The New (Perfect?) Tripod

Back in late May I ordered the Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod. I sat undecided for months before ordering it because of its high price. Please don’t think this is a review with any ratings but it’s my way of sharing my experience at how the tripod is working for me after almost 3 months of use. 

My current tripod is a carbon fiber Manfrotto 3443 I’ve had for over 20 years. I have had no complaints or issues with this tripod, it has served me well. However, I do not carry it with me primarily due to its size. At just over 5 pounds and a folded length of about 29 inches I’m not excited about lugging it around at my age.

Here are my impressions. I was pleasantly surprised with the size of this new tripod. They call it a travel tripod for a valid reason. Because it’s small and lightweight, at 2.8 pounds and just over 15 inches in folded length, it is very easy to carry. And, since it is easy to carry I am finding I bring it with me far more often than my other tripod. And, I use it!

I am going through a learning curve in setting it up and taking it down and finding what works best for me. Each time I use it I find myself getting into a routine, it becomes easier and quicker, which is something I really want in a tripod and entices me to use it more often.

I was concerned with how stable the tripod was going to be. I shoot with a mirrorless camera so my gear is much smaller and lighter. My largest lens is the 70-300mm zoom and the tripod has no issues supporting it. It is stable enough for my photography. Gusty winds will be an issue with any tripod.

For my stature its minimum height of 51” inches is good enough for me, only 3 inches shorter than my Manfrotto. I love the ball head. It is easy to place my camera in the ball head and lock it down. I did forget to lock it down once and had a close call. I also like how easy and quickly the one ring is to adjust. I seldom shoot vertical images and when I do it has not been a problem for me. I raise the center column about 4-5 inches and have begun to use my LCD more when on the tripod. It really is easier than looking through the viewfinder. The tripod is not capable of doing a panorama series but I’ve only done that once in all my years of photography. I so enjoy not having an L-bracket on my camera. Their little standard plate is small and much less intrusive.

I also find it to be physically attractive, a state of the art tripod. Its design fits my hand very well because of the shape of the legs and how it’s folded. There is no wasted space. I probably will never use the stowable mobile phone mount but it’s there. Peak Design also has several useful videos on their website for using and servicing the tripods.

So, I am pleased with my purchase but still reeling from the cost. It will not make me a better photographer and I knew that when I ordered it. However, when I use it as a tool in the craft of photography it will help in my photography. Just taking a tripod with me does that. Was it worth the money? Probably not. Well…

In closing I’ll say it is not the perfect tripod because there is none. But we can argue that when I have it with me and use it, it is the perfect tripod at that moment. Oh, and it’s guaranteed for life. It’ll probably outlast me.