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. I have bought a more conventional head and a L bracket. Is there a way to compensate for the progressive wear of the locks? 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. I have this and it is so much work to lock/unlock separately all those hundred locks that i barely use it. When fully collapsed, there are barely any gaps between the legs, leg locks and column. 061 415 246. It is designed to screw onto a camera. 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. I'm way more likely to take this with me when I go out shooting. (just my 2 YMMV) Much prefer the gitzo with the above ball head. Looking forward to seeing it live. Fwiw, among the ones you've listed, I'd be inclined to eliminate the Gitzo 1555 -- it has similar stiffness to the PD CF, but it's more expensive and doesn't get as compact -- and the Benro, given it's folded length. Its easy to get fixated on the maximum height of a tripod with its column extended 152.4 cm in this case. If you understand what you are buying, and when such a tripod makes sense to use, you are going to be very happy indeed with this purchase. After returning from the Arctic and sending the pre-production version back to Peak Design, I actually went on to purchase my own copy of the tripod. Determine which plate you have. Almost every time you buy a tripod or a ball head youll find one or two hex wrenches in the box. Still, the comfort zone of this tripod are wider-angle to medium telephoto lenses. The Travel Tripod is perhaps more fairly compared to the higher-end Gitzo Traveler series, which retails for up to $1,000. At $350, the aluminum Travel Tripod is slightly more expensive but also lighter than MeFoto's $220 GlobeTrotter Classic, but it's cheaper than Gitzo's $725 1.97-pounds Series 0 Traveler. Comparing Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod vs Gitzo . I was looking at tripods recently and to me neither the Peak Design or Gitzo Traveler Series 2 really competes with each other. The Peak Design Travel Tripod is available in two versions, and then there are further options to adapt the tripod by adding accessories or removing unnecessary parts. It is rated for 2 pounds more, but is 5 inches shorter when extended. Thats not to say that the included head is totally useless, though. Avoiding the weight of a ball head is an important part of the package, as is the low profile of the PD head. Thanks, yea was leaning more on 2545T. Required fields are marked*. You can use any arca swiss compatible plate with it. So this just comes down to what I was saying earlier: Travel Tripods always have compromises. 173.212.197.150 This article was a great help and helped me in my purchase. It's the shortest and thinnest with center column down, the Peak Design falls behind the others, whereas the others are more or less on similar hight It costs $40 and is compatible with the centre column. Several times I've noticed my camera (a Fuji XT-2 with the 18-55 lens) slowly slipping down. January 31 st, 2023 84. It will give you sharper images, but youll have to deal with constantly bending down to use the camera. They say the best camera is the one you have with you. Peak Design Travel Tripod (Carbon Fiber) Check Price 9 Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263CB 100 Check Price 10 Gitzo GT5563GS Check Price (Image credit: Luk Vatko on Unsplash) The best carbon fiber tripods are some of the best tripods that photographers can buy. You can see more of Libor's work on his Instagram page. It has none of those twisting locks that can be troublesome and difficult to lock. Peak Design also is noteworthy for their limited lifetime guarantee on the tripod, so they definitely trust it to last for many years. The edges are grooved so you can get some friction, but it's annoying and I'm never super confident that it will be tight enough. But how does the tripod perform in the field? So, do you save 300+ grams of weight on your total carrying load, or, does carrying the carbon version of the tripod allow you the capacity to carry an extra lens in your bag that you might otherwise have left at home? I have both tripods. Ground-level shots are quickly captured by simply reversing the center column. With long exposures, telephoto lenses, and windy conditions, youll want to collapse some parts of the tripod. In terms of price and specifications, the Travel Tripod by Peak Design is most similar to the Gitzo Series 2 Traveler (for $649). MSRP $599.99 $649.95 at Amazon. Im glad you are getting on well with the built-in head. Its these kinds of small details that set Peak Design apart from everyone else. GK1555T-82TQD is a Traveler tripod/head kit comprising the 5-section GT1555T Tripod and the GH1382TQD Center Ball Head. Its light, small enough to fit into the side pocket of my bag. I may replace the ball head with something different, which obviously defeats the purpose of such a tiny tripod but hopefully it'll be easy to remove and reinstall. Libor works as a biology teacher, guide, photographer and photography course lecturer. Again, it isn't the easiest to lock down. Legs. But again, that's just me. If "fold" length is your primary factor neither Leofoto tripod suggested by sjms is going to beat the Peak or Gitzo. In the future, you can always look to add the flat base and a 3rd party ball head when it makes financial sense. 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 . The circumference difference of the two tripods is significant. So, just because Im very happy with the Peak Design travel tripod, doesnt mean its the only option out there. The unique design of the Travel Tripod doesnt stop at the legs. Also, with the provided tripod bag being such a tight squeeze, if you dont collapse the column down after using it, re-seating the head into the top of the legs, you wont actually be able to fit the tripod into the bag. However, if you have sand in the head which interfere with its use, what are you supposed to do? I would go with the 2545T if using the 70-200. For the photo below, at 35mm, I shot a 240-second long exposure in a moderate breeze, and I didnt get any observable blur. There will be other larger and heavier tripods that offer a more stable platform. If youre looking for a travel tripod, youd be mad not to have this one on your shortlist. MSRP $599.99 $649.95 at Amazon But keep in mind that the Peak Design tripod is intended primarily as a travel model. Its one of the best travel tripods ever. Keeping the centre column collapsed is always a good idea in anything but the calmest wind conditions with any travel tripod. On top of the head is a bubble level to help you get a nice level horizon. What does that include? Click to reveal Its not insignificant weight. I wasn't talking about systemic tripods, though. 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. I get what they were going for, and it's a really clever idea. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. But before we dive into some initial impressions, here's the nitty gritty: the tripod will be available in aluminum for $350 and carbon fiber for $600 - both prices include a ball head - however you can score the tripod for much less by backing it on Kickstarter now. Despite having bigger legs, the Peak Design Tripod has a circumference of 27cm, against 34cm for the Sirui. 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. There is an outer locking ring which loosens the jaws around the ball and gives you the traditional tilt and roll movements of a ball head. Im using the Ulanzi Zero Y carbon fiber. Fitter, younger photographers might not bat an eyelid at an extra 300g, but you certainly will feel that difference on a long day of hiking as you get older. So without further ado, let's give . Putting a heavy head on a compact ultralight travel tripod would typically result in a setup that is far too top-heavy and unstable. Is the folded height with the ball head on or off? Your own goals need to line up with the tripod designers goals for this to be the right purchase for you. If you think you can get by with the height reduction, this is another cool upgrade for your tripod. 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. Compare Benro MeFoto GlobeTrotter Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod Kit Black vs Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod vs Gitzo GT2545T Series 2 Traveler Carbon Fiber . Review: Peak Design Spike Feet For Tripod - Do They Cut It? The Travel Tripod includes a phone adapter that can be used on the ball head to hold your phone. Our pick: Vanguard Alta Pro 2+ 263AB100. For a fairer comparison, add Gitzo's own 1382TQD head, which they also sell as a kit with the legs, and the whole package is only 160g heavier than the Peak Design. This is a great tripod, but I really want to make sure that people buy the right tripod for their needs! This makes them on in soft mud or loose gravel, but not a lot of use on ice or smooth rock. Duffel Bags. In his latest video, Lok Cheung goes over some of the major differences between the Peak Design Travel Tripod and the Manfrotto Befree tripod. As you can see above, the tripod legs are made up of five sections that are tightened using four quick-release levers. Its the trigger point for the compromises. Another way to think of it is, for a 270 g savings in weight, you pay $270 extra. The latching mechanism for the quick release is fine. Additional Ways to Use a 3rd Party Ball Head, The Perfect Gimbal Head for the Peak Design Tripod, in-depth guide to the best gimbals on the market, Peak Design Aluminum Travel Tripod Tripod. But before you rush out to buy one, I must once again underline my earlier point about the general nature of travel tripods. AND the lifetime warranty is really excellent! Itll be interested to see if they expand the range to larger tripods. It's a lot of money. Gitzo Tripod Legs (28) GNARBOX (9) GNARBOX Backup Devices (5) GNARBOX Hard Drives & Storage Devices (5) GNARBOX Memory Card Readers (3) Goal Zero (21) GODOX (355 . For a long time I simply ruled out using a gimbal with a small tripod, but then I came across a new gimbal while I was researching updates for my in-depth guide to the best gimbals on the market. The carbon version costs $599.95 and weighs 1307g in the standard configuration. With taxes in, the RRS tripod tops $1000 and that's a tough pill for a lot of people to swallow. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. but, if I understood correctly, you need to buy a Universal Head Adapter for that costing $30. I got the carbon fiber version of that on sale last year and have no complaints at all. 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. Of course, if you already use one of these on your camera, you can quickly disconnect that and use it on the tripod, too. The height with the conversion kit is as follows: Removal of the main leg sections results in a dramatic weight loss for the tripod. Unfortunately, this drawback is common with travel tripods. 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. After going through a similar exercise recently I settled on the Leofoto LS-284C with a Sirui K-10x ballhead and couldn't be happier. Unlike the Universal Head Adapter, its unlikely to be a configuration that you use all the time. Excellently, Id say. Such a massive setup looks strange on the small tripod legs. Sirui is the most underrated brand. These tripods weigh more than my camera body. I have some of their stuff and theres lots of other products of theirs I would want to buy if I had the money, but this tripod has never been one of them and I dont understand everyone wetting their pants over it. Any conscientious buyer will be comparing the specifications of various tripod options. Professional photographer based in Yukon, Canada, and founder of Shutter Muse. 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. While theres certainly still a group who can benefit from these, its small and getting smaller. The total weight was just under 6.5kg, which is approaching the 9.1 kilo load rating. For me that's the selling point. 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. As an ornithologist, Libor has studied the avian diversity of the South American Andes. It rises to 60 (150 cm) which is very impressive for a tripod that packs down to just 15.4 (39 cm). A robustly built walkaround lens for daily use, this FUJIFILM X-mount lens is ideal for landscapes, cityscapes, portraits, street scenes, and more. This is an excellent article for those traveling with large, heavy bodies and lenses. There has been a renaissance in this part of the photography world, and lots of reputable companies make great carbon fiber travel tripods today. Peak Designhas designed the legs and center column so that when folded, everything fits together like the petals of a snowdrop flower. I got a Sirui with a compact ball head. Where this tripod really wins is the collapsed circumference. Compare Gitzo GIGT2545T Traveler Series 2 Carbon Fiber Tripod vs Gitzo GT3543LS Systematic Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod Long vs Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod vs Peak Design Aluminum Travel Tripod From a speed perspective, the Peak Design Travel Tripod blows the competition out of the water. Instead of the $1100 for the RRS TVC-34L and a carry case with Fiesol I spent. Peak Design was laser focused on making the most compact possible, fully featured tripod. Most people would consider being a standard feature on anything but the absolute cheapest of tripod heads. Having said that, the PD is nowhere near as stable as my Gitzo, but that is to be expected for a travel tripod compared to a full tripod setup. They make good shit though. At $349.95 I think the aluminum version of the Travel Tripod is excellent value. 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. I like Libors suggestion about using a different ball head to replace the Peak Design tripod head in dusty or sandy environments. Thanks Chuck. For tripods, it's hard to beat Gitzo for the quality and repairability at this price. So, to sum it up, theres a good reason why this is the very travel tripod I spent my own hard-earned money on. No items to compare. I was considering this until I came across Heipi. Finally, if the original head does not suit you, any other head can be substituted. No items to compare. The included head gets you started if your budget is limited. Gitzo Tripods; Vanguard Tripods; 3 Legged Thing Tripods; Joby Tripods; Calumet Tripods; Sachtler Tripods; Velbon Tripods; . In that sense, I think it does surprisingly well even with decidedly-not-travel setups like the one above. Tel. However, a standard ball head will give you the benefits of a proper 90-degree drop notch for portrait shooting, as well as a panning base foe panoramic photography. I wouldnt go for a tripod thats much lighter than this one from Peak Design, at the given height. You can choose to still use the centre column, or it can be removed. 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. A mistake that is, unless the primary reason for downsizing is to get something much smaller and lighter at the expense of some stability. Typically this comes in the form of heavy winds. Portability or sturdiness? PGYTech MantisPod vs Nebula (Best Vlogging Tripod Confirmed) Best iPhone Accessories for Video for Every Budget. Thanks Dan great review, purchased for my son, keep up the great work. window.__mirage2 = {petok:"UUtxcX0A28JS6Grxm6.PIDJQ7dJ4JezLjiPedqPBFRs-86400-0"}; We spent 4 years redesigning the tripod from the ground up, creating a travel tripod that packs down to the diameter of a water bottlewithout compromising height, stability, or features. I often try to use a tripod without extending the centre column as this always provides increased stability, therefore this requirement was a slight annoyance. I guess you have more tripods, depending on what you are doing and restrictions due to weight & luggage etc?
peak design tripod vs gitzo