KraftGeek JustTap Tripod Review – Can a Phone Tripod Handle Serious Landscapes?

I don’t often write about equipment, and I rarely do straight kit reviews – there are usually far better ways to improve your photography than buying another accessory. However, I have a very specific interest at the moment in doing more landscape work using just a mobile phone (which I’ll explain later), so when I was approached to review a dedicated mobile tripod from KraftGeek I decided to make an exception. On paper it ticks a lot of boxes: compact, lightweight, designed specifically for phones. But I wanted to see whether it could hold its own not just for casual use, but for more demanding landscape work.

Why I’m testing phone gear more seriously

Last year I published my landscape photography book, and since then I’ve been thinking about a follow‑up book focused entirely on mobile photography. The question I keep coming back to is: if I limit myself to a phone, how far can I push it in the kinds of locations and conditions I normally work in?

For that to be meaningful, I can’t just stand on pavements and point at nice skies. I still want to shoot long exposures, work in rivers and on beaches, and deal with awkward locations and bad weather – just using a phone instead of a full camera and tripod.

I’ve already experimented with a phone attachment on my regular tripod, along with some ND filters more or less hanging off the front of the phone while I stood in a river worrying that the whole contraption was about to topple over. It technically worked, but it never felt very secure. So when I was offered a trial with the KraftGeek JustTap Tripod, a product specifically marketed for holding a phone steady, I was keen to see whether a dedicated solution would work better.

Build, size and portability

Folded down, the JustTap is genuinely compact. It’s light enough to live in a small bag or large pocket without you really noticing it’s there. That alone makes it much more likely you’ll actually use it; there’s no “shall I bring the tripod?” decision, it just comes along.

On flat, stable surfaces it feels relatively sturdy. The legs lock out reliably, and with a phone attached it’s absolutely fine on a desk, table, or on firm ground. So, for typical day‑to‑day use – it works just fine.

It doesn’t, however, have the reassuring solidity of a full‑size set of tripod legs. If you’re used to a heavy aluminium or carbon tripod biting into the ground and shrugging off a bit of wind, this feels much more like a travel tripod than reliable landscape support.

Straight out of the box, the JustTap Tripod is genuinely compact – small enough that I ended up using a lemon for scale in the photo above. It’s very much in the “throw it in the bag and forget it’s there” category rather than something you have to plan to carry.

In the box you get the tripod itself, the phone mount, a detachable Bluetooth remote, charging cable, a magnetic sticker to allow you to attach non magnetic phones to the tripod, and a small user guide. It’s a simple, self‑contained kit that gives you everything you need to get started with mobile shooting.

One genuinely useful touch is the detachable Bluetooth remote, which clips into the tripod body when you’re not using it. It makes it easy to trigger the shutter without touching the phone, which is handy for self‑portraits, group shots and reducing the risk of nudging the setup on longer exposures.

The phone attaches via a magnetic mount on the top plate, which does make setup quick and easy. It’s great for casual use, but as a landscape photographer I’m still more comfortable with a more traditional clamp when I’m working near water or in awkward positions.

Fully extended, the tripod reaches around 65 inches, which is tall enough for eye‑level recording and a lot of general shooting with a phone. At low level it feels more stable, making it generally usable for ground‑level landscapes or timelapses; at full height it’s still fine on firm surfaces, but again, it’s not something I’d trust in a river or on slippery rocks.

Real‑world use outdoors

Used sensibly, the JustTap is actually quite useful outdoors:

• Set up on a dry rock or a bench for a quick timelapse

• Use it on firm ground for group shots or simple landscapes

• Prop it on a wall for recording video-to‑camera clips

In all of these scenarios it does what you’d expect, and the portability is a real advantage. If your mobile photography is mostly about travel, city scenes, cafes, family time and light hikes on good solid ground, you’ll get plenty of value out of it.

From a landscape photographer’s point of view

Things change when you move into more demanding landscape photography territory.

Standing in a river to photograph a waterfall, for example, is where the limitations show. In flowing water or on slick, uneven rocks, you want three things from a support: weight, a wide and secure footprint, and a very positive connection between camera and head. The JustTap simply isn’t built for that.

My concern in that situation is two‑fold:

• The tripod itself is more likely to shift or tip if the water moves around it or if you nudge it while repositioning

• The magnetic phone mount doesn’t inspire the same confidence as a proper clamp and plate (and even those aren't perfect), so if the tripod is knocked, even if the tripod itself doesn't go over, there’s a real risk the phone still might end up in the river.

  
  

Could you balance it on a rock beside the river on a calm day? Yes. Would I leave it standing in the water with a phone attached and take my hands anyway from it? No. In that sense, it doesn’t solve the “standing in a river with a phone” problem that led me to try it in the first place.

Who it’s for (and not for)

Where the KraftGeek JustTap Tripod makes sense:

• As a compact, always‑with‑you support for mobile video and stills

• For creators filming short‑form content, talking‑head clips and behind‑the‑scenes footage

• For travel and everyday use where you have reasonably firm, safe footing

  
  

Where it falls short:

• Serious landscape work in rivers, on beaches, or on slippery, uneven ground

• Long exposures where absolute stability is essential

• Any situation where a fall would likely mean an expensive phone repair

Verdict

Taken on its own terms, the KraftGeek JustTap Tripod is a small, portable, affordable and reasonably sturdy tool for general mobile photography and content creation. It’s easy to carry, quick to set up, and perfectly adequate on solid ground.

From a landscape photographer’s point of view, especially with a dedicated mobile landscape project in mind, it feels more like a useful accessory than a true tripod replacement. I’ll happily use it for casual shooting, travel and behind‑the‑scenes bits, but when I’m standing in a river trying to hold a long exposure, I’ll still be reaching for a full‑size set of legs and a more secure way of mounting the phone.

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About Gary Holpin Photography

As a professional photographer based in Devon, my journey began along the stunning South West Coast Path. Disappointed with my initial attempts to capture its beauty, I embarked on a second 630-mile journey, this time dedicated to mastering photography. Today, I'm a nationally acclaimed photographer with award-winning landscape photos.

I specialize in providing top-notch property photography, business photography, and drone photography services to businesses across the South West. Additionally, I offer comprehensive photography training courses tailored for both businesses and individuals. Whether you're looking to enhance your corporate image or improve your personal photography skills, my training programs are designed to help you capture stunning images.

As an award-winning and widely published photographer, I frequently share my passion for photography and Devon through engaging talks at local camera clubs and community groups. My expertise spans the entire South West region, ensuring that clients from Devon, Dorset & Somerset benefit from high-quality photography services and training.