I got mine today and I can tell you that I was impressed with everything. From the size, I thought the package delivered was something else that's how small it is, to the build quality. I don't mind that it has its own plate instead of something more universal like an Arca Swiss but to me it's not an issue.
I picked one up through the Kickstarter campaign. It is exactly for me what it’s name implies, a travel tripod. Not travel for photography purposes, but travel for work or such where I may have the opportunity to take some pictures....basically all of my travel. It fits on the side of my backpack, light and sturdy enough.
For something I pre plan some emphasis on photography, my other tripod is going with me.
Overall I’m happy with it, but as others have said, the head takes a little work to get used to.
Has anyone compared it with other decent travel tripods?
Initially, I just couldn't really see what it bought me. Compared to something like a Sirui T-1205K (I have a similar Sirui); max working height is similar, collapsed length is shorter, it's a half pound lighter and the head is more traditional.
Okay so maybe it's theoretically studier? Rated load is the same, but rated load means nothing. I was always under the impression that squared off legs were generally less sturdy for a given size and wall thickness. But in any event, you don't save on size or weight with the Peak Designs, and it's twice the price, and I don't see a reason to believe there's meaningful strength increase. Or a Feisol (another brand I've got experience with) - again, no size/weight advantage, seemingly no improved features, just an odd head on a somewhat common-sized travel tripod at twice the price.
I get the big bucks for the big tripods to hold the big lenses. I'm just not sure where the value is on the Peak Designs unit.
i wondered that from day one when it was shown and even after i got to use it for awhile (hours). it seems to be more about its look and packability (which is exactly what was being pushed {scripted}) over its functionality. it seems all the "reviewers" they used have gone back to ground.
sjms wrote:
i wondered that from day one when it was shown and even after i got to use it for awhile (hours). it seems to be more about its look and packability (which is exactly what was being pushed {scripted}) over its functionality. it seems all the "reviewers" they used have gone back to ground.
As an extensive traveler, I pretty excited during the initial announcements, because the size/packability was pushed so hard on it. I was thinking maybe I could pick up a tripod that was either much sturdier for the size, or smaller than what I've been using - even if I'd be paying a premium for it. To a certain extent, I should have known that, if it was possible to make substantial improvements in those areas, we would have already seen incremental improvements throughout the market.
I was just surprised that they hyped it so much and then dropped something that was just "status quo" but more attractively packaged.
binary visions wrote:
Has anyone compared it with other decent travel tripods?
Initially, I just couldn't really see what it bought me. Compared to something like a Sirui T-1205K (I have a similar Sirui); max working height is similar, collapsed length is shorter, it's a half pound lighter and the head is more traditional.
Okay so maybe it's theoretically studier? Rated load is the same, but rated load means nothing. I was always under the impression that squared off legs were generally less sturdy for a given size and wall thickness. But in any event, you don't save on size or weight with the Peak Designs, and it's twice the price, and I don't see a reason to believe there's meaningful strength increase. Or a Feisol (another brand I've got experience with) - again, no size/weight advantage, seemingly no improved features, just an odd head on a somewhat common-sized travel tripod at twice the price.
I get the big bucks for the big tripods to hold the big lenses. I'm just not sure where the value is on the Peak Designs unit....Show more →
I have a version of that Sirui, and I thought the same as you about the PD. The Sirui is quite a bit lighter and much cheaper. What won me over with the PD was that it's slimmer folded down and so much easier to pack. It's also a bit more sturdy and sets up and breaks down really fast. I do think the PD is overpriced at retail but I'm not too bummed about the Kickstarter price. Now that I've had the PD a while I'll sell the Sirui, but they are certainly comparable and again the price variance is huge.
Recently got one and pleasantly surprised. Previously owned the gitzo gk1555t w/ gitzo head and rrs tfc-14 W/ bh-30 as reference points for travel tripods.
As a dedicated travel tripod especially for hiking or city use, the peak design is great as long as you can accept the compromise of an odd ball head setup. The rrs tfc-14 is great on paper but it’s quite large and short - I’m far more likely to bring the peak design tripod. The gitzo gt1555t is about on par with the peak design- wider but shorter- I’d call it a draw overall although the gitzo head is superior in usability but overall dimensions are wider.
As a companion to a good general purpose or systematic tripod, the peak design tripod is a great addition for when size matters but not a good choice as a sole tripod. I’d also save some on the tripod head adapter - don’t think adding a 3rd party head really benefits here/ defeats the point of the design
the RRS TFC/TQC do look good on paper. in reality they even perform better, easily and are more versatile.
time will tell i guess. actually it already has. for some its a matter of taste and others priorities. i prioritize functionality overall but with a balance with compactness in this type of device.
its a tool for those who work.
i find many who don't spend enough time to learn about what they own before its off to be battered off for the next supposedly shiny object of desire. its common today.
My purchase history of travel tripods is the first one was a Gitzo 1541T, replaced by a Benro C2680T. In 2019 the Benro was in turn replaced by a RRS TQC-14 Mk2 tripod along with its apex adapter kit which made the tripod into a TFC-14 Mk2 which is how I mostly use it. I don't think I'll be moving on from it, on top of the stability it easily holds my Arca-Swiss d4 geared tripod head which weighs 2.33lbs, though I mostly use it with an Acratech GP-s ballhead. The TFC-14 weighs 2.46lbs.
the RRS TFC/TQC do look good on paper. in reality they even perform better, easily and are more versatile.
time will tell i guess. actually it already has. for some its a matter of taste and others priorities. i prioritize functionality overall but with a balance with compactness in this type of device.
its a tool for those who work.
i find many who don't spend enough time to learn about what they own before its off to be battered off for the next supposedly shiny object of desire. its common today.
The RRS travel tripod is longer folded than any of the other two tripods I mentioned and is also the shortest extended. That inherently limits versatility if you need to pack it in a bag of a certain size. It’s actually not that flexible having given it a good shot for 4 months and the gitzo traveler for 12 months previously.
RRS makes good systematics but shrinking that down doesn’t make it a good travel tripod. It’s certainly the stiffest according to tcc but far too long folded and far too short that impacts real world usability meaningfully. Maybe you should give some other tripods a try rather than spend all your time crapping on reviews for products you’ve never tried?
Does it matter that it is approx 3” longer? It functions better it is more rigid. It’s what you want in a functional tool. I have no issue packing it away for any type of travel
You have an interesting view. I have interesting results using the tools
As far as access to equipment and usage I really have a feeling you don’t know too much about me to make that sort of comment.
I may have a bit more experience and knowledge then you assume.
I have seen and experienced enough gear in my life to know the difference and my background helps a little too.
so with your experience how tall does a tripod need to be in use? how compact does it need to be if it already fits where it needs to go? where is that "balance"?
It’s certainly the stiffest according to tcc but far too long folded and far too short that impacts real world usability meaningfully
just how does that "impacts real world usability meaningfully" ? that needs a qualifying technical explanation/assessment from from you. because i've been using it for years all over and i fly, do trains and drive all over. with this tripod its looking to be 6 years now.
Yes, it 100% does matter to me that it's 3in to 4in longer. At around 19in folded with head, I might as well as add another 4 inches and bring my full size tripod (which is a RRS TFC-34) which goes much higher than the TFC-14. A 15 in folded tripod with head easily fits inside my 20L backpacks with a camera and a couple of lenses which is ideal for walking around a city or a short casual hike. It also takes up much less space in my 30L hiking backpack for longer hikes.
I'll also add the Peak Design is far from perfect - the ball head is the biggest issue in my opinion but for certain use cases where you want to travel as light as possible, it's definitely the best solution. The Gitzo traveler is probably a better all around travel tripod - I might swap from the Peak Design to the Gitzo again eventually but I'l give the PD a try for a bit before making a decision.
I think we all know at this point you really love RRS products and are dismissive of any other tripod brands and members here who say anything good about any other brand so I'm not going to waste more time responding further to you on this. I'm just sharing my views as someone who has actually used the peak design carbon, gitzo, and RRS travel tripods. All of them are great for some users but let's stop being a 12 year old fanboy here and instantly dismiss anything positive someone else says.
sjms wrote:
Does it matter that it is approx 3” longer? It functions better it is more rigid. It’s what you want in a functional tool. I have no issue packing it away for any type of travel
You have an interesting view. I have interesting results using the tools
As far as access to equipment and usage I really have a feeling you don’t know too much about me to make that sort of comment.
I may have a bit more experience and knowledge then you assume.
I have seen and experienced enough gear in my life to know the difference and my background helps a little too.
so with your experience how tall does a tripod need to be in use? how compact does it need to be if it already fits where it needs to go? where is that "balance"?
that's interesting and full of a few minor holes and really does not address the "impacts real world usability meaningfully" statement.
going to gitzo which i had previous to 2009 has its issues if its used heavily and not closet clutter. if you are into materials you'd know.
actually i'm a materials and design fanboy more then anything. got a bit of experience there. which leads me to RRS or even PMG. PMG unfortunately does designing that is "interesting".
remember both of us are experts in how we choose to use them for ourselves. as far as how they are constructed and designed i might have a slightly better understanding and a wee bit more experience
After using the PD Tripod some more, I'll update one part of my earlier statement for anyone who cares, the universal head adapter is a must. The included ball head is definitely hard to use for anything outside of single shot landscape photography. A panoramic clamp is a simple solution for panoramas but for off-angle shots, the included head is definitely fiddly.
I think my default go-to travel configuration will be the RRS BH-30 with the PD legs (I'm sure some will find this blasphemous) unless I want it as compact as possible with the PD head + its limitations.
Anyways just as FYI for anyone else interested in this tripod.
Not impressed with the build quality. A friend owns one. He was using it on a shoot that we were working together a couple weeks ago. The bottom two leg sections are so small in diameter it would make me nervous to put any sized rig on it and walk away. Apparently he felt the same way. On this shoot my friend was shooting video with a7III and 24-120 G master I think, anyway he had to walk away from his gear for a moment and he asked me to watch his rig to make sure that it did not blow over. There was not that much wind, actually more like a summer breeze than wind.
I’ve been very happy with my CF version. Used it a bunch for Zoom/Team meetings with the phone holder and for quick outings chasing Neowise.
No wind to speak of and no issues with 3-10 second exposures. Mostly with A9II 28-200 and for fun with the 200-600.
Also used it for GFX50R macro image stacking to good effect. It’s just so handy as it deploys so quickly. I never liked having to flip my Travel Angel around to deploy.
The PD is not going to rival a non-travel tripod for stability but expecting it to is kind of silly.
The old trope about the best camera is the one you have with you - it’s kind of the same thing with the PD tripod for me.
but they are highly travelable in the appropriate environment.
