rotating camera platform/handgrip

  • Camera position

    Right Handed, Left Handed, and Joystick

  • Weight

    1.85 lb

  • Max Load

    11 lb

  • UPC Code

    846431082976

About 3Pod Pistol Grip

FEATURED REVIEWS

Excellent tripos head!

By FRANK H.

I have a manfrotto like this that I wore out from using my medium format Mamiya RB67. This one will take the weight!

Full metal grip

By Robert W.

The thing is great. Built like a tank.

The 3POD PISTOL GRIP BALLHEAD is a favorite of professional photographers. Portrait Shooters, Landscape Artists, Still Life Photographers, and even Product Photographers, love the ease of use and adjustment afforded by a grip-head.

Grip-heads allow photographers to easily yet precisely compose an image, even with a heavy camera and lens combination. Simply squeeze the grip to allow the ballhead to be adjusted, and when you have your desired composition, release the grip, to firmly lock the ballhead in place. Since the gripping and adjusting are all done with the same hand, it leaves the other hand free to zoom, focus, balance the camera, or make other adjustments. The speed of one handed adjustment makes the grip head a favorite of photographers with time constraints, like wedding and portrait photographers, and the ease of use makes it the choice of photographers who want to focus on their subject, not their equipment.

The 3POD Pistol Grip Ballhead has some great advantages and features that make it a winning choice. Traditional grip heads came in the "joystick" configuration,with the ball on the tripod, the grip straight up in the air, and the camera mounted on top of that. The problems with this design (although some people still prefer it), is that it puts the camera further away from the stable base of the tripod than you'd like. Also, when composing vertical shots with a heavy camera, the grip head would protrude far away from the tripod, making it hard to adjust and potentially tipping over the tripod.

By placing the camera mount directly on the ball, the 3POD Pistol Grip Ballhead maintains the stability of the tripod base regardless of configuration and orientation. The versatile 3POD Pistol Grip Ballhead can be configured in three ways: Righty, Lefty, and Joystick. The camera mount plate can be moved to create a grip head designed for grip with the right hand, left hand, or the camera mount plate can be set on the end of the grip, in traditional "Joystick" configuration. Additionally, in Right or Lefty configuration the camera mount plate can be mounted at 3 possible angles for maximum comfort and grip control. The tension control on the grip head can also be adjusted. This allows for less pressure needed to move the ballhead with lighter rigs, or firmer support when mounting heavier camera and lens combinations.

The 3POD Pistol Grip Ballhead also features an industry standard quick release plate, to allow your camera to easily be transferred from one setup to another.

This 3POD item is covered by a 5 year warranty.

3Pod Pistol Grip Features

  • Fastest one-hand adjustments possible, simply squeeze to adjust, and release to lock position
  • No annoying knobs!
  • 3 adjustable mounting styles: Righty, Lefty, and Joystick
  • 3 tilt locations for each mounting point
  • Fast 360 degree rotation
  • -20 to 90 degrees tilt
  • Industry standard quick release system
  • Quick release safety lock
  • Adjustable friction and release tension
  • Bubble level
  • Keeps gravity centered even for vertical shots when used in right or left handpositions, reducing the probability of tripod tipping

Product Documents

User Manual

Key Features

  • No annoying knobs!
  • 3 adjustable mounting styles
  • 3 tilt locations for each mounting point
  • Fast 360 degree rotation
  • -20 to 90 degrees tilt
  • Industry standard quick release system

What's in the box:

  • 3Pod 3PRP01 Quick Release Plate
  • 3Pod 1-Year USA Warranty