A tripod combines a ball mount base with a tilt/pan head includes a ball stud that is attached to the center column of the tripod. A lockable ball mount is attached to the ball stud and a tilt/pan head is attached to the ball mount. The tilt/pan head thus can be leveled using the ball mount irrespective of the orientation of the tripod itself. The tripod may also have telescoping legs each with a friction lock. The friction locks have identical threads notwithstanding that each successive telescoping leg segment is smaller in diameter than the previous. A universal end cap can be attached to any one of the leg segments. Telescoping arms attached to the legs form a V-shaped cradle to support an item attached to the tripod head.