The Benro Theta Intro Video

Primary Specs of the Benro Theta at a Glance

At a glance, here are the specs of the Benro Theta:

Theta

• Weight: 1.25kg/2.7lb
• Max Height: 155cm/61in
• Packed Length: 44cm/17.4in
• Kickstarter Pricing: $349 USD (See Details)

Theta Max

• Weight: 1.65kg/3.6lb
• Max Height: 170cm/67in
• Packed Length: 53cm/20.8in
• Kickstarter Pricing: $399 USD (See Details)

The Primary Feature – Self Leveling

The most notable, revolutionary feature of the Benro Theta is its auto-leveling capabilities, powered by its own rechargeable battery. With a push of a button,  this technology can automatically extend and retract the three legs to adjust and level the camera in a few seconds.  Photographers can also use the Theta’s dedicated mobile app to make minor adjustments to the level.

Tripod Stability

The Theta travel tripod offers an innovative solution to address the three main priorities for photographers – size, weight, and sturdiness.  Two design factors, the Trigonous Central Shaft and Rounded/Thicker Legs, add stability and sturdiness to the tripod without making the tripod bulky or heavy.

Trigonous Central Shaft

The Theta travel tripod features a trigonous design for its center column, characterized by dividing the round tube contour into three equal concave parts, creating three inner arcs. To further enhance its sturdiness, the center column is made of 6061-T6 aluminum. This material choice, coupled with the trigonous design, ensures that photographers can rely on the Theta for stable support of their cameras.

Rounded and Thicker Legs

Thanks to its thicker rounded legs and high-quality carbon fiber construction, the Theta travel tripod can provide reliable support for full-frame DSLR cameras, even in open and windy environments.

Other Notable Features

The Theta and Theta Max go a step beyond the already impressive features mentioned above with additional features that address many of photographers’ needs in a tripod.

Anti-Slip Legs with Auto Locking

Benro has developed an anti-slip mechanism for Theta’s legs. In the event of a leg slipping or being left unlocked, Theta’s inbuilt safety feature automatically locks the leg, preventing it from skidding further.

Easy Cleaning

Theta’s legs are “sand proof and easy to clean,” according to the company. The tripod’s retractable legs feature a scraping mechanism that prevents sand from slipping into the gap of the leg tube, making it easier to keep the tripod clean. Additionally, the collars on each leg are designed to keep dust and sand out, and they can be disassembled without tools for convenient cleaning.

Easy Mounting

To make camera installation quicker and more secure, they have designed an automatic snap-lock mechanism into Theta’s ball head.  Once the quick release plate is installed on the camera, press it onto the ball head, and the plate will snap-lock into place automatically.

Theta’s Modules

Another unique feature that Benro offers is swappable smart modules that expand the tripod’s functionality.   These modules offer intelligent features and can be left on the Theta or removed when not in use.  Let’s review each below.

Battery Module – The Theta travel tripod features a separate battery module design that enables it to retain its standard tripod characteristics while still accommodating built-in motors and gyroscopes.

Camera Control Module – With Theta’s Camera Control Module, photographers can control their camera from a distance of up to 150 feet. This feature enables users to adjust essential camera settings such as shutter speed, aperture, and ISO, and access a live preview from their smartphone.

Optical Matrix Sensor Module – For time-lapse photography, the optical matrix sensor module is a valuable tool that provides assistance in detecting ambient light in real-time. This module enables smooth transitions from daylight to night (or vice versa) while maintaining consistent exposure levels.

Go Live Module – The Go Live Module allows you to stream live from your DSLR or Mirrorless Camera.

More Info – How to Buy:

The Benro Theta tripods are available exclusively on Kickstarter, where they are discounted up to 52% off of their future retail pricing.  As with many Kickstarters, this is likely the lowest price they’ll ever be available for purchase. For more information on their options, features, materials, shipping estimates and more, see their Kickstarter Page.

To help you decide which tripod is right for you, we’ve created our list of the Best Tripods for Photographers, updated annually. These lists are based on our personal experience as working photographers combined with extensive research from other reputable sources online.

If you aren’t familiar with some of the terms, options, or components on a tripod we mention here, please check out the article The Tripod Explained. There’s a lot of great information compiled there that will make your understanding much more complete. If we missed anything, or if you have any recommendations on what we should consider for next year, please comment below!  Also, see the following article if you’re looking for the Best Tripods for iPhones and Smartphones.

Best Travel Tripods

One thing working photographers have to have in their kit is a great travel tripod for those random road trips and commercial gigs that require super light packing. The key to a great travel tripod is one that is light-weight, folds up into a neat compact package that hopefully can also fit easily in a carry-on bag, but still is tough and sturdy to make sure you get a stable shot.

Peak Design Travel Tripod

Our Winner for Best Travel Tripod.

After winning several awards for their bag designs, Peak Design decided to disrupt another product category with their new Travel Tripod. Having gotten hands on with this guy for several weeks, we can honestly say this is one of the best ‘Travel Tripods’ we had ever used. Available in Aluminum or Carbon Fiber, the system weighs only 3.44lbs or 2.81lbs respectively, supports 20lbs of gear, and is one of the smallest ‘collapsed’ tripods i’ve ever worked with. You can pack and cary this guy in nearly any sort of situation making it our favorite and winner for the best travel tripod on the market.

The only drawback we had with this unit was pretty consistent with all 4+ section tripods, and that is when fully extended, there’s a little bit of wobble that’s unavoidable. Outside of that the only other con we encountered was simply getting used to the new style of compact ball head, which wasn’t really a con, just personal adjustment after years of using the same hydrostatic style ball head tripods.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

B&H | Adorama | Peak Design

3 Legged Thing Brian With AirHed Neo Ball Head (Our Choice)

Our 2nd Place Winner for Best Travel Tripod.

The 3 Legged Thing Punks Brian with AirHed Neo is one of the best travel tripods you can possibly have! Boasting a minimum height of 7.5″ and a maximum of over 74″, you can pretty much achieve any shot with this lightweight and compact tripod. This guy is made from carbon fiber, allowing the frame to be a light 3 lbs and still support up to 30.9 lbs of gear! One leg even detaches so you can use it as a Monopod. I’ve personally owned this tripod and used it on all of my travel and timelapse shoots and would highly recommend it for anyone.

The only drawback I have seen with this unit is this; while I love this tripod, I am not a huge fan of the twist locking leg mechanisms and have had issues ensuring they are completely locked and secure when fully extended. This may be nitpicking, but it can be a frustration when you’re setting up and all ready for your shot only to have one of the legs slide down an inch and wobble on you.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Amazon | B&H | Adorama

Gitzo Series 1 Traveler Tripod with Center Ball Head

Our 3rd Place Winner for Best Travel Tripod.

The Gitzo Series 1 Traveler Tripod may be the shortest of the list coming in at a max height of only 52.4″ but it still is a serious contender. With a minimum height of 12″ it only weighs 2.8 lbs, making it the lightest of the bunch with the smallest footprint with a folded length of 14.4″. The entire design is based on maximizing its thin profile as well as making it look awesome with incredibly sturdy legs.

The drawbacks on this tripod were mentioned above. It’s one of the better looking, lighter, and sturdier devices on the list, but it’s also the smallest height and lowest weight capacity. That said, it’s still one of the best lightweight tripods available.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Amazon | B&H | Adorama

MeFOTO RoadTrip

The MeFOTO Roadtrip is the smaller of the two MeFOTO tripods, and for smaller DSLR and mirrorless systems, it’s absolutely perfect (although it does support up to 17.6 lbs). There is a bit of a price difference between the aluminum and carbon fiber variant ($189 vs $329) and you’re only saving about half a pound in weight. You also don’t have nearly as many color choices with the carbon fiber models, so if you wanted to choose a great value tripod that comes in your favorite color, you would be best choosing the aluminum MeFOTO Roadtrip.

Aluminum – $189

• When folded it is 15.4″
• Extends up to 61.6″
• Supports up to 17.6 lbs.
• Weighs 3.6 lbs.
• Comes in 12 different colors

Carbon Fiber – $329

• When folded it is 15.4″
• Extends up to 61.6″
• Supports up to 17.6 lbs.
• Weighs 3.1 lbs.
• Comes in 2 different colors

Best “Tabletop” Tripods

These seem to have the most versatility out there, used by Vloggers, Influencers, Travel/Adventure Photographers and more. While they are by far the smallest, these best iPhone tripods seem to have some of the most creative uses in the industry. Especially since they can all be used for smaller DSLR’s as well.

JOBY GORILLAPOD 3K (Our Choice)

Our Winner for Best Tabletop Tripod.

The Joby Gorillapod is typically less than 1-foot tall and can hold about 6.5 lbs with the 3k model, (increased up to 15″ tall and 11 lbs with the 5k), and it can fit practically anywhere you can imagine. With its strong flexible legs, you can mount your DSLR on a pole, tree, table leg, street sign, or anything that can support the weight of your device, making it perfect for getting a stable shot in hard to access places.

The drawback here will be a lack of stability over long durations as the legs are flexible, so it’s possible that over time your camera will shift in position. Also if you’re using a rig that’s on the heavier side of the 6.5 lb max weight recommendation, the legs won’t hold their position for long and you’d be better off jumping to the more pricey and heavier duty 5k model

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Amazon | B&H | Adorama

Manfrotto Pixi Evo Mini Tripod

Our 2nd Place Winner for Best Tabletop Tripod.

Manfrotto is pretty much a household name in the tripod world, and they’re best known for their larger and full-size tripods. But the design team at Manfrotto has hit the mark nearly perfectly with the Pixi Evo Mini Tripod.

Designed for smaller cameras, smartphones, and smaller mirrorless cameras, the Pixi Evo can even hold up to 5.5 lb DSLR/Mirrorless combos while boasting an incredibly small footprint. Despite its small size, this device is built like a tank and can also be used as a handheld grip for recording video on your camera.

The drawback on this unit is the limited options for its legs. Basically, the legs are either opened wide or flat, which will hinder the number of places you can securely place it compared to the flexible Gorillapod.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Amazon | B&H | Adorama

Leica Tabletop Tripod

Our 3rd Place Winner for Best Tabletop Tripod.

Simple and Elegant, the Leica Tabletop Tripod has been around for years and hasn’t changed a bit in decades! It’s an elegant and nearly indestructible design with incredible stability since the legs simply do not move.
The footprint on this device is arguably larger than the other two because the legs don’t fold or clamp, but rather rotate together to create the super stable base once opened up; however, what it does offer is the ability to hold an impressive 15.4 lbs out of the box.

You can mount your camera directly to the base or pair with a Leica Ball Head to give yourself more creative control.

The drawback of this device is similar to the Manfrotto’s where it is an absolutely rigid design, meaning you’re left placing the tripod on a flat surface to use it, reducing the “creative” shots you can get. Also, as with all things Leica, the price jumps significantly when compared to the other brands.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Amazon | B&H | Adorama

Best Full-Sized Tripods

When nothing else matters but the quality of your image, you’ll make sure the tripod and every other accessory attached to your camera is as good as it can get! For this, we’ve got the top three full-sized professional tripods of the year for you to bring your work to the next level.

Really Right Stuff TVC-33 Versa Series 3 Mk2 Carbon Fiber Tripod with BH-55 Ball Head (Our Choice)

Our Winner for the Best Full-Sized Tripod

Affectionately referred to as the “Rolls Royce” of tripods, the Really Right Stuff TVC 33 Versa Series 3 Mk2 is a beautiful carbon fiber tripod with a diamond-pattern carbon veneer, twist locks, and rubber ball feet for a base. The ball head is solid and incredibly smooth to use which includes panning marks for panoramic work, multiple 90 degree cut outs for when you need to shoot vertically, and separate tension adjustments. Boasting a max weight capacity of 50lbs (wow), it reaches a max height of 62.3″ as well as a minimum height of 7.8″.

The only real drawback of this unit is the max height compared to some other studio/full-sized tripods, and then the price tag. But that’s how it goes when you’re seeking ultimate quality in your gear.

Check the prices from our preferred retailer below:

B&H | Amazon | Adorama

Manfrotto Nitrotech 608 & Fluid Head

Our 2nd Place Winner for the Best Full-Sized Tripod.

When you’re looking for a larger, more advanced setup for your photo and video production needs, especially when you’re adding a heavier camera system, you’re going to love the Nitrotech 608 & Fluid Head Head. This is one of the best video tripods we’ve used on the market of it’s class, and this model I can personally vouch for as we’ve been using it in studio for several months now!  The 608’s fluid head features an innovative, continuously-adjustable counterbalance system, which allows you to dial in the perfect settings for your rig. The bigger footprint that comes with the video style helps stabilize your shot to reduce the chance of camera shake.

The drawback of this device is weight and portability. Coming in at 12.06lbs with the video head and a minimum folded length of 28.74″ it’s not exactly lightweight; however, it makes up for it in stability and function. There may also be a bit of a learning curve to get past coming from standard ball heads and normal tripods, but once you master it you’ll love it.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Amazon | B&H | Adorama

Manfrotto 055CXPRO4 with MHXPRO-BHQ2 Ball Head

Our 3rd Place Winner for the Best Full-Sized Tripod.

The Manfrotto MT055CXPRO4 Carbon Fiber 4 Sections Tripod with Horizontal Column delivers maximum rigidity from the lightest components! I’ve personally used this tripod (3 times over) for the last 2 years and it goes with me nearly everywhere I go! Able to support 8.99KB (19.84lbs) of gear with a weight of only 2.1kg (4.63 lbs) it’s a very impressive beast! The ball head after 2 years of use still has no drift and drag whatsoever and the legs are incredibly sturdy with next to no “wobble” even when the legs are fully extended.

The only negative point we can say about this tripod is when you extend the center column fully, that’s when you will encounter a little amount of wobble, but honestly I’ve never used a tripod where that doesn’t happen if you have a fully extended center column. So it’s barely an inconvenience.

Check the prices from our preferred retailers below:

Amazon | B&H | Adorama

Best Tripod For Video

For all of our video production here at SLRLounge, we’re using Benro Tripods. They’re sturdy, reliable, and they come in the variation we need for the different sized cameras we use. In order of smallest to largest head sizes, we’re using the S2, S4, S6, and S8. All of the S models are fluid heads, and the S6 and S8 have fluid drag controls, making them all great tripods for video.

How to Choose A Tripod

As we mentioned in the beginning of this post, there are hundreds of options to choose from with new models coming out every year. So before you buy, do some homework to figure out which type and features are right for your needs. There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to picking a tripod (or any other accessory), so figuring out what you need out of your tripod will help you narrow down the best tripod for your shooting style.

Do You Need A Tripod?

The tripods sole purpose is to stabilize your camera. So depending on what you’re shooting, the tripod could be absolutely vital, or absolutely unnecessary. Some common uses are as follows:

• Taking a long exposure of a landscape or crowd
  • Shooting in low light
  • Trying to blur the motion of water, clouds, or people
  • Shooting a timelapse of a specific scene over a long period of time
• Ensuring your camera is in a specific spot so you can pay attention to other details in your photo
  • A portrait or headshot photographer like Peter Hurley might leave their camera on a tripod so that they can communicate with their subjects to help them get the desired look for the shot, triggering the camera remotely
• Videographers will use tripods to avoid “jittery” footage
  • Higher quality video tripods with fluid heads will allow motion with panning, tilts, and even slides while eliminating “shakes”

From there, figure out just how high quality you’ll want to go. Obviously, there will be many “entry” level tripods for each style for you to choose from, but the quality and durability will be questionable. As with most things, “you get what you pay for” when it comes to camera gear.

If you’re really unsure, I’d highly recommend going back and reading the article mentioned in the opening of this post, “The Tripod Explained,” which will really help you figure out what exactly your needs are, making your purchase that much easier.

Summary

Here is a list of all the gear discussed in this article:

• Manfrotto 055CXPRO4 with MXHPRO-BHQ2 Ball Head
• Manfrotto Nitrotech 608 with Fluid Head
• Really Right Stuff TVC-33 Versa Series 3 Mk2 Carbon Fiber Tripod with BH-55 Ball Head (Our Choice)
• Leica Tabletop Tripod
• Manfrotto Pixi Evo Mini Tripod
• Joby Gorillapod 3K (Our Choice)
• Gitzo Series 1 Traveler Tripod with Center Ball Head
• Peak Design Travel Tripod
• 3 Legged Thing Brian with AirHed Neo Ball Head (Our Choice)

What did we miss? Please give us feedback so that we can check out other bags and keep this list up-to-date.  For more “best of” lists, see our Best Of category.

In this article, we’ll outline the similarities and differences of tripods vs. monopods (as well as the tripod heads that hold your camera) so that you’ll know when to use each.

Tripods

We’ve all seen photographers use tripods before, and chances are we’ve tried using one ourselves. They are ubiquitous. You can easily spot their familiar shape, a teepee of three spindly legs with a camera mounted on top. Most tripods consist of the following parts:

• Release plate
• Tripod head
• Center column (depends on the model)
• Three height-adjustable legs with rubber feet

As you probably could have guessed, not all tripods are created equally. You can find a list of our favorite tripods here. Basically, when choosing a tripod, you’ll need to consider the following factors:

• Purpose: For macro, still life, studio, and landscape photography, tripods reign supreme, although they can be used for any genre. Tripods also work best for slow shutter speeds (aka shutter drags) and time lapses because of the literal stand-alone stability they provide. You’ll notice that most of these pros for tripods deal with time and come in handy when more time is available. Compared to monopods, tripods generally take longer to set up.
• Size & Weight: While you can find small, lightweight table top and travel tripods, most full frame tripods weigh in on the heavier side (4-8 pounds), especially when compared to monopods (1-4 pounds, depending on the head and base). This can make a noticeable difference when it comes to portability and versatility in the field. The three legs also create a larger footprint and can make it difficult to set up in tight or crowded spaces.
• Load Capacity: Tripods are generally rated to hold anywhere between 15-50 pounds (this varies depending on the make and model). When it comes to being able to walk away from your camera, you’ll want a tripod. In all actuality, we don’t recommend walking away from a monopod, even one equipped with a sturdy base.
• Durability: Options exist for carbon fiber, aluminum, plastic, and other metals. The material used to make the tripod has much to do with its durability (as well as its weight). It’s worth noting that there are still variations within a single type (such as carbon fiber) in relation to which company made the tripod. This is one instance where more reputable brands tend to produce more durable products. Keep that in mind when considering a no-name carbon fiber tripod vs. an aluminum tripod from an established, reputable brand.
• Price: Entry-level prices start around $50 and shoot upwards to $3k-$4k for higher end models.

[Related Reading: 6 Artistic Photo Effects Using Tripods]

Monopods

Whereas tripods have three (tri) legs, a monopod has one leg. Most other features are the same (release plate, tripod head, adjustable sections for height, and a foot). The feet on a monopod vary from a single spike or rubber foot to a miniature tripod base. In addition to supporting cameras, monopods work very well as a “boom stick” for off-camera flash due to their smaller size, light weight, and overall portability.

Just like the tripods, you can find many makes and models for monopods. Before you purchase a monopod, consider the following factors:

• Purpose: Monopods are all about portability and speed. They provide less stability due to their single point of contact on the ground (even with a mini tripod base), but they’re still better than handheld. Monopods are the go-to for action and sports photographers for lightweight, small size, and ease of use. Because they’re less stable than tripods, they are not ideal for use with long exposure photography.
• Size & Weight: Monopods are lighter and smaller than tripods, and they tend to be quicker and easier to set up. They range in height from 24″-80″ (which is adjustable) and weigh between 1-4 pounds.
• Load Capacity: Monopods can hold a surprisingly high weight capacity (some models can hold over 50 pounds, depending on the head used with the monopod), which is impressive considering the low weight of the monopod itself.
• Durability: This topic basically echoes what we had to say about durability when it comes to tripods. You’ll find monopods made of carbon fiber, aluminum, plastic, and other metals. Keep in mind the brand when trying to decide which model will last longer.
• Price: Monopod prices start around $15 and range all the way up to $500+ with the head included.

[Related Reading: Steadicam Air 25 Monopod Review: Is it Worth $500?]

Tripod (or Monopod) Heads

You can find a wide variety of heads to use on both tripods and monopods. As you’ll find, some photographers from different genres favor some heads over others based on the precision of their movement as well as their complexity (or lack thereof). Others concentrate on their load capacity; regardless, the purpose of a tripod head or monopod head remains the same: provide a means of attaching your camera to a tripod/monopod.

Here’s a quick overview of the different types of tripod (or monopod) heads:

• Ball Head: As the name suggests, you’ll find a ball housed within this head and a knob to tighten and loosen it accordingly. You may also find other knobs to adjust a panning axis or increase the friction for more precise positioning. Ball heads work well for most genres of photography.
• 3-Way | Pan & Tilt Head: 3-way heads come equipped with three handles, which you can use to adjust three axes: vertical, horizontal, and panning. You’ll find these heads used in most every genre of photography with heavy usage among landscape photographers.
• Gear Head: These function similarly to a 3-way head, but repositioning the head requires making individual adjustments via the gears. On the plus side, the gears allow for precise repositioning. Unfortunately, they’re also time-consuming and complex.
• Gimbal Head: You’ll mostly find these in the hands of wildlife and sports photographers, or anyone using especially large telephoto lenses. These heads usually attach to the lens, rather than the camera like most tripod heads, and they allow for quick panning motion to track fast moving objects like birds, athletes, and so on.
• Pistol (Grip) Head: These tripod heads are all about speed, which is great for wildlife and sports photographers, but they don’t hold much weight, literally. They operate much like a ball head, but they come equipped with a squeezable pistol grip for repositioning as opposed to an adjustable knob.

[Related Reading: Simple Photography Tips | What Tripod Head Is Right for Me?]

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this article on monopods vs. tripods and when to use each. In short, tripods generally work best for macro, still life, studio, and landscape photographers while monopods are the go-to for sports, action, and wildlife photographers.

Anytime we’re faced with an abundance of choices when it comes to gear, it can be difficult to know where to start in terms of what to buy and for what purpose. While there are similarities between tripods vs. monopods, they each stand on their own for very specific applications, as outlined above. As we also discussed, tripod heads also come in a range of styles and sizes in order to serve different purposes.

There will always be tradeoffs, such as stability for versatility. Most beginning photographers, however, base their decisions on price and aim for affordability over functionality. At the end of the day, the point of purchasing gear is to allow us to do with it what we couldn’t do without it. For tripods and monopods, that means creating a stable platform to allow for shake-free, quality footage using our cameras and lenses, whatever their weight and size.

Before you pull the trigger and purchase a tripod or monopod, check the specs and do not settle for less than what you need, even if it costs a little more. Chances are, the more reputable and reliable gear will save you money in the long run.

As a landscape and nightscape photographer who does a lot of serious landscape photography, nightscape photography, and timelapse videos, I’m always looking for a better tripod. One that is stronger, taller, lighter… Until now, almost every tripod on the market was either strong and tall but rather heavy, or lightweight and compact, but also short and wobbly.

The Slik VARI CF tripods, with their interchangeable platform design, can offer it all: a ~2.4 lb (~1095 g) ultralight tripod that still offers incredible strength on a rock-solid platform base, or a relatively tall, 64-inch (1635 mm) tripod with a strong center column and 25mm  diameter CF legs.

Now, whether I’m shooting from the side of the road or backpacking up a mountain, I’ll be reaching for the same tripod!

Other highlights available on both the 703 and 704 models of the VARI CF lineup include carbon fiber legs, three different types of feet, a center column/platform hook, threading options for both 1/4-20 and 3/8 threads, tools for all possible tripod adjustments and maintenance, and a carrying bag.

We’ve been fortunate enough to have used these tripods prior to their release and put them both through the rigors of a full review. If you’re in the market for one of the best tripods we’ve ever reviewed, (and, we’ve tested literally everything on the market, from junk to exotic!) …then do keep reading!

Slik VARI-CF Tripod Specifications CF-703 | CF-704

• Maximum Height (Center Column): 1635 mm (64.6 in)  |  1640 mm (64.6 in)
• Maximum Height (Platform): 1335 mm (52.6 in)  |  1340 mm (52.8 in)
• Minimum Height: 170mm (6.7 in)  |  145 mm (5.7 in)
• Compact Size: 575 mm  (22.7 in) | 475 mm  (18.7 in)
• Load Capacity: 10 kg  (22 lb)
• Weight:
  

• Platform Type: Center Column, Leveling Base, Flat Platform (3/8 & 1/4-20 interchangeable)
• Leg Type: Carbon fiber, twist-lock, 25mm diameter
• Leg Sections: 3 | 4
• Feet Type: Regular rubber, spiked metal, rubber flat-surface gripping
• Materials: Carbon fiber legs, aluminum joints, aluminum, rubber, & plastic
• Price: $499 / $529

Slik VARI CF Tripod Review | Introduction

[Related: Learn How To Photograph The Milky Way With Our Master Video Course]

Before we dive into this review, let’s start off with a little background: I’m a landscape, nightscape, and timelapse photographer, and I use tripods for all of these types of photography. In fact, I frequently use more than one tripod for almost all of my outdoor projects and adventures!

I’m also a wedding photographer who uses tripods at virtually every wedding, because I love making portraits in extremely low light, and I hate having to try to hand-hold such shots. In fact, everybody at the Lin & Jirsa studio owns and uses a tripod!

Over the last 15 years, I’ve reviewed literally every brand of tripod on the market, from the extremely low-budget, cheap ones, to the highly exotic, luxury brands. In fact, I’ve also BROKEN tripods from virtually every brand on the market! I regularly use a tripod on a daily or weekly basis, in some of the harshest conditions you can subject your gear to, from saltwater and sand on the beach, to 100+ degree hot and dry, dusty days in the desert.

I’m telling you this because, spoiler alert, I’m about to tell you how much I LOVE the new Slik VARI CF tripods, as well as the Slik brand in general, and I want you to know where I’m coming from.

This is not a sponsored post, and I pay out of my own pocket for the tripods in my permanent collection. With that in mind, the Slik VARI CF (703) will be joining my permanent collection as soon as possible!

NOTE: In this review, we’re going to frequently reference tripod categories by weight. For all of you who have never memorized four numbers before, try to do it now…

2 lbs = 907 grams, and 3 lbs = 1360 grams.
Got it? OK, please, no comments about Imperial vs Metric!

Slik VARI CF Tripod Review | Pros

I’ve been a fan of Slik tripods for many years now, from their heavy-duty “indestructible” line of affordable everyday tripods, (I have the Slik Pro AMT 700DX) to the lightweight backpacking models. (I own four of these, the newest being the Slik Lite CF-422.)

However, there has always been a missing gap in between these two extremes of delicate, the ultralight hiking/travel tripod, and the heavy-duty “indestructible” tripod. I’m talking about a tripod that is lightweight, but still big and strong. I was about to fill that gap with a tripod like the Slik Pro CF-733 or the Slik Pro CF-833, which are an admittedly great value at $253 and $299 respectively.

I had not pulled the trigger yet, though, because I was also interested in the even stronger, stiffer designs of flat-base tripods, the design that has no center column, just a flat platform for maximum stiffness. Slik didn’t offer one of these.

Then, the folks at Slik headquarters informed me that they were about to release a new design, and would I like to try it out? (The Slik service center, which is the same company as Tokina an Hoya, is 30 mins from my house, and I’ve been getting my tripods and lenses serviced there for years.)

Now, we come to the Slik VARI CF tripods. They’re exactly what I’ve been looking for, actually, to be fair, they’re even more than I expected! The fact that I could buy one tripod, and get all three platform options included, was very exciting. And so, I took both the 703 and 704 models out for a spin.

Three Tripods In One

Simply put, no other tripod out there offers this. All tripods that have a built-in center column are going to be a slight compromise in stiffness. All tripods that have a fixed platform are going to be at a slight disadvantage in terms of maximum height, especially the lightweight models.

Either way, the VARI lineup stands alone. If you’ve ever wished for a tripod that could do both of these things, then all other options on the market will require you to buy a leveling base or a center column attachment as an aftermarket accessory, and literally zero makes/models that I know of will offer all three options like the Slik VARI CF models do.

That alone makes them worth the slightly higher cost compared to other good-quality tripods in the $300-400 range, but don’t forget that not only are you getting three tripods in one, you’re also making a long-term investment that will last you multiple lifetimes of the really cheap carbon fiber tripods.

Ultimate Strength and Rigidity For Rock-Steady Photos

I don’t think I’ve ever encountered a tripod this lightweight and capable, that delivered image results this perfect. When mounting a ball head directly on the base platform, or when mounting a telephoto lens’ tripod foot directly on the leveling base, I achieved some of the most flawless video and timelapse footage I’ve ever seen.

Seriously, both the 703 and 704 models were infinitely more stable than any other tripod I’ve ever had in the ~2 lb lightweight class, in fact, they’re more stable than most of the 4+ lb tripods I’ve tested! Not bad for a 2.4-2.9 lb (depending on the model and configuration) setup.

If you do a lot of photography in any amount of wind, or if you do any landscapes or nature/wildlife work at telephoto focal lengths, then you absolutely need a tripod like the Slik VARI CF 703/704 that allows you to mount your camera or lens directly to a solid, strong base. Center columns absolutely ruin telephoto image sharpness, especially if there is any wind. Now you can get amazingly stable results without lugging around a 4-5 lb tripod!

Every Accessory Is Included

One of the biggest critiques that some people have about the more expensive brands is that not only are they pricey, but they also charge extra for virtually every accessory. Want spiked feet? That’ll be $30-60. What about flexible flat feet? Want a center column hook? Want a leveling base? All of it could add up to $100 or more in accessories.

The Slik VARI CF tripods include virtually every accessory you could think of, from interchangeable spiked and “stable platform” feet to a carrying bag and the wrenches you’d need to service the tripods.

Just about the only major thing left out is, of course, a tripod head. That, and some people like “tripod leg warmers”, as I call them, which can be nice for protecting that beautiful carbon fiber pattern, but personally I’m happy without them.

Checks All The Boxes In “What To Look For In A Good Quality Tripod”

Besides all the additional accessories, The Slik VARI CF tripods’ core design elements and specs are exactly what you should be looking for in a good all-around tripod. The leg grip rubber isn’t that cheap stuff that starts slipping after a few days in the hot sun. The leg angle locks are the spring-loaded type that make changing the leg angles a breeze.

Some of it is a personal preference, of course, such as preferring twist-lock leg joints as opposed to lever-lock. Slik used to offer both twist-lock and lever-lock joints on their older Pro CF lines of tripods, but, honestly, all the high-end tripods have twist-lock legs, and it’s the stiffest, reliable option. Not only that, but Slik’s design for their internal shims and the lock-down mechanism is one of the better designs I’ve seen. (And, in my experience with innumerable broken tripods, it’s the tripod leg shims that fail the most often!)

Superior Stiffness Versus Other “Travel” Tripods

Bottom line- If you’re looking for a tripod that weighs less than 3 lbs, most other tripods won’t come close to the strength and quality of the VARI CF line. In fact, many of the lightweight “travel” tripods out there aren’t even that light, a lot of them are wel over 3 lbs, and yet they’re shorter and far more wobbly than the VARI design!

Why is this? One of the major drawbacks of “travel” tripods is that they usually have 5-section legs, or 4 locks per leg, and this makes each leg far less stiff overall. Also, many lightweight tripods “cheat” on their maximum height by having 2-section or even 3-section center columns, meaning they’re almost like putting your tripod on the end of another leg that is pointing straight up! Some of these designs are downright unsafe and could result in your gear falling over and smashing on a rock.

How To Test A Tripod’s Rigidity

One of the ultimate tests of a tripod’s strength or rigidity is to simply shoot photos at super-telephoto focal lengths, and see if they turn out sharp! Usually, a 70-200mm lens at 200mm is more than enough to perform this test, because most lightweight tripods will really start to have a difficult time holding up such heavy lenses at such a modest telephoto focal length.

In the case of the VARI CF tripod, though, it was an absolute champ when mounting the heaviest 70-200mm ever, the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 Sport, as you’ve seen in previous photos. Thankfully, I had some extreme telephoto focal lengths at my disposal, the Nikon Coolpix P950. (REVIEW HERE) It reaches the equivalent of 2000mm, and what you see above is an un-cropped photo of the moon from that camera. Needless to say, the Slik VARI CF 703 still held the (relatively lightweight) P950 rock-steady, allowing me to create this pretty cool video… (May the fourth be with you!)

Slik VARI CF Tripod Review | Cons

It’s hard to be critical of a product that is already good quality, relatively affordable and offers two-in-one or three-in-one functionality. I honestly can’t find much that I’d like to see improved upon…

No Foam Leg Covers

This is a bit of a nit-pick that isn’t a really big deal at all, to be honest. Some landscape photographers like to have padded covers on their tripod legs, to make carrying the tripod a little more comfortable, and of course to protect the nice looking carbon fiber.

You can just get aftermarket leg covers, if you’d like, but it’s really not necessary.

Limited Bowl Angle Adjustment

The Slik VARI CF tripods are already above the competition (literally!) with their assortment of platform configurations, however, those tripods which do offer a “bowl” configuration and aftermarket leveling bases, usually have a bit more range in their leveling ability. The VARI bowl adjustment is about 10 degrees, while most others will offer either 30 degrees or 45.

Carrying Bag Size/Fit

This is a rather petty nit-pick, but I’ve been spoiled by the perfectly snug, form-fitting padded tripod bag that my Slik Lite CF-422 came in. The bag that comes with the VARI CF tripods is a rather large, loose-fitting bag. There’s more than enough space for the tripod and all the included accessories, in fact it’s almost as if there’s room for two tripods! Maybe that’s the idea, but personally, I’d have rather had a smaller, snug-fitting case that has relatively tight-fitting compartments for the tripod, the center column, a head, and the rest of the accessories/tools.

Slik VARI CF Tripod Review | The Competition

There aren’t many tripods that can offer such versatility. Most other tripods that are as big and strong as the VARI are, quite a bit heavier and often 50-100% more expensive. Oppositely, most other tripods that weigh under 3 lbs are just uselessly wobbly in a light wind with a telephoto lens.

Simply put, there’s very little competition here, and even if you do get a different tripod, (say, an ultralight or a heavy-duty one) …the chances are you’ll still want a Slik VARI in your bag, too, because most others just don’t match its combination of strength, height, and weight.

Slik VARI Versus Other “Travel” Tripods

Fellow landscape photographers, let’s be brutally honest: when a tripod has the word “travel” in its name, that usually means it’s hopelessly wobbly and frustratingly short. There are only a few tripods out there that weigh less than 3 lbs, and yet offer the height and stiffness of a heavy, expensive tripod.

In fact, the only one worth mentioning is the Feisol Tournament series, because it’s the only one I’ve seen that weighs less than 3 lbs and comes in a flat base form, but also has an optional leveling base. Unfortunately, although the $409 Feisol is indeed both strong and tall, the leveling base is an aftermarket item that will cost another $84. Furthermore, there’s no center column option available; for that you’ll have to buy a completely different Feisol “Traveler” model. To Feisol’s credit, their aftermarket leveling base offers 30 degrees of leveling, versus the Slik’s 10 degrees.

But, the Feisol isn’t “travel size”, in fact, it’s rather large despite being ~2.4 lbs. If you really want a “travel” tripod, you want one that is both lightweight and as compact as possible. Such tripods are usually a major compromise in your support capability, meaning you will have a terrible time getting sharp photos at telephoto focal lengths and/or if the conditions are windy.

My favorite tripods in this ~2 lb range are all other Slik tripods, actually, such as the Slik Lite CF and AL series, the Slik Sprint series, and the Slik Pro CF 634. These all weigh very little and are portable enough to fit inside an airplane overhead suitcase, however, none of them are nearly as strong as the VARI CF tripods. So, even though I’ll still be bringing one or two Slik Lite or Sprint tripods on my backpacking trips where I need 2-3 tripods to film timelapse and BTS footage, …the VARI will be my go-to lightweight travel tripod.

Slik VARI versus other big, heavy-duty tripods

If you want something even taller and/or stronger than the Slik VARI CF tripods, you’ll have to pay a lot more money to get something of the same “exotic” quality. Competitors like Really Right Stuff and Gitzo will usually start at a mere $600, and can quickly jump to $800-1200 or more, just for a set of tripod legs with no head!

My personal preference? Instead of spending a fortune on a giant, heavy-duty tripod that I’m probably going to avoid using unless I absolutely have to, I’d rather invest the most money in a tripod like the VARI, which I’m likely to always want to use, …and then just go the affordable route when it comes to a big-and-heavy model- A Slik AMT 700DX is just $99, is nearly indestructible, and will serve you well as a roadside “beater” tripod for when you just want something heavy-duty.

Whatever your budget, though, the point is that since most of these tripods are rather large, and weigh 4-5 lbs, a serious adventure landscape photographer is likely to still want a lightweight tripod too. Unfortunately, you’ll probably be unhappy with the more flimsy, wobbly travel tripods in the ~2 lb range that we mentioned a moment ago.

A Slik VARI CF tripod in its most basic platform configuration weighs just 2.4 lbs, making it one of the tallest and stiffest tripods in that weight class. So, in other words, even if you can one day afford an exotic $800-1000+ tripod that weighs 4-5+ lbs, a Slik VARI CF tripod is still the best investment you could make for when you need something that weighs half as much but is still as strong as possible.

Slik VARI CF Tripod Review | Conclusion

For $499-$529, you can’t find a better, more capable tripod. The fact that the design and included accessories can perform triple-duty makes them even more valuable!

[Related: Nikon D780 Review: The best DSLR Ever, In A Mirrorless World]

If you’re really serious about landscape photography, and adventure/travel/wanderlust, then your best long-term investment is the Slik VARI CF-703 or Slik VARI CF-704. Whether you’re shopping for something ultralight and decently portable, or you’re in the market for something strong and tall that will last a lifetime, I highly recommend the Slik VARI CF tripods.

Check Pricing & Availability

Slik VARI CF-703:
($499) B&H | Adorama | Amazon

Slik VARI CF-704:
($529) B&H | Adorama | Amazon

“Everything photographers and videographers know about tripods and ball heads is about to change,” said Larry Tiefenbrunn, CEO and Inventor, “This Kickstarter campaign, to raise production funds, will help us bring to market another unique product, expanding our solutions for creative imagemakers.”

[Related Reading: Platypod Ultra, Max, & Multi Accessory Kit Review | Make Your Camera Gear More Versatile]

Available for sale later this year, Platyball, the easy-to-use, solidly performing ball head, will come in two models – the Platyball Elite and the Platyball Ergo. Compatible with most tripods, both units have identical mechanical features. However, the Elite features a patented and incredibly accurate LED-based leveling indicator that makes it stand out from other ball heads on the market.

“What I look for in a ball head is reliability, functionality, and ease of use,” said Photographer Shiv Verma. “In my pre production testing, the Platyball Elite and Ergo meet and exceed these requirements in every category. When you hold this ball head, you immediately realize it means business. It’s solid, yet sleek and you sense the precision.”

Built to last, crafted from forged aluminum with a beautiful metallic clear-coat finish and designed with no protruding knobs, these new ball heads feature convenient single-handed ergonomics, and a sleek and elegant design. The head is positioned using progressive variable tension locking and unlocking buttons. The built-in panning system is comprised of a panning turntable and locking wheel with etched 360° markings and indicator arrows. The quick-release clamp is Arca-Swiss compatible and has a twist-locking collar and safety button for added security. The tripod socket is a standard 3/8” socket – stainless steel reinforced and adaptable to 1/4” with included reducer bushing.

The Elite model is also equipped with a bidirectional electronic level. A master power switch turns on the power. Two buttons on the face, one to activate the leveling system and the other is multifunctional for brightness, calibration and factory reset. A single A23 Alkaline battery powers the module.

I’ve been a user of the platypod pro for a while now and even though it doesn’t come out that often, the product is still very useful and important in my travels. Given how well designed it is, i’m very intrigued to see these new ball heads first hand. The only thing that doesn’t make much sense to me is the “display” on this. First impression is it feels kind of useless and just a “jazzy” selling incentive…but until we can get it first hand we’ll just have to wait and see. What about you? Do you think it’s worth it? Are you interested in it?  For more information please visit the Platypod website here and let us know what you think in the comments below.

Considering its advanced, professional functionality, you can see why they’ve labeled it a “fast” system! The twin-leg design Nitrotech tripod is clearly made for videographers, and has a 100mm bowl at the platform. (with a 100-to-75mm adapter is included.) This tripod is also offered in both aluminum and carbon fiber options, and for this review, we had the lighter, Carbon Fiber unit.

This system represents the latest in Manfrotto’s fluid head technology, built to offer the smoothest level of control and movements possible. They have separate controls for the pan and tilt movements adjustments, of course, and an intuitive counterbalance system which is boasted to be (and in the real world, proves it!) MUCH more stable than its overall size and weight (and price) would have you think.

The Nitrotech systems come with the quick-release system of mounts making it compatible with a large portion of the existing Manfrotto tripod plates/mounting systems, so if you’ve already got an older Manfrotto video tripod, it’s likely your existing plates will work on this system as well.

The main thing for anyone working in a run & gun environment, is we want our gear to “just work” and we simply cannot be spending a lot of time calibrating our rigs every time we move on a shoot location. This is one of the great things about this new Nitrotech system. Out of the box, having no clue what we were doing, this video tripod just simply worked!

[Related Reading: The Best Tripods of 2018 According to SLR Lounge]

Nitrotech 608 Fluid Head & Fast Twin Tripod Highlights and Technical Specifications

Key Features

• Fluid video head with continuous counterbalance system (17.6 lbs)
• Variable continuous fluid pan & tilt drag system
• Flat base mount ideal for various applications
• Carbon Fiber twin-leg tripod leg design for maximum rigidity
• Price – $1,079.88

Technical Specifications of the Nitrotech 608 & Tripod

• Material – Carbon Fiber
• Ball Socket – 100mm (75mm adapter)
• Max Payload – 20kg (44.093lbs)
• Closed Length – 73cm (28.74″)
• Max Height – 157cm (61.81″)
• Min Height – 27cm (10.63″)
• Spreader – Included, Variable length
• Leg Type – Twin
• Leg Angles – 20°, 50°, 70°
• Leg Lock – Flip Lock
• Leg Sections – 3
• Weight – 5.47kg (12.06lbs)
• Camera Plate – Quick Release
• Mounting Screw – 1 x 1/4″-20 Male with Locating Pin
• Drag Type – Fluid
• Vertical Tilt –  +90° to -70°
• Panning Range – 360°

Manfrotto Nitrotech 608 Fluid Head Twin Leg Tripod 1

Manfrotto Nitrotech 608 Fluid Head Twin Leg Tripod 2

Manfrotto Nitrotech 608 Fluid Head Twin Leg Tripod 4

Manfrotto Nitrotech 608 Fluid Head Twin Leg Tripod 5

Manfrotto Nitrotech 608 Fluid Head Twin Leg Tripod 6

Manfrotto Nitrotech 608 Fluid Head Twin Leg Tripod 7

Manfrotto Nitrotech 608 Fluid Head Twin Leg Tripod 8

Manfrotto Nitrotech 608 Fluid Head Twin Leg Tripod 9

Manfrotto Nitrotech 608 Fluid Head Twin Leg Tripod 10

Manfrotto Nitrotech 608 Fluid Head Twin Leg Tripod 11

Manfrotto Nitrotech 608 Fluid Head Twin Leg Tripod 12

Manfrotto Nitrotech 608 Fluid Head Twin Leg Tripod 13

Manfrotto Nitrotech 608 Fluid Head Twin Leg Tripod 14

Manfrotto Nitrotech 608 Fluid Head Twin Leg Tripod 15

Manfrotto Nitrotech 608 Fluid Head Twin Leg Tripod 16

Manfrotto Nitrotech 608 Fluid Head Twin Leg Tripod 17

Manfrotto Nitrotech 608 Fluid Head Twin Leg Tripod 18

Manfrotto Nitrotech 608 Fluid Head Twin Leg Tripod 19

Initial Impressions and General thoughts

Although we were tackling this tripod without knowing anything about “nitrogren-filled“, (isn’t that what they do with airplane tires?) or working with a tripod of this caliber/design, out of the box it was easy to set up, and get started with.

Having used several different variations of older models and brands of video tripods, the system was indeed comparatively easy to get going.  Every part of this tripod just “made sense” even though it looks rather intimidating at first glance with all those dials and expansion slots.

[Related Reading: We Review Gitzo’s 100-Year Anniversary Edition Tripod – Is It Worth $1500?]

All the knobs and friction adjustments were conveniently right next to each other and very clearly labeled so there was no need to be guessing which knob or dial does what. Admittedly, the “nitrotech” adjustment confused me at first, and I honestly didn’t understand how it differed from the older models of video fluid heads until I put a camera on there that had a bit of weight to it (Canon C200 with a 70-200mm lens).

After I loaded that large rig on the tripod, I finally appreciated this fluid head for all it could do. The counterbalance system was incredibly quick and easy to adjust, making it a breeze to get smooth and consistent shots on set, without any instances at all of camera “jumps” or “drift”. So, just make sure you fully understand the fluid drag and counterbalance system before making any decisions about this advanced tool.

Realistically, it took us less than 30 minutes to figure the system out, and that is without reading the manual (I know, I know), or searching for any tutorial videos. Impressive, for such a professionally capable tool. This fluid head really is “idiot-proof”, making it one of the simplest and best-performing heads we’ve ever used.

What we Liked

• Fast Locking Legs for Height Adjustments
  • Setting up, tearing down, and in use, adjustments were a breeze with the snap-lock systems.
• Clearly Designed to be a work-horse for Videographers on the move
• Improved Fluid Drag System makes consistently tracking subjects a breeze
• Stands (pun intended?) apart from traditional tripods, as a truly professional video support system (Added bonus on set!)
• The New counterbalance for the 608 fluid head works from 0 to 17.6 lbs!
  • This means that you can counterbalance precisely even a small DSLR/mirrorless cameras than nowadays are used more and more for video.
    • What does counterbalancing do? It means you can quickly tilt your camera up or down to any angle without having to physically lock off the head and it’ll just stay put!
  • You can quickly dial in an exact counterbalance for your rig if you’re swapping them out or changing lenses frequently.
• Flat base of the fluid head makes it easy to quickly move from tripod to a slider or additional accessories
• Familiar Easy Link system with anti-rotation notches for quick and easy mounting of accessories like monitors, flex arms, etc.
• Very ergonomic design for effortless, second-nature use.
• Secure, stable, and quick adjusting feet 

What We Didn’t Like

• Quick-release mechanism on the fluid head
  • It can be a bit tricky to remove the camera off the mount, but locking it is a breeze as long as you don’t accidentally release the quick-lock mechanism.
• Tripod legs don’t spread out “freely” so it can sit lower
  • This honestly didn’t bother me when I was using it since I don’t often do ground-level shots, but it is a nit-pick that we felt needed to be mentioned.
• It can be difficult to travel with since it doesn’t pack very small
  • It’s a very large tripod and although it does fold up quickly and easily, it still takes up a whole lot of space when you compare it to a standard, photography-oriented tripod. Definitely not something to take on smaller budget productions, and not a good idea on those “small connecting flight” types of travel work.

Who Is This Tripod For?

Well, unlike some of the other tripods we’ve reviewed over the last year or two, there is a clear answer here: this tripod and fluid head are definitely made for professional videographers, or anyone who wants professional results. Whether you have a small mirrorless or large DSLR video kit, or are working with professional level cinema cameras like the C200 or ARRI systems and more, this tripod is quick and easy to operate, extremely stable, smooth, and secure, and of course, it leverages an existing and well-respected mount platform. To put it bluntly, it just works!

If you don’t want too, or don’t have the time to mess with constant tweaks and configurations, this is the ideal system for your video kit if you’re looking to get into professional videography. Not only does it perform incredibly well, it looks great and professional as well.

Conclusion

Dollar for dollar, the Manfrotto Nitrotech 608 is legitimately one of the best video tripods we’ve ever worked with, (especially considering the price point of only $1,079.88). If you compare to some alternatives like the Manfrotto 400 or 500-series, you’ll end up missing out on some incredible features. The 400 is still a good quality option but doesn’t have the counterbalance. The 500 has a decent counterbalance, but it’s fixed at 5.2lbs, meaning you won’t want to mount a heavier system like a true cinema camera if you’d like to not experience drift and bumps.

What does this mean? The Nitrotech 608 is a truly unique and exceptional system for professional, and aspiring professional videographers, and in our opinion is definitely worth every penny. The only thing we wished for was if this system could come in a more travel-ready and versatile form, so we could fit it in our suitcases while traveling! But the larger form factor is truly a small price to pay for an incredibly smooth video system.

What are your thoughts on the Manfrotto Nitrotech fluid heads? Have you used the older fluid heads as well? We’d love to hear your feedback in the comments below.

Blurry photos—gross! Nobody likes a blurry photo—unless you’re going for a whole avant-garde thing…

So in a new video from Tony & Chelsea Northrup, Chelsea decided it was time to get to the bottom of tripod camera shake once and for all with SWEAT!

Eliminating Tripod Camera Shake with SWEAT

Tony & Chelsea Northrup have an incredible channel on YouTube where they show inexperienced and professional photographers alike tips and tricks on navigating the photography world with ease.

Recently, they released a video where Chelsea introduced us to the acronym SWEAT—an acronym so easy to remember, you’ll never have to worry about tripod camera shake ever again!

For those of you unable to watch the video, here’s what SWEAT stands for:

• Surface — If you’ve ever been taking photographs on an unstable surface—in Chelsea’s case, a boardwalk with people walking across it—you know how tough it can be to capture a long exposure shot. So make sure that you’re paying attention to the surface you’re setting your tripod on.
• Wind — Wind can be a photographer’s worst nightmare for multiple reasons, but it can be bad news for your tripod, too. If you’ve got a heavy camera on top, the slightest bit of wind could send your expensive piece of camera equipment tumbling over. So make sure to weigh the base of your tripod down with something like a sandbag, or even a heavy backpack. But beware of the stabilizer hook that some tripods have, where wind can blow around whatever you’re using as a weight to stabilize your camera.
• Extension — If you’ve got the center column on your tripod completely extended as well as all three legs, your tripod just isn’t going to be as stable as you’d like. So keep that center column down, and extend only the legs, leaving the thinnest legs for last since they’re not as stable as the rest.
• Action — Pressing down on the shutter is an action you probably want to avoid when taking a long exposure shot. Any action that involves touching your camera will cause the camera to shake. So if you need to press down that shutter button, use a 5-second shutter delay—or better yet, use a remote trigger to keep those hands off your camera entirely!
• Tighten — Make sure everything on your tripod is tightened down! The head, legs AND quick release plate should all be tightened to avoid any unwanted camera shake during your shots.

So next time you’re shaking your head, wondering why you’re camera just won’t sit still despite the expensive tripod you bought, just remember this handy dandy acronym: SWEAT—It just might save the shot!

Available both in carbon fiber and aluminum legs (MSRP: $599.95 // $349.95) the Travel Tripod will launch on Kickstarter (peakdesign.com/ks) for a pre-sale discount beginning May 21, 2019. The tripod will then be available for purchase online at peakdesign.com and through major retailers in time for the 2019 holiday season.

Unboxing and First Impressions

Why Is This Travel Tripod A Big deal?

Peak Design’s new Travel Tripod promises to redefine product category for years to come.

They boast that this Travel Tripod is the most portable, packable, and easy-to-setup professional tripod in the world. For years, traditional tripods have suffered a critical flaw: needless bulk and wasted space, the result of a spatially inefficient design. By redesigning the tripod from the ground up, they created the world’s most portable travel tripod—one that packs to the diameter of a water bottle, (roughly 3.25 inches), without sacrificing height, stability, or load capacity. The result is a tripod that deploys to 58.5 inches tall while taking up less than half the volume of its competitors.

But they didn’t stop there. The Peak Design Travel Tripod is radically faster to setup and takedown than traditional tripods, and features more ergonomic adjustment points, built-in mobile compatibility, and thoughtful usability details at every corner. Plus, it’s built for life on the road: durable, fully serviceable, and backed by the Peak Design lifetime guarantee.

Having gotten hands on with this tripod, both Matthew Saville and myself can confirm that the design is very sleek and our initial impression was kind of wowed by the fact there were no external dials/knobs/handles like most tripods have. We went in blind and found the ball head and lock/controls for it were built into the center column, eliminating any thing that could hook or catch on a bag or backpack.

“During my travels in 2008 I began wondering why on Earth my tripod was so big. The thing was full of negative space and knobs, and I felt like something designed for portability could do much better,” commented Peak Design CEO, Peter Dering. “I quickly realized that anything short of a complete design overhaul would fail to meet my criteria of the perfect travel tripod. It took years of development but the outcome is a camera tripod that seamlessly integrates into all aspects of travel and adventure.”

The Peak Design Travel Tripod is among the quickest-to-deploy and most intuitive to use tripods on the market. And this we can confirm, Peak Design developed a system of non-inverted legs that rapidly deploy along an aligned system of locking cam levers. With three swift hand movements, the legs can be fully extended and ready for action. It’s almost as quick to collapse and pack as well.

Peak Design also optimized the Travel Tripod ball head to operate more fluidly than traditional tripod heads while still prioritizing spatial efficiency. Travel Tripod eliminates bulky and confusing knobs with a single adjustment ring for simple and smooth 360-degree adjustment. Peak Design’s proprietary quick-release plate technology facilitates lightning-fast camera attachment—easily accommodating a full frame DSLR with telephoto lens—and is compatible with Peak Design carrying equipment and with Arca Swiss tripod dimensions.

In addition to a thorough rethinking of a tripod’s architecture and user interface, carefully considered material choices and construction techniques provide the stability and vibration dampening demanded by avid photographers. A built-in universal phone mount, bubble-level, hook for counterweights, and included soft case round out a packed feature list that fans of Peak Design have come to expect. Yes, you read right, inside of the center column is a smart phone mount so you truly never have to go without getting your shot!

The Pros – Benefits & Features

Pro performance. Half the size.

• Groundbreaking architecture eliminates dead volume
• Packs down to half the size of traditional travel tripods—to the size of a water bottle
• No protruding knobs
• Priced incredibly fair and equal to all other brands on the market

Lightning-fast setup and pack-down.

• Quick-locking cams allow you to unlock legs in 3 swift motions
• Legs deploy without flipping over for significantly faster setup than traditional tripod designs
• Unique quick-release allows instant, secure camera attachment

Intuitive, ergonomic ball head interface.

• Single, ultra-smooth omnidirectional ball head adjustment ring with no
  bulky/confusing knobs
• Simple locking ring for total security and stiffness
• Compatible with all PD plates and most Arca-type plates
• Removable pins for use with most Arca-type L-brackets
• Omnidirectional bubble level

Professional stability and features for demanding environments.

• 20lb weight capacity, optimized for use with full-frame DSLR + telephoto lens
• Stability and vibration dampening comparable to much larger tripods in its class
• Nonslip, shock absorbing rubber feet
• Built-in load hanging hook
• Low and inverted configuration modes allow camera to sit just inches off ground
• Anchor attachment points for carrying with Peak Design straps

Brilliantly integrated mobile phone mount.

• Built-in mobile mount magnetically stowes in center column
• Mount sets up securely and holds any phone/case

Durable, fully serviceable, and guaranteed for life

• All components are weather and impact resistant
• Slim, protective carry sleeve
• Allen key tool included inside a small pocket inside of the carrying case
• All parts are fully serviceable, cleanable, and replaceable

Technical Specs

• In the box: Tripod (legs + ball head), soft case, Standard Plate, 4mm + 2.5mm hex wrench (4mm for tripod plate, short center column; 2.5mm for cam levers and ball head plate pins), bushing removal tool
• Weight Capacity: 9.1 kg (20 lbs)*
  *Optimized for pro setups, up to full-frame DSLR + telephoto lens
• Collapsed Dimensions:
  • Length: 38.7 cm (15.25”)
  • Max Diameter: 8.3 cm (3.25”)
• Deployed Dimensions:
  • Max height (center column raised): 148.6 cm (58.5″)
  • Max height (center column down): 126.4 cm (49.75″)
  • Min height (low mode): 11.4 cm (4.5”)
• Weight:
  • Alloy: 1.56 kg (3.44 lbs)
  • Carbon: 1.27 kg (2.81 lbs)
• Leg sections: 5
• Leg locks: aluminum cams
• Materials:
  • Ball head, hub, load hook: Powder Coated A380 aluminum
  • Legs: Anodized 6061-T6 aluminum (Alloy), Carbon F’n fiber (Carbon)
  • Quick release, adjustment ring, center column knob: Anodized 6061-T6 aluminum
  • Locking ring: Polycarbonate/ABS blend
  • Feet: ShoreA60 TPU

The Cons

The thing to keep in mind here, is the units we got to play with are technically pre-production and pretty much every issue Matthew and I encountered were “known” and addressed for production…and when I say issues, there were not many. Basically, the only issue is a common one among all travel tripods with 4+ sections on the legs. when they are fully extended there is a little wobble from the bottom section. That’s really about it.

The only other con, and that’s not even really a negative, is just getting used to the new style of Ball Head. For detail control freaks like myself, it was a little weird to get used too, and granted i’ve not had enough time to REALLY use it enough to be comfortable still, but that’s about it. Not much of a list, but it is what it is.

The Conclusion / Who Is It For?

The $599/$350 question? Given there’s just barely more than a 1/2 lb difference between the two models of these tripods, the question here is which to choose and what is it worth to you when you’re traveling? Granted the carbon fiber will be more vibration resistant while you’re shooting, so that’s a plus for the long exposure addict like myself.  Either one will fit VERY easily in nearly any bag or luggage scenario you can think of. The only real issue is if you need multiple tripods like a timelapse photographer, that .63lb difference can add up quickly if you’re packing multiple units on your trip.

Regardless, both are absolutely fantastic and stylish looking tripods. That’s a weird thing to say right? Who’d have thought a tripod would be a style accessory? Well, honestly, we all felt like Peak Design knocked this one out of the park. Given the average price of comparable units on the market from Manfrotto to 3 Legged Thing, the price is definitely worth it for both models. This tripod set is fantastic for both the seasoned pro, and the budding amature. It’s small, lightweight, travels very well, and is super quick to setup and tear down so you never need to worry about missing your shot while on the road.

Honestly, it’s a “Travel” tripod, but it works great for pretty much everyone and anything except for those folks who need pinpoint precision like pano/compositors and architecture photographers. And even then, i’m sure they could find a way!

It’s my recommendation, that if you’re in the market for a travel tripod or even just considering a more lightweight solution, the Peak Design Travel Tripod is worth your time to research.

Until it’s available for retail this fall, be sure to check out the Kickstarter page and Peak Design’s website for all the details. Until then, if you have any questions or would like to see a deeper review, let me know in the comments below! I’m happy to answer any questions you might have and would love to hear your suggestions for some tests to put it through.

About Peak Design

Since 2010, Peak Design has been building innovative carry solutions with a simple overarching design directive: make the best things. The idea for our first product was born on a motorcycle trip through Southeast Asia and has since expanded to include a cross-functional ecosystem of bags, pouches, slings, straps, and clips. We’ve won applause along the way, but we’re most proud of the fact that we’re 100% crowdfunded and 100% employee-owned. We’ve raised $20.2 Million through 8 Kickstarter campaigns, allowing Peak Design to stay investor-free and focused on the things that matter most: designing great products, fostering happy employees, and taking care of our customers and the natural environment. Learn more at peakdesign.com.

*All images shared with permission from Peak Design. Do not share or use the images without direct written permission from the copyright holder.