Tripod guide
21
3 LeggedThing X1.1 Brian Evolution 2 £237 The X1.1 Brian Evolution 2 offers an incredible mix of portability, versatility and strength. Thanks to its five-section legs and folding design, it has a tiny closed length of just 42cm, weighs only 1.33kg, but can still support a healthy load of up to 8kg. For increased stability when using all five sections, the reversible centre column can be removed and your camera can be mounted directly onto the leg section – in this way it’s possible to shoot at very low height of 12.5cm. Ground- level shooting – useful for macro shots – is possible with the column inverted and because there’s a mounting point at each end you can add a laptop or tablet bracket, allowing tethered shooting and offsetting the difficulties of working inverted. Maximum height is a lofty 2.06m, making the tripod useful for high-angle shooting and a valuable option as a lighting stand. Adding to the range of use, one of the X1.1 Brian’s legs can be removed and used as a monopod with a maximum height of 131cm. You also get a ballast hook, carry strap, and bag.
Nest Traveller NT-6294CK £210
VelbonGeo E643D £249
Induro CT214 8X £299
Available as a kit with an NT-636H ball head, the Traveller NT-6294CK is light, compact and strong. Weighing 1.85kg, it uses an inverting leg design, packing down to 45cm, including the supplied head, but can still support loads up to a whopping 20kg. The head is actually load- rated to 15kg, but it’s still a decent performance, and uses the common Arca-Swiss design for its quick-release plate. With four leg sections, measuring a chunky 29mm at the top, the Traveller uses rubberised twist locks for height adjustment, allowing the sections to slide out with a quarter turn and, like some of the others in this guide, one of the legs can be removed and combined with the centre column to form a 163cm monopod. Maximum shooting height is 166cm (142cm without the centre column) and the lowest, without reversing the centre column, is 28.5cm, while the Traveller’s legs can be independently locked at three angles for shooting low down or on uneven surfaces. The Traveller NT-6294CK also comes complete with a carry case, padded shoulder strap, tools and a five-year warranty.
The Velbon Geo E643D’s carbon-fibre legs are made with small quantities of basalt, to increase strength and it comes in kit form, with a QHD-63D ball head, although any can be used via its 1/4in and 3/8in screws. Its legs, which are a sturdy 28mm thick at the top, have four sections giving a maximum height of 168.1cm with the centre column extended (137.7cm without), and the two-section centre column can be removed to allow ultra-low shooting. Its legs can be angled and locked individually for awkward terrain, but also feature etched scale marks so they can be set to identical heights if desired, and retractable metal spikes for soft ground, snow, ice or sand. Neoprene grips offer a more comfortable carry in the hand or on the shoulder, and magnesium alloy castings are used throughout for improved durability. Folding to 53.8cm, and weighing 1.83kg, the E643D will accept a maximum load of 10kg, and comes with a carry case and a ‘leg pouchette’, which can be weighted and hung on the included hook for added stability.
Giving solid support for set-ups up to 12kg in weight, the Induro CT214 8X weighs only 1.5kg itself meaning you’re very unlikely to put your back out on its account. To enhance stability and to reduce vibration it has a ‘wide stance’, cross-braced magnesium-alloy shoulder as well as an oversized centre column lock. Maximum height is 155.5cm (133.5cm without centre column) and although the minimum height of 48.6cm doesn’t sound low, the centre column reverses, so you can shoot down to ground level if desired. Packed up, the CT214 8Xmeasures 53cm, while dust- and moisture-resistant leg locks control its four- section legs, requiring just a half turn to open or secure. The legs can be spread at three lockable angles letting you set up with ease on uneven surfaces (an integrated bubble level helps too) and interchangeable rubber and stainless steel spiked feet complete the sure footing. For carrying, there’s a strap and case, plus a comfortable grip and the bottom of the centre column has a spring-loaded hook for adding ballast.
SPECS
SPECS
SPECS
SPECS
LEG SECTIONS 5 MAXLOAD 8kg WEIGHT 1.33kg
LEG SECTIONS 4 MAXLOAD 10kg WEIGHT 1.83kg
MAXHEIGHT 204cm MINHEIGHT 12.5cm CLOSEDLENGTH 42cm
MAXHEIGHT 168.1cm MINHEIGHT 11cm CLOSEDLENGTH 53.8cm
LEG SECTIONS 4 MAXLOAD 20kg WEIGHT 1.85kg
LEG SECTIONS 4 MAXLOAD 12kg WEIGHT 1.5kg
MAXHEIGHT 166cm MINHEIGHT 28.5cm CLOSEDLENGTH 45cm
MAXHEIGHT 155.5cm MINHEIGHT 48.6cm CLOSEDLENGTH 53cm
CONTACT www.3leggedthing.com
CONTACT www.velbon.co.uk
CONTACT www.nest-style.com
CONTACT www.indurogear.com
www.absolutephoto.com
Issue 16 | Photography News
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