Last Updated on 02/28/2025 by Lara Carretero
Let’s admit it, in the world of tripods, things are boring. There’s AI and a bit of innovation in design — but they’re all kind of mid. So, how do you make a tripod stand out? Well, that’s what ProMaster thought of. In late 2024, we wrote about Paul Orzel, the designer of the Promaster Epoch. It’s designed after the old video tripods in the 90s but reconstituted to suit the needs of photographers. And more than anything else, it’s a masterpiece in a tactile experience.
I’ll admit that I rarely use tripods. But when I do, I’m typically doing long exposures, live composites, or film photography. However, they’re an incredible tool to use to help with compositions. And in truth, you can’t really make a bad tripod these days. Tripods don’t bring photographers a lot of joy to use all the time. But if they are going to bring you joy, then it should be through a tactile experience. The Promaster Epoch more than delivers in that case.
First off, it’s actually made of metal. That means that when it’s cold outside, it will feel like a real old-school piece of camera equipment. And often, I really prefer metal. The other day, a buddy and were trying to fix a toilet but we complained about how all the parts these days are made of plastic instead of metal. Metal components broke so much less. And that goes for camera gear, too. Metal doesn’t break anywhere as often.
Granted, not every carbon fiber tripod I’ve used has broken. But they’ve surely got parts that break more often because the overall thought process is to make things cheaper so that companies can rake in profits. In this case, however, most of the components on the Promaster Epoch are metal.
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When I go out into the cold of NYC, I’ll often feel the cold metal from this tripod touch my hands. And that, to me, reminds me that it’s an actual tripod. It’s also a bit heavier and most tripods, even if they were lighter, would need to be carried in a big carrying case anyway. So if I’m going to have to use the case, I might as well use a tripod that I actually want to use.
Notice how I’m not talking about all the other parts of a tripod like the legs, the sections, the handles, the head, etc. That’s because, well, they’re all kind of standard. It’s not innovating and nor is anyone else. Instead, this tripod is really just about having a nice experience.
And at a certain point, that’s really all that I care about. For only around $299, I don’t think I’m ever going to need another tripod again in my life.