A mistake that is, unless the primary reason for downsizing is to get something much smaller and lighter at the expense of some stability. This can come in handy if, for example, you were shooting with the tripod submerged in muddy water or the sea. Gimbal heads are incredibly useful for wildlife photography with longer lenses and panoramic photography. It might not be that bad if the knob was bigger or had a flat part that you could put pressure on it to tighten it down, but you adjust it as if you were setting the time on an analog watch. Like, really really really nice. It costs $40 and is compatible with the centre column. Portrait-length prime is designed for APS-C-format Canon RF-mount mirrorless cameras and offers a 75mm equivalent focal length. Its easy to get fixated on the maximum height of a tripod with its column extended 152.4 cm in this case. 0 Comment. This helps to keep the collapsed length of the tripod down, but it means that you have to extend the centre column about an inch before you can adjust the angle of the tripod head. I doubt that many people will buy this tripod for the sole purpose of using it with a phone, but Youtube creators will likely find it handy for behind-the-scenes shots, b-roll and time-lapses. When averaged out, it earned a rating of 9.0 out of 10, which is much better than the 7.6 review average of Tripods in general. An alarming number of people have asked me whether this tripod can replace all their tripods, or replace things like a 3-series Gitzo tripod, and of course there the answer is no. I personally use an Acratech GXP on mine in this way. So with that in mind, would you say Gitzo is better option (keeping money aside)? //]]>. For me that's the selling point. For this head, Peak Design concentrated on making something that would be extremely light and low-profile when the tripod is collapsed. For $200 you get a tripod that folds shorter and is lighter. Several reviewers agree with you that it is a much better value and is more stable. Add at least two items to compare Boasting impressive specs, the tripod height adjusts from 5.5 to 60", folds down to only 15.5", holds up to 20 lb, and is constructed from carbon fiber. These are probably the most versatile choice. For more info check our privacy policy. Putting a heavy head on a compact ultralight travel tripod would typically result in a setup that is far too top-heavy and unstable. In the case of a tripod, I would be rather cautious with that statement. Built quality is somewhat better than the RRS version and the Feisol tripod comes with an excellent carry case - all I got from RRS was a cardboard box. The circumference difference of the two tripods is significant. Anxious to compare it against my Peak Design. But once you retract the two thinnest sections, the tripod is immediately rock-solid even with a telephoto. This system is a feature of all their camera straps and means that can of them can be paired easily with this tripod. For use when the situation dictates that an ultralight setup is the best tool for the day. The Gitzo is 35% stiffer and benefits from a standard ball head. Period. I hate having to bend over to compose and focus. Comparing Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod vs Gitzo . 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. Using the Peak Design Travel Tripod After a couple of delays due to the coronavirus slowing shipping from China, the tripod arrived, beautifully packed in a cylinder, which contained a soft. But at that weight, youre sacrificing a lot of stability. The carbon version costs $599.95 and weighs 1307g in the standard configuration. (1) MeFoto - was used for when I needed a little "travel" tripod. Still, the comfort zone of this tripod are wider-angle to medium telephoto lenses. 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. This is something else you need to factor into the purchase of a travel tripod. Was thinking of just getting the kit head that comes with it at BH. I have no info on that, but youd have to assume that they will at some point. The flip locks are made entirely of metal for increased durability - a feature you'll rarely find on other tripods - and open and close smoothly, without any 'snapping' in the motion. Photographers looking for a lightweight, high-quality tripod will want to consider the extensive range from the Italian brand Gitzo. Or, if you are willing to rely on natural height assistance from rocks or fallen trees when you need extra height. You should be able to look at the cross-section above, and the other photos of the lower leg sections, and see that there will be some flex in these skinny legs compared to larger tripods. The tripod might be all great, but Its plate and the fact that you need a special tool to screw it on a camera is a no go for me. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. As a companion to a good general purpose or systematic tripod, the peak design tripod is a great addition for when size matters but not a good choice as a sole . window.__mirage2 = {petok:"UUtxcX0A28JS6Grxm6.PIDJQ7dJ4JezLjiPedqPBFRs-86400-0"}; I can't imagine it will be easy to adjust with gloved hands. All other specifications are the same. The Ultralight Conversion Kit costs $40 and converts your Peak Design Travel Tripod into a tabletop tripod. By admin | 26/07/2022. If so, it would be interesting to hear what your other choices are and what you use most? Your IP: It took me over one hour to find the popped out parts, remove the sand and then figure out how to reconstruct the assembly. 061 415 246. 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. Optional accessories also include stainless steel spikes or the aforementioned ultralight conversion kit (both $30). It has none of those twisting locks that can be troublesome and difficult to lock. For this tripod to be the right tripod for you, you must be looking for a tripod that prioritizes lightweight and compact collapsed size. The Spike Feet set for the Travel Tripod are designed for use on softer ground. I bought the Peak Design tripod (carbon fiber) after a few enthusiastic reviews when it was really new on the market. I got a Sirui A1205. This type of reverse ballhead is gaining traction not just from Peak Design, and while it is a fast and light solution, it does have some downsides. It really just comes down to weight, and whether you want to carry that extra 307g on your hikes and travels. The E-6H gimbal is absolutely tiny compared to every other gimbal on the market, yet it is rock solid and has by far the smoothest pan and tilt motions of any gimbal I have ever tested. Gitzo has its diehard fans, and the Travel Tripod appears to stack. Thats what Im testing today. Im sure its a good marketing strategy and works well to drive sales but Im inclined to agree. I'm way more likely to take this with me when I go out shooting. The backpack strap mount is amazing. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Sort: Clear All. Look at the Feisol CT-3441T travel tripod. I dont say this as a negative of this particular tripod, its just a gentle reminder to everyone that you should think carefully about what you are giving up when you decide to opt for a tripod that was built with a focus on its small size and light weight in mind. However, one needs to be very careful in protecting the tripod head from sand and other fine particles. I tend to concur with your review. Let's just get it out there. I am amazed there was $12M of total business out there for new travel tripods thats what 4000 pre-orders from increasingly rare animals (photographers who actually pack tripods, etc). The Aluminum version of the tripod costs $349.85 and weighs 1613g in the standard configuration. The TFC-14 performs wonderfully, but is significantly larger when folded than the PD tripod, doesn't have a center column, and is much more expensive. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. What moves is the rest of the head, to which you mount the camera. Almost every time you buy a tripod or a ball head youll find one or two hex wrenches in the box. Print Email. Home Gear Reviews The Ultimate Peak Design Travel Tripod Review! Thats not to say that the included head is totally useless, though. So, just because Im very happy with the Peak Design travel tripod, doesnt mean its the only option out there. Flaws but not dealbreakers. For Peak Design gear I always recommend buying directly. In terms of price and specifications, the Travel Tripod by Peak Design is most similar to the Gitzo Series 2 Traveler (for $649). They seem to be making some very good tripods for very competitive prices. If you havent heard of it, you must have been hiding under a rock because this is easily the most famous tripod on the market. As you can see, by removing the centre column and making use of the various optional accessories, you have options here that range from 1613g all the way down to just 601g. Cheung compares the carbon fiber versions of. I also really can't stand it when companies do that sort of thing. I love that you can latch and unlatch all of the legs at once really easily. It looks like Peak handed out review tripods to Youtubers like crazy so right from the jump I'm inclined to not trust the reviews. Wie schneidet es aber gegenber einem vom uns sehr viel gebrauchten. Keeping the centre column collapsed is always a good idea in anything but the calmest wind conditions with any travel tripod. Back to Product List . Peak Design makes two versions of its Travel Tripod, one with aluminium alloy legs and one with carbon fibre legs. The standard head works with arca swiss plates out of the box. So, although Im reviewing the carbon fiber version today, much of what I say about the Peak Design Travel Tripod applies to both variations. Very happy with it after owning it for several months now. Is the folded height with the ball head on or off? A universal adapter is provided for this purpose. Let me know in the comments if you have any questions about this tripod, and Ill do my best to answer! January 31 st, 2023 84. I travel up to 6 months each year. When Ulanzi offered a tripod for testing, I was keen to see how it fared. Sort: Clear All. The big difference comes from the fact that you don't need to flip each leg around. But how does the tripod perform in the field? There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. In terms of cleaning the tripod, the four lower sections can be removed without tools using the lever at the end of the first section. Peak Design was laser focused on making the most compact possible, fully featured tripod. For sure this is on me for not tightening up the ball head more, but it's really not the easiest thing. Sort: Clear All. One of the main selling points of this tripod is the minimization of dead space. Unfortunately not. Shop By Category. I guess thats a little bit of a spoiler as to my feelings about the tripod, but theres still much to learn aside from my overall opinion. The gimbal in question is the Fotopro E-6H. A hidden internal pocket can be used to store the multitool shown above, and in that pocket, you will also find a small tool to help you remove the tripod legs for cleaning or addition of optional tripod feet. The biggest load I personally put on the tripod was a Nikon Z9 with a Nikon 400mm f/2.8 G plus an Atomos Ninja recorder with mount. There is only ONE tripod that collapses to truly "tiny", weighs less than 3 lbs (1.3kg), and yet is still decently tall when fully extended. It is as pricey as a Gitzo Mountaineer/Traveler, (and not as stiff,) however, its unique design allows it to be far more compact than . In the table below I have provided my measured weights for all individual parts of the Travel Tripods, as well as combined weights of the most common setups using included parts and optional accessories. The main benefit to it is that it's light and packs up tiny. The large and heavy Manfroto now stays at home for still life/product photography. 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. I have chosen a very lightweight head in the form of the Acratech GXP, and this gives me full-sized ball head controls and a 50lb load limit. For tripods, it's hard to beat Gitzo for the quality and repairability at this price. 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. I'm surprised I don't see more people talk about it, or maybe there's something about the company I don't know. 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. GK1555T-82TQD is a Traveler tripod/head kit comprising the 5-section GT1555T Tripod and the GH1382TQD Center Ball Head. MSRP $599.99 $649.95 at Amazon That tripod is the Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod ($599). You can see more of Libor's work on his Instagram page. The Peak Design Travel Tripod rethinks what a go-anywhere tripod looks like, eschewing the fold-up designs of competitors to more easily fit into your pack. There is nothing magic about this tripod in that regard. 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. Despite its odd looks, this is a very capable head. The Peak Design will fit and leave plenty of room for whatever crap I need to pack. 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. The downside to the low-profile head design is that it doesnt have an independent panning base. The tripod is obviously lightweight and portable, but that would be useless if it had issues supporting a camera. I don't have a blog or a Youtube channel to make a review so I figured I'd just do it here. Peak Design has taken this one step further and created a bespoke mini multitool that can be stored in your bag or attached to the leg of the tripod in a removable plastic sheath. Add at least two items to compare. Even the load capacity is the same 9.1 kg (20 lbs) on both although keep in mind that load capacity ratings are inconsistent between tripod companies. Comparing Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod vs Gitzo . Its these kinds of small details that set Peak Design apart from everyone else. The unique design of the Travel Tripod doesnt stop at the legs. Looking forward to seeing it live. Most unique feature is 3 legged center column that can act as its own tripod. They say the best camera is the one you have with you. Even some typos are fine for me. In fact, I think it was less than 2 days before the starting time question hit my in-box. On this tripod, the center column is not the usual circular shape. Thanks for the kind words. Theyre fine, I guess, but I wish they were sharper. The origins of Peak Design can be traced back to 2011 when Peter Dering founded it after a 4-month trip around the world. As always, we appreciate it when you use the links on this page to make your purchases. This clever outside-the-box thinking has truly produced the most compact full-sized travel tripod I have ever seen. The other downside to this design is that the head is designed to nest into the top of the tripod legs when fully collapsed. 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. There are two tripods in the Peak Design portfolio, the only difference being the materials used. Sine the tripod head is compatible with Arca-Swiss style plates, its pretty easy to find a good L-bracket. To this day, Peak Design continues to use Kickstarter to raise funds for its product development. The legs are nice. You can use any arca swiss compatible plate with it. If you need a tripod that takes up as little space as possible then Peak Design has an extremely compelling product. The four levers are positioned one over the other, so you use four fingers simultaneously to loosen them. Itll be interested to see if they expand the range to larger tripods. PL provides various digital photography news, reviews, articles, tips, tutorials and guides to photographers of all levels, By Libor Vaicenbacher 22 CommentsLast Updated On February 20, 2023. Interestingly, hidden within the center column is a smartphone holder that you can pull out and clamp to the tripod head. Even with todays image stabilization, a tripod is still a requirement in many cases, so its important to find one with the right balance of characteristics. This makes a taller and heavier setup, but it has the benefit of being faster to swap between using the built-in head and using a 3-rd party ball head that has additional panning features and more ergonomic controls. The Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod was liked best by camerajabber.com, which gave it a score of 10, while the Gitzo Mini Traveler got its highest, 8, score from camerajabber.com. 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. I wasn't talking about systemic tripods, though. Print Email. The included head gets you started if your budget is limited. Features Compatible with most digital cameras With a maximum weight capacity of 20 lbs., this tripod is ideal for mirrorless and compact DSLR cameras. The PD is one of the stiffest tripods for its size. Peak Design Travel Tripod Orders You can place an order on the Peak Design website. Compare Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod vs Gitzo GT4553S Systematic Series 4 Carbon Fiber Tripod Standard . TBF I watch mostly landscape photography youtubers, and I haven't seen a single one even try the PD tripod, even for travel purposes. But again, that's just me. 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.). I thought the small ball head would be more likely to slip but you know you have to put a ridiculous amount of weight on it for that to happen and even then, only if it's at a wonky angle. You have to measure the stability of the tripod to get a sense of the weight rating. While they do have a broad product range that includes cheaper tripods, their top-of-the-range Fotopro Eagle tripods and gimbals are easily Gitzo and Really Right Stuff levels of quality, stability and price. No wildlife photography with long and heavy lenses. Due to this media attention, more photographers than ever are aware of this tripod and I have received vastly more questions about it than any other tripod or piece of support equipment.