Camera tripod with battery and automatic leveling function appears on Kickstarter

Manufacturer Benro comes with the Theta, a camera tripod with battery that can level itself. For this, the tripod has a built-in electric motor and a gyroscope. The tripod also features an app for live view and control via a smartphone.

The Theta works with detachable modules, three of which can be clicked onto the tripod. For example, the battery is removable. The battery of the tripod has a capacity of 1800mAh and according to Benro a full battery charge is sufficient to level the tripod 8000 times. Charging the battery takes an hour and a half and is done through a USB-C connection. The battery can also be used as a power bank.

Another module is the ‘camera control module’, which can be used to remotely set up a live view connection with the camera and a smartphone app. In addition, with the module it is possible to set things such as iso, aperture and shutter speed values. The module uses a WiFi and Bluetooth connection for this. The photos can also be downloaded from the camera to a smartphone. The functionality offered by this module is very similar to that of apps from camera manufacturers themselves. For example, Canon has the Camera Connect app and Nikon has the SnapBridge app. Using Benro’s app also provides the functionality to stream to YouTube or Facebook, or via the Real-Time Messaging Protocol. To use these features, the Golive module is required.

With the introduction of the Theta tripod, Benro comes with a fourth separate module. However, that module is not clicked onto the tripod, but mounted on the hot shoe of the camera. Benro calls it the ‘optical matrix sensor module’ and it is intended to automatically adjust the exposure during time-lapse recordings. This module also works together with the Theta app.

Benro’s tripod will be introduced in two sizes: Theta and Theta Max. Both tripods are made of carbon fiber and weigh 1.25 and 1.65 kilograms respectively. The smallest model can reach a maximum height of 1.55 meters where the larger model reaches a height of 1.70 meters.

One is currently running Kickstarter campaign for Benro’s tripod. The small tripod will have a suggested retail price of $599 and the large tripod will cost $699. Those prices are 329 and 375 euros respectively for early orders, for which stocks are limited. A separate battery should fetch 90 dollars. If the user also wants to operate his camera, a bundle of battery and control module must be available for $ 339. It is not yet known when the tripod will officially come onto the market. The Kickstarter campaign ends on April 21. The $50,000 goal has already been amply met; over $545,000 has been pledged.