Peak Design Travel Tripod: A Comprehensive Review and Comparison

Photographers often seek lightweight and compact tripods that can travel with them effortlessly. The Peak Design travel tripod is one such option that sparks interest due to its carbon fiber construction and portability. This article provides a detailed review of the Peak Design travel tripod, highlighting its features, price, and comparing it to other tripods in the market.

Introduction to the Peak Design Carbon Fiber Tripod

The Peak Design travel tripod is available in a carbon fiber version, priced at $479 plus international shipping and customs fees. This model is known for its high-quality construction and portability, making it an excellent choice for photographers on the go.

Technical Specifications

The Peak Design tripod has several notable technical specifications:

These dimensions make the tripod highly portable, suitable for travel and on-location photography. However, there are a few smaller details worth noting, such as the compact folding design, which makes it easy to pack and fit into a camera bag.

Material and Workmanship

The Peak Design tripod combines metal and plastic materials to create a sturdy yet lightweight structure. The leg buckles are made of metal, providing security, while the rest of the components, including the trigger parts, are plastic. The total length of the four trigger sections is 55 mm, which is relatively short, indicating that the tripod is designed for compactness rather than additional functionality.

Design and Usability

The tripod's design is user-friendly, with a sleek and stylish appearance that makes it aesthetically pleasing. However, the supporting tripod bag is a bit small, which might be limiting for photographers with larger equipment.

Practical Experience

The Peak Design tripod is impressively designed for travel. It is extremely thin and lightweight, making it very convenient for packing and carrying. The fact that it can be stuffed into a camera bag or carried on the side speaks to its convenience.

The gimbal lacks a separate 360-degree rotating plane, which is a minor downside. Additionally, after the leg tubes are fully extended, there is noticeable deformation when pressing on the front and back as well as the left and right sides. To use the gimbal properly, the central axis must be extended by about 5 cm.

Stability and Rigidity

The fully extended torsion resistance is poor, with an overall rigidity comparable to that of Gitzo, Manfrotto, and other traditional locking structures. However, the stability of the tripod is impressive. A vertical pressure test reveals that it can resist about 15 kg, which exceeds the user's expectations.

Conclusion

The Peak Design travel tripod is undoubtedly the most portable travel tripod available. With a retracted diameter of 80 mm, retracted length of 39 cm, and a weight of 1.3 kg, it can be used for photography on the move. However, in terms of product positioning, the PD tripod falls short in terms of rigidity and stability.

Recommendation

For those seeking a highly portable travel tripod, the Peak Design model is a strong contender. However, if rigidity and stability are top priorities, users may want to consider other brands like Gitzo or Manfrotto. Keep in mind that stability tests are best conducted with a shutter speed of 1/2 to 2 seconds, a focal length of 200 mm or longer, or a test duration of 20 to 50 seconds. These times will provide a more accurate stability comparison.

Overall, the Peak Design travel tripod is an excellent choice for photographers who prioritize portability and convenience.