By far the best in-depth review of this tripod I’ve seen. Been in the market for a tripod and did consider manfotto but your review made me make my decision of peak design, cheers lad!
So great to see a down-to-earth review from someone who really understands what is important to photographers that have to hunt for their photographic opportunities. Convinced me… Although I could not resist going Carbon to prevent me from falling into the hole of ‘upgrading’ later.
I have had the carbon fiber version of the PDTT for a couple of years now for landscape photography and have really enjoyed it. I was really glad to find your video for its use for wildlife photography as I have been trying to figure out how I can get my camera gear lighter for wildlife photography, especially if I'm hiking quite a distance. I have a monopod with the Wimberly Monopod Gimbal Head attached to it. For shorter treks (like a 10 minute walk to the lake from the parking lot), I have a carbon fiber gimbal head with a PD Standard Plate on the bottom of it so that I can mount it quickly to the PDTT for wildlife photography. However, I'm going to be doing some landscape photography in the mountains where I will be hiking 8 miles and am hoping to do some bird photography as well on that hike. I can't imagine hiking with my gimbal head in my camera backpack along with my 14-30, 24-120, and 100-400 lens + teleconverter. I now feel confident that I can leave my gimbal head at home for future hikes when I want to do landscape and wildlife photography. Thank you for sharing your review of the PDTT for wildlife photography.
Hi, it is the first time i can see somebody showing how to do panning with the PDTT for filming vidéo…!!! Very nice tip using your left hand in the way to secure the pan movement !!! Thanks a lot…👍🏻🤗
Peak Design should give you free gear for this because you just convinced me on this tripod. I wanted to see how practical and stable it would be with a Sony alpha and the 200-600 and that look pretty good! Thanks for the video! 😁
I dont normally comment but i have been looking for a tripod for a few weeks and have been strongly debating on the Peak Design tripod. Your video just convinced me that would be the right choice. Thank you for the straight forward review!
At least I found this video before I got too deep into photography. I can't justify spending tend of thousands of dollars for taking a picture of a duck. Thank you.
Thank you. You convinced me. I just want something that fits in my backpack water bottle pocket on city bus or a trail. If it supports my Sigma 150-600 for wildlife that will save me a gimbal head and lugging around a bigger set of legs AND I can use it for getting down low or landscape shots in low light. Perfect.
I know I'm replying to an old comment but did you get the PDTT to use with a Sigma 150-600? I'm thinking of getting one but worried it won't be sturdy enough for the lens!
@@wcsdiaries if i use my fluid head i use www.peakdesign.com/products/universal-head-adapter its bester, i used this combo in this video ruclips.net/video/TDcS19tjfcE/видео.html
Really interesting review of this Dean - at 6:47 when you said 'it's just like using a gimbal' I thought yeah sure, right up until you let go and it flops, but actually it looks like the tensioning works rather nicely! Definitely a contender when my old mini-tripod I use for vlogging finally gives up...
Hi Geoff hope you and family are well, its a good tripod it does more then most travel tripods I've had in the past and for those days walking about hills and woodlands its a must, its a lot more tougher and stable then it looks, with a lifetime guarantee it now plays a big part of my photography where i want to go light but with that said i haven't used any off my other tripods since ive had it,
@@dbphotofilm yeah, it definitely looks the business! Eye-wateringly expensive though so I couldn't justify looking at one until one of the current ones needs to be replaced... That said, the head on my smaller tripod somehow feels a little looser every time I read a review on this PD one ;) One more question: with the centre column removed as you have it, is it still possible to raise the ball up enough that the camera can be mounted to point straight down (or close enough)?
@@GeoffCooper you could but i would not, if i was to lower head facing down i would put centre column back on, even with the centre column on its only 8 inches long and will not get in the way when all legs are at its lowest level
Hi Dean -bit late to the party, but I just got hold of a nearly new used aluminium PD tripod and found your vid useful. I just wondered if it works with the 200-600 tele zoom extended to 600mm ok still as that’s quite a pivot then? I also like the fact they do a universal head adapter which means i can use a different head too Thanks again Andy
Im trying to decide between Gitzo traveler and Peak and I honestly can't choose! I like that on the Peak I can change the head and separate them and put both in my bag. Not the sturdiest but its small!
Skip, i have both and both are good and i can say they are so much alike and sturdy, im using the Peak more and more over my gitzo for two main reasons, 1/ folds down better 2/ the leg clips are better then the screw tight ones on the gitzo to me its a lot easier and faster but that's just my opinion others will differ, best if you could get hands on both and see, its a hard choice
I keep seeing people point out the ball head and the lack of a good video pan and tilt option as the only real downside of this tripod, but I wonder if you can't just screw a plate to a fluid head and drop it right on that ballhead mount. If it's locked you should be able to use the fluid head for pan and tilt for the videos pretty easily and then swap it out quickly when you don't need it or for stowage. You could also mix and match heads based on what type of shooting your doing that day.
its can pan but its no fluid head, it can tilt very good but its about knowing the right way on putting the head in the right position before you tilt it, yes its easy to put a tilting fluid head to this tripod and you can also buy a flat ball head plate and replace the one it comes with so you do have options but the idea behind this tripod is to go light when traveling
You can actually either attach an normal head to the default plate if your head fits the locking mechanism. (Seen some out there that actually seem to have arca Swiss compatibility). Or you can buy the alternative head from peak design which basically gives you the ability to attach any head to this tripod !
Great video! What your opinion on this tripod: Manfrotto Befree 3-Way Live Advanced tripod I am a wildlife photographer and I am looking for a lightweight tripod for both taking photos with my 4 kg 400mm 2,8 lens and filming.
Hi both tripods are good but to be up front if your going to use a long lens and 400mm f2.8 you really need to look at a tripod that can take a flat base head or a gimbal, this for me was to selling point of the peak design tripod its head is flat to the base which helps against movement and its cheap to get the flat base head which you can easy change on that tripod also a point that a lot of people do not look at and check is the foot print area coverage once you open up the tripod and the peak has a very wide foot print area more then my very expensive gitzo so think about those two points, the head and the amount of area the legs cover once on the ground, the Peak Design Travel Tripod is very expensive but its worth it in my eyes and you don't see many on sale that's used and this is because they are good but look around and if you did go for one best to get the Peak Design Universal Head Adapter and then you can add a gimbal if you wish,
I have the carbon PDT - I don't like the smallest leg extension - they are not sturdy enough for me and do flex quite a bit - great tripod for travelling and as an "in case" tripod for street photography. Not as stable at full extension.
5 months in, is it still your go to tripod? Even with the ball head? The ball head is really the only thing that makes me not want to get this tripod. Everything else is awesome.
i use this tripod for most of my photography with no worries when I'm up in the hills or going light i don't have any issues with the ball head and like it a lot it suits my needs, the only way for you to see is to find someone that has it and give it a go or most shops now gives you a 14 day refund if item is not for you or your not happy with it, the only issue i have come across is the legs needed tighten up a bit on the lower legs but this maybe due to me putting so much weight on they in the pass to see how strong they and are again no problems but if your not sure try it first,
I actually don’t see any cons with this ball head design as long as you don’t need it for filming. But if you do, you can just attach other heads to the arca mount or get the official alternative head which has the regular screw so you can use the tripod with any head you want
@@Seitenwerk i use mine for video with the ball head when i need to go light or subjects not needed to be tracked i would be fine with it, just finished a video on red squirrels using it and no problem for static filming but i do agree and have changed the base plate and put a fluid head on the tripod but it then adds a little more weight but works very well,
@@dbphotofilm Ok that makes sense of course. As Someone wo just does photography, mainly portrait and event work. This design fits very well especially as it allows me to just open, adjust, close with one hand.
Hi Michael i use the feet that comes with the tripod but i do have a set of the silver spike feet but I've never used them also the spike feet have a hole at the base which to me this would get clogged up with muck so i would only use them for ice for what they are made for, the feet that's on the tripod are very good even on ice so really no need to worry about any other feet
Is this one able to work with Sony’s mirror less full frames and a 200-600 lens? I like the orange color of that one, but I don’t see anyone attaching larger lenses to them.
peak design did not pay me or give me the tripod, if it did i would said and a notice on the video would of told you if they did youtube rules but thanks for watching
Listen to me guys. Get the Sirui st125 +VA5 (video head) is $319 at the moment I posted this. Screw off peak design. The Sirui is small and light and has an actual detachable head. the Peakdesign DOES NOT. They both fit in a water bottle pocket in your backpack.
Животные
Nice to get a review from someone who actually uses their gear…
Very useful video from someone who clearly knows what they're talking about. Thank you, sir!
Good stuff.
By far the best in-depth review of this tripod I’ve seen. Been in the market for a tripod and did consider manfotto but your review made me make my decision of peak design, cheers lad!
So great to see a down-to-earth review from someone who really understands what is important to photographers that have to hunt for their photographic opportunities.
Convinced me… Although I could not resist going Carbon to prevent me from falling into the hole of ‘upgrading’ later.
many thanks for the nice comments its always best to say it as it is and what works and what doesn't to much crap on the market today, thanks
go big or go home. All the way baby!
Different review than most and I rather enjoyed it! Thank you! Most helpful one so far... Now to convince the wife to spend that much on a tripod...
Exactly the type of video i was looking for. Thanks mate!
Nice one Dean. You've confirmed what I needed to know!
I have had the carbon fiber version of the PDTT for a couple of years now for landscape photography and have really enjoyed it. I was really glad to find your video for its use for wildlife photography as I have been trying to figure out how I can get my camera gear lighter for wildlife photography, especially if I'm hiking quite a distance. I have a monopod with the Wimberly Monopod Gimbal Head attached to it. For shorter treks (like a 10 minute walk to the lake from the parking lot), I have a carbon fiber gimbal head with a PD Standard Plate on the bottom of it so that I can mount it quickly to the PDTT for wildlife photography. However, I'm going to be doing some landscape photography in the mountains where I will be hiking 8 miles and am hoping to do some bird photography as well on that hike. I can't imagine hiking with my gimbal head in my camera backpack along with my 14-30, 24-120, and 100-400 lens + teleconverter. I now feel confident that I can leave my gimbal head at home for future hikes when I want to do landscape and wildlife photography. Thank you for sharing your review of the PDTT for wildlife photography.
Terrific video Dean, cheers!
Hi, it is the first time i can see somebody showing how to do panning with the PDTT for filming vidéo…!!! Very nice tip using your left hand in the way to secure the pan movement !!! Thanks a lot…👍🏻🤗
many thanks
Thanks Dean! You just saved me a lot of money.
Thank you, I am now convinced this tripod will be a good choice for me
Peak Design should give you free gear for this because you just convinced me on this tripod. I wanted to see how practical and stable it would be with a Sony alpha and the 200-600 and that look pretty good! Thanks for the video! 😁
many thanks
Great video.
I dont normally comment but i have been looking for a tripod for a few weeks and have been strongly debating on the Peak Design tripod. Your video just convinced me that would be the right choice. Thank you for the straight forward review!
The peak design tripod is not ideal for panning, I own one
Thank you so much, you have convinced me!
Great. Informative
Good video buddy
Notice the camera movement when he touches the tripod. This will be magnified when legs are extended.
Good video. Thanks. toronto canada.
Good review Dean thanks - Dinky: maybe from your childhood and Dinky cars!
think your right i had a few when i was young
At least I found this video before I got too deep into photography. I can't justify spending tend of thousands of dollars for taking a picture of a duck. Thank you.
Thank you. You convinced me. I just want something that fits in my backpack water bottle pocket on city bus or a trail. If it supports my Sigma 150-600 for wildlife that will save me a gimbal head and lugging around a bigger set of legs AND I can use it for getting down low or landscape shots in low light. Perfect.
I know I'm replying to an old comment but did you get the PDTT to use with a Sigma 150-600? I'm thinking of getting one but worried it won't be sturdy enough for the lens!
Nice review, you’ve definitely got the patter. I could see you flogging those out of the back of a Reliant Robin in Peckham 🙂
lovely jubbly
@@dbphotofilm can you attach a fluid head ot this? i shoot mostly video
@@wcsdiaries if i use my fluid head i use www.peakdesign.com/products/universal-head-adapter its bester, i used this combo in this video ruclips.net/video/TDcS19tjfcE/видео.html
Great review! Seriously fab. Quick question: how’d you remove the pins in the plate?
use the tool kit that comes with the tripod they are just simple screws
Really interesting review of this Dean - at 6:47 when you said 'it's just like using a gimbal' I thought yeah sure, right up until you let go and it flops, but actually it looks like the tensioning works rather nicely! Definitely a contender when my old mini-tripod I use for vlogging finally gives up...
Hi Geoff hope you and family are well, its a good tripod it does more then most travel tripods I've had in the past and for those days walking about hills and woodlands its a must, its a lot more tougher and stable then it looks, with a lifetime guarantee it now plays a big part of my photography where i want to go light but with that said i haven't used any off my other tripods since ive had it,
@@dbphotofilm yeah, it definitely looks the business! Eye-wateringly expensive though so I couldn't justify looking at one until one of the current ones needs to be replaced... That said, the head on my smaller tripod somehow feels a little looser every time I read a review on this PD one ;)
One more question: with the centre column removed as you have it, is it still possible to raise the ball up enough that the camera can be mounted to point straight down (or close enough)?
@@GeoffCooper you could but i would not, if i was to lower head facing down i would put centre column back on, even with the centre column on its only 8 inches long and will not get in the way when all legs are at its lowest level
Hi Dean -bit late to the party, but I just got hold of a nearly new used aluminium PD tripod and found your vid useful.
I just wondered if it works with the 200-600 tele zoom extended to 600mm ok still as that’s quite a pivot then?
I also like the fact they do a universal head adapter which means i can use a different head too
Thanks again Andy
nice tips Dean :)
Thank you so much👍
Im trying to decide between Gitzo traveler and Peak and I honestly can't choose! I like that on the Peak I can change the head and separate them and put both in my bag. Not the sturdiest but its small!
Skip, i have both and both are good and i can say they are so much alike and sturdy, im using the Peak more and more over my gitzo for two main reasons, 1/ folds down better 2/ the leg clips are better then the screw tight ones on the gitzo to me its a lot easier and faster but that's just my opinion others will differ, best if you could get hands on both and see, its a hard choice
I’m very interested in the carbon fiber model.
Great review!!! What’s your thoughts on aluminum vs carbon fibre? Obviously cost but other perspectives? Thanks.
not much between them to be honest so save money
Very nice review. I like your style. Concise.
thanks
I keep seeing people point out the ball head and the lack of a good video pan and tilt option as the only real downside of this tripod, but I wonder if you can't just screw a plate to a fluid head and drop it right on that ballhead mount. If it's locked you should be able to use the fluid head for pan and tilt for the videos pretty easily and then swap it out quickly when you don't need it or for stowage. You could also mix and match heads based on what type of shooting your doing that day.
its can pan but its no fluid head, it can tilt very good but its about knowing the right way on putting the head in the right position before you tilt it, yes its easy to put a tilting fluid head to this tripod and you can also buy a flat ball head plate and replace the one it comes with so you do have options but the idea behind this tripod is to go light when traveling
You can actually either attach an normal head to the default plate if your head fits the locking mechanism. (Seen some out there that actually seem to have arca Swiss compatibility). Or you can buy the alternative head from peak design which basically gives you the ability to attach any head to this tripod !
@@Seitenwerk where do i get this alternative head?
Great video! What your opinion on this tripod: Manfrotto Befree 3-Way Live Advanced tripod
I am a wildlife photographer and I am looking for a lightweight tripod for both taking photos with my 4 kg 400mm 2,8 lens and filming.
Hi both tripods are good but to be up front if your going to use a long lens and 400mm f2.8 you really need to look at a tripod that can take a flat base head or a gimbal, this for me was to selling point of the peak design tripod its head is flat to the base which helps against movement and its cheap to get the flat base head which you can easy change on that tripod also a point that a lot of people do not look at and check is the foot print area coverage once you open up the tripod and the peak has a very wide foot print area more then my very expensive gitzo so think about those two points, the head and the amount of area the legs cover once on the ground, the Peak Design Travel Tripod is very expensive but its worth it in my eyes and you don't see many on sale that's used and this is because they are good but look around and if you did go for one best to get the Peak Design Universal Head Adapter and then you can add a gimbal if you wish,
@@dbphotofilm Thanks for good advice!
I think PD is the best I've ever used 😊
Is the peak design a carbon fiber version or aluminum version used in the video?
aluminium
I have the carbon PDT - I don't like the smallest leg extension - they are not sturdy enough for me and do flex quite a bit - great tripod for travelling and as an "in case" tripod for street photography. Not as stable at full extension.
Would you ever put on the Peak Design Universal Head Adapter so that you can put on a 360 Gimbal on it or it's not worth it?
not to sure but think it would be fine
@@dbphotofilm I did it and I love it so much more.
5 months in, is it still your go to tripod? Even with the ball head? The ball head is really the only thing that makes me not want to get this tripod. Everything else is awesome.
i use this tripod for most of my photography with no worries when I'm up in the hills or going light i don't have any issues with the ball head and like it a lot it suits my needs, the only way for you to see is to find someone that has it and give it a go or most shops now gives you a 14 day refund if item is not for you or your not happy with it, the only issue i have come across is the legs needed tighten up a bit on the lower legs but this maybe due to me putting so much weight on they in the pass to see how strong they and are again no problems
but if your not sure try it first,
I actually don’t see any cons with this ball head design as long as you don’t need it for filming. But if you do, you can just attach other heads to the arca mount or get the official alternative head which has the regular screw so you can use the tripod with any head you want
@@Seitenwerk i use mine for video with the ball head when i need to go light or subjects not needed to be tracked i would be fine with it, just finished a video on red squirrels using it and no problem for static filming but i do agree and have changed the base plate and put a fluid head on the tripod but it then adds a little more weight but works very well,
@@dbphotofilm
Ok that makes sense of course. As Someone wo just does photography, mainly portrait and event work. This design fits very well especially as it allows me to just open, adjust, close with one hand.
What about benro TMA27A other than the size !
sorry cant help not used that tripod
Did you have the carbon fiber version?
no sorry
Is the leg releases are plastic or metal?
plastic but very thought with metal pins
Hey Please can you suggest a good tripod name for wildlife photography , i am having a 200 to 500 .
Gitzo s1
Which lens foot do you use
Hi Michael i use the feet that comes with the tripod but i do have a set of the silver spike feet but I've never used them also the spike feet have a hole at the base which to me this would get clogged up with muck so i would only use them for ice for what they are made for, the feet that's on the tripod are very good even on ice so really no need to worry about any other feet
Compact? Yes! but that head its freaking annoying! Useless! Thats why I went to K&F SA254T... now that's a tripod! very versatile
Is this one able to work with Sony’s mirror less full frames and a 200-600 lens? I like the orange color of that one, but I don’t see anyone attaching larger lenses to them.
What I want to know...is it solid, is it goin' nowhere?
How much did peak design pay you for this „review“?
peak design did not pay me or give me the tripod, if it did i would said and a notice on the video would of told you if they did youtube rules but thanks for watching
I wonder, do people get paid to be rude on RUclips? This was by far the most useful review of this tripod I've seen to date. @@dbphotofilm
Listen to me guys. Get the Sirui st125 +VA5 (video head) is $319 at the moment I posted this. Screw off peak design. The Sirui is small and light and has an actual detachable head. the Peakdesign DOES NOT. They both fit in a water bottle pocket in your backpack.