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As an expert journey photographer, I’ve used plenty of journey tripods through the years, together with fashions from Manfrotto and Vanguard.
At the moment, I’m going to be reviewing Peak Design’s journey tripod, which I’ve been utilizing within the subject for the previous a number of months to see the way it compares to different journey tripods.
I’ve really been a fan of Peak Design’s merchandise for a very long time. They make a variety of images equipment, and I significantly like their carry strap system which I’ve been utilizing for years on my cameras. In addition they have a variety of in style baggage.
My expertise thus far with their merchandise has been very optimistic, they’re nicely made and backed by a wonderful guarantee and help program. Let’s see if that high quality has prolonged to their journey tripod. I’ll share my ideas on utilizing one in all their journey tripods for the primary time.
Peak Design Journey Tripod Evaluation
Peak Design launched their journey tripod (through Kickstarter) in 2019, with normal availability coming in 2020. This was their first and is presently solely tripod.
It’s now been in the marketplace for a while, and I assumed it was about time I gave it take a look at and evaluation. Let’s begin with the specs.
Peak Design Journey Tripod Specs
There are two variants of the Peak Design journey tripod in the marketplace for the time being, an aluminum mannequin and a carbon fiber mannequin.
The one distinction between the 2 is the fabric in use, which impacts the load (and worth!). All the opposite specs are the identical. Right here’s a fast overview of the primary specs.
- Load capability – 20lbs (9.1kg)
- Max top middle column raised – 60″ (152.2cm)
- Max top middle column down – 51.25″ (130.2cm)
- Weight aluminum mannequin 3.44lbs (1.56kg)
- Weight carbon fiber mannequin 2.81lbs (1.29kg)
- Packed top: 15.4″ (39.1cm)
- Packed diameter 3.125″ (39.1cm)
The retail worth of the aluminum mannequin is $379.95, and the carbon fiber mannequin is $599.95. You evaluate the newest costs and purchase it direct from Peak Design right here, on Amazon right here, and from B&H Picture right here.
This tripod actually suits what we search for in a journey tripod, which is a mix of portability and load capability.
In addition to the uncooked numbers, there are a couple of further options of the Peak Design journey tripod I wished to spotlight.
First, the tripod is designed from the bottom as much as be tremendous moveable. The primary method that is achieved is with the pinnacle design, which may be very compact. The ball head principally suits flush into the tripod when packed away and takes up barely any area.
The flip locks, triangular leg design, and small middle column additionally all contribute to permitting this tripod to fold down actually small.
I’ve used plenty of journey tripods through the years, and this one is certainly among the finest designs I’ve used by way of the way it packs away to take up a minimal quantity of area.
The ball head can also be fairly sensible. There’s an built-in bubble stage to make sure your digicam is flat, and the flip lock design makes attaching and eradicating your digicam very straightforward. You too can lock your digicam into place with the flip of a toggle, which supplies nice peace of thoughts.
One other neat function is the mixing of a cellphone head mount. This lives inside the middle column, and has a quick-release mechanism for simple set up.
It then attaches on to the tripod mounting plate and lets you use your tripod together with your smartphone. This could work with just about any smartphone in the marketplace at this time.
It’s a pleasant worth add and can also be nicely designed and durable.
One last item I wished to spotlight is the carrying case. That is typically an afterthought with tripods, in the event you even get one in any respect.
Nicely, Peak Design is understood for his or her baggage and their tripod case is beautiful. It seems to be nice, the tripod suits inside securely, and it’s each padded and weatherproof. It’s lacking a strap, however there are add-ons to make it appropriate with the Peak Design carry system.
Okay, so these are the primary options. What is that this tripod like to truly use in the actual world? Let’s discover out.
Peak Design Journey Tripod – Ideas on Actual World Use
I favor to do a evaluation primarily based on actual world expertise, so I traveled with the Peak Design journey tripod as my major tripod for a number of months to see the way it carried out within the subject.
As it is a journey tripod, I count on it to be one thing I can carry with me when climbing, so I took it with me on plenty of hikes up numerous Welsh mountains in addition to different barely much less strenuous strolls. It has additionally been on extra leisurely journeys within the UK, France, and the USA.
Once I’m testing a journey tripod, there are some things I’m fascinated about. First, it needs to be light-weight, as a result of nobody desires to hold greater than they should.
This tripod undoubtedly meets that requirement, even the aluminum model is mild sufficient that I don’t need to suppose twice about including it to my gear for a visit.
The subsequent factor I search for is how straightforward the tripod is to arrange and put away. Once I’m climbing, I don’t need to have to spend so much of time placing a tripod up and down every time I see a possibility for a shot.
The Peak Design journey tripod undoubtedly works in that regard as nicely. I’m usually not a giant fan of flip-lock legs as they will catch on my digicam bag when organising and placing away.
Nonetheless, on this case they’re nicely designed in order that doesn’t occur, they usually make arrange and put down a breeze.
The best way the digicam attaches to the pinnacle additionally works nicely. That is one thing that different tripods don’t all the time do as nicely at, particularly when utilizing the Peak Design carry system which has the carry strap connected to the tripod plate.
The Peak Design carry strap hooks on the digicam base plate can generally get in the best way of straightforward attachment to the tripod head. Clearly, this being a Peak Design tripod, that challenge has been thought by, and the digicam simply attaches to the tripod head even with the strap nonetheless connected.
There’s additionally a helpful locking mechanism on the tripod head that makes it straightforward to make sure the digicam is correctly connected to the tripod head.
After all, any tripod is barely value its salt if it really gives a steady platform for capturing from.
I’ve used it with a full-frame mirrorless digicam paired with a heavy 100-400mm lens, and it carried out very nicely. I additionally used it with my extra regular panorama wide-angle lens, and even with the smartphone adaptor.
Throughout, this tripod carried out very nicely and let me get the photographs I wished, even the lengthy publicity photographs the place the tiniest motion can wreck every part.
The ultimate factor I want in a journey tripod, or any tripod for that matter, is ease of operation.
Now this one was a little bit of a studying curve for me. The design of the Peak Design tripod head is that it slots down into the legs. Nonetheless, you need to partially prolong the central column (round an inch), to get full motion.
Earlier than I bought used to the tripod, I might attempt to transfer the pinnacle to the place I wished, however not be capable of as a result of the pinnacle solely has full freedom of motion as soon as the central column has been partially prolonged.
Extending the central column isn’t exhausting, however it’s an extra step to recollect to do.
As soon as the pinnacle is prolonged, adjusting the pinnacle is straightforward. It’s a ball-style design, and to regulate the angle of the pinnacle you loosen the management ring, transfer the tripod head to the angle you need, after which tighten the management ring.
That is all very straightforward and intuitive when you get used to it. That is actually necessary, particularly in the event you plan on doing any astrophotography or Northern Lights images, as you may have to function the tripod in very darkish situations the place you’re working by really feel.
So that’s plenty of optimistic issues. Are there are points I encountered? Nicely, sure.
The primary draw back I found, which is the primary detrimental of this tripod, is a scarcity of separate pan and tilt controls.
Once you loosen the management ring to regulate the pinnacle, you possibly can transfer the digicam up, down, left, and proper. Nonetheless, you possibly can’t pan or tilt individually.
So, for instance, in case you have your shot framed virtually completely, however need to shift the view a couple of levels to the left, you need to watch out to not tilt the digicam up or down on the identical time.
This additionally makes duties like capturing panoramas much more difficult. Many tripod heads, together with many ball heads, supply separate pan and tilt controls, so you possibly can pan independently of the lean management.
Now, actually, whether or not or not it is a huge deal will rely loads on the photographs you prefer to take. If you happen to take plenty of panoramas, then this can doubtless be an even bigger challenge.
The excellent news is that the management ring additionally controls the friction, that means you possibly can loosen it solely a bit of after which simply watch out as you progress the digicam, with friction in your aspect to stop undesirable actions on the incorrect axis.
Nonetheless, with a heavy digicam setup it may be difficult to solely transfer in a single course.
The opposite factor to remember is that over time the flip locks on the tripod leg sections can turn into free, that means that the legs don’t keep prolonged. That is simply an total challenge with all flip lock legs on tripods I’ve used.
This may occur with any tripod, however Peak Design have thought forward and included each a software to regulate the leg flip lock tightness, in addition to a helpful clip which lets you connect the adjustment software to a tripod leg.
You simply need to bear in mind to convey this with you whenever you journey, in case a leg wants tightening up whenever you’re within the subject.
Lastly, while the addition of the bubble stage is appreciated, the sunshine colour and method it’s positioned signifies that my digicam covers most of it up, making it troublesome to see and never very helpful as soon as my digicam is about up.
Actually, most cameras and smartphones as of late have a built-in stage function anyway, so I not often use the bubble stage on a tripod, however I wished to say it in case it was necessary to you.
General, I undoubtedly loved utilizing this tripod within the subject, and it has earned a spot in my images bag for certain.
Peak Design Journey Tripod Professionals and Cons
Having lined my expertise utilizing the Peak Design journey tripod within the subject I wished to share a fast rundown of what I felt to be the primary execs and cons of this tripod from a journey images perspective.
Professionals
- Light-weight, even the aluminum model
- Folds down very small
- Works nicely with the Peak Design clip system
- Very nice tripod bag
- Can convert to tabletop tripod
- Constructed-in smartphone holder
- Lifetime guarantee
Cons
- Costly, particularly for carbon fiber mannequin
- No straightforward panning management
- Some constraint on portrait orientation shot
General,l I undoubtedly suppose it’s journey tripod. The primary draw back is the associated fee is fairly excessive, particularly if you’re contemplating the carbon fiber mannequin, which prices much more however solely gives a modest lower in weight.
I believe most individuals can be pleased with the aluminum mannequin because the options are the identical.
Peak Design Journey Tripod Options
Once you begin researching tripods, you’ll rapidly study that there are an incredible many tripods in the marketplace, and actually, it may be exhausting to inform them aside.
The primary selections will come right down to how a lot you need to spend and the way necessary specs like most load capability, most top, minimal top, folded top and many others. are to you.
Most tripods mess around with these specs, so it is best to be capable of discover the right tripod for you. I wished to spotlight a couple of choices to think about, and you’ll see extra choices in our information to the very best journey tripods.
Gitzo Traveler Sequence
Any comparability of tripods, particularly high-end tripods, goes to incorporate point out of Gitzo. These are usually considered a number of the greatest tripods in the marketplace, though they have a tendency to come back with a reasonably eye-watering price ticket.
Nonetheless, the Peak Design carbon fiber tripod isn’t precisely a funds mannequin, so I really feel it’s truthful to match it in opposition to a tripod of this caliber.
There are fairly a couple of tripods within the Gitzo Traveler sequence. I’d say essentially the most comparable mannequin can be the Gitzo Traveler, sequence 1, 5 part tripod.
This carbon fiber tripod has a most top of 58.46″, a folded dimension of 13.98″, a weight of three.13lbs and a max load capability of 22lbs. It has a retail worth of $719.99.
So in comparison with the Peak Design carbon fiber mannequin, the Gitzo has a barely smaller folded top, weighs barely extra, and has a barely decrease most top.
Vanguard VEO 3 GO 235CB or 265HCB
A fast notice, I’m a Vanguard Ambassador and have been since 2014, and I’ve used plenty of their gear through the years, lots of which I’ve additionally reviewed.
I believe their merchandise supply loads, and I’ve been very pleased with their gear in use around the globe.
The 2 major tripods I believe they presently produce which you may contemplate as an alternative of the Peak Design Journey Tripod can be from the Vanguard VEO 3 Go vary, and particularly the 235CB or 265HCB fashions.
These are each carbon fiber tripods, however with a retail worth round half that of the carbon fiber Peak Design Journey Tripod mannequin.
The 235CB is the smaller tripod, with a most dimension of 53.5″, a folded dimension of 13″, a weight of two.3lbs, and a max load capability of 8.8lbs. It has a retail worth of $269.99.
The carbon fiber variant of the Peak Design tripod has a a lot greater load score and the next most top, but in addition weighs extra and doesn’t fold up as small. It’s additionally greater than twice as costly. One to think about in case you have a smaller setup that gained’t problem the utmost load score.
The 265HCB is the taller tripod, with a most dimension of 65.5″, a folded dimension of 16.1″, a weight of three.1lbs and a max load capability of 22lbs. It has a retail worth of $339.99.
The carbon fiber variant of the Peak Design tripod has an identical load score and a decrease most top, however weighs much less and folds up a bit smaller. It’s practically twice as costly.
Each Vanguard tripods additionally convert to monopods and include a smartphone adaptor and Bluetooth distant shutter set off. They’re additionally out there in aluminum, at a lower cost level and the next weight.
The aluminum VEO 3 Go 235AB retails for $219.99, and the aluminum VEO 3 Go 265HAB retails for $269.99. Typically the simplest method to save cash on a journey tripod is to decide on an aluminum mannequin over a carbon fiber one.
If you happen to’re on this product, or any of the opposite Vanguard merchandise, it can save you cash utilizing our unique Vanguard low cost code. This will provide you with 20% off every part within the Vanguard retailer.
Simply use the code FindingTheUniverse on your low cost! This Vanguard low cost code works within the Vanguard USA, UK, Australia, Spain, and Germany shops.
Must you Purchase the Peak Design Journey Tripod?
Actually, solely you possibly can reply this query! Nonetheless, having used it for plenty of months I can undoubtedly say that it’s a well-made tripod. It really works very nicely and has sufficient intelligent design options to make it stand out in a really crowded market.
Once you add up all of the little further issues like the great bag, smartphone holder, and compatibility with different Peak Design merchandise, it finally ends up as a very well-rounded product.
After all, there are lots of different tripods in the marketplace at different worth factors, however I don’t suppose you’ll be disenchanted in the event you resolve to go for it.
You should buy it direct from Peak Design right here, on Amazon right here, and from B&H Picture right here.
Additional Studying
That’s it for my evaluation of the Peak Design journey tripod – I hope you discovered it useful. Earlier than you go, I wished to share a few of our different content material which we predict you will see helpful.
- Our evaluation of the Vanguard VEO 2 265CB tripod after three years of standard use.
- A evaluation of the Vanguard VEO 2Go 265HCBM, the VEO 3+ 263AB and the VEO 3T+ 264CB.
- We’ve a information to why you want a tripod, a information to selecting a journey tripod, and a round-up of our favorite journey tripods
- We’ve a information to the right way to use a compact digicam, the right way to use a DSLR digicam, and the right way to use a mirrorless digicam. We even have a information to how a DSLR works
- Figuring out the right way to compose an incredible photograph is a key images ability. See our information to composition in images for many tips about this topic
- We’ve a information to what depth of subject is and whenever you would need to use it.
- We’re huge followers of getting essentially the most out of your digital photograph information, and do to that you will want to shoot in RAW. See our information to RAW in images to know what RAW is, and why it is best to swap to RAW as quickly as you possibly can in case your digicam helps it.
- You’re going to wish one thing to run your photograph enhancing software program on. See our information to the very best laptops for photograph enhancing for some tips about what to search for.
- If you happen to’re searching for extra recommendation on particular ideas for various eventualities, we additionally have you ever lined. See our information to Northern Lights images, lengthy publicity images, fireworks images, ideas for taking photographs of stars, and chilly climate images.
- If you happen to’re searching for an incredible reward for a images loving good friend or member of the family (or your self!), check out our images reward information,
- If you happen to’re out there for a brand new digicam, we have now an in depth information to the greatest journey cameras, in addition to particular guides for the greatest cameras for climbing and backpacking, the greatest compact digicam, greatest mirrorless digicam and greatest DSLR digicam. We even have a information to the greatest digicam lenses.
- If you need a digicam or lens, however the costs are a bit excessive, see our information to the place to purchase used cameras and digicam gear for some funds financial savings choices.
Trying to Enhance Your Images?
If you happen to discovered this put up useful, and also you need to enhance your images total, you may need to take a look at my on-line journey images course.
Since launching the course in 2016, I’ve already helped over 2,000 college students discover ways to take higher photographs. The course covers just about every part it’s essential to know, from the fundamentals of how a digicam works, by to composition, mild, and photograph enhancing.
It additionally covers extra superior matters, together with astrophotography, lengthy publicity images, flash images, and HDR images.
You get suggestions from me as you progress, entry to webinars, interviews and movies, in addition to unique membership of a Fb group the place you may get suggestions in your work and participate in common challenges.
It’s out there for an incredible one-off worth for lifetime entry, and I believe it is best to test it out. Which you are able to do by clicking right here.
Observe: We had been despatched this product without spending a dime to see how we favored it. I selected to write down this evaluation primarily based alone private opinion of the tripod after utilizing it for some time. All opinions are our personal.
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