Peak Design Journey Tripod Evaluate

As an expert journey photographer, I’ve used numerous journey tripods through the years, together with fashions from Manfrotto and Vanguard.

Right this 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 spread of images equipment, and I notably like their carry strap system which I’ve been utilizing for years on my cameras. You’ll be able to see my Peak Design digicam strap assessment right here. In addition they have a spread of well-liked baggage.

My expertise to this point 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 one among their journey tripods for the primary time.

Peak Design Journey Tripod Evaluate

Peak Design launched their journey tripod (through Kickstarter) in 2019, with common 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 believed it was about time I gave it check and assessment. 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 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 primary 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 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 definitely suits what we search for in a journey tripod, which is a mix of portability and 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 transportable. The principle approach that is achieved is with the pinnacle design, which could be very compact. The ball head mainly suits flush into the tripod when packed away and takes up barely any house.

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 numerous journey tripods through the years, and this one is certainly among the best 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 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 characteristic is the mixing 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 means that you can use your tripod along with your smartphone. This could work with just about any smartphone in the marketplace immediately.

It’s a pleasant worth add and can also be effectively designed and durable.

One very last thing I wished to spotlight is the carrying case. That is usually an afterthought with tripods, in case you 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 suits 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 really use in the true world? Let’s discover out.

Peak Design Journey Tripod – Ideas on Actual World Use

I desire to do a assessment primarily based 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 count on it to be one thing I can carry with me when mountaineering, so I took it with me on a lot 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.

Once I’m testing a journey tripod, there are some things I’m taken with. First, it must be light-weight, as a result of nobody desires to hold greater than they should.

This tripod undoubtedly meets that requirement, even the aluminum model is mild sufficient that I don’t need to assume twice about including it to my gear for a visit.

The following 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 undoubtedly 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 establishing and placing away.

Nevertheless, on this case they’re effectively 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 pinnacle additionally works effectively. That is one thing that different tripods don’t all the time do as effectively 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 situation 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 helpful locking mechanism on the tripod head that makes it straightforward to make sure the digicam is correctly connected to the tripod head.

After all, any tripod is just value its salt if it really supplies a secure 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 wished, even the lengthy publicity photographs the place the tiniest motion can smash every thing.

The ultimate factor I would like 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, you must partially prolong the central column (round an inch), to get full motion.

Earlier than I received used to the tripod, I might attempt to transfer the pinnacle to the place I wished, however not be capable to as a result of the pinnacle 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 pinnacle is prolonged, adjusting the pinnacle is simple. It’s a ball-style design, and to regulate the angle of the pinnacle 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 necessary, particularly in case you plan on doing any astrophotography or Northern Lights images, as you would possibly must function the tripod in very darkish situations the place you might be working by really feel.

So that’s numerous constructive issues. Are there are points I encountered? Nicely, sure.

The principle draw back I found, which is the primary detrimental of this tripod, is an absence of separate pan and tilt controls.

If you loosen the management ring to regulate the pinnacle, you possibly can transfer the digicam up, down, left, and proper. Nevertheless, you possibly can’t pan or tilt individually.

So, for instance, when you have your shot framed virtually completely, however wish to shift the view just a few 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, provide separate pan and tilt controls, so you possibly can pan independently of the lean management.

Now, truthfully, whether or not or not this can be a large deal will rely so much on the pictures you wish to take. Should you take numerous panoramas, then this may seemingly 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 slightly after which simply watch out as you progress the digicam, with friction in your facet to forestall undesirable actions on the improper axis.

Nevertheless, with a heavy digicam setup it may be difficult to solely transfer in a single course.

The opposite factor to remember 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 situation 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 software to regulate the leg flip lock tightness, in addition to a helpful clip which lets you connect the adjustment software to a tripod leg.

You simply wish to keep in mind to convey 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 degree is appreciated, the sunshine coloration and approach 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.

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 wished to say it in case it was necessary to you.

Total, I undoubtedly loved utilizing this tripod within the area, and it has earned a spot in my images 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 images 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 straightforward panning management
• Some constraint on portrait orientation shot

Total,l I undoubtedly assume it’s journey tripod. The principle draw back is the price 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

If you begin researching tripods, you will shortly be taught that there are an awesome many tripods in the marketplace, and truthfully, it may be arduous to inform them aside.

The principle choices will come all the way down to how a lot you wish to spend and the way necessary 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 to discover the proper tripod for you. I wished to spotlight just a few 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 typically considered a few of the greatest tripods in the marketplace, though they have an inclination to come back 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 in opposition to a tripod of this caliber.

There are fairly just a few tripods within the Gitzo Traveler sequence. I’d say essentially the most comparable mannequin can be the Gitzo Traveler, sequence 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 numerous their gear through the years, lots of which I’ve additionally reviewed.

I feel their merchandise provide so much, and I’ve been very pleased with their gear in use all over the world.

The 2 major tripods I feel they presently produce which you would possibly think about 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 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 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 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 analogous load ranking 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 accessible 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 best approach to economize on a journey tripod is to decide on an aluminum mannequin over a carbon fiber one.

Should 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 offers you 20% off every thing 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.

Must you Purchase the Peak Design Journey Tripod?

Actually, solely you possibly can 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 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 additional issues like the good bag, smartphone holder, and compatibility with different Peak Design merchandise, it finally ends up as a very well-rounded product.

After all, there are various different tripods in the marketplace at different value factors, however I don’t assume you may be disenchanted in case 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 assessment 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 will see helpful.

• I’ve a assessment of the Peak Design digicam strap system
• Our assessment of the Vanguard VEO 2 265CB tripod after three years of standard use.
• A assessment 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 easy methods to use a compact digicam, easy methods to use a DSLR digicam, and easy methods to use a mirrorless digicam. We even have a information to how a DSLR works
• Realizing easy methods to compose an awesome photograph is a key images ability. See our information to composition in images for plenty of tips about this topic
• We now have a information to what depth of area is and whenever you would wish 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 images to know what RAW is, and why you must swap to RAW as quickly as you possibly can in case your digicam helps it.
• You’re going to want 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.
• Should you’re on the lookout for extra recommendation on particular ideas for various situations, we additionally have you ever lined. See our information to Northern Lights images, lengthy publicity images, fireworks images, ideas for taking pictures of stars, and chilly climate images.
• Should you’re on the lookout for an awesome present for a images loving buddy or member of the family (or your self!), check out our images present information,
• Should you’re available in the market for a brand new digicam, 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 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 funds financial savings choices.