Peak Design Journey Tripod Overview

As an expert journey photographer, I’ve used a variety of journey tripods over time, together with fashions from Manfrotto and Vanguard.

At the moment, I’m going to be reviewing Peak Design’s journey tripod, which I’ve been utilizing within the subject 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 significantly like their carry strap system which I’ve been utilizing for years on my cameras. Additionally they have a spread of fashionable luggage.

My expertise to this point with their merchandise has been very optimistic, they’re effectively 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 in all their journey tripods for the primary time.

Peak Design Journey Tripod Overview

Peak Design launched their journey tripod (through Kickstarter) in 2019, with basic 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 believed it was about time I gave it an excellent check and evaluate. 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 value!). All the opposite specs are the identical. Right here’s a fast overview of the primary specs.

• Load capability – 20lbs (9.1kg)
• Max peak heart column raised – 60″ (152.2cm)
• Max peak heart column down – 51.25″ (130.2cm)
• Weight aluminum mannequin 3.44lbs (1.56kg)
• Weight carbon fiber mannequin 2.81lbs (1.29kg)
• Packed peak: 15.4″ (39.1cm)
• Packed diameter 3.125″ (39.1cm)

The retail value of the aluminum mannequin is $379.95, and the carbon fiber mannequin is $599.95. You evaluate the newest costs and purchase it direct from Peak Design right here, on Amazon right here, and from B&H Picture right here.

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

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

First, the tripod is designed from the bottom as much as be tremendous moveable. The primary method that is achieved is with the pinnacle design, which could be very compact. The ball head mainly suits flush into the tripod when packed away and takes up barely any house.

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 a variety of journey tripods over time, and this one is unquestionably among the finest designs I’ve used when it comes to the way it packs away to take up a minimal quantity of house.

The ball head can be fairly sensible. There’s an built-in bubble stage to make sure your digicam is flat, and the flip lock design makes attaching and eradicating your digicam very straightforward. You too can lock your digicam into place with the flip of a toggle, which supplies nice peace of thoughts.

One other neat function is the combination of a telephone head mount. This lives inside the middle column, and has a quick-release mechanism for simple set up.

It then attaches on to the tripod mounting plate and permits you to use your tripod along with your smartphone. This could work with just about any smartphone in the marketplace immediately.

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

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

Effectively, Peak Design is thought for his or her luggage and their tripod case is beautiful. It seems to be nice, the tripod suits inside securely, and it’s each padded and weatherproof. It’s lacking a strap, however there are add-ons to make it appropriate 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 desire to do a evaluate based mostly on actual world expertise, so I traveled with the Peak Design journey tripod as my primary tripod for a number of months to see the way it carried out within the subject.

As it is a journey tripod, I count on it to be one thing I can carry with me when mountaineering, so I took it with me on numerous 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 serious about. First, it needs to be light-weight, as a result of nobody desires to hold greater than they should.

This tripod positively meets that requirement, even the aluminum model is gentle sufficient that I don’t must assume 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 mountaineering, I don’t need to have to spend so much of time placing a tripod up and down at any time when I see a chance for a shot.

The Peak Design journey tripod positively works in that regard as effectively. I’m usually not an enormous fan of flip-lock legs as they’ll catch on my digicam bag when organising and placing away.

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

The way in which the digicam attaches to the pinnacle additionally works effectively. That is one thing that different tripods don’t at all times do as effectively 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 digicam base plate can typically get in the best way of straightforward attachment to the tripod head. Clearly, this being a Peak Design tripod, that subject has been thought by, and the digicam simply attaches to the tripod head even with the strap nonetheless hooked up.

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

After all, 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 digicam paired with a heavy 100-400mm lens, and it carried out very effectively. I additionally used it with my extra regular panorama wide-angle lens, and even with the smartphone adaptor.

Throughout, this tripod carried out very effectively and let me get the pictures I wished, even the lengthy publicity pictures the place the tiniest motion can damage every part.

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. Nevertheless, you need to partially prolong the central column (round an inch), to get full motion.

Earlier than I acquired used to the tripod, I’d 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 laborious, 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 necessary, particularly in the event you plan on doing any astrophotography or Northern Lights pictures, as you may must function the tripod in very darkish circumstances the place you’re working by really feel.

So that’s a variety of optimistic issues. Are there are points I encountered? Effectively, sure.

The primary draw back I found, which is the primary adverse of this tripod, is an absence of separate pan and tilt controls.

Whenever you loosen the management ring to regulate the pinnacle, you may transfer the digicam up, down, left, and proper. Nevertheless, you may’t pan or tilt individually.

So, for instance, you probably have your shot framed virtually completely, however need to shift the view a couple of levels to the left, you need to watch out to not tilt the digicam 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 may pan independently of the lean management.

Now, actually, whether or not or not it is a massive deal will rely loads on the photographs you prefer to take. If you happen to take a variety of panoramas, then this may probably be an even bigger subject.

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

Nevertheless, with a heavy digicam setup it may be difficult to solely transfer in a single route.

The opposite factor to remember is that over time the flip locks on the tripod leg sections can turn out to be unfastened, which means that the legs don’t keep prolonged. That is simply an total subject with all flip lock legs on tripods I’ve used.

This could occur with any tripod, however Peak Design have thought forward and included each a software to regulate the leg flip lock tightness, in addition to a useful clip which lets you connect the adjustment software to a tripod leg.

You simply need to bear in mind to deliver this with you whenever you journey, in case a leg wants tightening up whenever you’re within the subject.

Lastly, while the addition of the bubble stage is appreciated, the sunshine coloration and method it’s positioned implies that my digicam covers most of it up, making it troublesome to see and never very helpful as soon as my digicam is ready up.

Truthfully, most cameras and smartphones today have a built-in stage function anyway, so I hardly ever use the bubble stage on a tripod, however I wished to say it in case it was necessary to you.

Total, I positively loved utilizing this tripod within the subject, and it has earned a spot in my pictures bag for certain.

Peak Design Journey Tripod Professionals and Cons

Having lined my expertise utilizing the Peak Design journey tripod within the subject 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.

Professionals

• Light-weight, even the aluminum model
• Folds down very small
• Works effectively 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

Total,l I positively assume it’s an excellent journey tripod. The primary draw back is the associated fee is fairly excessive, particularly if you’re contemplating the carbon fiber mannequin, which prices much more however solely affords 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 Options

Whenever you begin researching tripods, you’ll shortly study that there are a terrific many tripods in the marketplace, and actually, it may be laborious to inform them aside.

The primary choices will come all the way down to how a lot you need to spend and the way necessary specs like most load capability, most peak, minimal peak, folded peak and many others. are to you.

Most tripods mess around with these specs, so you must be capable of discover the proper tripod for you. I wished to spotlight a couple of choices to contemplate, and you may see extra choices in our information to the finest journey tripods.

Gitzo Traveler Sequence

Any comparability of tripods, particularly high-end tripods, goes to incorporate point out of Gitzo. These are usually thought to be a few of the finest tripods in the marketplace, though they have a tendency to return with a reasonably eye-watering price ticket.

Nonetheless, the Peak Design carbon fiber tripod isn’t precisely a price range mannequin, so I really feel it’s truthful to check it towards a tripod of this caliber.

There are fairly a couple 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 peak 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 value of $719.99.

So in comparison with the Peak Design carbon fiber mannequin, the Gitzo has a barely smaller folded peak, weighs barely extra, and has a barely decrease most peak.

Vanguard VEO 3 GO 235CB or 265HCB

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

I feel their merchandise provide loads, and I’ve been very proud of their gear in use world wide.

The 2 primary tripods I feel they presently produce which you may take into account as an alternative 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 value 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 value of $269.99.

The carbon fiber variant of the Peak Design tripod has a a lot increased load ranking and the next most peak, 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 ranking.

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 value of $339.99.

The carbon fiber variant of the Peak Design tripod has an analogous load ranking and a decrease most peak, 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 lower cost 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 simplest method to economize on a journey tripod is to decide on an aluminum mannequin over a carbon fiber one.

If you happen to’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 every part within the Vanguard retailer.

Simply use the code FindingTheUniverse on 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 may reply this query! Nevertheless, having used it for numerous months I can positively say that it’s a well-made tripod. It really works very effectively and has sufficient intelligent design options to make it stand out in a really crowded market.

Whenever you add up all of the little additional issues like the great bag, smartphone holder, and compatibility with different Peak Design merchandise, it finally ends up as a extremely well-rounded product.

After all, there are lots of different tripods in the marketplace at different value factors, however I don’t assume you can be disillusioned in the event you determine to go for it.

You should buy it direct from Peak Design right here, on Amazon right here, and from B&H Picture right here.

Additional Studying

That’s it for my evaluate 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 one can find helpful.

• Our evaluate of the Vanguard VEO 2 265CB tripod after three years of normal use.
• A evaluate of the Vanguard VEO 2Go 265HCBM, the VEO 3+ 263AB and the VEO 3T+ 264CB.
• We’ve 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’ve a information to learn how to use a compact digicam, learn how to use a DSLR digicam, and learn how to use a mirrorless digicam. We even have a information to how a DSLR works
• Realizing learn how to compose a terrific picture is a key pictures ability. See our information to composition in pictures for plenty of tips about this topic
• We’ve a information to what depth of subject is and whenever you would need to use it.
• We’re massive followers of getting probably the most out of your digital picture information, and do to that you’ll want to shoot in RAW. See our information to RAW in pictures to know what RAW is, and why you must swap to RAW as quickly as you may in case your digicam helps it.
• You’re going to want one thing to run your picture modifying software program on. See our information to the very best laptops for picture modifying for some tips about what to search for.
• If you happen to’re on the lookout for extra recommendation on particular suggestions for various eventualities, we additionally have you ever lined. See our information to Northern Lights pictures, lengthy publicity pictures, fireworks pictures, suggestions for taking photographs of stars, and chilly climate pictures.
• If you happen to’re on the lookout for a terrific present for a pictures loving buddy or member of the family (or your self!), check out our pictures present information,
• If you happen to’re out there for a brand new digicam, we’ve an in depth information to the finest journey cameras, in addition to particular guides for the finest cameras for mountaineering and backpacking, the finest compact digicam, finest mirrorless digicam and finest DSLR digicam. We even have a information to the finest digicam lenses.
• If you’d like a digicam or lens, however the costs are a bit excessive, see our information to the place to purchase used cameras and digicam gear for some price range financial savings choices.

Seeking to Enhance Your Images?

If you happen to discovered this submit useful, and also you need to enhance your pictures total, you may need to take a look at my on-line journey pictures course.

Since launching the course in 2016, I’ve already helped over 2,000 college students discover ways to take higher photographs. The course covers just about every part it’s worthwhile to know, from the fundamentals of how a digicam works, by to composition, gentle, and picture modifying.

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

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

Notice: We had been despatched this product without cost to see how we preferred it. I selected to jot down this evaluate based mostly by myself private opinion of the tripod after utilizing it for some time. All opinions are our personal.