Small size, sufficient height, good vibration absorption, high durability, easy handling, and light weight. The PD tripod alongside the RRS TFC-14 and Gitzo GT1545T. Compare Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod vs Benro TMA38CL Long Series 3 Mach3 Carbon Fiber Tripod vs Gitzo GIGT1545T Traveler Series 1 Carbon Fiber Tripod vs FEISOL CT-3442 Tournament Rapid . since when having choices is an unfortunate thing? Thanks Andrew. Not only is it strong, smooth and stable, but it also has the unique ability to rotate the vertical gimbal arm forwards or backwards up to 180 degrees in 45-degree increments. Period. This article was a great help and helped me in my purchase. This requires the purchase of a universal head adapter for $30. I'm sure this post doesn't break much new ground but most of the negativity I've seen has been towards the legs and price and not a lot of talk about the ball head. If you need an extremely light, tabletop tripod for a particular shoot, an unusual feature of this tripod is the ability to remove the extendable leg sections entirely, and replace them with a set of tripod feet. Flaws but not dealbreakers. Another way to think of it is, for a 270 g savings in weight, you pay $270 extra. The gimbal in question is the Fotopro E-6H. With the ballhead, the Sirui is a bit heavier (1,6kg) but this comes at a fraction of the price of the Peak Design tripod. Heroclip - The Handy Tripod and Camera Bag Accessory, Quick Review: 3 Legged Thing Vanz Tabletop Tripod Conversion Kit, Best Camera Protection in A Regular Backpack, Travel Tripod Aluminum Standard as-shipped configuration [Includes centre column, head, phone holder], Travel Tripod Carbon Standard as-shipped configuration -[Includes centre column, head, phone holder], Travel Tripod Aluminum [Ball head swapped for Universal Head Adapter], Travel Tripod Carbon [Ball head swapped for Universal Head Adapter], Travel Tripod Aluminum centre column removed, Travel Tripod Carbon centre column removed, Travel Tripod Aluminum centre column removed + ball head swapped to Universal Head Adapter, Travel Tripod Carbon centre column removed + ball head swapped to Universal Head Adapter, Travel Tripod Aluminum Ultralight Conversion Kit installed No centre column, Travel Tripod Carbon Ultralight Conversion Kit installed No centre column, Travel Tripod Aluminum Ultralight Conversion Kit installed No centre column Ball head swapped for Universal Head Adapter, Travel Tripod Carbon Ultralight Conversion Kit installed No centre column Ball head swapped for Universal Head Adapter, Travel Tripod Case (comes included with tripod), Tripod tool + clip (comes included with tripod), Universal Head Adapter (optional accessory), Phone Holder + Hook (comes included with tripod), Included ball head (standard included tripod part), Centre Column (standard included tripod part), Individual leg weight (removed when Ultralight Conversion Kit Installed, Max height (center column raised): 152.4 cm (60), Max height (center column down): 130.2 cm (51.25), Tabletop Mode (center column raised): 57.2 cm (22.5), Tabletop Mode (center column down): 35.9 cm (13.125), Max height (center column down): 36.3cm (14.29), Max height (center column up): 58.1cm (22.87). The whole thing is either locked or unlocked. This clamp is Arca-Swiss compatible, so it will work with any of your existing tripod plates and L brackets when the two stopper screws are removed. Get answers to your questions in our photography forums. No items to compare. The tripod is obviously lightweight and portable, but that would be useless if it had issues supporting a camera. This makes them on in soft mud or loose gravel, but not a lot of use on ice or smooth rock. I have an older PD tool that I prefer: one-piece, and suitable for a key-ring. It is well made although the Gitzo still feels more substantial in the hand despite its reduced weight. its one more thing to have to do when setting up the tripod, and it somewhat negates the speed benefits of the fancy fast opening leg locks. I'm way more likely to take this with me when I go out shooting. This can come in handy if, for example, you were shooting with the tripod submerged in muddy water or the sea. Despite having bigger legs, the Peak Design Tripod has a circumference of 27cm, against 34cm for the Sirui. It has a max height that is similar to the Peak Design but without having to use a center column, it is carbon fiber and very stable. I have larger tripods in my closet but I do keep coming back to this one when Im packing my bag and feeling it getting heavier and heavier. Thanks for the detailed, honest review. Any recommendation on the ball head? Gitzo Tripods; Vanguard Tripods; 3 Legged Thing Tripods; Joby Tripods; Calumet Tripods; Sachtler Tripods; Velbon Tripods; . If pano photos are your thing, youll want to pay attention to a following section that discusses options for adding 3rd party heads to this tripod. Avoiding the weight of a ball head is an important part of the package, as is the low profile of the PD head. Its light, small enough to fit into the side pocket of my bag. I would go with the 2545T if using the 70-200. This Travel Tripod as a system is incredibly versatile. I bought the Peak Design tripod (carbon fiber) after a few enthusiastic reviews when it was really new on the market. For sure this is on me for not tightening up the ball head more, but it's really not the easiest thing. I've been satisfied with every single thing I've bought of theirs. Was thinking of just getting the kit head that comes with it at BH. How we tested. Need some help with selecting a tripod. The Peak Design Travel Tripod features five-section aluminum or carbon fiber legs with quick-release latches. The answer here is a definitive no! It is rated for 2 pounds more, but is 5 inches shorter when extended. Once you decide to purchase the Travel Tripod, the inevitable next question is carbon or aluminum?. The spike feet are lighter than the rubber bushes by a few grams, but are incredibly tough and bite without slippage into ice and on rock: the points are quite clever, exposed when the legs are extended at an angle but not so sharp as to snag on fabric. To jump into a new segment of the market with such a unique design, and do it so successfully, is very impressive. TBF I watch mostly landscape photography youtubers, and I haven't seen a single one even try the PD tripod, even for travel purposes. The cheaper of the pair uses aluminum alloy for the legs, while the tripod Im reviewing today is made of carbon fiber. As you can see above, the tripod legs are made up of five sections that are tightened using four quick-release levers. My guess is that Peak Design would strongly recommend not disassembling the head and it provides no drawings of the heads inner mechanism. Shop By Brand. Due to the cleverly compact design, even that version is actually lighter than the carbon travel tripods from some other brands, so it is by no means a heavyweight. Fotopro is a Chinese tripod company that makes some very high-end equipment. When you've adjusted the angle of the ball head you have to spin a wheel along its horizontal surface to lock it in place. 061 415 246. Surprised you didnt mention it in the review. I have this and it is so much work to lock/unlock separately all those hundred locks that i barely use it. For what it's designed for it's excellent. Very happy with it after owning it for several months now. I dont expect anyone to be feeling buyers remorse with these tripods, and I do expect Peak Design to make some fans of their products for life. For years, traditional tripods have suffered from needless bulk and wasted space. With taxes in, the RRS tripod tops $1000 and that's a tough pill for a lot of people to swallow. Its doubtful you will find a head for less than 126g, so going this route does increase the overall weight of your setup. (FYI) Have only seen it online and didn't like the design. The problem is that most gimbal heads are quite tall and heavy. I can't imagine it will be easy to adjust with gloved hands. Its the only way that I use the tripod myself. On top of the head is a bubble level to help you get a nice level horizon. Never in history has a tripod received as much online press attention as the Peak Design Travel Tripod. If youre looking for a travel tripod, youd be mad not to have this one on your shortlist. Peak Design Tripod Vs Gitzo Traveller. The other downside to this design is that the head is designed to nest into the top of the tripod legs when fully collapsed. The included head gets you started if your budget is limited. Im really enjoying mine. Print Email. So, although Im reviewing the carbon fiber version today, much of what I say about the Peak Design Travel Tripod applies to both variations. This Tilta Full Camera Cage for Kinefinity MAVO Edge 6K offers enhanced protection for the Kinefinity MAVO Edge 6K/8K and expands options for mounting various camera accessories. Also, the 50mm f/1.2 has a manual focus design, capable of focusing as close as 1.6' away, and a 10-blade diaphragm that contributes to a smooth bokeh quality. But if you cant stretch that far, the aluminum version is actually a better value. Ive noticed no wibble during long exposures, even when its been noticeably windy, although those shots are usually at quite short focal lengths. January 31 st, 2023 84. Das neue kleine und leichte Stativ von Peak Design ist leicht und kompakt. So this just comes down to what I was saying earlier: Travel Tripods always have compromises. Mine is a cheap carbon travel tripod from K&F. Ein ideales Stativ fr Reisen und Wanderungen. No items to compare. Thankfully, the Peak Design Tripod, despite being one of the tiniest tripods I've ever used, it's also surprisingly tall. Caveat: I mostly use it for landscape, nightscapes and cityscapes with relatively light mirrorless cameras and bodies. If needed, the stiffness of each lever can be fine-tuned with the included hex wrench. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a2d79334b7b3718 Despite its odd looks, this is a very capable head. Even some typos are fine for me. But again, that's just me. The unique design of the Travel Tripod doesnt stop at the legs. I tend to think of a tripod as a necessary evil. Gitzo has its diehard fans, and the Travel Tripod appears to stack. For people with very lightweight mirrorless camera setups, its possible for this to be your only tripod. For more info check our privacy policy. This is not a good place to simply share cool photos/videos or promote your own work and projects, but rather a place to discuss photography as an art and post things that would be of interest to other photographers. I wouldnt go for a tripod thats much lighter than this one from Peak Design, at the given height. Even the most expensive tripods from the likes of Gitzo and Really Right Stuff dont go to this level of detail. At $349.95 I think the aluminum version of the Travel Tripod is excellent value. My travel tripod is a Sirui N-2204. It will give you sharper images, but youll have to deal with constantly bending down to use the camera. lighter than the 3-section Gitzo setup at 6.4 lbs. Looking forward to seeing it live. The big difference comes from the fact that you don't need to flip each leg around. I was worried the k-10x wouldn't be strong enough for my setup but it adjusts as smooth as butter and locks down rock solid. Love Peak Designs, their attention to detail is excellent. These are probably the most versatile choice. If you want to use your own ball head on the Peak Design Travel Tripod, the included inverted ball head can be quickly removed and replaced with the Universal Ball Head Adapter. Optional accessories also include stainless steel spikes or the aforementioned ultralight conversion kit (both $30). https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1432473-REG/leofoto_ls_284c_lh_30_kit_ls_284c_lh_30_ranger_series_tripod.html/?msclkid=f27cc65bc86f1bf374eea6c95293abd7, https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1432474-REG/leofoto_ls_324c_lh_40_kit_ls_324c_ranger_series_tripod.html, Leofoto Portage Kit LS-324C+LH-40+32LS Tripod Carbon Fiber CF 4 Section & 40mm Low Profile Ball Head & Modular Strap, https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/848826-REG/FEISOL_CT_3441T_RAPID_CARBON_TRIPOD_TRAVEL_4_SECTION_TALL.html, https://thecentercolumn.com/rankings/systematic-tripod-rankings/, https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1328229-REG/gitzo_gk2545t_82qdus_traveler_tripod_kit_gt2545t.html. They have free shipping to many places and their customer service team are always on hand to help if you have any problems. Shop All. You know a tripod is 3 legs that folds up. I don't have a blog or a Youtube channel to make a review so I figured I'd just do it here. Portrait-length prime is designed for APS-C-format Canon RF-mount mirrorless cameras and offers a 75mm equivalent focal length. Weve looked at the Universal Head Adapter as a way to use a 3rd party head on this tripod, but there is another option. The first thing I would want to do is replace the expensive PD clamp system with a proper Acra Swiss compatible one. They seem to be making some very good tripods for very competitive prices. For those with larger mirrorless setups that use heavier lenses, and DSLR users, you are probably going to want this tripod as a second tripod. but, if I understood correctly, you need to buy a Universal Head Adapter for that costing $30. 99% of the time it works just as well as or better than the massive Vanguard tripod I have with a much larger head which is double the weight. Any conscientious buyer will be comparing the specifications of various tripod options. I got a Sirui A1205. They cost $380 and $650 respectively. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Gimbal heads are incredibly useful for wildlife photography with longer lenses and panoramic photography. I honestly dont really know why people suddenly forgot how to choose the right tripod, but I had enough conversations like this to know it is a thing. As you can see in the photos, the end of the spikes are not that sharp at all. I would also prefer a more positive locking mechanism for the legs than the twisting rings. The Aluminum version of the tripod costs $349.85 and weighs 1613g in the standard configuration. Several table-top tripods. I totally get why they have gone with this design. The gitzo gt1555t is about on par with the peak design- wider but shorter- I'd call it a draw overall although the gitzo head is superior in usability but overall dimensions are wider. As always, we appreciate it when you use the links on this page to make your purchases. My old travel tripod, a Dolica 65", folded down juuuuust small enough to fit in my checked baggage if I jammed it in. Even this Peak Design tripod. They share a maximum height of 152 cm (60 inches) when the center column is raised, and 130 cm (51 inches) when its not. At $449 its not a cheap piece of equipment, but it is easily one of the best tripod heads of any kind that I have ever tested for this site. Theyre fine, I guess, but I wish they were sharper. I have no info on that, but youd have to assume that they will at some point. The springs can easily pop out during disassembly and it becomes a challenge to first find the springs and then how to put it back together. I replaced my RRS TVC-34L with the Feisol CT-3472 which tripled my options for usage. Sort: Clear All Print Email Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod You Pay: $649.95 (1029) Add to Cart Add to Wish List Gitzo GT1545T Series 1 Traveler Carbon Fiber Tripod with Center Ball Head Price: $679.00 Instant Savings -$130.00 You Pay: $549.00 (33) Add to Cart Add to Wish List There will be other larger and heavier tripods that offer a more stable platform. Lab Test. Gitzo's Traveler series has even smaller models, the lightest of which has a weight of just 0.9kg, including the head. A bigger tripod is more likely to look right and it will naturally be more stable in windy conditions. Ive found the PD head better than suggested in the article: it holds my Nikon D850 with a battery pack and a long lens perfectly firmly and, slightly loosened, works reasonably well to pan. Most of them tend to use one of the smaller versions of Benro carbon fiber tripods when they're having to hike longer distances or they bite the bullet and take their big tripods with them. Thanks for the kind words. I got the carbon fiber version of that on sale last year and have no complaints at all. If "fold" length is your primary factor neither Leofoto tripod suggested by sjms is going to beat the Peak or Gitzo. In other words, for every gram of weight you save, you spend an extra 83cents! The tripod is practically a cylinder when folded, so it fits easily into the side pocket of a backpack. Specifications Material: Carbon fiber, or aluminum alloy Extended height: 153cm Folded height: 39cm Weight: 1.27kg (carbon fiber)/1.56kg (aluminum) Feet: Pads (spikes optional extra) Leg sections: 5 Max load (legs, head): 9kg Today's Best Deals Panoramic photographers will appreciate the unique click stops that can be engaged on the panning base to allow for easily repeatable panning positions, and filmmakers will appreciate the included panning arm that lets you create silky smooth pan and tilt movements that are far cleaner than you get with low-end video fluid heads. Raising the center column to adjust the tilt of the ball head is annoying, especially since you have to really crank the knob on the side to lock it in place. Or, if you are willing to rely on natural height assistance from rocks or fallen trees when you need extra height. The five sections and center column are travel features, not stability features. AND the lifetime warranty is really excellent! It is rated for 2 pounds more, but is 5 inches shorter when extended. Portability or sturdiness? I honestly like it better than the way I had to mount my camera before (ie: sliding the quick release into the head and tightening down on a lever.). Cleaning out the sand requires carefully disassembling the heads inner mechanism which includes tiny parts such as springs. Im sure that little touches like this, and the phone holder, are the sorts of things that put customers at ease with the cost of their relatively expensive purchases. Using a hex wrench, the original head is first removed and then replaced with the adapter. With this kit and the centre column removed, the carbon tripod weighs just 601g. Dont know yet but so far holds up very well. I feel, it goes above and beyond Peak Design and is almost half price. One of the main selling points of this tripod is the minimization of dead space. Minor height adjustments using the center column are useful for composition and shooting over objects like fences. TourBox Elite Review Wireless Photo Editing Controller, 3 Legged Thing Bucky Travel Tripod Review, LIVE: Peak Design Donating Profits From Travel Tripod Sales to COVID-19 Relief, Best Accessories for the Peak Design Travel Tripod. Gura Gear Kiboko City Commuter 18L The Perfect Camera Bag Found? Offering a sleek and retro design, the 35mm f/0.95 Lens from TTArtisan is an ultra-fast normal-length prime for APS-C-format cameras. Back to Product List . It would be a mistake for most people to downsize from a larger 2-series or 3-series tripod to this one because you will find that it is less stable. A universal adapter is provided for this purpose. Although the idea that I paid $600 is also a motivator for me to get some use from the thing. Its not insignificant weight. By submitting a comment this form also collects your name, email and IP address so that we can prevent spam. Gitzos Traveler series has even smaller models,the lightest of whichhas a weight of just 0.9kg, including the head. Thats a weight saving of 307g for the price increase of $250. Sort: Clear All. Its easy to get fixated on the maximum height of a tripod with its column extended 152.4 cm in this case. Peak Design's latest offering is one of the more expensive travel tripods I've seen, but it's well-built, compact, and as cleverly designed as you'd expect. Thanks, Noel. The Gitzo is 35% stiffer and benefits from a standard ball head. However, if you often shoot on surfaces like slippery ice, loose dirt, or gravel, replacing the rubber feet with metal spikes is worth considering.