As an expert journey photographer, I’ve used lots of journey tripods over time, together with fashions from Manfrotto and Vanguard.
Right now, 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 truly been a fan of Peak Design’s merchandise for a very long time. They make a spread of pictures equipment, and I significantly like their carry strap system which I’ve been utilizing for years on my cameras. Additionally they have a spread of standard baggage.
My expertise up to now with their merchandise has been very constructive, they’re effectively 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 certainly one of their journey tripods for the primary time.
Peak Design Journey Tripod Overview
Peak Design launched their journey tripod (by way of Kickstarter) in 2019, with basic availability coming in 2020. This was their first and is at the moment solely tripod.
It’s now been in the marketplace for a while, and I assumed it was about time I gave it an excellent take a look at 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 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 burden (and value!). All the opposite specs are the identical. Right here’s a fast overview of the principle specs.
- Load capability – 20lbs (9.1kg)
- Max peak heart column raised – 60″ (152.2cm)
- Max peak heart 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 value of the aluminum mannequin is $379.95, and the carbon fiber mannequin is $599.95. You evaluate the most recent costs and purchase it direct from Peak Design right here, on Amazon right here, and from B&H Photograph right here.
This tripod definitely suits what we search for in a journey tripod, which is a mix of portability and an excellent load capability.
In addition to the uncooked numbers, there are a couple of extra options of the Peak Design journey tripod I needed to focus on.
First, the tripod is designed from the bottom as much as be tremendous moveable. The principle method that is achieved is with the top design, which could 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 heart column additionally all contribute to permitting this tripod to fold down actually small.
I’ve used lots of journey tripods over time, and this one is certainly the most effective 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 good. 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 simple. It’s also possible to lock your digicam into place with the flip of a toggle, which supplies nice peace of thoughts.
One other neat characteristic is the combination of a telephone 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 right now.
It’s a pleasant worth add and can also be effectively designed and durable.
One final thing I needed to focus on is the carrying case. That is typically an afterthought with tripods, should you even get one in any respect.
Nicely, Peak Design is understood for his or her baggage and their tripod case is gorgeous. It seems 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 suitable with the Peak Design carry system.
Okay, so these are the principle options. What is that this tripod like to really use in the true 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 fundamental tripod for a number of months to see the way it carried out within the subject.
As this can be a journey tripod, I anticipate it to be one thing I can carry with me when climbing, so I took it with me on a variety 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.
After I’m testing a journey tripod, there are some things I’m excited by. First, it must be light-weight, as a result of nobody needs to hold greater than they should.
This tripod positively meets that requirement, even the aluminum model is gentle 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 simple the tripod is to arrange and put away. After I’m climbing, 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 effectively. I’m usually not an enormous fan of flip-lock legs as they’ll catch on my digicam bag when organising and placing away.
Nonetheless, on this case they’re effectively designed in order that doesn’t occur, they usually make arrange and put down a breeze.
The way in which the digicam attaches to the top additionally works effectively. That is one thing that different tripods don’t at all times do as effectively 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 simple attachment to the tripod head. Clearly, this being a Peak Design tripod, that challenge has been thought via, and the digicam simply attaches to the tripod head even with the strap nonetheless hooked up.
There’s additionally a helpful locking mechanism on the tripod head that makes it simple to make sure the digicam is correctly hooked up to the tripod head.
In fact, any tripod is barely value its salt if it truly 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 effectively. I additionally used it with my extra regular panorama wide-angle lens, and even with the smartphone adaptor.
Throughout, this tripod carried out very effectively and let me get the photographs I needed, even the lengthy publicity photographs the place the tiniest motion can smash 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 obtained used to the tripod, I’d attempt to transfer the top to the place I needed, however not be capable of 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 exhausting, however it’s a further 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 simple and intuitive when you get used to it. That is actually essential, particularly should you plan on doing any astrophotography or Northern Lights pictures, as you would possibly must function the tripod in very darkish situations the place you’re working by really feel.
So that’s lots of constructive issues. Are there are points I encountered? Nicely, sure.
The principle draw back I found, which is the principle unfavorable of this tripod, is an absence of separate pan and tilt controls.
If you loosen the management ring to regulate the top, you may transfer the digicam up, down, left, and proper. Nonetheless, you may’t pan or tilt individually.
So, for instance, in case you have your shot framed nearly 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 may pan independently of the lean management.
Now, actually, whether or not or not this can be a massive deal will rely rather a lot on the images you prefer to take. If you happen to take lots of panoramas, then it will possible be an even bigger challenge.
The excellent news is that the management ring additionally controls the friction, that means you may 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 improper axis.
Nonetheless, with a heavy digicam setup it may be difficult to solely transfer in a single path.
The opposite factor to keep in mind is that over time the flip locks on the tripod leg sections can grow to be 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 could 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 helpful clip which lets you connect the adjustment instrument to a tripod leg.
You simply wish to keep in mind to convey this with you if you journey, in case a leg wants tightening up if you’re within the subject.
Lastly, while the addition of the bubble degree is appreciated, the sunshine coloration and method it’s positioned signifies that my digicam covers most of it up, making it tough to see and never very helpful as soon as my digicam is about up.
Actually, most cameras and smartphones today have a built-in degree characteristic anyway, so I not often use the bubble degree on a tripod, however I needed to say it in case it was essential to you.
Total, I positively loved utilizing this tripod within the subject, and it has earned a spot in my pictures bag for certain.
Peak Design Journey Tripod Professionals and Cons
Having coated my expertise utilizing the Peak Design journey tripod within the subject I needed to share a fast rundown of what I felt to be the principle professionals and cons of this tripod from a journey pictures perspective.
Professionals
- Light-weight, even the aluminum model
- Folds down very small
- Works effectively 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 simple panning management
- Some constraint on portrait orientation shot
Total,l I positively suppose it’s an excellent journey tripod. The principle draw back is the price is fairly excessive, particularly in case you are contemplating the carbon fiber mannequin, which prices much more however solely affords a modest lower in weight.
I believe most individuals can be proud of the aluminum mannequin because the options are the identical.
Peak Design Journey Tripod Options
If you begin researching tripods, you will shortly study that there are an ideal many tripods in the marketplace, and actually, it may be exhausting to inform them aside.
The principle selections will come all the way down to how a lot you wish to spend and the way essential 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 you must be capable of discover the right tripod for you. I needed to focus on a couple of choices to think about, and you may see extra choices in our information to the greatest journey tripods.
Gitzo Traveler Sequence
Any comparability of tripods, particularly high-end tripods, goes to incorporate point out of Gitzo. These are typically considered among 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 price range 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 value 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 be aware, I’m a Vanguard Ambassador and have been since 2014, and I’ve used lots of their gear over time, lots of which I’ve additionally reviewed.
I believe their merchandise supply rather a lot, and I’ve been very proud of their gear in use world wide.
The 2 fundamental tripods I believe they at the moment produce which you would possibly contemplate as a substitute 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 value 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 value of $269.99.
The carbon fiber variant of the Peak Design tripod has a a lot increased load score and a better 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 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 value of $339.99.
The carbon fiber variant of the Peak Design tripod has the same load score and a decrease most peak, however weighs much less and folds up a bit smaller. It’s almost 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 a better weight.
The aluminum VEO 3 Go 235AB retails for $219.99, and the aluminum VEO 3 Go 265HAB retails for $269.99. Typically the best method to economize 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 gives you 20% off all the things within the Vanguard retailer.
Simply use the code FindingTheUniverse to your low cost! This Vanguard low cost code works within the Vanguard USA, UK, Australia, Spain, and Germany shops.
Do you have to Purchase the Peak Design Journey Tripod?
Actually, solely you may reply this query! Nonetheless, having used it for a variety of months I can positively say that it’s a well-made tripod. It really works very effectively and has sufficient intelligent design options to make it stand out in a really crowded market.
If 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 extremely well-rounded product.
In fact, there are lots of different tripods in the marketplace at different value factors, however I don’t suppose you may be disillusioned should you determine to go for it.
You should buy it direct from Peak Design right here, on Amazon right here, and from B&H Photograph 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 needed to share a few of our different content material which we expect you will see that 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.
- Now we 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
- Now we have a information to methods to use a compact digicam, methods to use a DSLR digicam, and methods to use a mirrorless digicam. We even have a information to how a DSLR works
- Figuring out methods to compose an ideal photograph is a key pictures talent. See our information to composition in pictures for many tips about this topic
- Now we have a information to what depth of subject is and if you would wish to use it.
- We’re massive followers of getting probably 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 pictures to know what RAW is, and why you must swap to RAW as quickly as you may in case your digicam helps it.
- You’re going to wish one thing to run your photograph modifying software program on. See our information to the most effective laptops for photograph modifying for some tips about what to search for.
- If you happen to’re in search of extra recommendation on particular suggestions for various eventualities, we additionally have you ever coated. See our information to Northern Lights pictures, lengthy publicity pictures, fireworks pictures, suggestions for taking images of stars, and chilly climate pictures.
- If you happen to’re in search of an ideal present for a pictures loving pal or member of the family (or your self!), check out our pictures present information,
- If you happen to’re out there for a brand new digicam, we now have 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’d 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 price range financial savings choices.
Seeking to Enhance Your Pictures?
If you happen to discovered this submit useful, and also you wish to enhance your pictures total, you would possibly wish to take a look at 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 images. The course covers just about all the things you must know, from the fundamentals of how a digicam works, via to composition, gentle, and photograph modifying.
It additionally covers extra superior matters, 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 may get suggestions in your work and participate in common challenges.
It’s out there for a tremendous one-off value for lifetime entry, and I believe you must 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 jot down this evaluate primarily based alone private opinion of the tripod after utilizing it for some time. All opinions are our personal.