The Falcam TreeRoot Quick Lock Pro: Because Your Camera's Worth It

There are dozens of tripods on the market, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. None are suitable for every circumstance. The new model from Falcam TreeRoot, the Quick Lock Pro R240T, has a very specific use, and I put it through its paces to find out whether I need one.

This is probably the sturdiest tripod I have used, but with its rigidity, there is a payoff. Despite its carbon fiber construction, this is no lightweight. Also, it costs more than many on the market.

A Description of the Falcam TreeRoot Quick Lock Pro

The new Falcam TreeRoot Quick Lock Pro is a very different beast from their travel tripod. This is far heavier and more stable and is clearly made with bigger camera systems in mind. That notwithstanding, although I use Micro Four Thirds equipment, its 50 kg loading capacity accommodated my OM-1 quite happily, and yet it didn’t seem like overkill. Sometimes I need that extra stability when shooting in stormy conditions, and it’s particularly useful when mounting my big telephoto lens. But if you use a gargantuan DSLR, medium, or large format camera, this tripod is designed with you in mind.

There is no center column, which pleased me. I invariably remove that anyway on tripods, as I like to be able to shoot low to the ground. Moreover, center columns compromise stability. Yet, despite that, it’s tall. Standing 1.53 meters high without one of the two matched ball heads attached, it’s tall enough for me to use it with my camera at eye level. When paired with the Marsace x Falcam F38 XB-2R or XB-3R ball heads, it reaches 1.7 m, and even higher with a camera mounted. More about those heads shortly, but that extra available height is great for shooting with a telephoto lens when standing.

The tripod’s stability results from the B40 high-modulus, 4-section carbon fiber legs. The largest uppermost tube has a wide Reuleaux triangle section. A Reuleaux triangle is a curved triangle with constant width. It is the simplest and strongest curve other than a circle. That design allows the tripod to fold away to a smaller profile than a round profile would. Being the largest tube, it is still very robust. Meanwhile, the smaller, lower legs are rounded, which maintains their strength.

The release mechanism for extending the legs is well-designed. It takes just a third of a turn to unlock them, making the legs faster to deploy than cam lever locks; I can unlock all three at once. The knurled rubber grip of the release mechanism is wide and easy to use too. Even when wearing gloves and mittens together, as I do when I visit far-northern countries, I can easily release and lock them.

The legs pivot to three open positions, allowing one to improve stability by widening the footprint. It also allows shooting very close to the ground, which is essential for me.

The rubber feet are not rounded like most but multi-faceted, thus allowing better grip on uneven ground like a rocky shoreline. The feet fit tightly and pull off to reveal spikes. The center spikes are removable as well, and that allows the three-pronged spikes on either side of them to grip ice. Various other foot options are available, including some that improve traction on smooth floors.

The tripod also has two ¼” ARRI expansion threads and a hole for attaching a strap.

Below the head is a hook for suspending your camera bag, and on top is a 3/8-16 UNC screw thread for attaching the head.

The exposed areas of the entire tripod are black and a very dark shade of gray, except the metal leg release buttons and hinges, which are a lighter zinc color.

One useful feature of this tripod is the inclusion of a Falcam F22 quick-release mount. If you haven’t come across this before, it allows the fast and secure attachment of accessories like a video microphone or light, or a secondary smaller camera via an extension arm.

Adding the Falcam Magic Arm

It would be remiss of me to write this review without mentioning the option of including this optional feature, as it takes the tripod to a whole new level of versatility.

The Falcam Magic Arm is an articulated extension with two ball joints—one at either end—plus an elbow in the middle. The single wingnut loosens the arm and allows you to position it however you like.

There are identical F22 mounts at each end that look like miniature versions of Arca-Swiss mounts. One end attaches to the tripod and the other to whichever accessory you are using. You can add almost anything with a ¼” threaded socket. This might be a video light, flash, microphone, or even another camera. It’s strong enough to take my OM-1 Mark II with the 40-150mm f/4 Pro lens attached.

Because of the ball joint at each end and the elbow in the middle, it is very flexible. However, once the center nut is tightened, the device is absolutely secure.

The Ball Heads

Because the top of the tripod has the almost universal 3/8-16 UNC screw mount, you can match most heads to it.

Falcam, in collaboration with Marsace, has produced two ball heads that are designed specifically to work with the TreeRoot Quick Lock Pro: the Falcam x Marsace F38 Pro Quick Release Low Gravity Dual Panorama Ball Heads—the XB-2R and the larger but similar XB-3R.

Marsace and Falcam are not the same company, but they have established a strategic partnership. Marsace, founded in 2013, focuses on high-end photography equipment like tripods and ball heads. Meanwhile, Falcam specializes in high-quality, innovative quick-release systems and last year introduced two tripods: the TreeRoot Quick Lock Travel and the TreeRoot Quick Open Desktop Tripod.

Starting from the top, these Arca-Swiss mounts are released by a strongly sprung lever. Inserting the plate results in the lever automatically returning to its locked position. There is no secondary lock to act as a failsafe. However, the spring is strong, so accidental release is highly unlikely. Furthermore, even when the lever is pulled to the release position, the camera won’t slide off the mount because of two limit stop pins that allow the plate to slide just a small amount. To remove the camera, it needs to be tilted slightly and lifted upwards.

Also above the ball is a spirit level and the upper panning mechanism. This allows the top plate to rotate above the ball. If the tripod is not entirely level, rotating the lower panning mechanism situated below the ball will result in the camera becoming tilted as it turns. However, that is not the case if one uses the upper one, as the camera doesn’t necessarily stay level.

The ball head release knob is large with two protrusions. Consequently, they can be used with thick gloves. The two smaller levered panning release screws are easily operated too.

The ball heads have two slots for more easily enabling turning the camera to a portrait orientation.

As one would expect, the ball joints run smoothly and lock firmly.

In Use

I like good engineering, and this tripod is exceptionally well designed and built. I found it easy to adjust and use. In force five winds, I had no qualms about it staying upright.

Deployment was quick with the third of a turn of the leg locks, and the legs ran smoothly.

Some of that stability is due to its weight. Despite its carbon fiber construction, this is no lightweight tripod. It weighs in at 3 lb 13.7 oz (1,759 g) without the ball head attached. The larger XB-3R head weighs an additional 1 lb 5.9 oz (642 g), and the smaller XB-2R 1 lb 0.1 oz (454 g).

So, this isn’t a tripod I would want to backpack with. I would also be dubious about carrying it with me on a flight because I would probably need to leave something behind in its stead. However, for situations where I don’t need to walk very far—which is usual for me, as I have so much to photograph on my doorstep—this is ideal. It’s strong, stable, and easy to deploy.

Although designed for much heavier cameras than mine, it worked well with my OM-1 Mark II, especially when using it with a big telephoto lens. It was useful having two cameras mounted on the same tripod so I could photograph birds and shoot video from the same position.

The Price is Right, Maybe

Some time ago, a reader complained that we shouldn’t be reviewing platinum-coated tripods. I can understand the sentiment because this will be out of reach for many photographers' pockets. However, there are people prepared to buy top-class gear.

Everything about the tripod oozes quality, and so it should at this price point. Although many photographers will balk at how much it costs, if you are shooting with, say, a Hasselblad medium format camera, then adding the extra cost of a good quality tripod like this to support your investment is probably worth thinking about. Similarly, you may well consider it if you are using a big, heavy camera when a lightweight tripod isn’t high on your list of requirements. Or, if like me, you are often shooting in stormy conditions and want to make your gear as stable as possible, then it’s a good investment too.

The flexibility offered by the F22 quick-release mount will also be a major consideration for those wanting to mount an accessory arm to their tripod. I can see it being very useful for videographers using a light or those who want to synchronize their telephoto shots with video.

• T00A4901 Falcam TreeRoot Quick Lock Pro Tripod: $699 USD

• F38B4906 Falcam F38 Pro Quick Release Low Gravity Dual Panorama Ball Head (Marsace XB-2R): $249 USD

• F38B4907 Falcam F38 Pro Quick Release Low Gravity Dual Panorama Ball Head (Marsace XB-3R): $269 USD

What I Liked and What Should Be Considered

What I Liked

• Superb design.

• Great quality construction.

• Easy to deploy.

• Very stable, giving great security to the camera.

• Exceptionally low-level shooting is possible.

• Eye-level shooting is also possible without the use of a center column.

• Able to take a large 50 kg payload.

• The F22 mount is a boon.

• The Magic Arm opens up a raft of extra options.

However, Take the Following into Consideration

• It’s one of the most expensive tripods of its type out there.

• Its stability comes at a compromise of weight.

• Although the lever to release the quick-release plate is very difficult to release accidentally, a failsafe to lock it shut would be a welcome addition.