Peak Design Journey Tripod Evaluate

As knowledgeable journey photographer, I’ve used plenty of journey tripods over time, together with fashions from Manfrotto and Vanguard.

Right this moment, 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 really been a fan of Peak Design’s merchandise for a very long time. They make a spread of pictures equipment, and I notably like their carry strap system which I’ve been utilizing for years on my cameras. In addition they have a spread of in style baggage.

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

Peak Design Journey Tripod Evaluate

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 in the marketplace for a while, and I assumed it was about time I gave it a superb check and evaluation. Let’s begin with the specs.

Peak Design Journey Tripod Specs

There are two variants of the Peak Design journey tripod in the marketplace for the time being, 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 top heart column raised – 60″ (152.2cm)
• Max top heart column down – 51.25″ (130.2cm)
• Weight aluminum mannequin 3.44lbs (1.56kg)
• Weight carbon fiber mannequin 2.81lbs (1.29kg)
• Packed top: 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 examine the most recent costs and purchase it direct from Peak Design right here, on Amazon right here, and from B&H Photograph right here.

This tripod actually matches what we search for in a journey tripod, which is a mix of portability and a superb load capability.

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

First, the tripod is designed from the bottom as much as be tremendous transportable. The principle means that is achieved is with the pinnacle design, which may be very compact. The ball head mainly matches flush into the tripod when packed away and takes up barely any area.

The flip locks, triangular leg design, and small heart column additionally all contribute to permitting this tripod to fold down actually small.

I’ve used plenty of journey tripods over time, 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 area.

The ball head can 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 straightforward. You can even 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 cellphone 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 lets you use your tripod along with your smartphone. This could work with just about any smartphone in the marketplace right now.

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

One final thing I wished to focus on is the carrying case. That is typically an afterthought with tripods, in the event you even get one in any respect.

Properly, Peak Design is understood for his or her baggage and their tripod case is gorgeous. It seems nice, the tripod matches inside securely, and it’s each padded and weatherproof. It’s lacking a strap, however there are add-ons to make it suitable 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 evaluation based mostly on actual world expertise, so I traveled with the Peak Design journey tripod as my fundamental tripod for a number of months to see the way it carried out within the discipline.

As it is a journey tripod, I anticipate it to be one thing I can carry with me when climbing, so I took it with me on a variety of 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 concerned with. First, it must be light-weight, as a result of nobody needs to hold greater than they should.

This tripod positively meets that requirement, even the aluminum model is gentle 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 straightforward 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 each time I see a chance for a shot.

The Peak Design journey tripod positively works in that regard as properly. I’m usually not a giant fan of flip-lock legs as they’ll catch on my digital camera bag when establishing and placing away.

Nonetheless, on this case they’re properly designed in order that doesn’t occur, they usually make arrange and put down a breeze.

The best way the digital camera attaches to the pinnacle additionally works properly. That is one thing that different tripods don’t at all times do as properly at, particularly when utilizing the Peak Design carry system which has the carry strap hooked up to the tripod plate.

The Peak Design carry strap hooks on the digital camera base plate can generally get in the way in which of straightforward attachment to the tripod head. Clearly, this being a Peak Design tripod, that problem has been thought via, and the digital camera simply attaches to the tripod head even with the strap nonetheless hooked up.

There’s additionally a helpful locking mechanism on the tripod head that makes it straightforward to make sure the digital camera is correctly hooked up to the tripod head.

In fact, any tripod is just price its salt if it really offers 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 properly. I additionally used it with my extra regular panorama wide-angle lens, and even with the smartphone adaptor.

Throughout, this tripod carried out very properly and let me get the pictures I wished, even the lengthy publicity pictures the place the tiniest motion can break the whole lot.

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, you must partially lengthen the central column (round an inch), to get full motion.

Earlier than I acquired used to the tripod, I might attempt to transfer the pinnacle to the place I wished, however not be capable of as a result of the pinnacle solely has full freedom of motion as soon as the central column has been partially prolonged.

Extending the central column isn’t onerous, however it’s a further step to recollect to do.

As soon as the pinnacle is prolonged, adjusting the pinnacle is straightforward. It’s a ball-style design, and to regulate the angle of the pinnacle you loosen the management ring, transfer the tripod head to the angle you need, after which tighten the management ring.

That is all very straightforward and intuitive when you get used to it. That is actually essential, particularly in the event you plan on doing any astrophotography or Northern Lights pictures, as you would possibly must function the tripod in very darkish situations the place you might be working by really feel.

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

The principle draw back I found, which is the primary destructive of this tripod, is a scarcity of separate pan and tilt controls.

Once you loosen the management ring to regulate the pinnacle, you possibly can transfer the digital camera up, down, left, and proper. Nonetheless, you possibly can’t pan or tilt individually.

So, for instance, you probably have your shot framed virtually completely, however need to shift the view a number of levels to the left, you must 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, provide separate pan and tilt controls, so you possibly can pan independently of the lean management.

Now, truthfully, whether or not or not it is a huge deal will rely rather a lot on the pictures you wish to take. Should you take plenty of panoramas, then it will doubtless be a much bigger problem.

The excellent news is that the management ring additionally controls the friction, that means you possibly can loosen it solely somewhat after which simply watch out as you progress the digital camera, with friction in your aspect to forestall undesirable actions on the flawed axis.

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

The opposite factor to keep in mind is that over time the flip locks on the tripod leg sections can grow to be free, that means that the legs don’t keep prolonged. That is simply an total problem 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 device to regulate the leg flip lock tightness, in addition to a helpful clip which lets you connect the adjustment device to a tripod leg.

You simply need to keep in mind to carry this with you whenever you journey, in case a leg wants tightening up whenever you’re within the discipline.

Lastly, while the addition of the bubble stage is appreciated, the sunshine colour 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.

Truthfully, most cameras and smartphones today have a built-in stage function anyway, so I not often use the bubble stage on a tripod, however I wished to say it in case it was essential to you.

General, I positively loved utilizing this tripod within the discipline, and it has earned a spot in my pictures bag for positive.

Peak Design Journey Tripod Execs and Cons

Having lined my expertise utilizing the Peak Design journey tripod within the discipline I wished to share a fast rundown of what I felt to be the primary execs and cons of this tripod from a journey pictures perspective.

Execs

• Light-weight, even the aluminum model
• Folds down very small
• Works properly 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 straightforward panning management
• Some constraint on portrait orientation shot

General,l I positively suppose it’s a superb journey tripod. The principle draw back is the 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

Once you begin researching tripods, you’re going to shortly study that there are a terrific many tripods in the marketplace, and truthfully, it may be onerous to inform them aside.

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

Most tripods mess around with these specs, so it is best to be capable of discover the proper tripod for you. I wished to focus on a number of choices to contemplate, and you’ll see extra choices in our information to the greatest 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 in the marketplace, 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 truthful 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 top of 58.46″, a folded measurement 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 top, weighs barely extra, and has a barely decrease most top.

Vanguard VEO 3 GO 235CB or 265HCB

A fast word, I’m a Vanguard Ambassador and have been since 2014, and I’ve used plenty of their gear over time, a lot of which I’ve additionally reviewed.

I feel their merchandise provide rather a lot, and I’ve been very proud of their gear in use around the globe.

The 2 fundamental tripods I feel they presently produce which you would possibly take into account as a substitute 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 measurement of 53.5″, a folded measurement 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 greater load score and the next most top, but in addition weighs extra and doesn’t fold up as small. It’s additionally greater than twice as costly. One to contemplate you probably have a smaller setup that received’t problem the utmost load score.

The 265HCB is the taller tripod, with a most measurement of 65.5″, a folded measurement 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 the same load score and a decrease most top, however weighs much less and folds up a bit smaller. It’s practically twice as costly.

Each Vanguard tripods additionally convert to monopods and include a smartphone adaptor and Bluetooth distant shutter set off. They’re additionally out there 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 best means to economize on a journey tripod is to decide on an aluminum mannequin over a carbon fiber one.

Should you’re on this product, or any of the opposite Vanguard merchandise, it can save you cash utilizing our unique Vanguard low cost code. This provides you with 20% off the whole lot within the Vanguard retailer.

Simply use the code FindingTheUniverse in your low cost! This Vanguard low cost code works within the Vanguard USA, UK, Australia, Spain, and Germany shops.

Must you Purchase the Peak Design Journey Tripod?

Truthfully, solely you possibly can reply this query! Nonetheless, having used it for a variety of months I can positively say that it’s a well-made tripod. It really works very properly and has sufficient intelligent design options to make it stand out in a really crowded market.

Once you add up all of the little additional issues like the good 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 in the marketplace at different worth factors, however I don’t suppose you can be disenchanted 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 Photograph right here.

Additional Studying

That’s it for my evaluation of the Peak Design journey tripod – I hope you discovered it useful. Earlier than you go, I wished to share a few of our different content material which we predict you can see helpful.

• Our evaluation of the Vanguard VEO 2 265CB tripod after three years of standard use.
• A evaluation 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  use a compact digital camera,  use a DSLR digital camera, and  use a mirrorless digital camera. We even have a information to how a DSLR works
• Understanding compose a terrific picture is a key pictures talent. See our information to composition in pictures for plenty of tips about this topic
• We now have a information to what depth of discipline is and whenever you would need to use it.
• We’re huge followers of getting probably the most out of your digital picture recordsdata, and do to that you will want to shoot in RAW. See our information to RAW in pictures to grasp what RAW is, and why it is best to swap to RAW as quickly as you possibly can in case your digital camera helps it.
• You’re going to wish one thing to run your picture modifying software program on. See our information to the perfect laptops for picture modifying for some tips about what to search for.
• Should you’re on the lookout for extra recommendation on particular ideas for various situations, we additionally have you ever lined. See our information to Northern Lights pictures, lengthy publicity pictures, fireworks pictures, ideas for taking pictures of stars, and chilly climate pictures.
• Should you’re on the lookout for a terrific reward for a pictures loving good friend or member of the family (or your self!), check out our pictures reward information,
• Should you’re available in the market for a brand new digital camera, we now 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’d like 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.

Trying to Enhance Your Images?

Should you discovered this publish useful, and also you need to enhance your pictures total, you would possibly need to try 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 the whole lot it’s worthwhile to know, from the fundamentals of how a digital camera works, via to composition, gentle, and picture modifying.

It additionally covers extra superior subjects, 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 will get suggestions in your work and participate in common challenges.

It’s out there for an incredible one-off worth for lifetime entry, and I feel it is best to test it out. Which you are able to do by clicking right here.

Word: We have been despatched this product without spending a dime to see how we appreciated it. I selected to put in writing this evaluation based mostly by myself private opinion of the tripod after utilizing it for some time. All opinions are our personal.