Eckla ECKLASPHERE - swivel tripod, ground tripod

Eckla ECKLASPHERE, panning tripod and ground tripod for low‑level precision

Sometimes just a few centimetres lower perspective decides whether a photo looks simply nice or truly gripping. This is exactly where the Eckla ECKLASPHERE comes in: a compact ground tripod made of aluminium that gives you amazingly precise three-dimensional tracking directly on a beanbag or other soft surfaces, without having to constantly fumble around when shooting with telephoto lenses or focusing.

Developed in close cooperation with nature and wildlife photographer Dieter Porsch, the ECKLASPHERE is designed as a panning tripod specifically for low‑level work. You can rest your camera or spotting scope securely, pan freely and still easily reach the zoom and focus rings. Especially with long focal lengths, where every tiny movement becomes visible, this ground tripod really plays to its strengths.

Optimal three-dimensional tracking on beanbag and soft surfaces

At its core, the Eckla ECKLASPHERE is a precise positioning unit. It allows you to perform clean three-dimensional tracking of your camera or spotting scope on a beanbag or other soft surface. You simply place the ECKLASPHERE on the beanbag, attach your gear, and you can pan, tilt and track with great sensitivity.

The shape and size of the ECKLASPHERE are chosen to give you very high stability while maintaining exceptionally smooth movement. This is particularly helpful when tracking moving subjects such as birds in flight, wildlife in the field or athletes at telephoto distances. The design creates enough space on the beanbag so that you can easily operate telephoto settings and focusing without the bag getting in the way or the camera tilting.

Made for nature photography, ornithology and travel photography

If you spend a lot of time outdoors, perhaps travelling with light luggage, weight plays a major role. The ECKLASPHERE weighs about 0.85 kg and is made of robust aluminium, light enough for your backpack yet stable enough for heavy telephoto lenses. This aluminium ground tripod is therefore ideal for travel photography, telephoto work and any kind of low‑level shooting where a classic three‑legged tripod is simply too bulky or too tall.

Ornithologists in particular benefit from the smooth, finely controllable movement: you can mount a spotting scope securely and observe in complete steadiness. Even when scanning an area over a longer period, the movement remains smooth and controllable. For nature and wildlife photography, where you often lie in the grass or crouch at the edge of a forest, this ground tripod is a very well‑thought‑out solution.

Flexible locations, from car roof to fence post

Things get interesting when you use the ECKLASPHERE in more unusual places. Mounted on a stable beanbag on the car roof, you can work from inside the vehicle without having to set up a large tripod. This is practical when you do not want to disturb animals or prefer to stay in the car in bad weather.

You can also use the ECKLASPHERE on a beanbag placed on a fence post. This gives you an elevated yet very stable position without having to lug around a large tripod. The combination of compact design, solid aluminium construction and the ability to be used on a wide variety of surfaces makes this panning tripod a remarkably versatile tool.

Made in Germany, precisely manufactured by milling

The Eckla ECKLASPHERE is manufactured in Germany. The components are milled precisely from aluminium and combined with stainless steel parts. This combination of aluminium and stainless steel results in a durable, corrosion‑resistant construction that works reliably on damp meadows, in salty coastal air or on dusty farm tracks.

The stainless aluminium / stainless steel construction is designed for long‑term stability. You get a ground tripod that not only looks good but also retains its shape and function even after many uses in the field. Especially if you work outdoors frequently, this robust design is a real advantage.

Traditional company with a focus on practical use

Eckla is a traditional company that has been developing accessories for photo and outdoor applications for many years. The ECKLASPHERE is not a theoretical product from the drawing board, but was created in close exchange with photographers who know exactly what works in the field and what does not. The collaboration with an experienced nature and wildlife photographer like Dieter Porsch is a good example of this.

You can see from the ECKLASPHERE that a lot of practical experience has gone into it: the compact height of about 4 cm, the diameter of around 12 cm, the weight of approximately 850 g – everything seems tuned so that you do not carry unnecessary mass in the field and still have a very solid base for your equipment.

Manufacturer of the classic "Beach Rolly", same DNA, different application

Many outdoor fans know Eckla as the manufacturer of the classic Beach Rolly. This combination of transport trolley and beach chair has proven itself over many years and is symbolic of robust, practical solutions. You will find exactly this product DNA in the ECKLASPHERE as well: functional, well thought‑out, without unnecessary frills.

So if you have already used other Eckla products, you will recognise the familiar mix of stability and everyday practicality. The ECKLASPHERE is, so to speak, the low‑level photographic sister of this classic, only for camera, lens or spotting scope instead of towel and cool box.

Innovative products for low‑level work

The ECKLASPHERE is one of the innovative products in the field of ground tripods and panning tripods because it fills a gap that many photographers know from practice: you want to get as low as possible and still be able to pan and track smoothly without having to force a large tripod down to its minimum height. This positioning unit provides an elegant solution precisely for that.

It is not only interesting for classic wildlife photography, but also for creative low‑angle perspectives in landscape or travel photography. Whether you are shooting just above the waterline at the beach, lying in a mountain meadow or working from a frog’s‑eye view in the city, the ECKLASPHERE gives you a stable yet flexibly pivoting base.

Compatible mounts and threads for common systems

To make the ECKLASPHERE as universal as possible, it is equipped with several tripod threads. You will find a 3/8" UNC internal thread and a 1/4" UNC internal thread; included is a 1/4"–3/8" UNC reversible stainless steel photo screw. This allows you to mount the positioning unit directly to the lens foot, to adapter plates or to quick‑release clamps, depending on how your setup is configured.

The stainless steel interchangeable insert 3/8, 1/4 inch and the stainless steel reversible bolt included in the scope of delivery ensure that you can connect almost all common systems. This makes the ECKLASPHERE highly flexible, whether you are travelling with a lightweight travel camera or a heavy telephoto lens.

Technical details of the Eckla ECKLASPHERE

For those who like specifics, here are the most important technical data:

• Tripod type: ground tripod, aluminium tripod
• Material: aluminium with stainless aluminium / stainless steel construction
• Diameter: approx. 12 cm
• Height: approx. 4 cm
• Weight: about 0.85 kg
• Tripod threads: 3/8" UNC internal thread, 1/4" UNC internal thread
• Photo threads: 1/4", 3/8" UNC reversible photo screw (stainless steel)

This combination of compact size and solid mass ensures that the ECKLASPHERE sits firmly on the beanbag without feeling wobbly, while still remaining easy to transport. This is a pleasant compromise, especially for longer tours or air travel.

Scope of delivery, everything important included

The scope of delivery of the Eckla ECKLASPHERE includes:

• ECKLASPHERE panning tripod / ground tripod
• Stainless steel interchangeable insert 3/8, 1/4 inch
• Stainless steel reversible bolt, suitable for almost all common systems

This means you are well equipped from the start to use the ECKLASPHERE with different camera and spotting scope combinations. Additional quick‑release clamps are available as an option and are not included, but they can make handling even more convenient.

Recommended quick‑release clamps for even more comfortable operation

For using the ECKLASPHERE as a ground tripod, we recommend quick‑release clamps that make balancing your camera equipment on the tripod much easier. These clamps are not included and can be purchased separately, but in practice they offer noticeable added value, especially with heavy telephoto lenses or longer observation sessions.

Some of these recommended clamps are equipped with their own panning axis. This makes panning on the ground tripod even smoother and more controlled, which is particularly helpful when tracking subjects or performing wide pans across a landscape.

In addition, there are clamps we have selected for their robustness, ease of cleaning and the widest possible compatibility with various 38 mm clamping profiles. Especially when working close to the ground, dirt is almost unavoidable, so an easy‑to‑clean, durable quick‑release clamp is a real advantage here.

As a particularly comfortable luxury version, a lever clamp with video arm can be used. Such an arm relieves the camera mount when panning and when moving the equipment forwards and backwards on the ground and enables even more precise alignment of the line of sight. This allows you to position your camera very finely without constantly having to readjust at the base.