Any thoughts on Peak Design.Carbon Tripod?

[bags27]

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My Gitzo is a bit too big/heavy for travel. Thinking of getting it (rather than the aluminum one: buy the best tripod right away, I've learned the hard way). Any experience with it? As good as folks seem to say? Thanks.

Posting this in the film, rather than the digital, section, because I shoot mainly film, and no super long lens.

 

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[250swb]

If your Gitzo is a bit to heavy and big which model of Gitzo are we supposed to be comparing any alternative with?

[bags27]

18 minutes ago, 250swb said:

If your Gitzo is a bit to heavy and big which model of Gitzo are we supposed to be comparing any alternative with?

Thanks. I can't remember. I think it's about a 20 ounces heavier and a lot bulkier than the PD.  But I'm really wondering whether anyone has the Peak Design and any experience with it, as it collapses remarkably small. So I guess I'm wondering if anyone has thoughts about its stability.

[Anbaric]

The Gitzo 1545T is well worth a look. The legs are lighter than the complete Peak Design tripod, it stands tall (higher than the Peak Design) for a tripod that packs down so small, and is very rigid for a travel tripod. For a fairer comparison, add Gitzo's own 1382TQD head, which they also sell as a kit with the legs, and the whole package is only 160g heavier than the Peak Design. You get a conventional Arca screw clamp, which will probably be less fussy about third party plates than the Peak Design head's clamp. Gitzo also have a 'Légende' tripod that's similar to the 1545T, sold as a kit with a different head that has a separate friction control (unlike the TQD head), and a smaller 0545T tripod which (with the TQD head) is about the same weight as the Peak Design.

One review of the Peak Design that's less enthusiastic than some:

A more favourable review:

https://thecentercolumn.com/peak-design-travel-tripod-review/

Edited November 11, 2021 by Anbaric

[bags27]

34 minutes ago, Anbaric said:

The Gitzo 1545T is well worth a look. The legs are lighter than the complete Peak Design tripod, it stands tall (higher than the Peak Design) for a tripod that packs down so small, and is very rigid for a travel tripod. For a fairer comparison, add Gitzo's own 1382TQD head, which they also sell as a kit with the legs, and the whole package is only 160g heavier than the Peak Design. You get a conventional Arca screw clamp, which will probably be less fussy about third party plates than the Peak Design head's clamp. Gitzo also have a 'Légende' tripod that's similar to the 1545T, sold as a kit with a different head that has a separate friction control (unlike the TQD head), and a smaller 0545T tripod which (with the TQD head) is about the same weight as the Peak Design.

One review of the Peak Design that's less enthusiastic than some:

A more favourable review:

https://thecentercolumn.com/peak-design-travel-tripod-review/

Thanks so much! This is really helpful.

The Gitzo you like comes out very well, indeed, in a comparison that PD itself supplies here:

https://support.peakdesign.com/hc/en-us/articles/360033120272-Testing-the-Travel-Tripod-for-Stability-and-Weight-Capacity

The "advantage" (if one calls it that) of the PD is that it is part of a system that allows for easy carry and adding other things. I have moved away from expensive leather shoulder straps to PD shoulder straps for my MF cameras and PD wrist straps for my FF and cropped cameras, and the whole system "sort of" works together. But that's not necessarily the clincher for me. I greatly appreciate your information.

Edited November 11, 2021 by bags27

[philipus]

Hi Ken

Just to throw another option into the mix Rollei makes nice carbon tripods. I bought mine a few years ago and believe it's the C5i Carbon model. It weighs 1,3kgs and goes to just under 160cm (with raised centre column). One leg unscrews and becomes a monopod which can be handy though it's a feature I've never used tbh. The tripod comes with spikes for icy surfaces as well. It uses an Arca-Swiss quick release plate I believe.

I almost always bring it on travels and use it with my Hasseblad and quite heavy lenses (like the 40 Distagon CFE). Works great. It's the entry level tripod and so price quite low (about 150 Euro in the EU I believe) but there are more expensive Rollei options if you'd like to spend more lol. I have a really large and heavy Manfrotto too, so this Rollei fits perfectly as a small bring-everywhere tripod.

best

Philip

Edited December 7, 2021 by philipus

[LocalHero1953]

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I have the Gitzo 0545T with a Markins head which is smaller than Gitzo's own head. It folds into a short unit that easily fits in an airline case, if that's important to you. I have used it with the SL2-S (including inverted for scanning negatives), but mostly with the CL and Sigma fp. It's the usual Gitzo quality. I have a larger FLM for large format and occasional SL2-S use. 

[bags27]

Thanks all, In the interim, an essentially clothing company (I kid you not) had the Peak carbon on deep discount (only 1 and completely new), so i grabbed it. I like it a lot, though i recognize the limitations of its head. Easy (if not cheap) fix to that, but for travel, I'm content.

Right now, my main MF is in CLA hell, so haven't had to use it much. 

[PLW]

I use the Peak Design carbon tripod for travel and have been very happy with it.

[jankap]

I have the Novoflex Triopod. The legs can be used for Nordic walking or as monopods.  As a thrifty Dutchman I bought two legs and use my Gitzo monopod - almost never used - as the third leg.😉

[Mr.Prime]

I’ve ordered the Aluminium version because a) I'm stingy, b) my legs are supporting more weight than they should and a little more care with my diet I’lo easily shave off the difference to the Carbon version!  It has shipped but I don’t have it in my hands yet.