NEW Peak Design Travel Tripod - This is worth looking at

Let's face it most travel tripods are junk, or have something keeping them from being a 100%.  So you are kind of stuck finding the best you can, and using that.   A couple weeks ago, Peak Design sent me a pre-production version of their new travel tripod to review.  

I have to be frank, I don't hold my breath on tripods.  For years, they have been same vanilla design.  Peak Design seriously re-engineered the tripod and what you have is something that will leave you impressed.   

As I type this out, their Kickstarter campaign has been live for just over an hour with a Goal of $500,000 to raise.  They have crushed that and are now past $750,000!  How is that for social proof?!

Here's my review:  www.photographytalk.com/peak-design-travel-tripod  

Here is the video portion of the review:

Right, too many compromises will result in poor performance.

Though beautifully compact, one has to imagine that gizmo
when fully expended with 6 segments legs… can you figure
out the size and stability of the last of those!!!     

Nikon Shooter wrote: Right, too many compromises will result in poor performance.

Though beautifully compact, one has to imagine that gizmo
when fully expended with 6 segments legs… can you figure
out the size and stability of the last of those!!!     

Hey brother how are you doing?

Perhaps I need another coffee, can you expound a little further on your last statement... I'm not following you?

Alex wrote: Perhaps I need another coffee…

Step right in… just cooking a fresh one!

The 6th segment looks so thin… no tripod can be stable on that!

Looks like they just cleared $1,500,000.  Impressive.  

Sorry, but no.

The 3 Legged Thing Corey has a bigger payload, same extended height, smaller stowed length, and is far less expensive (about half the price). Probably more stable, too. Oh, and for the aluminum, about the same weight. The PD offering is smaller around, yes, but does that offset everything else?

The 3LT products are outstanding. I wouldn't pay $350 the PD offering.

So, no.

Upside: nice job on the review.

Sorry Alex, not six but five segments, the
previous thinness observation remains.

They just crossed $3 million in under 24 hours. That's a lot of tripods.  Price is a little on the high.  That compact size is something to consider.  Nice job on the interview, the bloopers at the end were a nice touch.  

P.S.  Alex check your inbox box please, I sent you a message yesterday.  Thanks.  

garyrhook wrote: Sorry, but no.

The 3 Legged Thing Corey has a bigger payload, same extended height, smaller stowed length, and is far less expensive (about half the price). Probably more stable, too. Oh, and for the aluminum, about the same weight. The PD offering is smaller around, yes, but does that offset everything else?

The 3LT products are outstanding. I wouldn't pay $350 the PD offering.

So, no.

Hey Gary!

What's going on with you in Texas?!  Yeah it's a pricey tripod.  No hiding that.  While I have not used that specific 3 Legged Thing tripod, I have used their tripods in the past.  They make a great product.  

I can't comment about such a comparison.  Now you have me curious!  I might need to get my hands on one of these 'Coreys'.  I believe the stability of the PD is punching way out of it's weight class. Seriously, it's that good.  On paper... Corey has 30lb max load, PD has 33lbs.  PD has 2 " max height lead.  Corey has just over 1.5" shorter packed length.  They both weigh in nearly at the same with Corey just .02 lbs lighter.  The huge win for PD is that diameter.  It's just that small.  When traveling your biggest commodity is space.  So taking upwards of half the space of traditional travel tripods when stored away.. yeah, I think there will be many who put a higher value on that.  

Now I have found there is one item that I find a little restrictive with the PD.  That while shooting in portrait orientation, you need spin it the left side only, as right side it's not possible. 

At the time of making this post, they have raised $3,511,136 in just over 24 hours, with 7941 peeps standing behind this.  Which means an average of $442.15 is being spent per person.  So back on price, $599 is a bit high, I agree with you.  However after using this tripod, I think somewhere in the upper part of $470-$490 is a nice spot for this tripod.  As it turns out....5,694 photographers shelling out $479 for the carbon fiber...the pricier carbon fiber is definitely leading the sales for them.  


With that said, Peak Design didn't pay PhotographyTalk a dime, they just sent that to me to review and that's what they got.

Alright bud... call me up some time, it's been awhile!  

Nikon Shooter wrote:

Alex wrote: Perhaps I need another coffee…

Step right in… just cooking a fresh one!

The 6th segment looks so thin… no tripod can be stable on that!

Now your talking!  How are you brewing your coffee?  Kureg, French press, Chemex, AeroPress?  


Gotcha... yeah whether you talking 5 or 6 segments, in smaller travel tripods, there just isn't enough product/material to make things super sturdy.  


Back on the coffee idea, it's nearly 5pm here now.  Late in the day for coffee, I say we grab some drinks and head over to Gary's place for some good old fashion Texas BBQ!

Alex wrote: I can't comment about such a comparison.  Now you have me curious!  I might need to get my hands on one of these 'Coreys'.  I believe the stability of the PD is punching way out of it's weight class. Seriously, it's that good.  On paper... Corey has 30lb max load, PD has 33lbs.  PD has 2 " max height lead.  Corey has just over 1.5" shorter packed length.  They both weigh in nearly at the same with Corey just .02 lbs lighter.  The huge win for PD is that diameter.  It's just that small.  When traveling your biggest commodity is space.  So taking upwards of half the space of traditional travel tripods when stored away.. yeah, I think there will be many who put a higher value on that.  

<snip>

With that said, Peak Design didn't pay PhotographyTalk a dime, they just sent that to me to review and that's what they got.

Ha-ha! We know you're not a shill

I was working from the kickstarter description, which put the payload at 20 lbs. I don't see 33 lbs mentioned anywhere on that page. What am I missing?

Certainly, stability is a primary concern. At some point it will be interesting to lay hands on one. And clearly, the CF version is the one of interest.

Yes, we should catch up at some point.

garyrhook wrote:

Alex wrote: I can't comment about such a comparison.  Now you have me curious!  I might need to get my hands on one of these 'Coreys'.  I believe the stability of the PD is punching way out of it's weight class. Seriously, it's that good.  On paper... Corey has 30lb max load, PD has 33lbs.  PD has 2 " max height lead.  Corey has just over 1.5" shorter packed length.  They both weigh in nearly at the same with Corey just .02 lbs lighter.  The huge win for PD is that diameter.  It's just that small.  When traveling your biggest commodity is space.  So taking upwards of half the space of traditional travel tripods when stored away.. yeah, I think there will be many who put a higher value on that.  

<snip>

With that said, Peak Design didn't pay PhotographyTalk a dime, they just sent that to me to review and that's what they got.

Ha-ha! We know you're not a shill

I was working from the kickstarter description, which put the payload at 20 lbs. I don't see 33 lbs mentioned anywhere on that page. What am I missing?

Certainly, stability is a primary concern. At some point it will be interesting to lay hands on one. And clearly, the CF version is the one of interest.

Yes, we should catch up at some point.

I'm working off tag that came with this pre-production unit.  Perhaps the tag I have is a misprint.  



When you do get the chance to play around with one, you'll see why myself and so many others are really liking what Peak Design did here.  

Alright bro... speak soon!