Cliff-notes… 1. One latch releases both stages which makes setup and height adjustments super fast. 2. Top loading which makes attaching the camera fast. 3. Head can switch to accept DJI gimbal plate which makes switching between gimbal fast. 4. Carbon fiber legs which makes it lightweight and durable. 5. Costs less than the memory card in my FX6. Tripods typically in this price range don’t have most, if any of these features, and these features seriously make life easier on the job. The drawbacks. 1. Tilt lock is combined with tilt drag knob. 2. 3/8” adapter can potentially mess with your left pan but they’ve got a solution coming which should be a simple accessory upgrade. 3. Counterbalance strength is not adjustable. Overall, I think it outperforms most tripods that are $1,000 so a great value. What do you guys think!?
I agree that the best and most informative moments of this channel is when you and multiple different camera people are all passing the thing around, discovering things about it, commenting on it, etc. It's a much more realistic way to determine if a product is right for me with 4 different types of shooters weighing real-time opinions as they use it.
I had been looking around for an inexpensive tripod for my FX3 rig. I had one, Sirui, that was fine for a lock off two camera shoot. But it lacked the ability to raise or lower the height easily. Loosening each stage (4 stages) by rotating the lock, time consuming and not easily achieved with the camera attached. I've always regarded SmallRig as a great company with great inexpensive gear. So when they advertised their new tripod, I was immediately interested. It arrived this past Saturday. I love it. Loosen three leg locks and you can raise and lower all three legs with ease. Tripod head is very smooth tilting and panning. Holds my FX3 rig easily. So glad I purchased it. This will make my job easier in the field.
I agree with the Potato & Friends comment from last time! Your reviews on stuff is always super refreshing after a deluge of embargo videos. I only really need to see one to get all the specs and data, but your reviews actually add personality and some of the best real world use cases in my opinion. Also it's fun to see things I would never get, like the Ember, just to be informed on what's going on in the space, because theoretically these products will trickle down to lower and lower prices! It may take years, but still!
I literally just bought this thing like a week and a half ago and it is sooooo much easier than any tripod I’ve ever used. I love seeing my expensive purchases being highlighted by notable people. Great work!
Thanks for the recommendation! I've been using a higher end Cartoni tripod for about a decade on my A camera, and a much worse Manfrotto tripod for B cam. Might pick this one up to replace the Bcam tripod
I picked up the fluid head by itself on a whim for Amazon prime day for a super deal and I was pretty blown away with it when I first tried it out. Works great with my FX3/A7SIII fully rigged out with the 100-400mm GM. Before this I was using a cheap Manfrotto 'fluid head' tripod that I picked up at a local shop when I needed something the same day. This SmallRig head was the same price and is in an entirely different league so I highly recommend it. Next step is picking up the SmallRig legs!
I can definitely see that if you do this professionally, you want to keep the same tripod especially when you get used to filming with it. Buying a new one would throw you off haha.
I got this during the prime day sales. Good heads up about loosening the locks and being able to screw off the fluid head! It was a great tripod for video work I did recently. It goes pretty high.
The problem with tripods is there are such cheap entry level tripods, it’s hard to wrap your head around spending $400 let alone $K’s on something that holds your camera. But once you use one, you see the difference, and then it makes sense.
Got the first version and like it. The single latch, adjustable spreader and more adjustable fluid head were the things i wish it had. Well dine SmallRig and as always very enjoyable sir Potato 👍
I have tons of Smallrig stuff. It's very good I haven't had anything break on me, lol. My favorite feature of the tripod is the DJI plate feature. It eliminates the need to take apart the focus motor and everything else. Just take it off the gimbal and throw it on the tripod.
Crazy low-priced tripod. I paid that for my Manfrotto without the head... and that wasn't even a very expensive tripod base. SmallRig is really stepping up their game. I will probably buy this for my lighter cinema setup.
I love you so much that I bought one through your affiliate link! I was looking for a good travel set of sticks that wouldn't break the bank. You get a W with these type of reviews, it's like hanging out with your friends... that all have video gear! Haha!
My Canon 24-105mm f4 also broken with the same problem...I took it in for repair, it cost me 200 bucks. They changed some circuits and it worked fine for a while and it broke down again.
I literally just got this tripod yesterday. I’m gonna use it for the first time filming my son’s first high school football game returning from an ACL injury last year. Just playing around with it I love it and I feel like I’ll be able to get the smoothest shots
I dont even need a tripod at the moment yet watched the entire video. I guess, I'm here for the positive vibes, that Gene's and Co. gives us. PS, I'm still holding that beer. 😬
You definitely don’t always need a $10K tripod head. My O’Connor’s last service cost more than this complete kit and the head is so delicate, I almost never travel with it anymore. I’d love to see SmallRig come out with a 100mm version of the legs.
Some comparisons to other tripods would have been nice. Maybe a couple in the same price range and a step up. My go-to recommendation for around $400 has always been the Manfrotto 502. Mostly pan and tilt smoothness is the key. Your shots did look pretty smooth, though. Thanks for the video... JJ
Thank you so much for this video and pretty much every other video you post! The amount of real world knowledge I learn from you is insane. Even tips with collapsing a Tripod or storing it with all the locks loose is such valuable information. The little things I’d eventually learn but most likely after something breaks and it’s too late 😅
I always was taught to store fluid heads loose and unlocked... but I read the manual on my Sachtler ACE-M and it said to keep it locked and I was shocked! I wonder why that is.
most likely that. camera isnt dead but the lens has had an diafram error. there is a small ribbon cable that wears overtime. you can shoot still at 2.8 but anything higher would cause it to error. its about a 300 dollar fix
Bro got bardwell in his video and vise versa. Legendary status. #iykyk Btw great option to a $5000 sachler with similar capabilities. Small rig is going places.
I’ve had my r5c do that communication to lens issue. Hasn’t done it since but was at a wedding and I was able to make it work by cleaning it then taking kens off putting back on taking a few pics then it would give the error still. So id just kinda snap the lens or apply a tad pressure and it would work. But was a cripple for sure. Idk why it happened and why it hasn’t happened since.
Dang it! I just bought a video tripod and I was hesitant to get this type of tripod thinking it's heavy and hard to move around. why you gotta be late Gene!!
Dammit.. I somewhat recently bought a manfrotto tripod with a fluid head for more than what this tripod has and this tripod's features and ease of use seem better... I hate it when this happens! Love the video though, you're awesome!
Was the dead lens a 24-70 2.8 v1? Cause it's probably the aperture that's broken. You can probably shoot at 2.8 with it still but not anything else until you replace that part.
@@subarusensei3685 Idk what's causing the problem on the v2 but on the v1 it was the flex cable linking the aperture to the camera that got stuck on the zoom mechanic with time (the glue holding it in place would dry up). It's kinda sad and prone to happen to almost all lens.
@@glevasseur Seems roughly the same problem with the v2, I however own a 24-105 been rock solid, Dropped a 70-200 F4 is v1 and broke the IS fixed that lens Yeah opening lenses is stressful.
Great review. Thank you! This tripod is definitely on my wish list but it may not be my go to tripod as I often find myself on slopes and hills. Can this tripod work on or be adapted/modified for uneven surfaces?
Hello Potato Jet, I love the look of this triPod size seem great. I do like what SmallRig are bring to the market. Great video, for me I love the way you are producing your content. Keep well, keep safe and just have fun.
So I have a couple of questions 1 ) what is that Top Mount called @ 15:48 that you don’t have to slide in and you just throw on top? 2 ) Any Suggestions as far as a travel tripod that can fit on the side of your camera bag or strap on the back of the camera bag that’s decently lightweight and can hold up possibly An A7siii with a 24-70 And it’s compatible with that Top Mount ? 3 ) Now this is an interesting tripod ! That shot of the bird and the car at the beach was soooo sick ! Also them Fpv shots you did at the flats were crazy good!. I see the improvement on your Fpv Journey ! Good stuff !
I love Smallrig, I use the SSD stuff right now and they are great but a lot of "influencers" are complaining a lot about the pan/tilt and then others praise it, so I am not sure if I should buy it
Cliff-notes…
1. One latch releases both stages which makes setup and height adjustments super fast.
2. Top loading which makes attaching the camera fast.
3. Head can switch to accept DJI gimbal plate which makes switching between gimbal fast.
4. Carbon fiber legs which makes it lightweight and durable.
5. Costs less than the memory card in my FX6. Tripods typically in this price range don’t have most, if any of these features, and these features seriously make life easier on the job.
The drawbacks.
1. Tilt lock is combined with tilt drag knob.
2. 3/8” adapter can potentially mess with your left pan but they’ve got a solution coming which should be a simple accessory upgrade.
3. Counterbalance strength is not adjustable.
Overall, I think it outperforms most tripods that are $1,000 so a great value. What do you guys think!?
Thumbs Up!
I'm dutch and can confirm. But all the levels are tilted like that so it evens out. 🙃
But seriously: Can I put a different fluid head on it, later?
sounds like the manfrotto 502ah being the same price is a better deal!?
I agree that the best and most informative moments of this channel is when you and multiple different camera people are all passing the thing around, discovering things about it, commenting on it, etc. It's a much more realistic way to determine if a product is right for me with 4 different types of shooters weighing real-time opinions as they use it.
Dude, the drifting scene was so sick. Seeing all those drones following the car looked kinda awesome.
I had been looking around for an inexpensive tripod for my FX3 rig. I had one, Sirui, that was fine for a lock off two camera shoot. But it lacked the ability to raise or lower the height easily. Loosening each stage (4 stages) by rotating the lock, time consuming and not easily achieved with the camera attached. I've always regarded SmallRig as a great company with great inexpensive gear. So when they advertised their new tripod, I was immediately interested. It arrived this past Saturday. I love it. Loosen three leg locks and you can raise and lower all three legs with ease. Tripod head is very smooth tilting and panning. Holds my FX3 rig easily. So glad I purchased it. This will make my job easier in the field.
I agree with the Potato & Friends comment from last time! Your reviews on stuff is always super refreshing after a deluge of embargo videos. I only really need to see one to get all the specs and data, but your reviews actually add personality and some of the best real world use cases in my opinion.
Also it's fun to see things I would never get, like the Ember, just to be informed on what's going on in the space, because theoretically these products will trickle down to lower and lower prices! It may take years, but still!
SmallRig seems to be really upping their production line in both amount and quality. Love to take a tour of their facility.
I literally just bought this thing like a week and a half ago and it is sooooo much easier than any tripod I’ve ever used. I love seeing my expensive purchases being highlighted by notable people. Great work!
Whats the model???
Thanks for the recommendation! I've been using a higher end Cartoni tripod for about a decade on my A camera, and a much worse Manfrotto tripod for B cam. Might pick this one up to replace the Bcam tripod
I picked up the fluid head by itself on a whim for Amazon prime day for a super deal and I was pretty blown away with it when I first tried it out. Works great with my FX3/A7SIII fully rigged out with the 100-400mm GM. Before this I was using a cheap Manfrotto 'fluid head' tripod that I picked up at a local shop when I needed something the same day. This SmallRig head was the same price and is in an entirely different league so I highly recommend it. Next step is picking up the SmallRig legs!
Potato jet + Jeep brings them classic vibes
Literally, your channel is perfect right now. I love it keep up the good work
Some people might think who'd buy a $399 tripod, but let me tell you, longevity is everything.
I can definitely see that if you do this professionally, you want to keep the same tripod especially when you get used to filming with it. Buying a new one would throw you off haha.
I learned that the hard way after I bought a $90 Manfrotto tripod that's been constantly breaking.
@@Druezy yeah. Breaking workflow is definitely not a good experience. Especially when you need it for major equipment.
@@RFYoriginal i know that feeling. Price to performance is difficult but when it shows, it shows.
But if it allows a beginner to hone his craft...
I appreciate the added perspective from potato and friends!
Shoutout to SmallRig making affordable products for the small video guys!
I just ordered one! Spoiled by Vintens & Sachtlers from the old Betacam days, I've have been searching for years to find the perfect lightweight
I’ll take 2 lol it’s a great tripod. for the price, can’t beat it. 🤙🏼
Yeeeeeah, filming with friends is the best content🙌🏻 keep doing that😁
Smallrig is about 75% of my rig builds. Tilta, Kondor Blue and iFootage, etc. are "nicer", but Smallrig stuff is almost always the best value.
I got this during the prime day sales. Good heads up about loosening the locks and being able to screw off the fluid head! It was a great tripod for video work I did recently. It goes pretty high.
The problem with tripods is there are such cheap entry level tripods, it’s hard to wrap your head around spending $400 let alone $K’s on something that holds your camera. But once you use one, you see the difference, and then it makes sense.
Got the first version and like it. The single latch, adjustable spreader and more adjustable fluid head were the things i wish it had. Well dine SmallRig and as always very enjoyable sir Potato 👍
My comment finally showed in a video, It feels good 🥺 oh and I'm getting that tripod too, it was my first option currently, this video sealed it
I have tons of Smallrig stuff. It's very good I haven't had anything break on me, lol. My favorite feature of the tripod is the DJI plate feature. It eliminates the need to take apart the focus motor and everything else. Just take it off the gimbal and throw it on the tripod.
Sold! Thanks, guys!!! Used your link. Oustanding review, and yes the price is great!
Yeah, SmallRig one of the best! So amazing to see how stable the footage using that SmallRig tripod, especially the telephoto lens.
Crazy low-priced tripod. I paid that for my Manfrotto without the head... and that wasn't even a very expensive tripod base. SmallRig is really stepping up their game. I will probably buy this for my lighter cinema setup.
I love you so much that I bought one through your affiliate link! I was looking for a good travel set of sticks that wouldn't break the bank. You get a W with these type of reviews, it's like hanging out with your friends... that all have video gear! Haha!
My Canon 24-105mm f4 also broken with the same problem...I took it in for repair, it cost me 200 bucks.
They changed some circuits and it worked fine for a while and it broke down again.
I literally just got this tripod yesterday. I’m gonna use it for the first time filming my son’s first high school football game returning from an ACL injury last year. Just playing around with it I love it and I feel like I’ll be able to get the smoothest shots
I dont even need a tripod at the moment yet watched the entire video. I guess, I'm here for the positive vibes, that Gene's and Co. gives us.
PS, I'm still holding that beer.
😬
You definitely don’t always need a $10K tripod head. My O’Connor’s last service cost more than this complete kit and the head is so delicate, I almost never travel with it anymore.
I’d love to see SmallRig come out with a 100mm version of the legs.
Did you unlisted one of yours older videos where you explained Camera basics? I think that one also had Mika whom you explained all that stuff. :)
16:37 and now PotatoJet becomes the first ever UA-camr to actually review 100% of the tripod by revealing the 3/8 screw on the half ball. Nicely done.
I also like Potato Jet and Friends. 📸🙋♂📹
You should do a review why O’connor heads are so expensive!
Rotor Rampage! What!?
Thank you for making the budget friendly reviews!!!
Some comparisons to other tripods would have been nice.
Maybe a couple in the same price range and a step up.
My go-to recommendation for around $400 has always been the Manfrotto 502.
Mostly pan and tilt smoothness is the key.
Your shots did look pretty smooth, though.
Thanks for the video...
JJ
The 502 is nice head, but why on earth did they put the tilt lock on the Right side??
The Aperture cable of the Canon 6D's lens is damaged. The whole aperture needs to be changed. Happened to me twice with my Canon EF 16-35 mm f/4 lens.
Dude this location is gorgeous. Great shots.
Thank you so much for this video and pretty much every other video you post!
The amount of real world knowledge I learn from you is insane. Even tips with collapsing a Tripod or storing it with all the locks loose is such valuable information. The little things I’d eventually learn but most likely after something breaks and it’s too late 😅
I always was taught to store fluid heads loose and unlocked... but I read the manual on my Sachtler ACE-M and it said to keep it locked and I was shocked! I wonder why that is.
that's strange :O
most likely that. camera isnt dead but the lens has had an diafram error. there is a small ribbon cable that wears overtime. you can shoot still at 2.8 but anything higher would cause it to error. its about a 300 dollar fix
I've been using my libec since the dvx100 launched... this looks like a perfect reasonably priced upgrade
I haven’t even seen the vid and it’s probably sponsored but I just got an ad for this video! Cool to see someone I’m subbed to getting big.
That dron rug is crazy I remember wen potato was just starting with drons
I have that bracelet! Super useful when you need it.
will you be doing a review on the z cam f6 pro or kinefinity mavo s35 mk2?
So is getting a Sachtler Ace XL & putting it on these set of legs a good idea?
You make the BEST videos, thanks for sharing this!!
I wonder how well this thing would handle a slider. Guess I'll buy it and find out lol
Ordered through the Potato linkage! 👍
Bro got bardwell in his video and vise versa. Legendary status. #iykyk
Btw great option to a $5000 sachler with similar capabilities. Small rig is going places.
Finally a good review! I hope Smallrig fixes the ball head “issue”. Maybe with a simple safety screw.
I’ve had my r5c do that communication to lens issue. Hasn’t done it since but was at a wedding and I was able to make it work by cleaning it then taking kens off putting back on taking a few pics then it would give the error still. So id just kinda snap the lens or apply a tad pressure and it would work. But was a cripple for sure. Idk why it happened and why it hasn’t happened since.
What drone were you using?
April best time for the speedway with a little bit of water on it.
Looks a great tripod... What's the drone you are using with the FX6?
I just recently got a new video tripod from Neewer for only $112 USD and it's exactly like the one on this video. Ballin on a budget!! 😎
Looks awesome but a bit much for my mirrorless a7c. I wonder what a full featured, lighter weight alternative to this would be
Where exactly were you guys at in this video?
Is that the Mojave (in the first segment)?
Well that answered my question pretty well
Dang it! I just bought a video tripod and I was hesitant to get this type of tripod thinking it's heavy and hard to move around. why you gotta be late Gene!!
10% off on Amazon... what a deal, orderED, thx 'Tato Jet!
6:06 20min later still waking: he's never gonna call it, is he
Dammit.. I somewhat recently bought a manfrotto tripod with a fluid head for more than what this tripod has and this tripod's features and ease of use seem better... I hate it when this happens!
Love the video though, you're awesome!
Can you also post your locations these places are always amamzing
Which arca Swiss are using on the plate?
I can see that leg shoe? has little hole one it. do you think it can turned into mid-level to ground spread?
Vamos a la playa.
needed to get a new tripod adding this to the list
Sold! Mine is in the shopping cart and B&H. Love your videos, PJ, BUT you help me spend a lot of money. Oh, I used your link too!
POTATO you guys are the best, I really relax myself with your videos.
So no kidding, their clamps are amazing.
Min. 6:24 hasta el 6:34 🎉🎉🎉🎉
I love smallRig. This will be my next rig.
Love the video!!! Great job on this!
excuseme whats the model of this tripod? can't watch 20 minutes of video ty
Was the dead lens a 24-70 2.8 v1? Cause it's probably the aperture that's broken. You can probably shoot at 2.8 with it still but not anything else until you replace that part.
It looks like a 24-70 f2.8 mk1, dude both 24-70 f2.8 have apature problems
@@subarusensei3685 Idk what's causing the problem on the v2 but on the v1 it was the flex cable linking the aperture to the camera that got stuck on the zoom mechanic with time (the glue holding it in place would dry up). It's kinda sad and prone to happen to almost all lens.
@@glevasseur Seems roughly the same problem with the v2, I however own a 24-105 been rock solid, Dropped a 70-200 F4 is v1 and broke the IS fixed that lens Yeah opening lenses is stressful.
Is that where they filed the 1980s Knight Rider scene?
would you recommend this for komodo?
I usually buy Libec tripods for a balance of price and quality, but i will check this one out!
I actually need this tripod.
It looks great, especially at that price points. Thanks for sharing.
Me: cool a 399$ tripod...klicks the amazon link...1215€ (1340$)... 🙄
love the casey neistate location
15:57 I died laughing.. 😆 Awesome Review!
Can you test the Nikon Z9 and Z8?
Great review. Thank you! This tripod is definitely on my wish list but it may not be my go to tripod as I often find myself on slopes and hills. Can this tripod work on or be adapted/modified for uneven surfaces?
Hello Potato Jet, I love the look of this triPod size seem great. I do like what SmallRig are bring to the market. Great video, for me I love the way you are producing your content. Keep well, keep safe and just have fun.
What camera are you shooting this with?
the rotor riot hoodie tho
Can my manfrotto plate work on this tripod?
What’s that slider you showed towards the end ? @16:45
So I have a couple of questions
1 ) what is that Top Mount called @ 15:48 that you don’t have to slide in and you just throw on top?
2 ) Any Suggestions as far as a travel tripod that can fit on the side of your camera bag or strap on the back of the camera bag that’s decently lightweight and can hold up possibly An A7siii with a 24-70 And it’s compatible with that Top Mount ?
3 ) Now this is an interesting tripod ! That shot of the bird and the car at the beach was soooo sick ! Also them Fpv shots you did at the flats were crazy good!. I see the improvement on your Fpv Journey ! Good stuff !
thats a quick release plate from the dji ronin gimbal
@@JimmyBlanco Is that what it is? because you’re able to use it in all tripods and all cameras so it must be like a third party universal adapter
I love Smallrig, I use the SSD stuff right now and they are great but a lot of "influencers" are complaining a lot about the pan/tilt and then others praise it, so I am not sure if I should buy it
That's because most "influencers" don't actually know how to properly use tripods LOL.
I live a 1.5 hours from here - I gotta get out there more.
Great video! I am actually looking for a new tripod at the moment and this may be a great option!
Hay I love you videos I think it would be really Budget camera set up but like a rally low budget
Looks prime time. I’ll be hitting click buy on my next tripod purchase. 🤙✨ Thanks