Capture fast moving images like never before
Think of King Cobra as "rack-and-pinion power steering" for your tripod. The King Cobra design balances your telephoto lenses perfectly, allowing you to adjust the lens through an infinite range of motion without locking and unlocking the head. You'll love the way it tracks a moving subject in an effortless gliding motion, with no jerky stops and starts. It provides just the right amount of drag traction to allow you to capture fast-moving objects with unsurpassed precision

Get the shots you've always wanted
Discover a new world of photographic possibilities with the King Cobra Action Head. The difference is remarkable. Traditional tripod heads can be a real struggle for the outdoor or sports photographer using super-telephoto lenses, because of the need to constantly balance the weight of the lens. The result: missed shots, or flawed, blurry images. The precision design of the King Cobra allows you to infinitely reposition the lens smoothly with fingertip touch-control; yet the camera lens rests steadily in position with no locking and unlocking needed.

Engineered for excellence
This strong but lightweight (3 pounds) Action Head has many features that allow you to easily obtain images that were previously difficult or impossible to get, even when you're using bulky, 14-pound 600mm lens. The King Cobra's unique pan-and-tilt design gives you fingertip control with even the heaviest telephoto lens. Your camera becomes an extension of you, seamlessly obeying your vision. Eliminate the fatigue associated with long hours wrestling with large telephoto lenses.

The KING COBRA advantage
Weighing only three pounds, the King Cobra fits all telephoto lenses with a rotating tripod collar (lens and/or camera plates must be purchased separately). The easy-to-grip pan and tilt control knobs can independently be adjusted to provide locked or unlocked modes, or variably adjustable drag as desired.

The King Cobra is constructed from 6061 T6 alloy aluminum and all parts are anodized or powder coated to a black satin finish. Internal parts are stainless steel. The pan and tilt controls glide smoothly on self-lubricating bearings.

The 4-1/8" arca-style quick release is fully adjustable, allowing the assembly to slide, to achieve perfect balance. The King Cobra can be used on your left or right side.

Meet the KC1F:
The quick release flash bracket system that's revolutionizing flash photography in one smooth movement.

The KC1F flash bracket system is the perfect partner for all KIRK plates used with our King Cobra or any side-mounted action head. Once secured to the lens, its adjustable flash mounting plate allows the flash to glide easily for direct center or off-center positioning. The result is improved flash options and seamless flash operation.

Additionally, KC1F is built to perform, featuring:

6061T6 Black anodized aluminum frame

Stainless steel screws

Glide-track adjustable positioning

Finger-tight adjustable swing arm

All new quick release feature

Every KC1F comes standard with one KC1FP Quick Release Plate that allows quick and easy mounting onto the lens plate. Additional plates can be purchased for use with multiple lenses.

Once again, our science is improving your art.

Item	Description	Price
KC1F	King Cobra Flash Bracket - Temp. Out of Stock REQUIRES a Kirk lens plate For information on compatibility with other systems, please call 800-626-5074
KC1FP	Mounting Plate for King Cobra Flash Bracket
Click the item price to add it to your shopping cart

The flash bracket folds for easy storage and attaches easily, without tools, to a lens plate that has been fitted with the KC1FP flash bracket mounting plate.	The all new quick release style of this flash bracket provides for easy attachment and removal

Rod Planck

"After using the King Cobra Action Head extensively, I have found it is lightning fast, smooth, and easy to use."

Michael Fant

"If you can't get the shot with this head, you can't get the shot"

Linda F. Peterson

"The King Cobra Head - simplicity of design, effortless in function - it's ingenious. Thank you for making my large lenses so easy to handle."

L.J. Broutman

"I am the proud owner of your King Cobra tripod head designed for convenient mounting of telephoto lenses. I have utilized it with a Bogen 3221 tripod and Nikon 500mm f4 AF-S and 300mm f2.8 AF-S lenses attached to a Nikon F-100 body.
"I am extremely impressed with its balance and stability. It allows quick positioning of the lens with no movement when locked. I have taken wonderful wildlife photos and highly recommend it for other serious amateurs and professionals."

Bruce Jodar

"For any photographer using "big glass," your King Cobra Action Head is the only way to go. It literally transforms your whole approach to photography. Big and bulky lenses just float in your hands making difficult to capture shots a breeze! I especially like its relatively compact size and compatibility with all tripod-collared lenses, a combination unmatched by other gimbal designs. And the build quality is second to none. Congratulations on a truly exceptional product."

Allen and Jeanne McGuire

"I recently called Kirk Photo to order a large Studioball ballhead for use with a 600mm f4 Nikon lens. We already own an Arca Swiss 1b. After a conversation with a salesman, I agreed to try Kirk's new King Cobra head. This head is much easier to use than any ballhead. Ballheads have to use tension to keep your lens/camera steady --too loose it flops around, too tight it is hard to move. You are constantly adjusting looser or tighter.
"The Cobra uses balance. You mount your lens/camera assembly in the clamp, find the balance point (took me about 20 seconds the first time) and that's it. We are very satisfied with this purchase and would suggest it to anyone. Especially if you have a big heavy lens. Ballheads have their place, but for big lenses, get a Cobra.

Maria Celino

"Thank you, thank you, thank you! I recently spoke to you (Mr. Kirk) at the Nanpa Summit and you showed me the company's new Cobra head. You convinced me that it would be great to use with the new 500mm f4 lens I had just bought. Well, you were right. I used it for a week at Bosque de Apache with my 300mm f2.8 lens and enjoyed how easy it was to use. It made the lens feel almost weightless. I was able to pan flying pelicans here in a bayou with such ease, and when I let the camera go, it stayed where it was! No flopping down! I can't believe it makes the lens feel so light. On my old ballhead, the large lens feel so heavy and hard for me to hold. And if I forget to tighten down, the lens would fall over with a bang.
"The Cobra changes all that for me. I don't have to "hang" onto the camera and lens --it balances itself and I can relax and handle it so much easier than the ballhead. I am very happy with my Cobra head. Thanks for a great product."

Dennis Zaebst

"I recently acquired a 600mm f4 lens, which I promptly mounted atop my tripod and Arca-style ballhead. When I began using the 600, several problems became immediately apparent. One of these problems was greatly increased vibration and shake. This was easily visible through the viewfinder whenever I tapped the tripod legs or even touched any part of the camera. Another serious problem was the difficulty of handling such a large, heavy, and generally unbalanced object atop a fulcrum (a high quality ball head). The lens and camera flopped dangerously when I let go of the lens. Even worse, handling was very difficult. It was difficult to home in on a subject, to keep the lens pointed at a subject once acquired, or to track any moving subjects.
"I have been using the your new King Cobra tripod head for a few weeks now with the 600mm f4 lens, and it has made all the difference in the world. It makes handling the 600 effortless, even with a 1.4x tele-converter attached. Thank you very much for an outstanding product. Also, I would like to say that Kirk Photo and its products in general are first rate. I am glad your company is there ...providing excellent solutions to real-world problems.

David Middleton

"Let me put this as clearly as possible: the King Cobra Action Head is the best tripod head for big lenses. It is extremely easy to use, very well made, and makes handling your big glass almost effortless. Plus, Kirk Enterprises stand behind their products and will do whatever they can to make you happy with your purchase. Why would you even think about going anywhere else?"

Donna Bush

"I have just received my first set of slides shot using my new King Cobra with my Nikon 500mm MF lens and I must say I am very pleased. The King Cobra provides an extremely stable platform while allowing me to quickly recompose and capture the perfect shot. I am able to quickly pan the camera and shoot. The controls are arranged for ease of use and become second nature to adjust. Thanks for another wonderful product."

Kelly Krabbenhoft

"I want to thank you for your assistance in purchasing my ball head from your company. Initially, I had called to order the BH-1 head. Upon learning that I had a 600mm f4 IS, you directed me to consider a new head you designed: the King Cobra. While I was ordering other merchandise, I was faxed the specs of the King Cobra and informed of its advantages. With this new information, I felt the Kong Cobra was the way to go. I have used it extensively over the past month and it is everything you said and more. Whether I am shooting from a blind, from my vehicle using the Kirk window mount, or under any situation, the King Cobra has performed flawlessly. Perfectly balanced to prevent lens flop, I smoothly follow my subject as the frames click away. It is truly an extension of myself. No effort required to capture those special moments. Again, thank you for a wonderful product and incredible service."

Eldore Wood

"I have had the opportunity to purchase the new Cobra head from kirk Enterprises and as with all the other Kirk products, have been once again rewarded by my choice. This head has performed flawlessly in New Mexico photographing Sandhill Cranes in flight and again in Florida photographing spoonbills in the Ding Darling refuge. I cannot imagine trying to capture images of flying birds with any other type of head. The controls on this head are so well positioned and smooth to operate that one's eye never has to leave the viewfinder to change the camera's position. I cannot wait to try it in Africa, panning smoothly as a herd of zebra chase across the plains."

Victor H. Colvard

"Several characteristics of the King Cobra make large lens handling safer and more efficient. Foremost in importance to me is the safety of my equipment. Though my equipment is insured, if I lose a piece out in the field, I'm sunk. The King Cobra head more than adequately carries my 600mm f4 AFS lens eliminating lens flop. With easily accessible adjustments, I can move quickly without fearing disaster. The adjustment knobs are easy to find and their rubberized texture makes them comfortable to the hand and they don't slip. The King Cobra provides security without hands on when changing film and adding accessories.
"Another feature I like is the horizontal balance adjustment which better distributes weight when adding accessories like extenders, flash equipment, and brackets.
"Of overall value is the ease of handling the King Cobra affords when shooting moving subjects. Panning capabilities and moving from vertical to horizontal positions can be executed smoothly.
"For those of us to whom esthetics is important, the overall appearance is of special appeal. In addition to the substantial look of the package, the coating matches my lens and looks great.
"Any photographer looking for a thoughtfully designed, versatile head for big lenses will appreciate the King Cobra."