As an expert journey photographer, I’ve used plenty of journey tripods over time, together with fashions from Manfrotto and Vanguard.
As we speak, I’m going to be reviewing Peak Design’s journey tripod, which I’ve been utilizing within the discipline 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 in style luggage.
My expertise up to now with their merchandise has been very optimistic, they’re properly made and backed by a wonderful guarantee and assist 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 Evaluation
Peak Design launched their journey tripod (through Kickstarter) in 2019, with basic availability coming in 2020. This was their first and is presently solely tripod.
It’s now been available on the market for a while, and I believed it was about time I gave it an excellent check and overview. Let’s begin with the specs.
Peak Design Journey Tripod Specs
There are two variants of the Peak Design journey tripod available on the market in the intervening time, an aluminum mannequin and a carbon fiber mannequin.
The one distinction between the 2 is the fabric in use, which impacts the burden (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 heart column raised – 60″ (152.2cm)
- Max top heart 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 most recent costs and purchase it direct from Peak Design right here, on Amazon right here, and from B&H Picture 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 number of further 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 mainly 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 plenty of journey tripods over time, 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 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 straightforward. You may as well lock your digicam into place with the flip of a toggle, which supplies nice peace of thoughts.
One other neat function is the combination of a telephone head mount. This lives inside the middle column, and has a quick-release mechanism for straightforward set up.
It then attaches on to the tripod mounting plate and means that you can use your tripod along with your smartphone. This could work with just about any smartphone available on the market in the present day.
It’s a pleasant worth add and can also be properly designed and durable.
One very last thing I needed to focus on is the carrying case. That is usually an afterthought with tripods, if you happen to even get one in any respect.
Properly, Peak Design is thought for his or her luggage and their tripod case is beautiful. 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 primary options. What is that this tripod like to truly use in the true world? Let’s discover out.
Peak Design Journey Tripod – Ideas on Actual World Use
I desire to do a overview primarily based on actual world expertise, so I traveled with the Peak Design journey tripod as my predominant tripod for a number of months to see the way it carried out within the discipline.
As this can be a journey tripod, I count on it to be one thing I can carry with me when mountain climbing, so I took it with me on a lot of hikes up varied 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 thinking about. First, it needs to be light-weight, as a result of nobody needs to hold greater than they should.
This tripod undoubtedly 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 mountain climbing, I don’t need to have to spend so much of time placing a tripod up and down at any time when I see a possibility for a shot.
The Peak Design journey tripod undoubtedly 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.
Nevertheless, 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 at all times do as properly 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 typically get in the best way of straightforward attachment to the tripod head. Clearly, this being a Peak Design tripod, that subject has been thought by means of, and the digicam simply attaches to the tripod head even with the strap nonetheless connected.
There’s additionally a useful locking mechanism on the tripod head that makes it straightforward to make sure the digicam is correctly connected to the tripod head.
In fact, any tripod is just price its salt if it truly gives a steady platform for taking pictures 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 needed, even the lengthy publicity photographs the place the tiniest motion can damage every thing.
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. Nevertheless, it’s a must to partially prolong the central column (round an inch), to get full motion.
Earlier than I received used to the tripod, I’d attempt to transfer the top to the place I needed, 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 onerous, 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 essential, particularly if you happen to plan on doing any astrophotography or Northern Lights pictures, as you would possibly must function the tripod in very darkish circumstances the place you’re working by really feel.
So that’s plenty of optimistic issues. Are there are points I encountered? Properly, sure.
The principle draw back I found, which is the primary damaging of this tripod, is a scarcity of separate pan and tilt controls.
While you loosen the management ring to regulate the top, you may transfer the digicam up, down, left, and proper. Nevertheless, you may’t pan or tilt individually.
So, for instance, you probably have your shot framed virtually completely, however need to shift the view a number of levels to the left, it’s a must to watch out to not tilt the digicam up or down on the identical time.
This additionally makes duties like taking pictures 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, truthfully, whether or not or not this can be a large deal will rely loads on the images you wish to take. For those who take plenty of panoramas, then this can seemingly be an even bigger subject.
The excellent news is that the management ring additionally controls the friction, that means you may loosen it solely a little bit after which simply watch out as you progress the digicam, with friction in your aspect to forestall undesirable actions on the unsuitable axis.
Nevertheless, with a heavy digicam setup it may be difficult to solely transfer in a single path.
The opposite factor to remember is that over time the flip locks on the tripod leg sections can develop into unfastened, that means that the legs don’t keep prolonged. That is simply an total subject 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 software to regulate the leg flip lock tightness, in addition to a useful clip which lets you connect the adjustment software to a tripod leg.
You simply need to keep in mind to convey this with you if you journey, in case a leg wants tightening up if you’re within the discipline.
Lastly, while the addition of the bubble degree is appreciated, the sunshine colour 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.
Truthfully, most cameras and smartphones as of late have a built-in degree function 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 undoubtedly loved utilizing this tripod within the discipline, and it has earned a spot in my pictures bag for positive.
Peak Design Journey Tripod Execs and Cons
Having coated my expertise utilizing the Peak Design journey tripod within the discipline I needed to share a fast rundown of what I felt to be the primary execs and cons of this tripod from a journey pictures perspective.
Execs
- 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 undoubtedly assume it’s an excellent journey tripod. The principle draw back is the associated fee is fairly excessive, particularly if you’re contemplating the carbon fiber mannequin, which prices much more however solely provides 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
While you begin researching tripods, you’re going to shortly be taught that there are an amazing many tripods available on the market, and truthfully, it may be onerous to inform them aside.
The principle choices will come right down to how a lot you need to spend and the way essential 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 you must be capable to discover the right tripod for you. I needed to focus on a number of choices to think about, and you’ll 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 usually thought to be a few of the greatest tripods available on the market, 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 price range mannequin, so I really feel it’s honest to check it in opposition to a tripod of this caliber.
There are fairly a number of tripods within the Gitzo Traveler collection. I’d say essentially the most comparable mannequin can be the Gitzo Traveler, collection 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 word, I’m a Vanguard Ambassador and have been since 2014, and I’ve used plenty of their gear over time, a lot of which I’ve additionally reviewed.
I feel their merchandise supply loads, and I’ve been very pleased with their gear in use around the globe.
The 2 predominant tripods I feel they presently 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 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 additionally weighs extra and doesn’t fold up as small. It’s additionally greater than twice as costly. One to think about you probably 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 the same load score and a decrease most top, 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 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 economize on a journey tripod is to decide on an aluminum mannequin over a carbon fiber one.
For those who’re on this product, or any of the opposite Vanguard merchandise, it can save you cash utilizing our unique Vanguard low cost code. This offers you 20% off every thing within the Vanguard retailer.
Simply use the code FindingTheUniverse in 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?
Truthfully, solely you may reply this query! Nevertheless, having used it for a lot of months I can undoubtedly 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.
While you add up all of the little additional issues like the great bag, smartphone holder, and compatibility with different Peak Design merchandise, it finally ends up as a very well-rounded product.
In fact, there are numerous different tripods available on the market at different worth factors, however I don’t assume you’ll be disenchanted if you happen to determine 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 overview 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 predict you will see that helpful.
- Our overview of the Vanguard VEO 2 265CB tripod after three years of standard use.
- A overview 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 tips on how to use a compact digicam, tips on how to use a DSLR digicam, and tips on how to use a mirrorless digicam. We even have a information to how a DSLR works
- Realizing tips on how to compose an amazing photograph is a key pictures ability. See our information to composition in pictures for plenty of tips about this topic
- We’ve a information to what depth of discipline is and if you would need to use it.
- We’re large followers of getting essentially 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 grasp what RAW is, and why you must change 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.
- For those who’re on the lookout for extra recommendation on particular ideas for various eventualities, we additionally have you ever coated. See our information to Northern Lights pictures, lengthy publicity pictures, fireworks pictures, ideas for taking images of stars, and chilly climate pictures.
- For those who’re on the lookout for an amazing reward for a pictures loving buddy or member of the family (or your self!), check out our pictures reward information,
- For those who’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 mountain 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 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 price range financial savings choices.
Trying to Enhance Your Pictures?
For those who discovered this publish useful, and also you need to enhance your pictures total, you would possibly need 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 images. The course covers just about every thing you want to know, from the fundamentals of how a digicam works, by means of to composition, mild, and photograph modifying.
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 out there for an incredible one-off worth for lifetime entry, and I feel you must test it out. Which you are able to do by clicking right here.
Observe: We have been despatched this product at no cost to see how we favored it. I selected to write down this overview primarily based by myself private opinion of the tripod after utilizing it for some time. All opinions are our personal.