Latest news with #tripod
The Verge
5 days ago
- The Verge
Peak Design Pro Tripod review: a leg up over the original
Whenever Peak Design releases a new product, whether it's a backpack, a camera strap, or even a wallet, I'm always looking forward to seeing what kind of genius engineering tweaks the San Francisco-based company came up with. And while there are some clever tricks here, the newly released line of video tripods is more about applying lessons the team learned from its first tripod release over six years ago. The legs are sturdier, there's an improved center column, a redesigned ball head, and many other improvements worth going through. First, the basics: there are three variants to choose from: the Pro Lite, Pro, and Pro Tall, all of which share the same core features but differ in max height and weight. The whole lineup of tripods is available on Kickstarter, but they won't be cheap — the Pro Lite, Pro, and Pro Tall cost $799, $899, and $999, respectively. Discounts for backing them on Kickstarter range from 23 percent off the Pro Lite to 27 percent off the Pro and Pro Tall. I had a chance to test all of them over a few weeks. The Pro Lite is the lightest model and weighs 3.7 lbs. You'll notice the added heft compared to the 2.81 pounds of the carbon fiber Travel Tripod — Peak Design's first and only tripod until now. A lot of that extra weight is justified and comes from the ball head. We'll talk about that soon. The Pro Lite is four inches taller than the original Travel Tripod with a sturdier and longer center column. That extra height is just enough for me to record my to-camera sections at eye level. (For reference, I'm 6 '1 or 187cm.) Then there's the Pro and Pro Tall. These tripods are heavier, taller and have a larger weight load than the Pro Lite. I mostly kept using the Pro and Pro Tall tripods indoors and have added things like sliders and my heavier cinema cameras rig. Each tripod is made from carbon fiber; there aren't aluminum options, and each is light enough to bring anywhere with me. Even the Pro Tall, at 4.5 lbs, gave my back a nice break compared to my usual video tripod — a decade-old 5.5 lb Manfrotto 055 with a 3.7 lb fluid video head. But, out of the three, I found myself using the Pro Lite the most, since I try to keep my gear as light as possible during hikes or long photo ball head featured on all three tripods has a new quick-release system that feels much more secure than the one found on the Travel Tripod. The camera easily snaps onto the Arca-Swiss compatible plate, and there's a separate locking mechanism flush against the side of the ball head. This lock, which the Travel Tripod didn't have, made me more confident I wouldn't accidentally release it and drop the camera by bumping into a tightening knob. I've been using Peak Design's first tripod since it launched in 2020. The ball head has deteriorated over time. It still works, but the lock often gets stuck and is hard to release once tightened. This new lock addresses that issue. I don't know how this new ball head will perform in a few years, but I expect it to be better. A dedicated lock toggle which wasn't present in the Travel Tripod means you won't have to overtighten the previous tightening system. Durability is one of the most important aspects of a tripod, and when you pay a premium price for one, you hope it lasts for years. That Manfrotto that I mentioned earlier, I've been using it for nearly a decade. One of my favorite new features is that it's much easier to switch to vertical filming. It can easily flip onto its side by unlocking the ball head. The Travel Tripod has that ability, but with limited maneuverability. The new head can move freely in any direction. I love it! The ball head panning was smooth, but there aren't friction adjustments. It's either unlocked or not, but it was able to handle my mirrorless Fujifilm XH2s and even my heavier cameras like the Canon C70 well. However, you'll need a separate $149 (MSRP) attachment if you want to add tilting capabilities. I assume most readers looked at the scorecard and saw that I added 'tilt module' under both the 'good' and 'bad' sections. Allow me to explain. On one hand, it's annoying to pay extra for this accessory and I wish it came with the tripod. On the other hand, I like that you don't have to pay the added cost if you don't plan to use it. One possible workaround is to use an L-bracket on your camera, flip the ball head for vertical filming and your built-in pan axis now becomes a tilt one. The tilt module snaps onto the ball head with its Swiss-Arca base, just like a camera would. The extendable handle magnetically attaches to the back of the tilt mod. It's super clever. But the tilt accessory wasn't ideal for everything. As with pan, there's no way to adjust the friction. That made it harder to keep my tilts smooth and steady with heavier gear, such as my Fujifilm XH2s with a 5o-140mm lens. There is also another option — you could use an different fluid video head, but you'll need to get a separate $129 (MSRP) Pro Leveling Base attachment. It replaces the included ball head and has a much shorter center column. You can still quickly and easily level it on uneven surfaces. Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge There are lots of smaller improvements. They have better leg locks, sturdier concave center columns, a hidden hex tool (you don't need to attach one to the side, it's in the center column), and an easier way to disassemble and clean parts. Even the carrying bag is roomier; it's not a very tight-fitting sock like before. But are they worth the price? It depends on how you use your video tripods. Over the last few years, with better camera and lens stabilization, my need for video tripods has slowly diminished. During my review period, I ended up using the Pro Lite tripod more often as a photo tripod than a video and it slowly replaced my original Travel Tripod. While the other two in the lineup stayed in my studio for video work. But each of the new tripods addresses every pain point of the original Travel Tripod.
The Verge
5 days ago
- Business
- The Verge
Peak Design's new portable pro tripods can support up to 40 pounds of camera gear
Peak Design has announced three new tripods with features and functionality that cater to professional photographers and videographers. The company's first tripod was a travel model that folded to be as slim as a soda can to prioritize portability. Its new pro tripods, available in three versions, are slightly thicker when collapsed, but they can also support twice as much weight and stand a bit taller. The company is once again launching the new tripods through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign today. The new pro versions range in price from $799.95 to $999.95 — a big jump from the starting price of its original Travel Tripod at $349.95. However, the earliest backers can preorder them with discounts up to 27 percent off. The three new models include the standard Pro Tripod and two variants. The Pro Lite Tripod is lighter and packs down smaller, thanks to its legs and center column being scaled down. The Pro Tall Tripod features elongated legs so it stands taller, but it also maximizes stability since the center column may not need to be extended as high. Ranging in weight from 3.7 to 4.5 pounds, the new pro models are only slightly heavier than Peak Design's aluminum Travel Tripod, which weighs 3.44 pounds. But they all stand much taller, up to 77.7 inches for the Pro Tall Tripod, and can support up to 40 pounds of camera equipment, although the smaller Pro Lite Tripod maxes out at 35 pounds. Despite their thicker and sturdier legs made of carbon fiber, you can still squeeze the new pro tripods into a backpack's side pocket because the largest model measures just 3.66 inches in diameter when folded down. (Peak Design's Travel Tripod was 3.25 inches, for comparison.) But they may stick out a bit more since they're 4 to 7 inches taller. Peak Design is carrying forward some of the more unique features of its Travel Tripod, including a smartphone mount and a hex multitool that both fold down so they can be stowed inside the tripod's center column. They'll also have better Arca-compatible quick-lock grips that hold a camera more securely while making it easier to attach and remove. And you can get an optional $149.95 Tilt Mod accessory that converts the pro tripods' easily adjustable ball head into a fluid pan and tilt head for smoother camera movements.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
K&F CONCEPT Launches Lightweight Carbon Fiber Tripod to Empower Hybrid Creators in a Rapidly Evolving Content Landscape
K&F CONCEPT SHENZHEN, China, May 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the content creation ecosystem continues to evolve, K&F CONCEPT introduces the new Omni Series Carbon Fiber Tripod — a lightweight, efficient solution tailored for today's hybrid creators. According to the 2024 Influencer Aspirations Study released by IZEA, over 50% of social media influencers are actively shifting toward video content production. This shift drives increasing demand for equipment that delivers greater stability, flexibility, and a professional edge. K&F CONCEPT Omni Series Tripod Designed for Both Photography and Videography For creators producing short-form videos on platforms like Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts, stable and precise camera movements are essential for capturing attention. Traditional photo tripods, often equipped with three-way pan heads, can be cumbersome to adjust, while ball heads, although faster, may introduce unwanted shakes—both falling short of the fluidity and efficiency demanded by modern video workflows. The K&F CONCEPT Omni Series addresses these challenges with a high-performance fluid head featuring a premium damping system. It offers smooth, continuous resistance for 360° panning and +90°/-90° tilting, enabling precise control over movement speed and shot composition. Whether capturing fast-moving scenes or fine-tuning angles, the Omni tripod provides the professional stability needed for dynamic storytelling. The fluid head is equally advantageous for still photography, especially for creators whose visual identity relies heavily on crafted, atmospheric shots. For travel bloggers, home decor influencers, and food photographers, solid framing directly impacts the overall aesthetic and shareability of their work. The Omni's smooth and stable adjustments allow for meticulous fine-tuning of perspectives, resulting in richer, more refined static compositions. Approximately 20% Lighter for Maximum Mobility Vloggers and creators often grapple with the challenge of heavy gear, particularly during outdoor or on-the-go shoots. Traditional video tripods tend to be bulky and cumbersome, limiting flexibility and slowing down production workflows. The Omni Series tripod features a high-strength carbon fiber build, utilizing an eight-layer woven structure reinforced with high-pressure technology to push weight limits even lower. Weighing only 1.1kg (1.64kg including the fluid head), the Omni is about 20% lighter than comparable aluminum tripods. Whether navigating bustling city streets or chasing natural light in remote landscapes, creators can count on the Omni for effortless portability without sacrificing stability.
