jwhatts wrote:
I'm that friend, and yes they did. What Bob didn't mention was how I bought the bag secondhand and had no receipt or proof of purchase, and they STILL gave me a new bag.
Bob, I actually moved on from my cheapo aluminum tripod before my Ireland trip and I love my new one! (LS-284C) I'd be curious to see how the Travel Tripod stacks up against it with regards to stability! Here's hoping for a better Kickstarter process than Arsenal
This will be a tripod I take when making business trips. I'm hoping it packs small. I've used others and this looks to be better.
At its full price, this one is a direct competitor with the Gitzo Traveler Series 1. And unlike some here and most other people on other fora, I don't find the price is outrageous if the performance is there. I guess I'm used to the Gitzo and RRS prices. If I didn't have the Gitzo Traveler Series 0 already, I would definitely try this out. I don't find my Series 0 is bulky in anyway for packing and it can handle some serious off-axis loads I threw at it.
Now, I believe the RRS Series 2-4 and Gitzo Series 3-5 can benefit this smaller packing tech, especially if the PD approach doesn't compromise too much in stability. I have used these tripods and they're all a pain at time to pack.
hiepphotog wrote:
At its full price, this one is a direct competitor with the Gitzo Traveler Series 1. And unlike some here and most other people on other fora, I don't find the price is outrageous if the performance is there. I guess I'm used to the Gitzo and RRS prices. If I didn't have the Gitzo Traveler Series 0 already, I would definitely try this out. I don't find my Series 0 is bulky in anyway for packing and it can handle some serious off-axis loads I threw at it.
Now, I believe the RRS Series 2-4 and Gitzo Series 3-5 can benefit this smaller packing tech, especially if the RRS approach doesn't compromise too much in stability. I have used these tripods and they're all a pain at time to pack....Show more →
I haven't found much issue in packing my RRS TVC-24L or my older Gitzo 1257LVL with short column tripods. But, for the RRS TVC-24L I have the RRS Series 2 Leveling base with the QR clamp. With the Gitzo 1257LVL tripod (has built in leveling base) I have added an older Kirk 60mm screw clamp to the tripod. I pack either tripod in one of my no longer available Think Tank Bazooka tripod cases (these are telescoping) and I suspect that Think Tank might still make them to order. I then place the tripod in the Bazooka in my 27" hard sided checked bag. As for the tripod heads, I carry them separately in my Think Tank roller carry on. At this point, my heads are either a Markins Q20i either alone and/or with the older BV-Head (for shooting wildlife) or my Leofoto LH-30R. Under the Markins Head I have the original RRS TH-DVTL-55: ROUND DOVETAIL PLATE (now I would purchase the new one) and under the Leofoto head I have TH-DVTL-40: ROUND DOVETAIL PLATE. With the QR clamps and plates I can quickly and easily swap out the heads for packing, unpacking, and travel.
To travel even lighter, I can use and carry my old Gitzo (but newer than the 1257LVL) GT1531. I would carry the tripod alone in one of my Bazooka tripod bags, but would screw on and off a Leofoto LH-30R head that I would carry in my Think Tank roller.
I have a number of PD products. Their anchor point attachment system and compatible accessories is the best I have found in the industry.
However, my Promaster XC525 aluminum travel tripod is exactly the same length, weighs just 3 ounces more and cost be under $170 with ball head. I have traveled all over the World with it and it has served me well. Doesn't look like enough advantage for me to change at even the Go Fund Me price.
Meh. I dunno. I do need a new tripod but this doesn’t look that solid? I like their slings a lot (10L and 5L) but mostly because they don’t look like camera bags. I had a zipper break on my 10L but they had a new one shipped to me within 48 hours, no questions asked. I guess I have mixed feelings about the company.
Well, one way to look it this is that PD customer service seems to be great worldwide. RRS is limited mostly in the US, while Gitzo seems to be horrendous outside of Europe.
RRS and Gitzo have basically the most rigid travel tripods in the world. The RRS TFC-14 is more rigid than most large tripods. And the TQC-14 is also no slouch.
RRS specifically commands a premium price for making everything from super top shelf components that are all sourced within the US. Leofoto is essentially the Chinese knockoff, and still pretty dang good.
The PD tripod has some cool aspects, I will be shocked if it actually is rigid or as high quality as RRS. And it certainly will not be manufactured in the US where people are paid first world wages. So I will be curious to see where they find their value at $600.
Tripod bubble level blocked when camera mounted + need an adapter for other heads - check
Have to raise center coloumn up in order to get level everytime you setup - check
Included Quickrelease plate for head - requires HEX Tool for plate - check
5 leg sections - meaning less stability - their FAQ implies the max payload is inflated - check
Gimmicky features / branding for low budget vloggers, F'N Carbon / phone holder (?!) - check
Tripod bubble level blocked when camera mounted + need an adapter for other heads - check
Have to raise center coloumn up in order to get level everytime you setup - check
Included Quickrelease plate for head - requires HEX Tool for plate - check
5 leg sections - meaning less stability - their FAQ implies the max payload is inflated - check
Gimmicky features / branding for low budget vloggers, F'N Carbon / phone holder (?!) - check
Forum reply from new account (1st post) with overly dramatic problems to a product not released - Check
You may not be a competitor trying to circulate problems/fear of a product that competes with you but as a 1st post from a brand new forum member, it does look a little iffy.
On topic. it looks an interesting tripod but, before shelling out that level of $ I'd prefer to see how it stacks up in terms of function/durability.
Plastic leg clamps are really a non issue these days. I have several expensive tripods for different uses and most use a carbon/reinforced plastic clamps and have never been an issue. My concern would be the tripod head etc as it is completely new idea.
The tripod looks really sleek. Great weight and compact in packing which is a big deal for me since I’d love to use it in a side pocket of a backpack. Shame about the price for the carbon fiber one, I’d love something like this for like half the price. Any suggestions?
The compact head/legs design and that it takes the Peak Design clips that I already use on my backpack is what interests me. But, it needs to work and on that basis, I'll be hanging fire until I see reviews of finished products before buying. I may have missed this but I'd also like to see more info on the weight of the carbon one.
IzelPhotograph wrote:
The compact head/legs design and that it takes the Peak Design clips that I already use on my backpack is what interests me. But, it needs to work and on that basis, I'll be hanging fire until I see reviews of finished products before buying. I may have missed this but I'd also like to see more info on the weight of the carbon one.
I pre ordered one because it's narrow profile and very smooth external and sides that will not catch on anything make it appealing to me. I believe I will take this out with me more often than some of my other smaller travel pods.
Taking up half the volume and being short enough for my carry on it will go with me more often and leave more room in my carry on.
Not cheap but a slick product I like the way strap holds it across your back without anything to dig into my back and already own several PD straps so looking forward to it. It may not be the ultimate tripod like my RRS TVC34 & 44's but it will work.
chez wrote:
Yep...PD should be big enough to fund their own developments. I'm not a fan regarding crowd funding.
Crowd funding is funding. There is little difference having a few investors vs many. Crowd funding is a great innovation for small companies..
I wonder if any of the critics here own or have ever purchased an imperfect product, or a product not financed, engineered, marketed, produced and distributed in their idealized fashion?
I say good for anyone who comes out with a product that might be useful in my photography. Back in the day, I could buy over a dozen brands of fixer. I don’t remember anyone complaining about the release of a “me-too’ fixer, or wondering why we needed rapid fixer when plain old hypo was good enough. Of course, these forums did not exist then...
IzelPhotograph wrote:
The compact head/legs design and that it takes the Peak Design clips that I already use on my backpack is what interests me. But, it needs to work and on that basis, I'll be hanging fire until I see reviews of finished products before buying. I may have missed this but I'd also like to see more info on the weight of the carbon one.
Did you know you can use PD capture plates with any arca type tripod clamp? You can also get the variant that works with Manfrotto heads.
Jesse Evans wrote:
Did you know you can use PD capture plates with any arca type tripod clamp? You can also get the variant that works with Manfrotto heads.
Yeah, I do now. The PD tripod just has less bit to snag when taking out, putting in my backpack when camping out on summits
Needing a hex wrench to tighten the plate is a deal killer for me- I’ve had the bottom plate for their straps come loose and was lucky not to lose a camera. I don’t trust their bottom plates and I don’t want to have to remember to pack/ fish for a little hex wrench a few times per outing.
