Peak Design Travel Tripod on Kickstarter

As a consumer, I have no problem with any kickstarters being introduced. In fact, quite the opposite, i.e., I'd like to see more kickstarters or new products -- more the better as I love all photography related gears and gadgets and whatnot. That doesn't mean I don't look at these uncritically. I like that PD likes to be innovative, stands by their products, and always look for ways to improve and introduce quality products. Their Slide strap is something that works for my purposes but not so much with others, including this new tripod. It could be of use to others depending on their gear and travel needs.

I think that, perhaps, I may have caused a little confusion here. I was most certainly not comparing the functionality of my Gitzo GT4542LS with the PD traveller! I was comparing their prices and relative values. Remember I live in "Ripoff Britain" and am still surprised at what they are asking for this tripod.

As I said I will stay with Gitzo as they are better (leg locks) and I can get them cheaper.

johnf3f wrote in post #18867859
I think that, perhaps, I may have caused a little confusion here. I was most certainly not comparing the functionality of my Gitzo GT4542LS with the PD traveller! I was comparing their prices and relative values. Remember I live in "Ripoff Britain" and am still surprised at what they are asking for this tripod.

No confusion, if you ignore the specification there's still the point that the Gitzo you were talking about is twice the price of the PD and doesn't include a head. The PD is probably even more expensive than you imagine, I don't think it has VAT applied.

johnf3f wrote in post #18867859
As I said I will stay with Gitzo as they are better (leg locks) and I can get them cheaper.

I buy most of mine used too but that is not a fair comparison, with used equipment you can only get what's available so if you need a specific model you could be waiting months or years. If you compare like for like how cheap do you think the PD will be once used copies enter the market?

simonbarker wrote in post #18868037
No confusion, if you ignore the specification there's still the point that the Gitzo you were talking about is twice the price of the PD and doesn't include a head. The PD is probably even more expensive than you imagine, I don't think it has VAT applied.

I buy most of mine used too but that is not a fair comparison, with used equipment you can only get what's available so if you need a specific model you could be waiting months or years. If you compare like for like how cheap do you think the PD will be once used copies enter the market?

My Gitzo GT4542LS was not twice the price, it was £375 inc postage, brand new from Gitzo UK and yes it is the most expensive Gitzo I have! My GT2531 was £300 new from a high street shop, my GT3320BS was £189 new from the same shop and my GM2541 was £90 new same shop. My G1550T was £140 (used) from FleaBay.

I have had a couple of other used Gitzo's over the years but have sold them on when I could get the model that I really wanted - the most expensive was £100 for a G1329 Mk2 (3 series Carbon Systematic) + a G1318 Carbon Centre Column which I still have.

Gitzo are not necessarily twice the price, though I agree the choice may be limited, but if it is not Gitzo then I can't afford it

johnf3f wrote in post #18868341
I have had a couple of other used Gitzo's over the years but have sold them on when I could get the model that I really wanted...

Do you know what you want? By my count, you’ve had 8 Gitzo’s.

John from PA wrote in post #18868380
Do you know what you want? By my count, you’ve had 8 Gitzo’s.

I've probably had 20 tripods over the years, I currently own 4 tripods that I use.

Without experience, it's hard to know what you want/need and that has certainly changed over time for me. Starting out with regular Manfrotto tripods like most (190 and 055) and then entering the world of CF tripods with Sirui and Gitzo 5-series and lately replacing most of my Sirui's with PMG tripods.

Wow! It's reported that the tripod design has 10,000 investors. As the article at https://fstoppers.com …ravel-tripod-world-374193 states, "That is an insane number of tripods."

johnf3f wrote in post #18868341
My Gitzo GT4542LS was not twice the price, it was £375 inc postage, brand new from Gitzo UK and yes it is the most expensive Gitzo I have! My GT2531 was £300 new from a high street shop, my GT3320BS was £189 new from the same shop and my GM2541 was £90 new same shop. My G1550T was £140 (used) from FleaBay.

I have had a couple of other used Gitzo's over the years but have sold them on when I could get the model that I really wanted - the most expensive was £100 for a G1329 Mk2 (3 series Carbon Systematic) + a G1318 Carbon Centre Column which I still have.

Gitzo are not necessarily twice the price, though I agree the choice may be limited, but if it is not Gitzo then I can't afford it

I know that and I've paid even less for Gitzo tripods but that doesn't actually help anyone else because the big drawback of buying used/discontinued is you have to accept whatever the market has available. It's like the saying, everything comes to he who waits but if you need something waiting a few months for a cheap unit to pop up makes no sense.

The point I'm trying to get across here is what you're suggesting isn't really practical, if as you've suggested the Gitzo is cheaper can you tell me where I can buy it for £375? You can't because that isn't really its price so it is a little unfair to say the PD is more expensive because you're comparing a products actual price to a one off no one else can get at the moment (or possibly ever).

Which sounds like splitting hairs, if your point is simply you can get some real bargains then I'm fully in agreement with you, I almost always buy used where I can but part of that deal is compromise be that having to spend time looking for those bargains, accepting less options in terms of exact model or condition etc.

Which doesn't lend itself to just saying well the PD is overpriced because I managed to snag a bargain a couple of years ago. Give it a couple of years and I'll bet you'll be able to get some bargains on the PD tripod too.

A little less than that but I cannot resist bargains!

simonbarker wrote in post #18868728
The point I'm trying to get across here is what you're suggesting isn't really practical, if as you've suggested the Gitzo is cheaper can you tell me where I can buy it for £375? You can't because that isn't really its price so it is a little unfair to say the PD is more expensive because you're comparing a products actual price to a one off no one else can get at the moment (or possibly ever).

The GT4542LS was from Gitzo UK.

I think that I posted my purchasing history in a previous post.

As to not getting what one needs? Well I certainly have but my needs/wants change, don't yours? I passed on my G1329 Mk2 because I only bought it for the centre column that it came with - still got the centre column which was what I wanted in the first place and made a nice profit too. Whilst My GT3530LS was great for long lenses, when I got the 4 series it was better so why have two Systematics with similar functions (?) so I passed it on to put funds back into photography.

Yes I could have just bought "exactly" what I though I wanted at the time, have spent close to the cost of my 4 Gitzo tripods!?! Not practical? Well it has been very practical for me + cheap too!

Price research is everything. How do you think someone on an income so low that they don't even qualify for income tax has all those lovely Gitzos?

P.S. I have done better on cameras and lenses

SYS wrote in post #18866095
I looked at several videos out on this kickstarter tripod, and I just don't see anything about it that makes me even a bit excited.

I agree, and the picture in post #2 on the first page of this thread doesn't instill confidence. It looks like the leg sockets are partially open on the inside, hence the wonky look. 18 months ago I bought a new travel tripod that replaced a perfectly good tripod I'd used for 8 years. It's just a much better tripod and it cost $200.

My tripod weighs 2.4lbs, the PD weighs 2.81lbs. Load capacity is 26.4lbs, the PD capacity is 20lbs. Max height is 47.2in, the PD goes to 60.0in. Folded length is 17.5in, the PD folds to 15.5in. I'm only 68in tall so a clamp on the tripod apex and a ballhead with a camera on top works for me.

My tripod floor to apex bottom is 1.65in | 42mm. That measure is not given in the PD spec but it does look higher than mine - see picture below. I just don't understand what all the fuss is about.

Peter_N, What Tripod is this?

peter_n wrote in post #18871138
I just don't understand what all the fuss is about.

Neither did I at first, but after reading a lot of comments I've broken it down to the following 3 categories of people:

1. PD fans that simply love PD design regardless of what it is. I've read comments like, "everything they PD is magic" "PD is the most innovative company.." etc.
2. People who simply lack experience when it comes to camera support and tripods
3. People who value light and compact form-factor above all else, usually do not need to do long exposures in demanding conditions. (a very group that I certainly respect)

All 3 groups seems to have a hard time to understanding that (at least I) the only thing I'm critiquing is the way PD market this tripod, as they market it as a tripod that can take anything from a cell phone to large format camera, only their fine print (FAQ) do they go into detail and explain that their tripod just like every other in its size and with so many sections is prone to vibration under high enough load or demanding circumstances.

CanonCameraFan wrote in post #18871168
Peter_N, What Tripod is this?

It's a Leofoto LS-284C. The price has gone up since I bought mine. A review from Dave Berryrieser and his stability rank table for travel tripods. Take a look at the three tripods that beat the 284C in the stability ranking and their prices.

Then there's this little guy which is very nearly flat on the floor.