Saint Ansel said something along the lines of "Carry the largest tripod you can." Tripods are a bit like sensor/film real estate, bigger (heavier), while not always absolutely necessary, is usually better. It is telling that modern carbon tripods often have a hook on the center column (if you sacrilegiously use a center column) to hang weights to stabilize the tripod. Having said all that, I guess, some tripod is better than no tripod at all. I still have an aluminum 3 series Gitzo; it does not tend to leave the studio.
doc4x5 wrote:
Saint Ansel said something along the lines of "Carry the largest tripod you can." Tripods are a bit like sensor/film real estate, bigger (heavier), while not always absolutely necessary, is usually better. It is telling that modern carbon tripods often have a hook on the center column (if you sacrilegiously use a center column) to hang weights to stabilize the tripod. Having said all that, I guess, some tripod is better than no tripod at all. I still have an aluminum 3 series Gitzo; it does not tend to leave the studio.
Not challenging you I'm genuinely curious, why not use a center column?
taemo wrote:
never been a fan of PD either (I've had the original PD strap) and baffles me that a well established brand like theirs still rely on Kickstarter.
this tripod looks pretty good, I like the design but other than slight size saving, it doesn't offer anything world changer than my Sirui T-025X for travel. my sirui is also lighter and cost way less than this.
As far as the way the business appears to be run, from what you’ve said, I’d say it has to do, at least in part, to their location. San Francisco is the perfect location for their target audience and investors.
They have a really well engineered product IMHO that comes with a premium price. It’s worth whatever people are willing to pay. And around here, with literally everyone spending thousands into the tens of thousands of dollars on their photography gear, they know their target demographic is willing to spend more in order to have the best. It seems to me, to be a company that has done its research.
The flatter leg profile might not be good in windy condition. The sad thing is that none of the early previews actually looks into the actual tripod performance. I do like the look of it. I do have a Gitzo Traveler Series 0 that has been working really well for me. But if this design works well, they might just do a bigger version of it.
You can only use it with that tiny thin centre column extended? The most glaring error is the camera release, ball locking ring and camera release tab are all on top of each other in a direct line. Who on earth thought that would be a good idea?
twentysevenone wrote:
Not challenging you I'm genuinely curious, why not use a center column?
Generally speaking, an extended center column will be less stable than a tripod without. If a tripod can reach the desired height by extending the legs only, then there is no need for a center column.
A center column will obviously give the photographer more flexibility, but most of the expensive tripods don't come with one because those photographers purchase them based on the maximum extendable height (typically, the height of the photographer's eyes).
So, at that point, a center column will only be useful in specific scenarios (e.g., uneven ground), and it would add more weight to the tripod.
I usually like PD stuff, but that tripod is bigger and heavier than my Sirui that cost half the price. If it were truly small I would be tempted. I do like the leg locks design on the PD.
Tony makes a few good points about the shortcomings of this tripod. I'm in the market for a decent tripod but although I think this has some nice design touches, I still think the Manfrotto befree sony tripods appeal more to me right now
Very interesting to read your thoughts on this, most match mine I guess.
My concerns (from big to small):
a) center column does look a bit flimsy
b) you have to extend that center column at least a bit to be able to use the ballhead
c) no rotator on ballhead for taking a very simple one row pano (all my heads have that by now)
d) not sure that shape of the legs is such a great idea, for anything under axial load a hollow circle is the optimal shape
e) these lever locks in combination with sand and seawater, we will see how that goes
No denying it does look cool.
For that reason I also bought the backpack, but honestly, it looks better than it works.
Fear the same might be true for this tripod.
Hodie wrote:
Generally speaking, an extended center column will be less stable than a tripod without. If a tripod can reach the desired height by extending the legs only, then there is no need for a center column.
A center column will obviously give the photographer more flexibility, but most of the expensive tripods don't come with one because those photographers purchase them based on the maximum extendable height (typically, the height of the photographer's eyes).
So, at that point, a center column will only be useful in specific scenarios (e.g., uneven ground), and it would add more weight to the tripod.
Interesting insight, thank you. I'm getting ready to graduate to a "real" tripod and have been looking at the RRS line.
twentysevenone wrote:
Not challenging you I'm genuinely curious, why not use a center column?
It has to do with stiffness of the set-up. The straight vertical tube is typically more prone to side force than the 3 legs. So under windy condition or just simply by holding and releasing your camera during a tripod shot (no remote shutter), you can still see blur even with a 2-sec delay. This center column is pretty thin so the stiffness is even more in question.
Anyone really interested in this should do themselves a favor and check out the Leofoto LS-284C. It's less than half the price of the expected MSRP of the carbon version of the Travel Tripod, and certainly more stable. It's also only 2 inches longer, slightly wider, and about the same weight. It's not as tall as the Travel Tripod but that's because there's no center column, unless you get the extension. I find that it's plenty tall, and I would gladly trade an integrated center column for more versatility + stability.
taemo wrote:
never been a fan of PD either (I've had the original PD strap) and baffles me that a well established brand like theirs still rely on Kickstarter.
I take that to mean they have no faith in the product themselves, but are willing to churn out a few if enough suckers pony up in advance.
I'm still trying to figure out why this thread is on the Sony forum...?
molson wrote:
I take that to mean they have no faith in the product themselves, but are willing to churn out a few if enough suckers pony up in advance.
I'm still trying to figure out why this thread is on the Sony forum...?
Because I shoot Sony only now and this is the forum I visit. Not that complicated No one forced you to read it or comment on it.
elizabeth77 wrote:
I usually like PD stuff, but that tripod is bigger and heavier than my Sirui that cost half the price. If it were truly small I would be tempted. I do like the leg locks design on the PD.
I'm with you elizabeth77. For my Sony Kit, Sirui has been an excellent travel tripod solution for me (SIRUI T-2204XL+ E20 Professional Carbon Fiber )
