As a certified trip photographer, I’ve used numerous trip tripods over time, together with fashions from Manfrotto and Leading edge.
As of late, I’m going to be reviewing Top Design’s trip tripod, which I’ve been the use of within the box for the previous a number of months to look the way it compares to different trip tripods.
I’ve in truth been partial to Top Design’s merchandise for a very long time. They make a variety of images equipment, and I in particular like their elevate strap device which I’ve been the use of for years on my cameras. They even have a vary of in style luggage.
My enjoy to this point with their merchandise has been very sure, they’re nicely made and sponsored via a very good guaranty and strengthen program. Let’s see if that high quality has prolonged to their trip tripod. I’ll percentage my ideas on the use of one in all their trip tripods for the primary time.
Top Design Go back and forth Tripod Overview
Top Design introduced their trip tripod (by the use of Kickstarter) in 2019, with normal availability coming in 2020. This used to be their first and is these days simplest tripod.
It’s now been in the marketplace for a while, and I assumed it used to be about time I gave it a just right take a look at and overview. Let’s get started with the specs.
Top Design Go back and forth Tripod Specs
There are two variants of the Top Design trip tripod in the marketplace these days, an aluminum fashion and a carbon fiber fashion.
The one distinction between the 2 is the fabric in use, which impacts the load (and value!). The entire different specs are the similar. Right here’s a short assessment of the primary specs.
- Load capability – 20lbs (9.1kg)
- Max peak middle column raised – 60″ (152.2cm)
- Max peak middle column down – 51.25″ (130.2cm)
- Weight aluminum fashion 3.44lbs (1.56kg)
- Weight carbon fiber fashion 2.81lbs (1.29kg)
- Packed peak: 15.4″ (39.1cm)
- Packed diameter 3.125″ (39.1cm)
The retail value of the aluminum fashion is $379.95, and the carbon fiber fashion is $599.95. You examine the newest costs and purchase it direct from Top Design right here, on Amazon right here, and from B&H Picture right here.
This tripod definitely suits what we search for in a trip tripod, which is a mix of portability and a just right load capability.
In addition to the uncooked numbers, there are a couple of further options of the Top Design trip tripod I sought after to focus on.
First, the tripod is designed from the bottom as much as be tremendous moveable. The principle approach that is completed is with the top design, which may be very compact. The ball head mainly suits flush into the tripod when packed away and takes up slightly any area.
The turn locks, triangular leg design, and small middle column additionally all give a contribution to permitting this tripod to fold down in point of fact small.
I’ve used numerous trip tripods over time, and this one is undoubtedly one of the most easiest designs I’ve used in relation to the way it packs away to take in a minimum quantity of area.
The ball head may be lovely sensible. There’s an built-in bubble degree to verify your digital camera is flat, and the turn lock design makes attaching and doing away with your digital camera really easy. You’ll additionally lock your digital camera into position with the turn of a toggle, which supplies nice peace of thoughts.
Any other neat function is the combination of a telephone head mount. This lives throughout the middle column, and has a quick-release mechanism for simple set up.
It then attaches immediately to the tripod mounting plate and lets you use your tripod along with your smartphone. This will have to paintings with just about any smartphone in the marketplace nowadays.
It’s a pleasing worth upload and may be nicely designed and durable.
One very last thing I sought after to focus on is the sporting case. That is incessantly an afterthought with tripods, if you happen to even get one in any respect.
Neatly, Top Design is understood for his or her luggage and their tripod case is beautiful. It seems nice, the tripod suits inside of securely, and it’s each padded and weatherproof. It’s lacking a strap, however there are add-ons to make it appropriate with the Top Design elevate device.
Good enough, so the ones are the primary options. What is that this tripod love to in truth use in the actual international? Let’s to find out.
Top Design Go back and forth Tripod – Ideas on Actual International Use
I wish to do a overview in response to actual international enjoy, so I traveled with the Top Design trip tripod as my major tripod for a number of months to look the way it carried out within the box.
As this can be a trip tripod, I be expecting it to be one thing I will be able to elevate with me when climbing, so I took it with me on various hikes up more than a few Welsh mountains in addition to different rather much less strenuous strolls. It has additionally been on extra leisurely journeys in the United Kingdom, France, and the US.
After I’m checking out a trip tripod, there are some things I’m desirous about. First, it must be light-weight, as a result of no person desires to hold greater than they want to.
This tripod undoubtedly meets that requirement, even the aluminum model is gentle sufficient that I don’t have to consider carefully about including it to my equipment for a travel.
The following factor I search for is how simple the tripod is to arrange and put away. After I’m climbing, I don’t wish to need to spend numerous time placing a tripod up and down on every occasion I see a chance for a shot.
The Top Design trip tripod undoubtedly works in that regard as nicely. I’m typically no longer a large fan of flip-lock legs as they may be able to catch on my digital camera bag when putting in and placing away.
Then again, on this case they’re nicely designed in order that doesn’t occur, they usually make arrange and put down a breeze.
The best way the digital camera attaches to the top additionally works nicely. That is one thing that different tripods don’t all the time do as nicely at, particularly when the use of the Top Design elevate device which has the elevate strap hooked up to the tripod plate.
The Top Design elevate strap hooks at the digital camera base plate can every so often get in the best way of straightforward attachment to the tripod head. Clearly, this being a Top Design tripod, that factor has been concept thru, and the digital camera simply attaches to the tripod head even with the strap nonetheless hooked up.
There’s additionally a at hand locking mechanism at the tripod head that makes it simple to verify the digital camera is correctly hooked up to the tripod head.
After all, any tripod is simplest price its salt if it in truth supplies a solid platform for taking pictures from.
I’ve used it with a full-frame mirrorless digital camera paired with a heavy 100-400mm lens, and it carried out rather well. I extensively utilized it with my extra commonplace panorama wide-angle lens, or even with the smartphone adaptor.
Throughout, this tripod carried out rather well and let me get the pictures I sought after, even the lengthy publicity pictures the place the tiniest motion can wreck the entirety.
The overall factor I want in a trip tripod, or any tripod for that subject, is ease of operation.
Now this one used to be a little bit of a finding out curve for me. The design of the Top Design tripod head is that it slots down into the legs. Then again, you must partly prolong the central column (round an inch), to get complete motion.
Prior to I were given used to the tripod, I might attempt to transfer the top to the placement I sought after, however no longer have the ability to for the reason that head simplest has complete freedom of motion as soon as the central column has been partly prolonged.
Extending the central column isn’t arduous, however it’s an extra step to bear in mind to do.
As soon as the top is prolonged, adjusting the top is simple. It’s a ball-style design, and to regulate the attitude of the top you loosen the keep an eye on ring, transfer the tripod head to the attitude you wish to have, after which tighten the keep an eye on ring.
That is all really easy and intuitive if you get used to it. That is in point of fact vital, particularly if you happen to plan on doing any astrophotography or Northern Lighting images, as chances are you’ll want to function the tripod in very darkish prerequisites the place you’re operating via really feel.
In order that is numerous sure issues. Are there are problems I encountered? Neatly, sure.
The principle drawback I came upon, which is the primary detrimental of this tripod, is a loss of separate pan and tilt controls.
While you loosen the keep an eye on ring to regulate the top, you’ll transfer the digital camera up, down, left, and proper. Then again, you’ll’t pan or tilt one by one.
So, as an example, when you’ve got your shot framed virtually completely, however wish to shift the view a couple of levels to the left, you must watch out to not tilt the digital camera up or down on the identical time.
This additionally makes duties like taking pictures panoramas much more difficult. Many tripod heads, together with many ball heads, be offering separate pan and tilt controls, so you’ll pan independently of the lean keep an eye on.
Now, in truth, whether or not or no longer this can be a giant deal will rely so much at the pictures you love to take. If you are taking numerous panoramas, then this will probably be a larger factor.
The excellent news is that the keep an eye on ring additionally controls the friction, which means you’ll loosen it just a little after which simply watch out as you progress the digital camera, with friction in your facet to stop undesirable actions at the mistaken axis.
Then again, with a heavy digital camera setup it may be difficult to simply transfer in a single route.
The opposite factor to remember is that through the years the turn locks at the tripod leg sections can change into free, which means that the legs don’t keep prolonged. That is simply an general factor with all turn lock legs on tripods I’ve used.
This may occur with any tripod, however Top Design have concept forward and incorporated each a device to regulate the leg turn lock tightness, in addition to a at hand clip which lets you connect the adjustment software to a tripod leg.
You simply need to bear in mind to carry this with you while you trip, in case a leg wishes tightening up while you’re within the box.
After all, while the addition of the bubble degree is preferred, the sunshine colour and approach it’s located implies that my digital camera covers maximum of it up, making it tough to look and no longer very helpful as soon as my digital camera is ready up.
In truth, maximum cameras and smartphones in this day and age have a integrated degree function anyway, so I hardly use the bubble degree on a tripod, however I sought after to say it in case it used to be vital to you.
General, I undoubtedly loved the use of this tripod within the box, and it has earned a spot in my images bag evidently.
Top Design Go back and forth Tripod Execs and Cons
Having coated my enjoy the use of the Top Design trip tripod within the box I sought after to percentage a short rundown of what I felt to be the primary professionals and cons of this tripod from a trip images standpoint.
Execs
- Light-weight, even the aluminum model
- Folds down very small
- Works nicely with the Top Design clip device
- In point of fact great tripod bag
- Can convert to tabletop tripod
- Integrated smartphone holder
- Lifetime guaranty
Cons
- Dear, particularly for carbon fiber fashion
- No simple panning keep an eye on
- Some constraint on portrait orientation shot
General,l I undoubtedly suppose it’s a just right trip tripod. The principle drawback is the associated fee is lovely excessive, particularly if you’re taking into account the carbon fiber fashion, which prices much more however simplest provides a modest lower in weight.
I feel the general public can be proud of the aluminum fashion because the options are the similar.
Top Design Go back and forth Tripod Possible choices
While you get started researching tripods, you’re going to temporarily be told that there are a super many tripods in the marketplace, and in truth, it may be arduous to inform them aside.
The principle selections will come right down to how a lot you wish to have to spend and the way vital specs like most load capability, most peak, minimal peak, folded peak and so on. are to you.
Maximum tripods mess around with those specs, so that you will have to have the ability to to find the very best tripod for you. I sought after to focus on a couple of choices to believe, and you’ll see extra choices in our information to the easiest trip tripods.
Gitzo Traveler Collection
Any comparability of tripods, particularly high-end tripods, goes to incorporate point out of Gitzo. Those are normally considered one of the easiest tripods in the marketplace, even if they generally tend to return with a quite eye-watering ticket.
Nonetheless, the Top Design carbon fiber tripod isn’t precisely the cheap fashion, so I believe it’s honest to match it towards a tripod of this caliber.
There are slightly a couple of tripods within the Gitzo Traveler sequence. I’d say probably the most related fashion will be the Gitzo Traveler, sequence 1, 5 phase tripod.
This carbon fiber tripod has a most peak of 58.46″, a folded dimension of 13.98″, a weight of three.13lbs and a max load capability of 22lbs. It has a retail value of $719.99.
So in comparison to the Top Design carbon fiber fashion, the Gitzo has a rather smaller folded peak, weighs rather extra, and has a rather decrease most peak.
Leading edge VEO 3 GO 235CB or 265HCB
A snappy word, I’m a Leading edge Ambassador and feature been since 2014, and I’ve used numerous their equipment over time, lots of which I’ve additionally reviewed.
I feel their merchandise be offering so much, and I’ve been more than happy with their equipment in use world wide.
The 2 major tripods I feel they these days produce which chances are you’ll believe as a substitute of the Top Design Go back and forth Tripod can be from the Leading edge VEO 3 Cross vary, and particularly the 235CB or 265HCB fashions.
Those are each carbon fiber tripods, however with a retail value round part that of the carbon fiber Top Design Go back and forth Tripod fashion.
The 235CB is the smaller tripod, with a most dimension of 53.5″, a folded dimension of 13″, a weight of two.3lbs, and a max load capability of 8.8lbs. It has a retail value of $269.99.
The carbon fiber variant of the Top Design tripod has a miles upper load score and a better most peak, but additionally weighs extra and doesn’t fold up as small. It’s additionally greater than two times as pricey. One to believe when you’ve got a smaller setup that gained’t problem the utmost load score.
The 265HCB is the taller tripod, with a most dimension of 65.5″, a folded dimension of 16.1″, a weight of three.1lbs and a max load capability of 22lbs. It has a retail value of $339.99.
The carbon fiber variant of the Top Design tripod has a identical load score and a decrease most peak, however weighs much less and folds up a little bit smaller. It’s just about two times as pricey.
Each Leading edge tripods additionally convert to monopods and include a smartphone adaptor and Bluetooth far flung shutter cause. They’re additionally to be had in aluminum, at a lower cost level and a better weight.
The aluminum VEO 3 Cross 235AB retails for $219.99, and the aluminum VEO 3 Cross 265HAB retails for $269.99. Most often one of the best ways to economize on a trip tripod is to select an aluminum fashion over a carbon fiber one.
Should you’re on this product, or any of the opposite Leading edge merchandise, you’ll get monetary savings the use of our unique Leading edge bargain code. This will provide you with 20% off the entirety within the Leading edge retailer.
Simply use the code FindingTheUniverse to your bargain! This Leading edge bargain code works within the Leading edge USA, UK, Australia, Spain, and Germany retail outlets.
Will have to you Purchase the Top Design Go back and forth Tripod?
In truth, simplest you’ll resolution this query! Then again, having used it for various months I will be able to undoubtedly say that this is a well-made tripod. It really works rather well and has sufficient artful design options to make it stand out in an overly crowded marketplace.
While you upload up all of the little further such things as the good bag, smartphone holder, and compatibility with different Top Design merchandise, it finally ends up as a in point of fact well-rounded product.
After all, there are lots of different tripods in the marketplace at different value issues, however I don’t suppose you’re going to be disenchanted if you make a decision to move for it.
You’ll purchase it direct from Top Design right here, on Amazon right here, and from B&H Picture right here.
Additional Studying
That’s it for my overview of the Top Design trip tripod – I’m hoping you discovered it useful. Prior to you cross, I sought after to percentage a few of our different content material which we predict you’re going to to find helpful.
- Our overview of the Leading edge VEO 2 265CB tripod after 3 years of standard use.
- A overview of the Leading edge VEO 2Go 265HCBM, the VEO 3+ 263AB and the VEO 3T+ 264CB.
- Now we have a information to why you want a tripod, a information to opting for a trip tripod, and a round-up of our favorite trip tripods
- Now we have a information to how one can use a compact digital camera, how one can use a DSLR digital camera, and how one can use a mirrorless digital camera. We even have a information to how a DSLR works
- Realizing how one can compose a super picture is a key images ability. See our information to composition in images for a lot of guidelines in this topic
- Now we have a information to what intensity of box is and while you would wish to use it.
- We’re giant lovers of having probably the most from your virtual picture information, and do to that you are going to want to shoot in RAW. See our information to RAW in images to grasp what RAW is, and why you will have to transfer to RAW once you’ll in case your digital camera helps it.
- You’re going to want one thing to run your picture enhancing tool on. See our information to the most productive laptops for picture enhancing for some recommendations on what to search for.
- Should you’re on the lookout for extra recommendation on explicit guidelines for various eventualities, we additionally have you ever coated. See our information to Northern Lighting images, lengthy publicity images, fireworks images, guidelines for taking pictures of stars, and chilly climate images.
- Should you’re on the lookout for an excellent gift for a images loving pal or circle of relatives member (or your self!), check out our images present information,
- Should you’re available in the market for a brand new digital camera, we’ve got an in depth information to the easiest trip cameras, in addition to explicit guides for the easiest cameras for climbing and backpacking, the easiest compact digital camera, easiest mirrorless digital camera and easiest DSLR digital camera. We even have a information to the easiest digital camera lenses.
- If you wish to have a digital camera or lens, however the costs are a little bit excessive, see our information to the place to shop for used cameras and digital camera equipment for some price range financial savings choices.
Taking a look to Reinforce Your Images?
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It’s to be had for an awesome one-off value for lifetime get admission to, and I feel you will have to test it out. Which you’ll do via clicking right here.
Be aware: We had been despatched this product free of charge to look how we appreciated it. I selected to jot down this overview based totally alone private opinion of the tripod after the use of it for some time. All critiques are our personal.
