TSUBAME Tripod KIRK Models / TSUBAME 3D Head KIRK Model
To make TSUBAME tripods and heads fully compatible with the global Arca‑style standard, we offer dedicated models equipped with custom quick‑release clamps specially commissioned from KIRK Enterprise Solutions (KES). The top plate is produced without a cork sheet and is machined to accept anti‑rotation pins. Because this is an officially recognized collaboration between TSUBAME and KES, you can rely on full warranty coverage and long‑term service support.
The supplied clamp is an original model manufactured by KES exclusively for TSUBAME. On the underside, three locating holes engage with the anti‑rotation pins on the head’s top plate. The clamp locks positively in 90° steps—forward and to either side—and cannot be set at any other angle, which prevents it from accidentally loosening in use.
In addition, the mounting screw holes are pre‑tapped for UNC 1/4‑20 threads (rather than the usual UNC 3/8‑16), so there is no need for separate adapters or extra hardware. Using TSUBAME’s signature oversized locking wheels, you can achieve an extremely secure, tool‑free attachment and smooth rotation.
TSUBAME Tripod with 3D Head KIRK Models
| Model Number | Model Name | Collapsed length | Lowest leg height | Maximum leg height | EV increase | Total Maximum Height | Weight | Load capacity (dynamic load) |
| HT-1030K | 3 Sec. Tripod w/3D head KIRK Model | 809mm | 761mm | 1604mm | 375mm | 1979mm | 3700g | 10kg |
| HT-1040K | 4 Sec. Tripod w/3D head KIRK Model | 854mm | 803mm | 2129mm | 375mm | 2504mm | 4140g | 10kg |
| HT-1050K | 5 Sec. Tripod w/3D head KIRK Model | 897mm | 842mm | 2692mm | 375mm | 3067mm | 4510g | 10kg |
| HT-1031K | Semi-Short 3 Sec. Tripod w/3D head KIRK Model | 682mm | 644mm | 1251mm | 265mm | 1516mm | 3340g | 10kg |
| HT-1041K | Semi-Short 4 Sec. Tripod w/3D head KIRK Model | 728mm | 686mm | 1660mm | 265mm | 1925mm | 3700g | 10kg |
| HT-1042K | Short 4 Sec. Tripod w/3D head KIRK Model | 603mm | 566mm | 1197mm | 210mm | 1407mm | 3340g | 10kg |
Common pipe diameter: 1st stage 31.8mm, 2nd stage 28.6mm, 3rd stage 25.4mm, 4th stage 22.2mm, 5th stage 19.0mm
Come with straps and leg tie belts. Come with 1 short and 1 long tilt level lock knob.
TSUBAME 3D Head KIRK Model
| Height | Weight | Horizontal axis | Vertical axis | Top plate | Base Diameter | Camera mounting | Tripod mounting screw |
| 145mm | 1240g | Left 90°/Right 30° | Up 60°/Down 90° | 60mm×85ｍｍ | 60mm | Arca-Style | UNC3/8-16 |
Come with 2 short tilt level lock knob.
Patented QTT (Quick Turn Technology) knob
The clamp is precision‑machined from a solid block of aluminum alloy. Once you tighten the knob, it grips the plate like a vise, completely eliminating play, shift, or rattle. As with other Arca‑style systems, you can slide the plate by slightly loosening the clamp knob—but KIRK’s patented screw mechanism goes a step further. Simply place your camera or lens plate into the clamp from above and rotate the knob 180°. That single half‑turn fully locks your gear. Turn the knob 180° back the other way and the clamp opens wide enough to lift the equipment straight out. Traditional “one‑turn” knobs are already considered quick; the QTT knob removes even the need to re‑grip the knob—just a flick of the wrist lets you swap bodies, change lenses, or switch to a vertical setup.
Because the system relies on precisely machined metal‑to‑metal contact, there is no need for cork or rubber inserts. Any elastic material in the load path can flex, and even that tiny movement can show up as micro‑vibration in the final image. By clamping a metal camera or lens plate directly, the entire chain—from tripod legs to camera—is locked together using only rigid metal components.
A screw‑type knob also gives a very clear tactile sense of lock and release, and when you slide the plate, the safety stop screws engage to prevent accidental drop‑offs. KIRK has such confidence in this screw‑lock design that it does not produce lever‑type clamps that rely on springs and elastic materials to hold gear in place.
Genuine Authenticity
The 6061‑T6 aluminum alloy used in the clamp is extremely light yet offers strength on par with duralumin, along with excellent corrosion resistance. It’s a high‑grade material commonly chosen for applications where low weight and high strength are critical—aircraft parts, automotive wheels, steel towers, cranes, and more. Each component is CNC‑machined with high precision from a solid ingot of this alloy, rather than being cast or molded. Internally, the mechanism is made from corrosion‑resistant stainless steel. All screws, springs, and moving parts are fully enclosed, so dust and debris do not easily get in, greatly reducing the risk of failure in harsh shooting environments. The surface finish is not paint, but a hard‑anodized coating. This makes the clamp highly resistant to scratches and wear, and prevents deformation even after countless cycles of mounting and removing equipment.
In any Arca‑style quick‑release system, three factors are absolutely critical: material choice, machining precision, and surface treatment. If any one of these is compromised, stability, durability, and safety will suffer—often in ways that are not obvious when the product is new. KIRK’s quick‑release clamps excel in all three areas and are widely regarded as among the very best in the world, which is why they are used for the TSUBAME collaboration models.
Easy to use
KES clamps include an “integrated” hex key for attaching and removing camera and lens plates. For photographers who change plates frequently, we still recommend carrying a high‑quality wrench from a dedicated tool maker. But on a real shoot, things don’t always go to plan—plates work loose, or a mount needs to be removed or retightened on the spot. With KES, a spare hex key is always docked in the clamp itself, so you’re never digging through a bag at a critical moment. It’s a small detail, but it reflects KIRK’s deep understanding of professional workflows—and once you notice it, it feels very much like part of the clamp’s “performance.”
This quick‑release clamp is designed to securely hold all Arca‑style plates, though in practice tolerances and standards do vary between manufacturers. Within the range we have been able to test and verify, plates from Wimberley and Really Right Stuff, as well as KES’s own plates, all lock in safely and reliably.
*The dimensions and weight in the specifications table are calculated values using CAD and are roughly consistent with the actual measurements, but there may be slight individual differences.
*TSUBAME tripods are manufactured with the assumption that they will be used by professional photographers for 10 or 20 years at that frequency. For that reason, some parts are made with materials that prioritize durability, and when you first start using them, you may notice a stiffness in movement, or the legs may not lock in place properly, causing a slippery feeling. These issues will likely go away as the parts become more familiar with each other, so we hope you will enjoy using them for a long time.
It's only when each part has become familiar that it becomes a true TSUBAME. The words "for Professional" are not just for show.