Peak Design's Latest Professional Tripods: Enhanced Support and Portability

Slightly bigger and heavier than the original Travel Tripod, Peak Design's new line of pro tripods brings robustness and improved capability to the forefront.

These newly announced tripods from Peak Design are crafted to meet the needs of professional photographers and videographers. The initial model was remarkably compact, comparable to the slenderness of a soda can, emphasizing portability. The new pro series, available in three versions, retains a compact form while significantly boosting the weight capacity and height.

Today's rollout of these tripods is part of another Kickstarter campaign. With price tags ranging from $799.95 to $999.95, these models mark a noticeable price increase from the original Travel Tripod's $349.95. However, early supporters have the opportunity to secure these at discounts of up to 27%.

New Models Overview

The collection includes the standard Pro Tripod along with two distinctive versions. The Pro Lite Tripod is designed for reduced weight and more compact storage, achieved by scaling down the legs and center column. Conversely, the Pro Tall Tripod features extended legs that offer greater height and potential stability without needing as much center column extension.

These pro models, tipping the scales between 3.7 to 4.5 pounds, are only marginally heavier than the aluminum Travel Tripod, which weighs 3.44 pounds. They can rise to impressive heights, reaching up to 77.7 inches with the Pro Tall Tripod, and bear up to 40 pounds of gear, with the more compact Pro Lite Tripod supporting a maximum of 35 pounds.

Portability Meets Strength

Despite their more robust carbon fiber build, these tripods remain backpack-friendly, fitting into side pockets with the largest variant folding down to just 3.66 inches across. Although slightly bulkier at the top compared to the 3.25-inch diameter of the previous Travel Tripod, they maintain a manageable form factor given their superior capabilities.

The designs carry forward notable features from the Travel Tripod, such as a smartphone mount and a hex multitool that neatly store within the tripod's center column. Enhanced Arca-compatible quick-lock grips provide secure attachment of cameras, facilitating swift setup and removal. Additionally, there's a $149.95 Tilt Mod accessory available, transforming the adjustable ball head into a fluid tilt-pan head for seamless camera maneuvers.