Peak Design Journey Tripod Overview

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

Right now, 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 variety of images equipment, and I notably like their carry strap system which I’ve been utilizing for years on my cameras. In addition they have a variety of standard luggage.

My expertise so far with their merchandise has been very optimistic, they’re properly made and backed by a wonderful guarantee and assist 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 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 available on the market for a while, and I believed it was about time I gave it a great take a look at and evaluation. Let’s begin with the specs.

 

Peak Design Journey Tripod Specs

There are two variants of the Peak Design journey tripod available on the market in the meanwhile, an aluminum mannequin and a carbon fiber mannequin.

The one distinction between the 2 is the fabric in use, which impacts the load (and worth!). All the opposite specs are the identical. Right here’s a fast overview of the principle 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 evaluate the most recent costs and purchase it direct from Peak Design right here, on Amazon right here, and from B&H Picture right here.

This tripod definitely matches what we search for in a journey tripod, which is a mix of portability and a great 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 moveable. The principle manner that is achieved is with the top design, which may be very compact. The ball head principally 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 certainly among the best 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 degree to make sure your digicam is flat, and the flip lock design makes attaching and eradicating your digicam very simple. You can even lock your digicam 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 permits you to use your tripod along with your smartphone. This could work with just about any smartphone available on the market as we speak.

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

One last item 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.

Nicely, Peak Design is understood for his or her luggage and their tripod case is beautiful. It appears to be like 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 appropriate with the Peak Design carry system.

Okay, so these are the principle 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 evaluation based mostly on actual world expertise, so I traveled with the Peak Design journey tripod as my predominant tripod for a number of months to see the way it carried out within the discipline.

As it is a journey tripod, I count on it to be one thing I can carry with me when mountain climbing, so I took it with me on a lot 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.

Once I’m testing a journey tripod, there are some things I’m occupied 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 subsequent factor I search for is how simple the tripod is to arrange and put away. Once I’m mountain climbing, 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 properly. I’m usually not an enormous fan of flip-lock legs as they’ll catch on my digicam bag when establishing and placing away.

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

The best way the digicam attaches to the top additionally works properly. That is one thing that different tripods don’t all the time 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 digicam base plate can generally get in the way in which of simple attachment to the tripod head. Clearly, this being a Peak Design tripod, that challenge has been thought via, and the digicam 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 simple to make sure the digicam is correctly hooked up to the tripod head.

After all, any tripod is barely value its salt if it really supplies a secure platform for capturing from.

I’ve used it with a full-frame mirrorless digicam 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 photographs I wished, even the lengthy publicity photographs the place the tiniest motion can damage all the things.

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, it’s a must to partially prolong the central column (round an inch), to get full motion.

Earlier than I obtained used to the tripod, I’d attempt to transfer the top to the place I wished, however not have the ability to as a result of the top 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 top is prolonged, adjusting the top is straightforward. It’s a ball-style design, and to regulate the angle of the top you loosen the management ring, transfer the tripod head to the angle you need, after which tighten the management ring.

That is all very simple 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 images, as you may have to function the tripod in very darkish circumstances the place you might be working by really feel.

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

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

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

So, for instance, when you have your shot framed virtually completely, however need to shift the view a number of levels to the left, it’s a must to watch out to not tilt the digicam up or down on the identical time.

This additionally makes duties like capturing panoramas much more difficult. Many tripod heads, together with many ball heads, supply separate pan and tilt controls, so you’ll be able to pan independently of the lean management.

Now, actually, whether or not or not it is a massive deal will rely rather a lot on the photographs you wish to take. In the event you take plenty of panoramas, then it will possible be an even bigger challenge.

The excellent news is that the management ring additionally controls the friction, that means you’ll be able to loosen it solely just a little after which simply watch out as you progress the digicam, with friction in your facet to stop 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 develop into unfastened, that means that the legs don’t keep prolonged. That is simply an total challenge with all flip lock legs on tripods I’ve used.

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

You simply need to bear in mind to convey this with you while you journey, in case a leg wants tightening up while you’re within the discipline.

Lastly, while the addition of the bubble degree is appreciated, the sunshine colour and manner it’s positioned signifies 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.

Actually, most cameras and smartphones today have a built-in degree function anyway, so I not often use the bubble degree 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 discipline, and it has earned a spot in my images bag for certain.

 

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 principle professionals and cons of this tripod from a journey images 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 simple panning management
• Some constraint on portrait orientation shot

Total,l I positively suppose it’s a great journey tripod. The principle draw back is the fee is fairly excessive, particularly in case you are contemplating the carbon fiber mannequin, which prices much more however solely provides a modest lower in weight.

I believe most individuals can be pleased with the aluminum mannequin because the options are the identical.

 

Peak Design Journey Tripod Options

Whenever you begin researching tripods, you will rapidly be taught that there are an important many tripods available on the market, and actually, it may be onerous to inform them aside.

The principle 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 top, minimal top, folded top and so forth. are to you.

Most tripods mess around with these specs, so you must have the ability to discover the proper tripod for you. I wished to focus on a number of choices to think about, and you’ll see extra choices in our information to the very best 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 available on the market, 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 finances mannequin, so I really feel it’s honest to check it towards a tripod of this caliber.

There are fairly a number of tripods within the Gitzo Traveler collection. I’d say essentially the most comparable mannequin can be the Gitzo Traveler, collection 1, 5 part tripod.

This carbon fiber tripod has a most top of 58.46″, a folded dimension 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 notice, I’m a Vanguard Ambassador and have been since 2014, and I’ve used plenty of their gear over time, lots of which I’ve additionally reviewed.

I believe their merchandise supply rather a lot, and I’ve been very pleased with their gear in use around the globe.

The 2 predominant tripods I believe they presently produce which you may take into account as a substitute of the Peak Design Journey Tripod can 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 dimension of 53.5″, a folded dimension 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 ranking 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 think about when you have a smaller setup that received’t problem the utmost load ranking.

The 265HCB is the taller tripod, with a most dimension of 65.5″, a folded dimension 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 ranking 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 obtainable 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. Usually the best manner to economize on a journey tripod is to decide on an aluminum mannequin over a carbon fiber one.

In the event 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 will provide you with 20% off all the things 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?

Actually, solely you’ll be able to reply this query! Nevertheless, having used it for a lot 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.

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

After all, there are various different tripods available on the market at different worth factors, however I don’t suppose you’ll be upset in the event you determine to go for it.

You should purchase 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 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 expect one can find helpful.

• Our evaluation of the Vanguard VEO 2 265CB tripod after three years of normal use.
• A evaluation of the Vanguard VEO 2Go 265HCBM, the VEO 3+ 263AB and the VEO 3T+ 264CB.
• Now we 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
• Now we have a information to methods to use a compact digicam, methods to use a DSLR digicam, and methods to use a mirrorless digicam. We even have a information to how a DSLR works
• Understanding methods to compose an important photograph is a key images ability. See our information to composition in images for many tips about this topic
• Now we have a information to what depth of discipline is and while you would need to use it.
• We’re massive followers of getting essentially the most out of your digital photograph information, and do to that you’ll want to shoot in RAW. See our information to RAW in images to know what RAW is, and why you must change to RAW as quickly as you’ll be able to in case your digicam helps it.
• You’re going to wish one thing to run your photograph enhancing software program on. See our information to the very best laptops for photograph enhancing for some tips about what to search for.
• In the event you’re in search of extra recommendation on particular suggestions for various situations, we additionally have you ever lined. See our information to Northern Lights images, lengthy publicity images, fireworks images, suggestions for taking photographs of stars, and chilly climate images.
• In the event you’re in search of an important present for a images loving buddy or member of the family (or your self!), check out our images present information,
• In the event you’re out there for a brand new digicam, now we have an in depth information to the greatest journey cameras, in addition to particular guides for the greatest cameras for mountain climbing and backpacking, the greatest compact digicam, greatest mirrorless digicam and greatest DSLR digicam. We even have a information to the greatest digicam lenses.
• If you need 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 finances financial savings choices.

 

Seeking to Enhance Your Images?

In the event you discovered this put up useful, and also you need to enhance your images total, you may need to try my on-line journey images course.

Since launching the course in 2016, I’ve already helped over 2,000 college students learn to take higher photographs. The course covers just about all the things that you must know, from the fundamentals of how a digicam works, via to composition, gentle, and photograph enhancing.

It additionally covers extra superior matters, together with astrophotography, lengthy publicity images, flash images, and HDR images.

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 obtainable for a tremendous one-off worth for lifetime entry, and I believe you must test it out. Which you are able to do by clicking right here.

Be aware: We had been despatched this product at no cost to see how we appreciated it. I selected to write down this evaluation based mostly by myself private opinion of the tripod after utilizing it for some time. All opinions are our personal.