Tripods, Quick Release Clamps, & Cases

Last updated October 20, 2017 14:15

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You need a professional-grade tripod to set the camera at eye-level and keep it steady while scanning.

You also need a quick-release clamp to quickly mount the camera to the tripod.

An iPad carrying case is optional, but convenient if you will scan a lot.

To protect your camera long-term (and especially while traveling), we suggest buying a hard carrying case. You can also use the white, foam-padded inner shipping box from when you first purchased the camera.

The following equipment is recommended by Matterport. We update this list periodically after in-house testing.
The following equipment is applicable for both the Pro and the Pro2 3D Camera.

Tripod (Required)

Basics

Native 3/8"-16 post
Rated for 10 lb (4.5 kg) or more
Stable throughout camera rotation and across a variety of surfaces

Handling

Always check for tightness on the camera, clamp, tripod leg tighteners (and the bolts that affix to legs)
Hold the camera's handle when mounting or dismounting from the tripod

Never attempt anything that might endanger the safety and well-being of you, others, or others' property.

DO NOT use the following:

Thread adapters
Ball-joint heads
Other tripod heads, levelers, etc
Tripod handles

These can be unstable and cause the Matterport Camera to loosen and fall. In addition, tripod handles can appear in the panorama and look bad.

Recommended Tripods:

Manfrotto MT190X

3-section aluminum legs
High quality plus vibration dampening

🇺🇸 Buy in United States
🇬🇧 Buy in United Kingdom

Manfrotto tripods with "Pro" in their name have a red ring and Q90 center column. You can pull out the center column and set it at a slight angle so the mounting point is not completely horizontal/level.

In any position other than vertical up and down this center column is extremely unstable and unsafe for use with a Matterport Camera. Keep the column in its normal vertical position.

	Manfrotto MT190XPRO3 3-section aluminum legs Same as MT190X but has Q90 center column pole. Good if you have other non-Matterport cameras you will use with it.	🇺🇸 Buy in United States 🇬🇧 Buy in United Kingdom 🇫🇷 Buy in France 🇩🇪 Buy in Germany
	Manfrotto MT190CXPRO3 3-section carbon fiber legs Same as MT190XPRO3* but made of carbon fiber. Benefits include lighter weight and vibration dampening	🇺🇸 Buy in United States 🇬🇧 Buy in United Kingdom
	Manfrotto MT190CXPRO4 Same as MT190CXPRO3* but with 4-section legs. Also made of carbon fiber. Benefits include lighter weight and vibration dampening.	🇺🇸 Buy in United States 🇬🇧 Buy in United Kingdom
	Manfrotto 028B Sturdy and stable even at tall heights like 8 ft (2.5 m) or higher. Not useful for low scans. Tripod leg angles cannot be adjusted independently on this model.	🇺🇸 Buy in United States 🇬🇧 Buy in United Kingdom

While the Manfrotto 028B tripod is stable at the full height of 8 ft (2.5 m) height, it is extremely top heavy. Keep you and the camera safe — use at least two hands when moving the tripod.

For all tripods: If rubber feet are screwed-in on the tripod then metal spikes can protrude. This is good for scanning outside, but can scratch your client's floors.

Quick Release Clamp (Required)

Basics

Native 3/8"-16 post

Do not use a thread adapter

Arca-Swiss compatible Quick Release (QR) Clamp

Some QR clamps may come with a QR plate. However, only use the solid QR plate that is built-in to the bottom of the Matterport Camera.

	Induro QRT70X Very sturdy clamp Removable bubble-level is prone to falling out	🇺🇸 Buy in United States
	Kirk QRC-2.6 Aluminum and steel Made in the USA Sizes smaller than this are not compatible with tripods due to 1/4"-20 mounting hole	🇺🇸 Buy in United States 🇬🇧 Buy in United Kingdom
	RRS B2-Pro Made in the USA Only available from the manufacturer No bubble level	🇺🇸 Buy in United States 🇬🇧 Buy in United Kingdom
	RRS B2-LR-II Similar to B2-Pro but uses lever instead of screw-knob Bubble level included	🇺🇸 Buy in United States 🇬🇧 Buy in United Kingdom
	XCSOURCE DC463 Good alternative that you can purchase in the United Kingdom.	🇬🇧 Buy in United Kingdom