Landed: The grandest, rugged Peak Design tripod yet, boasting a substantial size and stunning design.
Shaking Up the Tripod Game: Peak Design's Pro Range
Peak Design is making waves in the photography and videography world with its new Pro Tripod range. Launching via Kickstarter on June 17, this series, co-created with mountaineer, photographer, and superhuman Jimmy Chin, caters to pros who need rock-solid stability and reliability in extreme conditions.
Stepping aside from the portable, ultra-light travel tripods of the past, the new Pro Tripods pack a punch with their beefed-up design, offering up to double the weight capacity (40lbs/18.1kg) and a 30% taller max height, all while retaining Peak Design's famous packability magic.
The label hasn't just upscaled their Travel Tripods; the new range has undergone a complete overhaul, from the user-friendly push-button leg angle adjusters to the revamped cam levers.
But the true star of the show is the new Pro Ball Head, featuring fluid panning, a game-changer for videographers. Interested in turning your photo tripod into a pan-and-tilt rig without added bulk? The Tilt Mod accessory makes it possible.
In addition to spiked feet for handle rough terrain, a levelling base, and an upgraded mobile mount, this premium lineup comes with some hefty price tags. The Pro Lite starts at $799.95, the Pro at $899.95, and the Pro Tall at $999.95, although Kickstarter backers can snag up to 27% off these prices.
The hefty cost is justified if you're a wildlife shooter, landscape pro, or remote-location filmmaker—they're built to withstand rigs worth more than your car. However, for hobbyists, the Travel Tripod or your savings account might be the wiser choice.
Discover more details on Peak Design's Kickstarter page.
Behind the Scenes: Development and Innovation
The new Peak Design Pro Tripod series boasts numerous enhancements and innovations tailored to the demands of heavy professional camera systems and challenging shooting environments:
- Robust Construction: To handle the weight, the tripods feature a fully CNC-machined hub, flanged center column, and thicker, increased diameter and length leg tubes, resulting in twice the load capacity and stability compared to previous models[2][4][5].
- New Pro Ball Head: This newly designed ball head includes a fluid panning system, providing 15 degrees of adjustment even when the center column is fully stowed for maximum stability without sacrificing articulation. It is Arca-Swiss compatible and includes a bubble level that doubles as a lock/release switch. A large knurled dial offers intuitive control, unmatched by other ball heads on the market[1][2].
- Video and Versatility Accessories: An optional Tilt Mod accessory transforms the tripod into a professional pan-tilt video capture tool, ideal for hybrid shooters. Additionally, a Pro Leveling Base accessory caters to dedicated videographers who prefer to use their own heads[2].
- Design Collaboration and Testing: The Pro Tripod line was developed in close partnership with renowned adventure photographer and Emmy-winning filmmaker Jimmy Chin, ensuring the design withstands harsh outdoor environments and optimizes for adventure and professional use[2].
- Portability and User-Friendly Features: Despite the increased design for strength and capacity, the Pro Tripod maintains backpack-friendly weight and size, making it one of the most portable pro tripods on the market. It also includes user-friendly features such as all-new CNC-machined leg angle adjusters, easier leg lock disassembly for maintenance, and redesigned Arca-compatible quick-lock grips for faster and tighter camera attachment[2][5].
- Additional Features: Other notable features include a removable or invertible carbon fiber center column, a hidden foldable hex tool integrated into the center column for on-the-go adjustments, and a weatherproof carry case with a shoulder strap included[2].
Ultimately, the Peak Design Pro Tripod series offers a highly stable, versatile, and thoughtfully engineered solution that caters to professionals seeking strength, precision, and portability combined with innovative modular accessories for enhanced functionality in the field[1][2][4][5].
The new Peak Design Pro Tripod series, such as the Pro Ball Head, incorporates advanced technology, like a fluid panning system, designed to meet the needs of heavy professional camera systems and challenging shooting environments. This innovation in gadgets is the result of close collaboration with Jimmy Chin, a renowned adventure photographer and Emmy-winning filmmaker, ensuring the tripods can withstand harsh outdoor conditions and cater to the demands of extreme conditions.
