As knowledgeable journey photographer, I’ve used a variety 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 area 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 variety of pictures equipment, and I significantly like their carry strap system which I’ve been utilizing for years on my cameras. You possibly can see my Peak Design digital camera strap overview right here. In addition they have a variety of in style baggage.
My expertise thus far with their merchandise has been very optimistic, they’re effectively 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 Assessment
Peak Design launched their journey tripod (by way of Kickstarter) in 2019, with normal availability coming in 2020. This was their first and is at present solely tripod.
It’s now been available on the market for a while, and I assumed it was about time I gave it a great 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 meanwhile, an aluminum mannequin and a carbon fiber mannequin.
The one distinction between the 2 is the fabric in use, which impacts the load (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 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 value of the aluminum mannequin is $379.95, and the carbon fiber mannequin is $599.95. You examine 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 actually 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 just a few 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 principle manner that is achieved is with the top design, which could be very compact. The ball head principally matches flush into the tripod when packed away and takes up barely any house.
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 a variety of journey tripods through the years, and this one is unquestionably among the finest designs I’ve used by way of the way it packs away to take up a minimal quantity of house.
The ball head can also be fairly good. There’s an built-in bubble stage to make sure your digital camera is flat, and the flip lock design makes attaching and eradicating your digital camera very straightforward. You can even lock your digital camera 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 permits you to use your tripod together with your smartphone. This could work with just about any smartphone available on the market right now.
It’s a pleasant worth add and can also be effectively designed and durable.
One final thing I wished to spotlight is the carrying case. That is typically an afterthought with tripods, when 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 to be 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 principle 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 want to do a overview based mostly 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 area.
As this can be a journey tripod, I anticipate it to be one thing I can carry with me when mountaineering, so I took it with me on numerous 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 eager about. 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 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. After I’m mountaineering, 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 chance for a shot.
The Peak Design journey tripod positively works in that regard as effectively. I’m usually not a giant fan of flip-lock legs as they’ll catch on my digital camera 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 digital camera 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 digital camera base plate can typically get in the best way of straightforward attachment to the tripod head. Clearly, this being a Peak Design tripod, that situation has been thought via, and the digital camera 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 digital camera is correctly hooked up to the tripod head.
After all, any tripod is just price its salt if it truly supplies a secure platform for capturing from.
I’ve used it with a full-frame mirrorless digital camera 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 wished, even the lengthy publicity photographs the place the tiniest motion can spoil 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, it’s a must to partially lengthen 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 wished, however not have the ability 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 essential, particularly when 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 might be working by really feel.
So that’s a variety of optimistic issues. Are there are points I encountered? Nicely, sure.
The principle draw back I found, which is the principle unfavorable of this tripod, is a scarcity of separate pan and tilt controls.
Whenever you loosen the management ring to regulate the top, you possibly can transfer the digital camera up, down, left, and proper. Nonetheless, you possibly can’t pan or tilt individually.
So, for instance, when you’ve got your shot framed nearly completely, however need to shift the view just a few levels to the left, it’s a must to watch out to not tilt the digital camera 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 this can be a huge deal will rely quite a bit on the pictures you wish to take. For those who take a variety of panoramas, then this may doubtless be an even bigger situation.
The excellent news is that the management ring additionally controls the friction, that means you possibly can loosen it solely somewhat after which simply watch out as you progress the digital camera, with friction in your aspect to stop undesirable actions on the fallacious axis.
Nonetheless, with a heavy digital camera 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 general situation 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 device to regulate the leg flip lock tightness, in addition to a useful clip which lets you connect the adjustment device to a tripod leg.
You simply need to keep in mind to deliver this with you whenever you journey, in case a leg wants tightening up whenever you’re within the area.
Lastly, while the addition of the bubble stage is appreciated, the sunshine coloration and manner it’s positioned implies that my digital camera covers most of it up, making it troublesome to see and never very helpful as soon as my digital camera is about up.
Truthfully, most cameras and smartphones today 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 essential to you.
Total, I positively loved utilizing this tripod within the area, and it has earned a spot in my pictures bag for certain.
Peak Design Journey Tripod Execs 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 principle professionals and cons of this tripod from a journey pictures perspective.
Execs
- 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 straightforward panning management
- Some constraint on portrait orientation shot
Total,l I positively assume it’s a great 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 gives a modest lower in weight.
I feel most individuals could be proud of the aluminum mannequin because the options are the identical.
Peak Design Journey Tripod Options
Whenever you begin researching tripods, you will rapidly study that there are a terrific many tripods available on the market, and actually, it may be arduous 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 need to have the ability to discover the right tripod for you. I wished to spotlight just a few choices to contemplate, and you’ll see extra choices in our information to the greatest journey tripods.
Gitzo Traveler Collection
Any comparability of tripods, particularly high-end tripods, goes to incorporate point out of Gitzo. These are usually thought to be a number 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 finances mannequin, so I really feel it’s honest to match it towards a tripod of this caliber.
There are fairly just a few tripods within the Gitzo Traveler collection. I’d say probably the most comparable mannequin could 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 value 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 be aware, I’m a Vanguard Ambassador and have been since 2014, and I’ve used a variety of their gear through the years, a lot of which I’ve additionally reviewed.
I feel their merchandise supply quite a bit, and I’ve been very proud of their gear in use world wide.
The 2 major tripods I feel they at present produce which you would possibly contemplate as an alternative of the Peak Design Journey Tripod could 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 larger load ranking and a better most top, but in addition weighs extra and doesn’t fold up as small. It’s additionally greater than twice as costly. One to contemplate when you’ve got a smaller setup that gained’t problem the utmost load ranking.
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 an identical load ranking 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 accessible in aluminum, at a cheaper price 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. Usually the best manner 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 gives you 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 possibly can reply this query! Nonetheless, having used it for numerous 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.
Whenever 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.
After all, there are a lot of different tripods available on the market at different value factors, however I don’t assume you can be disenchanted when 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 overview 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.
- I’ve a overview of the Peak Design digital camera strap system
- 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 got 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 got a information to how you can use a compact digital camera, how you can use a DSLR digital camera, and how you can use a mirrorless digital camera. We even have a information to how a DSLR works
- Understanding how you can compose a terrific photograph is a key pictures ability. See our information to composition in pictures for plenty of tips about this topic
- We’ve got a information to what depth of area is and whenever you would need to use it.
- We’re huge 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 need to change to RAW as quickly as you possibly can in case your digital camera helps it.
- You’re going to wish one thing to run your photograph enhancing software program on. See our information to the perfect laptops for photograph enhancing for some tips about what to search for.
- For those who’re searching for extra recommendation on particular suggestions for various situations, we additionally have you ever lined. See our information to Northern Lights pictures, lengthy publicity pictures, fireworks pictures, suggestions for taking pictures of stars, and chilly climate pictures.
- For those who’re searching for a terrific present for a pictures loving buddy or member of the family (or your self!), check out our pictures present information,
- For those who’re out there for a brand new digital camera, we have now 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 digital camera, greatest mirrorless digital camera and greatest DSLR digital camera. We even have a information to the greatest digital camera lenses.
- In order for you a digital camera or lens, however the costs are a bit excessive, see our information to the place to purchase used cameras and digital camera gear for some finances financial savings choices.
Seeking to Enhance Your Pictures?
For those who discovered this submit useful, and also you need to enhance your pictures general, you would possibly need 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 discover ways to take higher pictures. The course covers just about all the things you have to know, from the fundamentals of how a digital camera 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 accessible for an incredible one-off value for lifetime entry, and I feel you need 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 overview based mostly by myself private opinion of the tripod after utilizing it for some time. All opinions are our personal.
