Disclosure
This Fotopro T1 Plus carbon fiber tripod was kindly sent to me by Fotopro in order to review and share my experience and thoughts using it as a Brand Ambassador. The company does not claim to review this article prior to its’ release and everything that follows is a totally honest review. So let’s get into it.
Unboxing & first thoughts
Like all previous packages I received by Fotopro, this one was also meticulously wrapped and very well protected. As the T1 Plus is the newcomer among the Pantour series, I was waiting nothing less of a luxury packaging, which was exactly what I received. All packages were black in color with gold letters, making a stylish chromatic contrast. The tripod was safely packed in a padded case which can be carried either on the shoulder or handheld. Both the T1 Plus tripod and the T-Stand, were accompanied with their respective user manuals and warranty cards. Something I had never seen included before, is a quality check card, which obviously means that each individual product has been inspected before shipping. This fact alone gives the buyer the confidence that this is a premium product and has undergone special treatment.
Features and specs
The T1 Plus is a clearly a landscape tripod and although there are multiple configurations thanks to the interchangeable parts of the tripod system, the tripod legs and ballhead are the 2 key components we are going to address in this section. The rest will be mentioned later in this review.
The tripod features 4 section legs, providing a total height of about 150cm and its weight is about 2Kg. I am mentioning those values approximately, because of the different parts that result in slightly different height and weight values. It is made of 10 layers of 3K twill carbon fiber cloth and it is utilizing twist locks for securing the legs sections. As mentioned in previous reviews, the carbon fiber construction offers reduced weight, but at the same time increased weight capacity and mechanical performance. This weight capacity of the tripod is 20kg in total, which is the result of each individual leg being able to withstand vertical pressure of 40kg. It is rated for use from -40Co all the way up to 70Co, which is a surreal temperature range and I surely wouldn’t love to be out shooting in those extremes. The maximum leg tube diameter is 32mm, which allows also for the narrower leg section to have a significant diameter, adding to the overall rigidity of the tripod legs. Out of pure curiosity, I measured the diameter of each individual section and they were 32, 28, 25 and 22mm.
The locking mechanism securing the legs at the predetermined angles, is different than those I was used to. In this case the securing latches are manually engaged and disengaged, in order to set the tripod according to the current shooting needs. In case thought you forgot to engage the locking latch, it will automatically however engage, when it will reach its wider angle position.
There are a couple of ¼ inch expansion holes on the tripod, allowing for attaching more gear on it. The one is located on the tripod itself, while the other is cleverly integrated on the ballhead housing. This is smart as whatever accessory mounted, will be able to follow any intended motion of the camera on the ballhead. The feet instead of the traditional foot spikes, use a more specialized 6 claw version.
Lastly, as the T1 Plus is able to swap out different center columns for performing different tasks, there are a tightening knob and a push button for that purpose. The tightening knob will obviously tighten and loosen the different center columns on the tripod. Then the release push button must be pressed, in order to remove whatever center column is mounted. In order to insert another center column, there is no need to push the button, you just tighten the screw when the interchangeable part is in place.
The TH-1M ballhead is also newly designed and offers increased weight capacity thanks to its 44mm ball and uses the widely adopted ARCA-SWISS plates. The ball tightening knob works very smooth and needs less than a full turn in order to grip tight and it stops. So you won’t be able to put excessive force on it and potentially damaging the ballhead over time. The ARCA plate is secured by a screw mechanism, on which there is an extra security feature, a push button that must be pressed in order to uscrew it an remove the plate or the camera. This is not something I have used before, but I welcome every feature adding to gear safety. There is a single bubble level on the head, which is basically all we need as photographers. The TH-1M also has the dual panorama head feature, that Fotopro introduced an couple of years ago. Even without a perfectly level tripod, the ballhead can be horizontally aligned and by releasing the dual panorama lever, a perfect pan can be achieved. This was not the case a few years back, as you had to spend quite some time, independently adjusting the tripod feet in order to get a perfectly level tripod and then use the panorama feature most ballheads had, but was provided below it and thus causing a headache to the shooter.
System parts and versions
As mentioned above, the new T1 Plus is a complete tripod system which allows for maximum versatility and effectiveness when shooting in the field. Although the tripod legs and the ballhead are described above, there are other distinct parts that perform different tasks. These parts come in the form of interchangeable center columns and fit the tripod legs tight and precise, making a sturdy and stable platform to shoot from.
The T-Basic is a basically a plate to screw the ballhead on to. It provides the no center column mode of the tripod and if you need the absolute highest stability you can get, this is the configuration to use. I think that if you are oriented into shooting stills, this is going to be the most favored setup. This center column comes with a hook for adding extra weight when needed.
The T-Track is a short center column with the ability to deviate from the vertical axis. This is a feature previously found only on professional video heads, in order to easily level the head without messing with the individual legs. This is however an upside down modified bowl, but it performs the same task flawlessly. In this case also, there is a hanging hook integrated on the center column.
In those cases you need to elevate your camera a little higher, or you are simply taller than the average shooter, the extended height carbon fiber T-Bar center column will provide that extra height. This center column is not dividable as this is the case with other Fotopro tripods and will increase the overall minimum height of the tripod. The T-Bar also comes with an integrated hook.
Lastly for those who might want a little extra height, but at the same time want to be flexible to get those low shots, the T-Stand is a short center column accessory, which doubles as a mini tripod. This comes in handy, not only when shooting close to the ground, but also in confined spaces in general, where a full size tripod might be cumbersome to use. Have in mind that this accessory is the only one without a hanging hook.
In the table below you are able to see the specs of each individual setup and compare them. Note that the T-Basic center column keeps the overall weight under 2kg, which is surreal for a tripod of this category.
|
Center column |
Total weight kg |
Min height (mm) |
Max height (mm) |
Folded length (mm) |
|
T-Basic |
1,94 |
196 |
1491 |
606 |
|
T-Track |
2,08 |
226 |
1521 |
641 |
|
T-Stand |
2,16 |
289 |
1521 |
641 |
|
T-Bar |
2,07 |
471 |
1791 |
636 |
In use
As I have written in the past, I do not have a problem carrying a bit heavier tripod, for having better pictures taken home. All I really aim for is stability, without meaning that I would opt for the Eagle E9 with its 41mm legs, but also with double the weight. The T1 Plus seems to be perfect for my style of work in terms of lightweightness and stability, but I have put it through its paces just to be sure.
The issues that come up most of the time when using a tripod, are quality issues and overall usability issues. Either it is one of poor quality, or it has not been refined enough as a product and minor details might get in the way when shooting in the field. This is clearly not the case with any Fotopro tripod I have ever used before, as a lot of thought has been put into them. And I am not only talking about top tier products, but for products in every category and price range. The R&D and the construction quality has been excellent every time. So in terms of usability, all worked out great and in terms of quality also.
As I mostly shoot landscapes and carry the tripod on a backpack when hiking, I was curious to see if it would be a hussle to carry it around. I was not concerned about the weight so much though, but rather about the folded length, as it is a bit longer than my other tripods. This was something I wanted to test specifically when hiking. In general, the overall length of folded tripod is not an issue for me. When folded, a tripod is meant to be transported or to be stored. I cannot find a realistic scenario that the folded length can be a problem. When it comes to carrying it on my backpack though, I was concerned it might be to cumbersome to carry, but I was wrong. It was almost as tall as my Karrimor SF Sabre 45lt backpack and was nicely strapped on the side upside down. The weight was also easy to handle. It could be felt in sudden and jerky moves I might made and it actually provided a decent amount of surface in order to be securely strapped on my backpack. Weight wise it is about 250grams heavier than the Sherpa Max, that I would have be carrying anyway for landscape shooting, so I didn’t notice any significant difference.
I was able to try the T-Stand and T-Track versions of the T1 Plus and was really impressed with their quality and stability. With both those accessories, the ballhead basically sits a few cm over the conjoining point of the 3 legs, which is by definition the most stable spot. This is especially useful for telephoto lenses, which not only have much more weight, but also the slightest movement can translate to blurry shots. The T-stand proved to be very versatile. I loved the fact it provided about 12cm more height when shooting on slopes. The obvious benefit of course is the ability to detach it and get down low for those closeups and macro shots. As the ballhead is already mounted on the T-Stand, you just remove it, shoot and place it back to the T1 Plus, with the added benefit that the tripod is deployed at the same spot. This removes the time consuming readjusting process in order to lower the tripod and set it up again. The mini tripod is a heavy duty one. You won’t have a problem with a heavier setup, as its construction is durable. The legs extend up to a certain point and provide a sufficient surface area for placing it, not only on flat terrain but on inclined also. The T-Stand will add a bit to the overall weight of the system, but it is worth its weight in gold.
I found myself though, mostly using the T-Track center column, as I frequently shoot video as well. In this case also, the tripod performed excellent, as the bowl column locks super tight. The ease of leveling the bowl, without having to adjust each leg independently, is a huge timesaver worth mentioning. The height provided was adequate and the integrated hook is always an added bonus for further stabilizing the tripod. The range of motion is about ± 15o and it is more than enough in most cases. Farther than that, you will obviously need to independently adjust the tripod legs. All adjustments can be made on the fly allowing the photographer never miss a critical shot. That’s why I see the T1 Plus as an excellent option for wildlife photographers also, especially with the use of the T-Track.
The TH-1M is a serious weight bearer, as it sports a 44mm ball which is able to provide a rock solid platform. The larger the ball diameter, the strongest the grip that can be achieved. It just physics. It has silky smooth motion throughout its range of movement and the fin shaped locking level, tightens the ball easily and terminates in a predefined spot, without being able to be overtightened by the user. A very nice feature of the ballhead was the ability to adjust its damping level. By pulling out the limit buckle, you can adjust how easily the ballhead will be moving when unlocked. This is very useful, as with the camera mounted, when you release the locking lever the ball will move freely and might cause damage on your gear. The dampening effect of the ballhead though, is like the drag setting on video heads, that allow the mounted camera to stay in place without tilting and potentially damaging the camera.
The leg twist locks are my favorite type and as the T1 Plus uses them I couldn’t be happier. Their surface is covered with high quality rubber rings that are a bit longer and provide better hand grip. They need less than half a twist in order to loosen or tighten and this is another welcome timesaver. When locked properly, the individual leg sections form a completely rigid leg. All three of them combined make the tripod super stable, without any movements occurring in the frontal, sagittal or transverse plane. When placing the camera on it, you can confidently know that there will be no movement whatsoever, and every shooting scenario will be performed flawlessly. While we are talking different shooting scenarios, different users have different needs. Others shoot stills, while others timelapses, video or aim for exposure blending in post. As I shoot all of them whenever a scene is worth it, I got the chance and tried the T1 Plus in each one of them.
Timelapses are a breeze to make as the tripod doesn’t move at all. Each shot will be framed exactly as the one before it and thus the final result will look awesome, without any frame being different and attract unwanted attention from the final viewer. When shooting for exposure blending there are many things the user can mess up and blame the gear. But in this case also, all frames were identical and made exposure blending so much easier. There was not even a pixel shift left or right, up or down, so blending the different images together was not only easy, but enjoyable also. What I really enjoyed though, was shooting video among pictures. Although ballheads are not ideal for shooting video, they are very fast in use and as I usually shoot static short videos of landscapes, I do not find the need for using a video head. With the ballhead, a pan is basically all you can perform, but for the solo shooter who mostly captures steady shots, it is great as it is easily repositioned. If you frequently shoot video though and actively perform camera movements, Fotopro offers a lot of video head options, in order to pick the most appropriate for the tripod size and camera weight that is going to be mounted on it.
Once again I have been un-fortunate enough to go out and shoot with high winds blowing constantly. But for the sake of testing the T1 Plus, I suppose this was positive. The most annoying thing about wind is that it never blows consistently. Even if you think you had a taste of its max velocity, there is always the next gust to prove you wrong and ruin a shot. For me as a landscape shooter this might not be an issue, but for the fellow wildlife photographer it is. In any case, getting lower, retracting one or two leg section and adding some weight on the tripod hook did the trick, as it always does. It is clear though that the T1 Plus can withstand a lot of heavy winds due to its heavier weight and rigid legs. Even at its max height it performed great!
One thing different from other tripods I have used, is the plum feet, which for your information they are not new. Fotopro have been using them also at the GEP series tripods for a long time. They are permanently attached to the feet and there are also rubber feet caps that can be easily placed over them. These plum feet perform excellent in every terrain, as they will firmly grip no matter the ground surface. Due to its unique design, that might not be obvious at first, but after using it you realize that they are never perpendicular to the ground, they will always have contact with a small part of their circumference. As a result the feet dig into the ground providing a stable foothold. In my case I used it mostly on gravel and never had any issues, other than my own poor placement. When placing the tripod on large rocks, you have to be more careful though, as some rocks can have an extremely smooth surface. Lastly I find this design to be better in a very specific scenario. I can share a negative experience I had back in the day, when a old tripod I was carrying, managed to rip my backpack apart at the area the metal foot spikes were in contact with the backpack. This was clearly my fault, but with the plum feet I believe that this is not going to be an issue again, although I have easily solved it, by securing the tripod upside down on the backpack.
Who is this for
Tripods are thοse items that you don’t think you need, until you need them. So any serious landscape photographer should own a serious tripod. I am not talking about casually shooting landscapes while hiking, but rather intentionally getting out to shoot, in order to capture the best picture possible. Then working with the file thoroughly until you make a masterpiece out of it. If this intentionality drives your photography, then the T1 Plus is for you, as it is a specialized tool for that job. I also find that wildlife photographer would really appreciate its characteristics and generally everyone who works a lot outdoors and has to carry it over long distances.
It seems to be the perfect balance between stability and lightweightness for the professional photographer. I know I have said something similar for the Fotopro Sherpa Max tripod, but while the T1 Plus is almost 15% heavier and far more stable, this is the one thing I can definitely share with you. It is steady, convenient and allows heavy cameras to be mounted without a problem. The different versions will be able to provide each shooter with those features, that fit their specific shooting style. They will also be able to purchase only those specific accessories that match their workflow and no extra unnecessary items, which also results in a lower total cost.
Conclusion
Fotopro has definitely spoiled me over the years with excellent tripods, but the T1 Plus is the absolute best I have ever owned and used so far. While reviewing it over the past weeks, it has performed flawlessly in every case. I don’t now what the future holds, but I can hardly imagine myself, asking for more than those already provided by it. Its construction quality is of the highest level and the tight fitting of each part makes a rock solid tripod. Being able to provide multiple configurations, it will make each individual shooter appreciate its features and custom fit it to their specific needs and shooting style.
As it will handle increased weight easily, it will also allow for shooting video with cinema cameras, as well as stills with larger format cameras, expanding its versatility even more. Taking all the above into consideration, it surely deserves its place into the Pantour product series, which represent the pinnacle of Fotopro tripods that are oriented towards professional photographers in demand of premium quality gear. So as it checks all the boxes, choosing it as the workhorse for your landscape shooting makes total sense. For purchasing the Fotopro T1 Plus or reading more information about it, you can head to https://www.fotoprogear.com/product/t1-plus/ .