Peak Design adds camera tracking to a modular tripod bracket
The Field Bracket is a camera L-bracket system with optional grips, mounts and a finder tag that supports Apple and Google tracking networks.
By Maya Lindqvist · Senior Technology Correspondent
3 min read
Peak Design has introduced a modular camera bracket system that combines tripod mounting, accessory attachment and item tracking. The Field Bracket is being funded through Kickstarter, where Peak Design is pitching it to photographers and videographers who want fewer add-ons hanging from their cameras.
The core product is an L-bracket shaped for specific camera bodies, according to Peak Design. It is designed to let users switch between horizontal and vertical tripod shooting and to add accessories such as a light or microphone when a camera lacks a convenient mounting point.
Peak Design says the bracket works with most ARCA-compatible tripods. The company also says it is designed not to interfere with its Capture Clip or camera straps, and the bracket includes slots for attaching Peak Design straps.
Finder tag fits inside the bracket
The tracking piece is Peak Design’s Beacon Finder Tag, an accessory built to sit flush inside the bracket’s base plate, according to the company. The tag supports Apple Find My and Google Find Hub, which means it can be used with iPhones and Android phones.
Peak Design says the Beacon Finder Tag uses a CR2025 battery rated for up to six months of use. The company also lists the tag with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance.
The tracker is one part of a broader accessory system. Peak Design says buyers can add a hand grip, finger grip or cheese plate to the bracket, depending on how they shoot and what gear they need to attach.
Modular pieces use a tool-free latch
Peak Design calls the vertical add-on for the L-bracket the Field Latch. The company says the latch uses a new locking mechanism that lets users attach or remove the vertical section without tools.
The same attachment point can also hold the optional cheese plate, according to Peak Design. The company says the cheese plate can be pulled out to adjustable positions, giving users space to reach ports or route cables from the camera.
Because the bracket is molded for individual camera bodies, buyers need to choose the correct version for their camera. Peak Design says its initial compatibility list focuses mostly on current or recent models across camera lines, and it is taking requests for additional camera support through a feedback form.
Pricing and availability
Peak Design lists the Field Bracket at a planned retail price of $149.95. The company says a bundle including the current accessories is priced at $269.80 at retail.
On Kickstarter, Peak Design is offering discounted pricing while supplies last. The company lists the bracket at $125 through the campaign and the full accessory bundle at $199.
This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.