If you're a traveling filmmaker, professional or enthusiast, one of the most important investments you can make is in a tripod. The challenge is often finding a set of sticks that are lightweight, sturdy, can extend to be at least 5 feet tall, and last but most important, pack down to a size small enough to carry on a plane. A tripod that can do all of this often comes with a hefty price tag, but for backers of the International Kickstarter, you can snag a pre-order at a discount.
The makers of the International are Aviator Camera Gear, the same folks who have made successful products like the Aviator Travel Jib, Rocket Travel Slider, which were both projects on Kickstarter initially.
So here are the main specs for the International Carbon Fiber Tripod:
Maximum Height: 5’ 7" / 170cm (*with fluid head)
Supports up to: 55 lbs / 25 kgs
Minimum Height: 2.5" / 6.35cm
Folds Down to: 20.5" / 51cm (*with fluid head)
Weighs: 4 lb / 1.81kg
75mm Half Bowl
4 Sections
Aluminum twist locks w/ diamond knurling
A ball head and fluid head are also being made available with this kit, with a mounting style called the "SWAP System." It basically employs a screw-on plate that uses a clamp to secure it to a tripod, cart, or any other place you might want to mount your camera without switching plates.
As someone who has spent over $1,000 on a big carbon fiber tripod that doesn't pack down as small as this one, it looks like a solid option to consider if you're in the market for a product like this. As of the time this article posted, there were still plenty of early bird deals left on their Kickstarter page.
Thanks for sharing and this looks like a pretty serious travel tripod. After much searching, I finally found a decent set of travel legs for those who don't need something this hardcore. I had tried various options ranging from the MeFoto to the RRS Series 1, but they all annoyed me, particularly with their center columns. I'm using the Feisol CT-3442 Tournament Rapid now and it's 2.5 lbs, folds to 19" and goes up to about 70". All without a center column and for $400. I was nervous about it because I couldn't find many reviews, but it's a nice companion to my full size RRS TVC-33 when I travel.
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It looks nice, there are good ideas in this tripod but they spend too much time in the video explaining why a tripod is usefull instead of saying why their tripod is the best. If I am willing to put a 1000$ in a tripod, I already know why a tripod is usefull. Now I want to know if it will work in extreme environement, the snow, in the rain, in a dusty or humid envirement? Did they do something to avoid sand in the legs? How fluid is the is the fluid head, how does it react with a light or a heavy camera? Can I change de velocity? Will still be fluid by -25°c? How will it react by 45°c etc. That is the questions I need to know the answer before puting that kind of money in that piece of equipment.
I think it is a bit expensive for a first try. The price is too high for the avarage poeple and the company is too unknown for the pro. In the 1000$ market there is a lot of option from serious, established companies. I wouldn't dare puting a 1000$ in a tripod that nobody has try or reviewed, espesialy if I don't know if the company will still exist a year from now, when I will need the warranty.
Totally agree with this. I already know why a tripod is useful, what makes yours the best?
But there are a lot of people in the world. Considering they already have close to 50 backers and over $50k raised with close to a month left.... wow.
What about SIRUI ? It's 1/4 price and better !