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As an expert journey photographer, I’ve used numerous journey tripods over time, 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 area 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 pictures 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 up to now with their merchandise has been very optimistic, they’re properly made and backed by a superb 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 among 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 a great check and evaluate. Let’s begin with the specs.
Peak Design Journey Tripod Specs
There are two variants of the Peak Design journey tripod in the marketplace in the mean time, 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 peak middle column raised – 60″ (152.2cm)
- Max peak middle column down – 51.25″ (130.2cm)
- Weight aluminum mannequin 3.44lbs (1.56kg)
- Weight carbon fiber mannequin 2.81lbs (1.29kg)
- Packed peak: 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 examine 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 definitely matches what we search for in a journey tripod, which is a mix of portability and a great load capability.
In addition to the uncooked numbers, there are a couple of extra 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 means that is achieved is with the top design, which may be very compact. The ball head mainly matches 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 numerous journey tripods over time, and this one is unquestionably the most effective designs I’ve used when it comes to the way it packs away to take up a minimal quantity of area.
The ball head can be fairly sensible. There’s an built-in bubble degree to make sure your digicam is flat, and the flip lock design makes attaching and eradicating your digicam very straightforward. It’s also possible to lock your digicam into place with the flip of a toggle, which provides nice peace of thoughts.
One other neat function is the combination 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 means that you can use your tripod together with your smartphone. This could work with just about any smartphone in the marketplace immediately.
It’s a pleasant worth add and can be properly designed and durable.
One very last thing I wished to spotlight is the carrying case. That is usually an afterthought with tripods, for those who even get one in any respect.
Nicely, Peak Design is thought for his or her baggage and their tripod case is beautiful. It appears to be like nice, the tripod matches 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 evaluate primarily based on actual world expertise, so I traveled with the Peak Design journey tripod as my primary tripod for a number of months to see the way it carried out within the area.
As it is a journey tripod, I count on it to be one thing I can carry with me when mountaineering, so I took it with me on quite a few 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 keen on. First, it needs to be light-weight, as a result of nobody desires to hold greater than they should.
This tripod positively meets that requirement, even the aluminum model is mild sufficient that I don’t should assume 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 mountaineering, I don’t wish 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 positively works in that regard as properly. I’m usually not a giant fan of flip-lock legs as they will catch on my digicam bag when establishing and placing away.
Nonetheless, on this case they’re properly designed in order that doesn’t occur, and so they make arrange and put down a breeze.
The best way the digicam attaches to the top additionally works properly. That is one thing that different tripods don’t all the time do as properly at, particularly when utilizing the Peak Design carry system which has the carry strap hooked up to the tripod plate.
The Peak Design carry strap hooks on the digicam base plate can typically get in the way in which of straightforward attachment to the tripod head. Clearly, this being a Peak Design tripod, that concern has been thought via, and the digicam simply attaches to the tripod head even with the strap nonetheless hooked up.
There’s additionally a useful locking mechanism on the tripod head that makes it straightforward to make sure the digicam is correctly hooked up to the tripod head.
In fact, any tripod is just value its salt if it really offers 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 properly. I additionally used it with my extra regular panorama wide-angle lens, and even with the smartphone adaptor.
Throughout, this tripod carried out very properly and let me get the photographs I wished, even the lengthy publicity photographs the place the tiniest motion can wreck all the things.
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 must partially prolong the central column (round an inch), to get full motion.
Earlier than I acquired used to the tripod, I might attempt to transfer the top to the place I wished, however not be capable to as a result of the top solely has full freedom of motion as soon as the central column has been partially prolonged.
Extending the central column isn’t arduous, however it’s an extra step to recollect to do.
As soon as the top is prolonged, adjusting the top is simple. It’s a ball-style design, and to regulate the angle of the top 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 vital, particularly for those who plan on doing any astrophotography or Northern Lights pictures, as you would possibly have to function the tripod in very darkish circumstances the place you’re working by really feel.
So that’s numerous optimistic issues. Are there are points I encountered? Nicely, sure.
The primary draw back I found, which is the primary destructive of this tripod, is an absence of separate pan and tilt controls.
Whenever you loosen the management ring to regulate the top, you’ll be able to transfer the digicam up, down, left, and proper. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to’t pan or tilt individually.
So, for instance, when you have your shot framed virtually completely, however wish to shift the view a couple of levels to the left, you must watch out to not tilt the digicam up or down on the similar 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’ll be able to pan independently of the lean management.
Now, truthfully, whether or not or not it is a huge deal will rely lots on the photographs you wish to take. In case you take numerous panoramas, then this may seemingly be an even bigger concern.
The excellent news is that the management ring additionally controls the friction, which means you’ll be able to loosen it solely just a little after which simply watch out as you progress the digicam, with friction in your aspect to stop undesirable actions on the fallacious axis.
Nonetheless, with a heavy digicam setup it may be difficult to solely transfer in a single route.
The opposite factor to keep in mind is that over time the flip locks on the tripod leg sections can turn into unfastened, which means that the legs don’t keep prolonged. That is simply an total concern with all flip lock legs on tripods I’ve used.
This will occur with any tripod, however Peak Design have thought forward and included each a instrument to regulate the leg flip lock tightness, in addition to a useful clip which lets you connect the adjustment instrument to a tripod leg.
You simply wish to keep in mind to carry this with you if you journey, in case a leg wants tightening up if you’re within the area.
Lastly, while the addition of the bubble degree is appreciated, the sunshine colour and means 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.
Truthfully, most cameras and smartphones lately have a built-in degree function anyway, so I not often use the bubble degree on a tripod, however I wished to say it in case it was vital to you.
Total, I positively loved utilizing this tripod within the area, and it has earned a spot in my pictures bag for positive.
Peak Design Journey Tripod Professionals and Cons
Having lined my expertise utilizing the Peak Design journey tripod within the area I wished to share a fast rundown of what I felt to be the primary professionals and cons of this tripod from a journey pictures perspective.
Professionals
- Light-weight, even the aluminum model
- Folds down very small
- Works properly 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
Total,l I positively assume it’s a great journey tripod. The primary draw back is the 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 feel most individuals can be pleased with the aluminum mannequin because the options are the identical.
Peak Design Journey Tripod Alternate options
Whenever you begin researching tripods, you’ll rapidly be taught that there are a fantastic many tripods in the marketplace, and truthfully, it may be arduous to inform them aside.
The primary selections will come all the way down to how a lot you wish to spend and the way vital specs like most load capability, most peak, minimal peak, folded peak and so forth. are to you.
Most tripods mess around with these specs, so it is best to be capable to discover the proper tripod for you. I wished to spotlight a couple of choices to think about, and you may see extra choices in our information to one of the best journey tripods.
Gitzo Traveler Collection
Any comparability of tripods, particularly high-end tripods, goes to incorporate point out of Gitzo. These are typically thought to be a few of the greatest tripods in the marketplace, though they have an inclination to return 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 honest to match it towards a tripod of this caliber.
There are fairly a couple of tripods within the Gitzo Traveler collection. I’d say probably the most comparable mannequin can be the Gitzo Traveler, collection 1, 5 part tripod.
This carbon fiber tripod has a most peak 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 peak, weighs barely extra, and has a barely decrease most peak.
Vanguard VEO 3 GO 235CB or 265HCB
A fast observe, I’m a Vanguard Ambassador and have been since 2014, and I’ve used numerous their gear over time, a lot of which I’ve additionally reviewed.
I feel their merchandise supply lots, and I’ve been very pleased with their gear in use all over the world.
The 2 primary tripods I feel they presently produce which you would possibly 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 peak, but additionally weighs extra and doesn’t fold up as small. It’s additionally greater than twice as costly. One to think about when you have a smaller setup that received’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 peak, 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 obtainable 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 means to economize on a journey tripod is to decide on an aluminum mannequin over a carbon fiber one.
In case you’re on this product, or any of the opposite Vanguard merchandise, it can save you cash utilizing our unique Vanguard low cost code. This provides you with 20% off all the things 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?
Truthfully, solely you’ll be able to reply this query! Nonetheless, having used it for quite a few months I can positively say that it’s a well-made tripod. It really works very properly and has sufficient intelligent design options to make it stand out in a really crowded market.
Whenever you add up all of the little further issues like the good bag, smartphone holder, and compatibility with different Peak Design merchandise, it finally ends up as a very well-rounded product.
In fact, there are lots of different tripods in the marketplace at different worth factors, however I don’t assume you may be upset for those who resolve to go for it.
You should purchase 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 evaluate 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’ll discover helpful.
- Our evaluate of the Vanguard VEO 2 265CB tripod after three years of normal use.
- A evaluate of the Vanguard VEO 2Go 265HCBM, the VEO 3+ 263AB and the VEO 3T+ 264CB.
- We now have 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 now have a information to use a compact digicam, use a DSLR digicam, and use a mirrorless digicam. We even have a information to how a DSLR works
- Figuring out compose a fantastic photograph is a key pictures talent. See our information to composition in pictures for plenty of tips about this topic
- We now have a information to what depth of area is and if you would wish to use it.
- We’re huge followers of getting probably the most out of your digital photograph recordsdata, and do to that you will want to shoot in RAW. See our information to RAW in pictures to know what RAW is, and why it is best to swap to RAW as quickly as you’ll be able to 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 one of the best laptops for photograph enhancing for some tips about what to search for.
- In case you’re in search of extra recommendation on particular ideas for various situations, we additionally have you ever lined. See our information to Northern Lights pictures, lengthy publicity pictures, fireworks pictures, ideas for taking photographs of stars, and chilly climate pictures.
- In case you’re in search of a fantastic present for a pictures loving good friend or member of the family (or your self!), check out our pictures present information,
- In case you’re out there for a brand new digicam, we’ve got an in depth information to the greatest journey cameras, in addition to particular guides for the greatest cameras for mountaineering 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 would like 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?
In case you discovered this submit useful, and also you wish to enhance your pictures total, you would possibly wish to try my on-line journey pictures course.
Since launching the course in 2016, I’ve already helped over 2,000 college students learn to take higher photographs. The course covers just about all the things you could know, from the fundamentals of how a digicam works, via to composition, mild, and photograph enhancing.
It additionally covers extra superior subjects, together with astrophotography, lengthy publicity pictures, flash pictures, and HDR pictures.
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 will get suggestions in your work and participate in common challenges.
It’s obtainable for an incredible one-off worth for lifetime entry, and I feel it is best to test it out. Which you are able to do by clicking right here.
Be aware: We have been despatched this product at no cost to see how we preferred it. I selected to put in writing this evaluate primarily based alone private opinion of the tripod after utilizing it for some time. All opinions are our personal.
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