Review on Peak Design Travel Tripod: Lightweight & Sturdy 5-Section Aluminum Camera Tripod by Joseph Adaymiln

I have a tripod problem. Too many tripods in the stable over the years! I'm still looking for the perfect tripod. Inexpensive, lightweight, compact for hiking, easy to set up, big enough to work at eye level and strong enough for heavier installations. And more importantly, plate compatibility makes it easy to use alternative carrying systems (strap clip, PD Capture). The Peak Designs team really listened to photographers looking for a multi-purpose travel tripod. As a photographer who spends a lot of time hiking to take pictures, I've been looking for the perfect travel tripod for the past decade. A look back at my current collection, including the Manfrotto MKC3-H01 travel tripod (now MKCOMPACTACN-BK, with a different patented "joystick" hybrid head with ball head and plate arrangement), the carbon fiber Velbon 630 with the Manfrotto 498 RC2 head, the Velbon DF-10ML (closely related to the 3 part EX macro) and a small compact Neewer CK-30 tripod purchased for the Arca tablet and ground level macro capabilities. The PD Aluminum Tripod isn't the lightest of them all, and it's expensive - but it's one of the most well thought out, compact and well designed. Stable and trustworthy tripods with that certain something "in the field". I like the features. Compactness. Slightly larger than a regular Nalgene water bottle when carried. Legs, connectors and fasteners. I prefer folding leg closures to screw closures. Less hassle for me when trying to find release and lock positions. The altitude is great, as is the ability to be close to the ground. The ball head suits me. The cocking mechanism on the ball works as expected, even with a Sony a7r-IV with Sony's heavy 200-600mm zoom. Positioning is easy and can be straight up or down. The Peak Design Capture Clamp uses the same Arca mounting plate, so you can easily switch from carrying to tripod mounting without having to change mounting plates. There is a locking mechanism to prevent accidental loosening of the plate. The tools attached to the tripod are a well thought-out addition. The carrying case is sturdy and seemingly waterproof. things I don't like. Price. Ö, The price is high for sure, even higher if you go for the lighter carbon fiber version. The weight. It's not as light as my compact Manfrotto tripod, but not too light either. With something like this, less weight is always what I want. Is this tripod worth it? For those more of a money saver looking for similar features, albeit not as complete? Manfrotto travel tripod - if you find the head version that suits you (read the comments on the different versions). IF Manfrotto had a version of the Arca record it would be easy - much cheaper, lighter, with enough features, it would be a good choice. I'm keeping the Peak Designs tripod though! For me it's almost perfect. If you can afford to spend over $350 on a tripod I don't think you will be disappointed. though not as complete. Manfrotto travel tripod - if you find the head version that suits you (read the comments on the different versions). IF Manfrotto had a version of the Arca record it would be easy - much cheaper, lighter, with enough features, it would be a good choice. I'm keeping the Peak Designs tripod though! For me it's almost perfect. If you can afford to spend over $350 on a tripod I don't think you will be disappointed. though not as complete. Manfrotto travel tripod - if you find the head version that suits you (read the comments on the different versions). IF Manfrotto had a version of the Arca record it would be easy - much cheaper, lighter, with enough features, it would be a good choice. I'm keeping the Peak Designs tripod though! For me it's almost perfect. If you can afford to spend over $350 on a tripod I don't think you will be disappointed.