N-Photo - The Nikon Magazine - UK (2019-12)

MINI TEST

Sirui 3T-35K
£74/$90
http://www.sirui.com

irui’s entry stands out thanks to its
almost entirely metal construction. It
certainly feels like a premium product,
especially next to more budget rivals.
Load capacity is a respectable 4kg, and we found
the 3K-35T easily supports a full-frame DSLR and
24-70mm lens. This sturdiness has an impact
on weight, though: the 3K-35T tips the scales at
430g – noticeably heavier than the 260g Pixi Evo.
The legs fold out from their resting position
alongside the centre column, and a quick
twist of the central ‘spider’ locks them in their
outstretched position. The two-section centre
column can then adjust your shooting height
from 25.5cm up to 34cm, or you can remove the
column completely and mount the head directly
to the legs for a lower stance, although this is a
bit of a faff that requires the use of an Allen key.
The support is topped off by a good-sized
and precisely machined aluminium ball head.
It features separate pan adjustment, although
this is of limited use, as there isn’t a dedicated
knob to adjust the pan base independently.

PROS Excellent build quality and load capacity;
large ball head; very compact when folded

CONS It’s not cheap for such a small tripod, but
you get what you pay for – a quality product

Verdict 4.5

Joby GorillaPod Rig

£189/$180

http://www.joby.com

ou can get GorillaPods in numerous

sizes to suit different cameras, from

a GoPro up to a full-frame DSLR. All

make great tabletop tripods, but we

went for the flagship GorillaPod Rig to see what

the GorillaPod design is really capable of.

The Rig is not just intended to hold your

camera: with those ‘arms’ on either side, you can

also add accessories like LED lights, microphones,

a small external video monitor, or even a phone

(via an optional clamp). The system works best

for shooting video close-ups, but it can be equally

effective for macro stills if you position a light on

either side of your camera. This can be anything

up to a full-frame DSLR: the load rating is 5kg.

The Rig is bundled with a high-quality ball head

that features separate pan adjustment. Grippy

locking knobs clamp the head very well.

The legs are the largest in the GorillaPod range,

measuring around 27cm long. They allow you to

wrap the Rig around static objects, so this needn’t

just be a tabletop tripod, and Joby also bundles a

strap that lets you tie the Rig to larger objects.

PROS Versatile, especially for video; excellent

quality; can attach to a variety of objects

CONS Overkill for basic stills photography;

daunting price; long (37cm) and heavy (840g)

Verdict^4

Gitzo Mini Traveller

£190/$200

http://www.gitzo.com

ini-tripods can often be short on build

quality, but Gitzo’s mini-marvel is a

notable exception. It’s constructed

using the same Carbon eXact tubing

tech as full-size Gitzo legs, and is topped off by an

equally well-made aluminium ball head.

The ball itself clamps super-securely using

the grippy locking ring at the base of the head.

Gitzo rates the load capacity at 3kg, and that’s

very fair: the Mini Traveller feels rock-solid, even

when the legs are spread to their widest setting.

A neat pull action on each leg lets you switch

between the two available angles.

If you need to support even more, the legs

themselves have a colossal 25kg load rating – just

remove the head using the included Torx wrench,

and a provided adaptor allows fitment of a beefier

head to maximize the legs’ carrying capacity.

Equally impressively, the tripod and included

head weigh a combined 265g, which makes this

one of the lightest mini-tripods on the market. The

Mini Traveller is available with two colour options:

black, or Gitzo’s signature ‘Noir Decor’.

PROS Uncompromising build and material

quality; immensely rigid; excellent ball head

CONS Maximum shooting height only 17cm;

hugely expensive compared to rivals

Verdict^4

Five

things

to look

out for

1

The limiting factor of

a mini tripod can often

be a small ball head.

A larger ball is easier

to clamp securely.

2

A tripod with multiple

leg angles or extension

options gives you the

choice between extra

height and stability.

3

With load ratings of

up to 5kg, good-quality

mini tripods can

support even a DSLR

and a telephoto lens.

4

Joby’s GorillaPod

proves a mini tripod

can be freed from the

tabletop: you can wrap

it round many objects.

5

Bundled mounts to fit

a GoPro camera or a

smartphone are nice,

as is an extending

centre column.

S Y M