Arca Swiss compatible tripod adapter with spirit level for the iPhone (12 Pro Max)

I recently had another batch of photos from a loudspeaker (the Belkin Soundform Elite) that I had in the test. For such photos I usually use a tripod and an iPhone tripod adapter from Zecti (no longer available), which is very good in itself. Unfortunately, this has a ball head in the holder, which is practical on the one hand, as you can quickly turn the iPhone in different directions. However, it is less practical that no spirit level has been integrated and so some of my photos have become strangely “crooked”.

TL; D.R.? In a hurry to read the whole article? Then here is my recommendation for an iPhone tripod mount that is also Arca Swiss compatible: Zhiyou smartphone tripod adapter.

Product and / or horizon crooked? Spirit level!

Since there were several axes that were not right and the horizon at my mini DIY photo studio was also sloping, the photo always looked somehow crooked. In other words, if I edited the photo so that the horizon was straight, the product looked crooked, and if I edited the photo so that the product looked straight, the horizon was crooked. Just went stupid.

So here a spirit level on the iPhone holder would have been a nice thing. I immediately made a note of that as a “must have” for the next tripod adapter.

Clamp in quickly - with the Arca Swiss fastener

Another thing that was important to me when buying the new tripod adapter: Compatibility with the Arca Swiss clamping system, with which you can very quickly loosen and tighten the connection between the tripod and bracket.

In the meantime I have these small Arca Swiss compatible plates on my other cameras and sometimes also for video lights, which is really very practical. If you are still looking for something like this, you will find it with the UTEBIT PU-50 quick release plates a cheap double pack.

My choice: Zhiyou smartphone tripod adapter

After a short search at the capital A, I found my dream smartphone tripod mount relatively quickly: the Zhiyou smartphone holder.

Here is a small excerpt from the product description:

• The bracket is a full metal construction with foam rubber to protect the smartphone on the clamp bracket.
• Universal, stable, precise smartphone holder, compatible with iPhone 6/7/8/8 plus / xr / xs ... (also works for iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 12, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max and 12 Mini).
• The bracket is Arca Swiss compatible, so it can be attached and removed from most tripod heads without the hassle of screwing. A 1/4 inch thread is also available.
• Simple mounting of a smartphone on a tripod in a vertical / horizontal manner without tools via 1/4 inch threaded holes in 2 sides and below.
• At the top there is a cold shoe into which you can, for example, an external microphone (e.g. for Rode VideoMicro) or an LED light.

If you buy cheap, you buy twice ...

I've had a simple plastic bracket with a tripod thread before, but it was always a struggle until you had the stupid clamp open and then attached your iPhone. Usually the clamp then hung on the standby button of the iPhone and after a few seconds triggers the screen with the emergency call ... very bad story. : D

The Zhiyou bracket, on the other hand, can be operated with a screw and can be pushed apart or back together by simply turning the screw. The capacity of the holder is loosely sufficient for the iPhone 12 Pro Max and then still goes up a good centimeter.

The highlight of the thing, however, is this small, round spirit level, which is embedded on the top of the bracket. This is a great way to align the smartphone - even if you have a ball head on the tripod.

The workmanship of the clamp is just good. A decent piece of metal that is sure to withstand falls undamaged.

If you want to use the bracket for YouTuben, you will find enough threaded openings on the body to attach light or an external microphone. For me, there is at most an LED light on top, but that's about it.

If you're interested in the tripod adapter, you'll find it here at Amazon.

And if you have any recommendations for accessories for the iPhone yourself, please let me know. I like to try them out and write something about them when they make sense to me.

Jen Kleinholz( Founder & Sir Apfelot )

Jens has been running the blog since 2012. He acts as Sir Apfelot for his readers and helps them with technical problems. In his spare time he rides electric unicycles, takes photos (preferably with the iPhone, of course), climbs around in the Hessian mountains or hikes with the family. His articles deal with Apple products, news from the world of drones or solutions to current bugs.