Peak Design Launches New Pro Tripods for Photographers

Peak Design has announced the release of three new tripods tailored specifically for professional photographers and videographers. These tripods are designed to accommodate larger camera gear while maintaining a compact form factor that allows them to fit easily into a backpack. The new pro tripods, which are available in three distinct versions, are slightly thicker when collapsed compared to the original Travel Tripod, which folded down to the size of a soda can. However, they offer significantly enhanced weight support and height capabilities.

The company is launching these new tripods through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign today. The pro versions are priced between $799.95 and $999.95, representing a substantial increase from the original Travel Tripod’s starting price of $349.95. Early backers have the opportunity to preorder these tripods with discounts of up to 27 percent.

The new models include the standard Pro Tripod, along with two variants: the Pro Lite Tripod and the Pro Tall Tripod. The Pro Lite Tripod is designed to be lighter and more compact, featuring scaled-down legs and a center column. In contrast, the Pro Tall Tripod boasts elongated legs, allowing it to stand taller while maximizing stability, as the center column may not need to be extended as high.

Weighing between 3.7 and 4.5 pounds, the new pro models are only marginally heavier than Peak Design’s aluminum Travel Tripod, which weighs 3.44 pounds. However, they offer greater height, reaching up to 77.7 inches for the Pro Tall Tripod, and can support up to 40 pounds of camera equipment. The smaller Pro Lite Tripod has a maximum load capacity of 35 pounds.

Despite their thicker and sturdier legs made from carbon fiber, the new pro tripods can still fit into a backpack’s side pocket. The largest model measures just 3.66 inches in diameter when folded, compared to the Travel Tripod’s 3.25 inches. However, they may protrude slightly more due to their increased height, which ranges from 4 to 7 inches taller than the previous model.

Peak Design continues to incorporate some of the unique features from its Travel Tripod into the new pro models. These include a smartphone mount and a hex multitool that can be conveniently stowed inside the tripod’s center column. Additionally, the new tripods feature improved Arca-compatible quick-lock grips that securely hold a camera while facilitating easier attachment and removal. An optional accessory, the Tilt Mod, priced at $149.95, can be added to convert the pro tripods’ adjustable ball head into a fluid pan and tilt head, allowing for smoother camera movements.