scrappydog wrote:
Use of the center column turns the tripod into a monopod. Stability declines accordingly.
Like scrappy dog says, the vertices of a tripod is the most stable point. Raising the center column reduces stability and the center column becomes an inverted pendulum, which magnifies vibrations. I'm intrigued by this design, and would be willing to consider a slightly longer version so I don't have to extend the center column. This is probably version one, and others will follow if it's successful. I'm not so upset my the cost (these are probably made in China and PD has to pass along the tariff).
PhilthePhrame wrote:
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.
I got a screw with the little flip-out finger tightener for mine, but rarely find it needs adjustment. I carry a small multi-tool in all my bags anyway just because they're convenient for other things as well and are dirt cheap.
This one showed up on my YT feed and I found it interesting. Unless most other reviewers with the experience of the cheaper tripods, this dude has been using an RRS. He also has had quite an extensive experience with the tripod on his trips. At least on the stability aspect, it's a good design. I might just be down for a bigger version in the future.
Trey Ratcliff has been involved directly with Peak Design for years. He worked with them on designing the Everyday Messenger. Not really an unbiased review.
I've taken to using the Travel Backpack as my heavy hauler for longer trips and I appreciate the smaller packed volume of this new tripod, so I ordered the AL version. I have a Sirui CF as my travel tripod now and it is a bit big for the side pocket on the TB. I'm happy with CF, but I don't mind AL for the cost savings here, I've never been blown away by the weight savings over AL. I appreciate the extra dampening of CF, but honestly no travel tripod is that great in that department IMO, so I'll just weight it as needed.
Jesse Evans wrote:
Color me impressed. I have been skeptical but this has won me over.
I ordered one reluctantly what sold me is how smooth it is on the exterior for easy packing. Will I use it? I doubt it, its not a very good tripod IMO with the center column how steady can it be? I normally have some heavier GM glass on my Sony a7rIII and worry about the stability and it falling over in any kind of wind unless the center post is all the way down.
I really have to think about this because other than a night shot which I have small tripods for anyway I would be more likely to use my Gitzo pro monopods than this thing.
In fact I think I am going to post this and send a request to cancel and get my money back I have never been a fan of kickstarter anyway and if PD does not have enough money or cannot borrow enough to produce a tripod what the hell.
later
I am a sucker for something new I watched half the video and will try it the iPhone clip will be fun in hotel rooms with my g/f's.
trstahly wrote:
I ordered one reluctantly what sold me is how smooth it is on the exterior for easy packing. Will I use it? I doubt it, its not a very good tripod IMO with the center column how steady can it be? I normally have some heavier GM glass on my Sony a7rIII and worry about the stability and it falling over in any kind of wind unless the center post is all the way down.
I really have to think about this because other than a night shot which I have small tripods for anyway I would be more likely to use my Gitzo pro monopods than this thing.
In fact I think I am going to post this and send a request to cancel and get my money back I have never been a fan of kickstarter anyway and if PD does not have enough money or cannot borrow enough to produce a tripod what the hell....Show more →
FWIW, this is what Dave said, "The center column is entirely reasonable despite its narrow size" when I asked him about the stability with the center column raised. He did raise a good point in the article that almost all of the tripods can produce sharp image. The better one will just extend your shooting envelop more. So take it for what it's worth. If I pay the full $600 + shipping for this one, I might think about it twice. But given the KS discount atm, I think it's a great deal to just be a bit behind Gitzo (actually 2nd place in stability for a 5-section tripod) and RRS while being much cheaper.
In the latest video log, they also mentioned about the ability to disassemble the entire thing for clean up and the seamless integration of the hex keys, which I think will solve most major pain points so far.
Jesse Evans wrote:
Color me impressed. I have been skeptical but this has won me over.
I'm in the same boat. Now to decide if carbon is worth the extra cost. Considering that size/weight of my average kit, I'm leaning no but open to opinions.
joelRichards wrote:
I'm in the same boat. Now to decide if carbon is worth the extra cost. Considering that size/weight of my average kit, I'm leaning no but open to opinions.
It's not just about weight for CF. Aluminium is neither as stiff nor as dampening as CF. The monetary difference is not enough IMO for a life-time kinda product.
Dave's review has the PD tripod at 2.314 pounds and their own Kickstarter has it at 2.8. At 2.3 it's same or less than my Sirui and that inclines me more toward trying it, if it's that stable.
elizabeth77 wrote:
Dave's review has the PD tripod at 2.314 pounds and their own Kickstarter has it at 2.8. At 2.3 it's same or less than my Sirui and that inclines me more toward trying it, if it's that stable.
hiepphotog wrote:
FWIW, this is what Dave said, "The center column is entirely reasonable despite its narrow size" when I asked him about the stability with the center column raised. He did raise a good point in the article that almost all of the tripods can produce sharp image. The better one will just extend your shooting envelop more. So take it for what it's worth. If I pay the full $600 + shipping for this one, I might think about it twice. But given the KS discount atm, I think it's a great deal to just be a bit behind Gitzo (actually 2nd place in stability for a 5-section tripod) and RRS while being much cheaper.
In the latest video log, they also mentioned about the ability to disassemble the entire thing for clean up and the seamless integration of the hex keys, which I think will solve most major pain points so far. ...Show more →
I decided to keep it but with 3 Gitzo's tripods, 3 Gitzo monopods and 2 large RSS and my two leofotos it sure seems silly. That is between two homes IL and FLA so not as bad as it seems.
In reality though the little Leofoto RS-223C on Amazon with very good build quality at $125 will work in a pinch for most spur of the moment things that may pop up. I may have to put it on the hood or roof of my vehicle or find a suitable resting spot or the ground if I want to sit down but it is even smaller easier to carry and I am probably more likely to take it with me and use it.
At the pre-order price for the carbon if I do not like it I will not lose much.
trstahly wrote:
I decided to keep it but with 3 Gitzo's tripods, 3 Gitzo monopods and 2 large RSS and my two leofotos it sure seems silly. That is between two homes IL and FLA so not as bad as it seems.
In reality though the little Leofoto RS-223C on Amazon with very good build quality at $125 will work in a pinch for most spur of the moment things that may pop up. I may have to put it on the hood or roof of my vehicle or find a suitable resting spot or the ground if I want to sit down but it is even smaller easier to carry and I am probably more likely to take it with me and use it.
At the pre-order price for the carbon if I do not like it I will not lose much.
So still 3 days out, and as it turns out, this PD tripod is less stable than the Leofoto LS-284C (this has a separate center column). PD team decided to remove the Leofoto from the table since it has no built-in center column. So this is in the end for people who really care about pack size.
hiepphotog wrote:
So still 3 days out, and as it turns out, this PD tripod is less stable than the Leofoto LS-284C (this has a separate center column). PD team decided to remove the Leofoto from the table since it has no built-in center column. So this is in the end for people who really care about pack size.
What is three days out? Where did you get the info that says it is less stable than LS-284C?
I am not so concerned about pack size as I am how smooth the sides are when packing and pulling out of a bag but I am not that sold on it regardless of saving $150 by preordering it.
I think it is a neat design no doubt but when and where am I going to use it. I do not do much nighttime photography very little and have lots of tripods. I would most likely be using a monopod for anything other than a time exposure or with ND's. I still think I can find a resting spot for the little Leofoto which is much easier to pack that the PD anyway.
My little Gitzo Traveler 1545 or 2545 would be what I would want to use anyway and for a pack size my little Oben with ball head or leofoto are all I need.
The Oben is 1" longer 1" wider and at 3.2 lbs in the middle of the PD and I already have paid for it and have it.
I am trying to get rid of stuff I do not use a lot not add to the pile.
I doubt I would ever use it and the last thing I need is another piece of gear sitting around not being used or to spend $500 with tax.
I suppose I will wait for 3 days and see if there is anything that could change my mind but not sure what that could be.
trstahly wrote:
What is three days out? Where did you get the info that says it is less stable than LS-284C?
I am not so concerned about pack size as I am how smooth the sides are when packing and pulling out of a bag but I am not that sold on it regardless of saving $150 by preordering it.
I think it is a neat design no doubt but when and where am I going to use it. I do not do much nighttime photography very little and have lots of tripods. I would most likely be using a monopod for anything other than a time exposure or with ND's. I still think I can find a resting spot for the little Leofoto which is much easier to pack that the PD anyway.
My little Gitzo Traveler 1545 or 2545 would be what I would want to use anyway and for a pack size my little Oben with ball head or leofoto are all I need.
The Oben is 1" longer 1" wider and at 3.2 lbs in the middle of the PD and I already have paid for it and have it.
I am trying to get rid of stuff I do not use a lot not add to the pile.
I doubt I would ever use it and the last thing I need is another piece of gear sitting around not being used or to spend $500 with tax.
I suppose I will wait for 3 days and see if there is anything that could change my mind but not sure what that could be....Show more →
I meant we have 3 days left to decide to back (or backed and withdraw) or not. They showed a table on their KS update regarding the stiffness, overall score, etc. of their tripod with respect to others. They omitted the Leofoto data, which can be found on centercolumn.com. The Leofoto has better stiffness rating (PD's rating was without the extended column). Of course it's slightly heavier with slightly bigger packed size. The PD has a built-in center column while the Leofoto has an external one. But given the price, I thought PD's tripod wasn't as enticing as it should be.
