A premium travel tripod offering simple yet outstanding performance.

The Gitzo tripod kit Traveler series 1 is a travel tripod that oozes quality and provides smooth and positive operation with a maximum working height comparable to full-size tripods. It may be expensive, but Gitzo is one of those brands that manufacturers products that could easily last a lifetime. So, in the long term, this could in fact be a highly cost-effective travel tripod.

Pros

• +Excellent build quality
• +Smooth and solid operation
• +Tall, sturdy and lightweight

Cons

• -Expensive
• -No carry bag included
• -Only offers standard features
• Two-Minute Review

Gitzo tripods need no introduction as a premium option, and the Gitzo tripod Traveler series 1 (4 sections) being reviewed here is a travel tripod made for professional use thanks to its excellent build quality, tall height and light weight. This is one of those tripods that doesn’t look remarkable in any way, but as soon as you use it the smoothness of operation alongside the quality materials used identify it as a high-end travel tripod.

With this in mind and before we get into the specifics, the Traveler series 1 is expensive at $680 / £539 / AU$1,154.95. But this is a tripod that could easily last a lifetime thanks to the build quality and the availability of spare parts if something needs to be replaced. Spare part availability isn’t unusual in the tripod world, but when you’re paying this much money for a small tripod it’s reassuring to know that you can replace parts as and when required.

Despite the high price, this tripod doesn’t include a carry bag or case which some photographers may miss. It’s not a major downside because in reality, many photographers simply attach their tripods to a backpack while walking or carry them in their hand, and the Gitzo does include a well-made shoulder strap which is extremely useful.

Gitzo tripods and heads have some, well, utilitarian naming conventions and the official name of the Gitzo tripod kit Traveler, series 1, 4 sections is the GK1545T-82TQD which is a Traveler tripod/head kit that includes the GT1545T Tripod and the GH1382TQD Center Ball Head. I’ve only outlined these names to make it easier to find the kit we’re looking at here because retailers title the kit differently based on their own naming styles.

The Gitzo Traveler Kit is incredibly well made and oozes quality alongside providing stable support up to 64.4in / 163.5cm with the center column extended. This provides a maximum working height comparable to some full-size tripods, which is impressive for a travel tripod that’s just 16.7in / 42.5cm long when folded with a weight of 3.19lbs / 1.45kg.

The minimum height is 12.8in / 32.4cm, although you can get lower with the short plastic center column that’s included with the legs splayed out flat, or by inserting the standard center column into the legs upside down.

Going with four section rigid carbon fiber legs rather than five sections improves overall stability. This, of course, results in a slightly longer folded length, but the positive trade-off here is the additional stability fewer leg sections naturally provide because this means that the sections have a larger diameter.

The maximum payload is 22lbs / 10kg, so the tripod can support a wide range of camera and lens combinations although Gitzo does recommend that 200mm is the maximum focal length that should be used with the tripod and head.

You could undoubtedly go beyond this given the maximum payload, but travel tripod heads are typically smaller than those designed for full-size tripods. So, even when they can accommodate longer focal length lenses, it’s often not going to provide the most reliable shooting experience.

The head itself, like the legs, is exceptionally well made. There’s no friction control for the ball mechanism, but the main locking control provides this depending on how loose it is and a pan lock controls the stiff yet smooth panning movement.

It’s a simple ball head, but it does everything you need and does it smoothly. The plate used is also Arca Swiss compatible so you can use plates from other tripod heads and L brackets. The head can also be tilted over 90 degrees for portrait format shooting with one notch that allows this. This is ultimately a head where the adage ‘less is more’ is at play, but it does what it does well and can’t be faulted for this.

Twist locks for the legs and control knobs on the ball head and the centre column feature a rubberized grip that is comfortable to use, effective and doesn’t require too much twisting to lock and unlock. This doesn’t sound like much, but when you’re adjusting a tripod, speed and comfort can make a huge difference over a long day of shooting.

It feels almost strange to enjoy using a tripod – camera supports are hardly glamorous, they simply need to hold a camera securely. However, the level of quality and the smooth and positive level of operation afforded by the Gitzo make it a premium option worth considering if your budget stretches that far.

It may be is expensive, but it’s far from being one of the most expensive options available. Believe it or not, there are tripods available that cost upwards of $1000 / £1000 so in this context, the Gitzo is arguably well-priced.

Should I buy the Gitzo tripod kit Traveler series 1?

Buy it if…

You want a high-end travel tripod – In the world of tripods, you often get what you pay for so spending as much as you can afford will ultimately get you the best tripod for your budget. The Gitzo tripod Traveler series 1 is, without a doubt, a high-end option.

You need a robust travel tripod – The Gitzo tripod Traveler series 1 may be expensive, but it provides excellent stability and the overall quality means it should provide many years of faithful service.

You use an L bracket –  L brackets that allow you to quickly switch between horizontal and vertical shooting typically use the Arca Swiss style attachment – which is the type of mount the inclluded ball head uses.

Don’t buy it if…

You’re on a budget – At $680 / £539 / AU$1,154.95, the Gitzo Traveler Kit is expensive and will be out of reach for some photographers, but there are many great quality options available at around half of this price if you’re on a budget.

You don’t require a tall travel tripod – With a maximum working height of 64.4in / 163.5cm the Gitzo is tall for a travel tripod, which is extremely useful. But if you never shoot at this height you could find a shorter and even lighter option.

You need a different head type – If you prefer using a different type of tripod head to a ballhead, you can instead purchase the Gitzo GT1545T Tripod on its own and buy the desired head type, such as geared or 3-way, separately.

How I tested the Gitzo tripod kit Traveler series 1:

The Gitzo tripod Traveler series 1 was tested over a period of time using several different camera and lens combinations to test how the tripod stood up to standard use in travel-oriented scenarios. Cameras used included a premium compact, an APS-C mirrorless camera and a full-frame mirrorless camera. The tripod was also carried around with other photographic kit in my f-stop backpack to evaluate performance over longer shoots such as landscapes.

With nearly 30 years of photographic experience and 15 years working as a photography journalist, I’ve been covering photographic accessories such as tripods for many years. As a professional photographer, I frequently use a range of accessories to enhance my photography and bring my working experience of using these to reviews where I can consider how effective photographic accessories are from both a professional and an enthusiast point of view.

The post Gitzo Tripod Traveler Series 1 Review appeared first on Review Products.

Another year has passed, and a brand-new GoPro is finally available to help you “go pro.” I’ve had the GoPro Hero 12 Black for about a week, despite the fact that it recently went on sale everywhere. We had the opportunity to test the Hero 12 Black in its environment thanks to a fun event GoPro organized for some of the media in India. As usual, the older Hero 11 Black will remain accessible in India, although at a reduced cost. The new Hero 12 Black is available for Rs. 45,000 for the base kit and Rs. 65,000 for the Creators Edition.

Here are my initial thoughts on the new action camera from GoPro, albeit the complete review will take some time.

Comparing the GoPro Hero 12 Black to the Hero 11 Black, not much has changed, especially in terms of hardware. It has a 1/1.9-inch image sensor that supports the larger 8:7 aspect ratio, the same GP2 CPU as the Hero 11 Black, and many of the same capabilities. It still mostly resembles its predecessor in terms of appearance, but the body now has blue flecks. Since the dimensions are identical to those of the Hero 11 Black, any attachment designed for that model will likewise fit the Hero 12 Black.

The body of the GoPro Hero 12 Black has blue flecks.

With an extra shell, the GoPro Hero 12 Black can remain waterproof up to 10 meters. It has a larger 2.27-inch touch screen on the back and a smaller, non-touch, color screen in the front. The Max Lens Mod 2.0 is now supported by the lens cap, which is detachable. Additionally, there are mounting fingers at the bottom, but now there is also a universal tripod thread mount located in-between the two foldable feet.

A tripod thread is added to the GoPro Hero 12 Black.

The Hero 12 Black has a difficult-to-open battery flap on the right side that is still difficult to open and close. Come on GoPro, don’t you think we all deserve a flap with better engineering by this point? The microSD card slot and USB Type-C port are located underneath.

The record button and microphone are located on top of the camera. A mode button is located on the left side, and a second microphone is located below the mounting feet. The new GoPro Hero 12 Black comes with the Enduro battery, which promises longer battery life, much like the Hero 11 Black did. GoPro now asserts that the new Hero 12 Black can provide up to twice the battery life compared to the older model because of more effective hardware and software optimizations. I’ll have to put this claim to the test, however during my initial use, I was able to record for roughly 7-8 hours continuously while also shooting a 30-minute continuous video in 4K 8:7 mode.

Max Lens 2.0 Mod for the GoPro Hero 12 Black

A new HDR video mode is now available on the GoPro Hero 12 Black when it comes to filming videos. Up to 5.3K resolution HDR video is possible, but only when the aspect ratio is 16:9. The HDR video can only be 4K at 24 or 30 frames per second in an 8:7 aspect ratio. Slow motion movies can only be made in 2.7K at 240 frames per second. You may experiment with a ton of new video recording options, such as timelapse, night video, and Star Trails, which now enable 8:7 recording.

In the complete review, I’ll put each of these to the test. While you may export 24.7-megapixel stills from films, photos are taken at a resolution of 27 megapixels. A vertical capture mode, GP-Log with LUTS support, and TimeWarp 3.0 are also included.

Example of a GoPro Hero 12 Black HDR image

In addition to the new HDR video mode, the GoPro Hero 12 Black has a popular function that enables you to record audio with any Bluetooth earpiece or headphone. This is a great feature, in my opinion. You can now wirelessly record audio by connecting your AirPods or any other Bluetooth headphones. Both internal microphones and Bluetooth headphones can record audio on the Hero 12 Black.

Along with the Auto Boost feature that debuted with the Hero 11 Black, HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilization is now included with the GoPro Hero 12 Black. The new Hero 12 Black holds true to GoPro’s reputation for having some of the best stabilization in the business. The majority of the functions from the Hero 11 Black have been carried over into the new action camera, but they have been enhanced.

I’ll be using the GoPro Hero 12 Black more frequently and experimenting with its additional functions, including HDR video, Bluetooth audio recording, and others. Will it truly be an improvement over the Hero 11 Black? I suppose the entire evaluation will reveal the answer.

The post GoPro Hero 12 Black First Impressions: Taking Things Up a Notch appeared first on Review Products.

Introduction

Photography is a captivating art that allows us to capture and immortalize special moments. To help you enhance your photography skills and create stunning shots, we have put together a list of the top 10 photography gear. This article provides detailed reviews, ratings, prices and other necessary information to guide you in choosing the best device for your photography needs. We’ve considered factors such as image quality, versatility, durability, user feedback and value for money to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of each gear item.

DSLR Camera

Review: A high-end DSLR camera offering excellent image quality, manual controls and interchangeable lenses, making it a versatile choice for professional and enthusiast photographers alike.

Rating: 9.5/10

Price: Starting at $999.99

Mirrorless Camera

Review: Mirrorless cameras combine portability and advanced features, deliver exceptional image quality and offer a wide range of lens options for different photography styles.

Rating: 9.4/10

Price: Starting at $1,299.99

Wide Angle Lens

Review: A wide-angle lens allows you to capture immersive landscapes, architecture and group shots, offering a wider field of view and expanding your creative possibilities.

Rating: 9.3/10

Price: Starting at $499.99

Telephoto Lens

Review: A telephoto lens brings distant subjects closer, making it ideal for wildlife photography, sporting events, and capturing detailed portraits with a shallow depth of field.

Rating: 9.2/10

Price: Starting at $799.99

Prime Lens

Review: Prime lenses offer exceptional image quality, wide apertures for beautiful bokeh, and a fixed focal length, encouraging creativity and precise framing.

Rating: 9.1/10

Price: Starting at $399.99

Tripod

Review: A sturdy tripod provides stability and allows for long-exposure photography, macro shots, and capturing sharp images in low-light conditions.

Rating: 9.0/10

Price: Starting at $99.99

Camera Bag

Review: A well-designed camera bag ensures protection, organization, and easy access to your camera gear, lenses, and accessories during travel and photoshoots.

Rating: 8.9/10

Price: Starting at $49.99

External Flash

Review: An external flash enhances lighting conditions, allows for better exposures, fill-flash, and creative lighting techniques, especially in low-light environments.

Rating: 8.8/10

Price: Starting at $199.99

Memory Cards

Review: High-capacity and high-speed memory cards provide ample storage and fast data transfer, which is essential for capturing and storing large numbers of high-resolution images.

Rating: 8.7/10

Price: Starting at $29.99

Camera Cleaning Kit

Review: A camera cleaning kit ensures proper maintenance and care for your gear, including sensor cleaning tools, lens cleaning solution, and microfiber cloths.

Rating: 8.6/10

Price: Starting at $19.99

Conclusion

Investing in high-quality photography gear is essential for capturing stunning images and exploring your creativity as a photographer. The top 10 photography gear items listed in this article have been carefully reviewed based on their performance, versatility, durability, user ratings, and value for money. Whether you are a professional photographer or an avid hobbyist, the right equipment can make a significant difference in the quality of your photographs. Consider your specific photography needs, read detailed reviews, compare prices, and choose the gear that best suits your artistic vision. With the right photography gear at your disposal, you can unleash your creativity and capture breathtaking moments with precision and finesse.

The post Top 10 Photography Equipment: Reviews, Ratings, Prices, and More appeared first on Review Products.