Peak Design Travel Tripod Review

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

In the present day, 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. In addition they have a spread of common luggage.

My expertise so far with their merchandise has been very optimistic, they’re effectively made and backed by a wonderful guarantee and help program. Let’s see if that high quality has prolonged to their journey tripod. I’ll share my ideas on utilizing considered one of their journey tripods for the primary time.

Peak Design Journey Tripod Overview

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 available on the market for a while, and I believed it was about time I gave it a very good 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 mean 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 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 evaluate 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 suits what we search for in a journey tripod, which is a mix of portability and a very good load capability.

In addition to the uncooked numbers, there are a number of extra options of the Peak Design journey tripod I needed to spotlight.

First, the tripod is designed from the bottom as much as be tremendous moveable. The principle means 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 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 loads 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 sensible. 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 simple. You can too lock your digital camera into place with the flip of a toggle, which provides nice peace of thoughts.

One other neat function is the mixing 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 permits you to use your tripod along with your smartphone. This could work with just about any smartphone available on the market at present.

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

One final thing I needed to spotlight is the carrying case. That is usually an afterthought with tripods, in the event you even get one in any respect.

Properly, Peak Design is thought for his or her luggage and their tripod case is gorgeous. It seems to be 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 choose to do a overview primarily based on actual world expertise, so I traveled with the Peak Design journey tripod as my most important tripod for a number of months to see the way it carried out within the discipline.

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 various 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.

After I’m testing a journey tripod, there are some things I’m focused on. First, it must 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 suppose twice about including it to my gear for a visit.

The following factor I search for is how simple the tripod is to arrange and put away. After I’m climbing, I don’t need 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 will catch on my digital camera bag when establishing 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 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 digital camera base plate can typically get in the best way of simple attachment to the tripod head. Clearly, this being a Peak Design tripod, that subject has been thought by way of, and the digital camera 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 simple to make sure the digital camera is correctly connected to the tripod head.

In fact, any tripod is barely price its salt if it truly supplies a secure platform for taking pictures 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 needed, even the lengthy publicity photographs the place the tiniest motion can damage every part.

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 important to partially lengthen 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 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 exhausting, 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 simple and intuitive when you get used to it. That is actually necessary, particularly in the event you plan on doing any astrophotography or Northern Lights pictures, as you would possibly have to function the tripod in very darkish situations the place you’re working by really feel.

So that’s loads of optimistic issues. Are there are points I encountered? Properly, sure.

The principle draw back I found, which is the primary adverse 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 digital camera 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 need to shift the view a number of levels to the left, it’s important to watch out to not tilt the digital camera up or down on the similar 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 so much on the pictures you prefer to take. If you happen to take loads of panoramas, then it will doubtless be a much bigger subject.

The excellent news is that the management ring additionally controls the friction, which means you may loosen it solely a bit of after which simply watch out as you progress the digital camera, with friction in your facet to forestall undesirable actions on the unsuitable axis.

Nonetheless, with a heavy digital camera setup it may be difficult to solely transfer in a single course.

The opposite factor to keep in mind is that over time the flip locks on the tripod leg sections can develop into unfastened, which means that the legs don’t keep prolonged. That is simply an general subject 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 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 need to bear in mind to deliver this with you while you journey, in case a leg wants tightening up while you’re within the discipline.

Lastly, while the addition of the bubble stage is appreciated, the sunshine shade and means it’s positioned signifies 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 ready up.

Actually, most cameras and smartphones nowadays have a built-in stage function anyway, so I hardly ever use the bubble stage on a tripod, however I needed to say it in case it was necessary 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 Professionals and Cons

Having lined 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 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 undoubtedly suppose it’s a very good 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 Alternate options

While you begin researching tripods, you’re going to shortly study that there are an ideal many tripods available on the market, and truthfully, it may be exhausting to inform them aside.

The principle selections will come right down to how a lot you need to spend and the way necessary specs like most load capability, most peak, minimal peak, folded peak and so on. are to you.

Most tripods mess around with these specs, so you must be capable to discover the proper tripod for you. I needed to spotlight a number of choices to contemplate, and you’ll see extra choices in our information to one of the best journey tripods.

Gitzo Traveler Sequence

Any comparability of tripods, particularly high-end tripods, goes to incorporate point out of Gitzo. These are usually considered a few of the greatest tripods available on the market, 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 check it in opposition to a tripod of this caliber.

There are fairly a number of tripods within the Gitzo Traveler sequence. I’d say probably the most comparable mannequin could 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 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 notice, I’m a Vanguard Ambassador and have been since 2014, and I’ve used loads of their gear through the years, lots of which I’ve additionally reviewed.

I feel their merchandise supply so much, and I’ve been very proud of their gear in use all over the world.

The 2 most important tripods I feel they presently produce which you would possibly take into account 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 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 larger load score and the next most peak, but in addition weighs extra and doesn’t fold up as small. It’s additionally greater than twice as costly. One to contemplate in case 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 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 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 save cash 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 every part 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.

Do you have to Purchase the Peak Design Journey Tripod?

Actually, solely you may reply this query! Nonetheless, having used it for various 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.

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 extremely well-rounded product.

In fact, there are various different tripods available on the market at different worth factors, however I don’t suppose you’ll be upset in the event you resolve to go for it.

You should buy 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 can find helpful.

Our overview of the Vanguard VEO 2 265CB tripod after three years of normal use.
A overview 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 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
Realizing how you can compose an ideal picture is a key pictures talent. See our information to composition in pictures for plenty of recommendations on this topic
We now have a information to what depth of discipline is and while you would need to use it.
We’re large followers of getting probably the most out of your digital picture information, and do to that you’ll want to shoot in RAW. See our information to RAW in pictures to grasp what RAW is, and why you must swap to RAW as quickly as you may in case your digital camera helps it.
You’re going to wish one thing to run your picture enhancing software program on. See our information to one of the best laptops for picture enhancing for some recommendations on what to search for.
If you happen to’re in search of 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.
If you happen to’re in search of an ideal present for a pictures loving good friend or member of the family (or your self!), check out our pictures present information,
If you happen to’re available in the market for a brand new digital camera, now we 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 digital camera, greatest mirrorless digital camera and greatest DSLR digital camera. We even have a information to the greatest digital camera lenses.
If you need 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 funds financial savings choices.

Seeking to Enhance Your Pictures?

If you happen to 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 learn to take higher pictures. The course covers just about every part it is advisable know, from the fundamentals of how a digital camera works, by way of to composition, mild, and picture enhancing.

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 accessible for a tremendous 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 without spending a dime to see how we appreciated it. I selected to jot down this overview primarily based by myself private opinion of the tripod after utilizing it for some time. All opinions are our personal.