Falcam, an Ulanzi brand, announced the TreeRoot Quick Lock Travel Tripod that is clearly based on Peak Design’s Travel Tripod but is far more than just a design ripoff. It uses twist locks, has an interchangeable center column, improves on the low-profile ball head, and can easily accept additional accessories.
The TreeRoot — which uses a combination of aluminum and carbon fiber parts — may look very similar to Peak Design’s tripod — and that’s not an accident — but it does change major parts of that design for the better and even takes a few risks that aren’t commonly seen in the tripod space. PetaPixel has been using the TreeRoot for a few weeks and will publish a review soon, but there are some features worth pointing out now.
For example, Peak Design — and later Heipi — managed to make the tripod’s compressed footprint much smaller but were less successful at compressing a tripod head while still keeping it useful. Peak Design’s is a travesty (Jordan Drake actually calls it the worst-designed head he’s ever used) and while Heipi’s is better, there is still room for improvement. Falcam’s head isn’t perfect by any stretch, but it combines the best aspects of both head designs into one that is easy to use and versatile without being too big.
The TreeRoot’s ball head is compatible with the company’s included quick-release plates but also works with other Arca-style plates. For what it’s worth, Falcam’s included plates rarely shift once in position because of a protruding portion at the front that keeps the plate straight and properly oriented. The ball head, despite being low profile, includes the versatility of a ball head as well as a panning capability so that it is easy to orient the camera for any photo; photographers don’t have to just rely on the rotation of the ball head to get the camera into position.
That head also includes a leveling bead, quick-release (self-locking) switch, ball head friction dampening knob, and a very nice locking control trigger that is easy to operate by feel. Below that head is a lightweight center column that easily detaches to allow it to be inverted. Additionally, Falcam makes an interchangeable top portion of that column that allows photographers to attach any tripod head they might want, adding to the TreeRoot’s overall versatility.
The center column is an all-metal design that is sturdy and light, but sacrifices a storage area for something like a smartphone mount or tools. Falcam made this choice because it decided that the base of the tripod, where the column and legs meet, is a better location for mounting accessories. Here, Falcam added two attachment interfaces: one is a 1/4″ Arri expansion threaded hole with carry strap holes that are compatible with its Maglink quick-release buckle system. The F22 quick-release interface on the other side lets it work with other specially made accessories, such as Falcam’s magic arm, giving them a secure yet accessible attachment point.
The legs are an unusual blend of non-circular and circular columns. Falcam claims that the polygonal shape of Peak Design’s legs are great for compacting the tripod into the size of a water bottle, but poor when it comes to evenly distributing stress. The company says that rigidity is weaker than a cylindrical tube, so it designed a system that integrates both. Circular tubes are contained in a non-circular top section that Falcam says provides more balanced stress distribution and therefore greater stability.
Claims like that are difficult to prove, but one choice Falcam made will appeal to many photographers: the use of twist locks instead of clip locks. Clip locks are fast, but they tend to wear out more easily, pinch at one point, and require regular maintenance to ensure rigidity. Twist locks are more resistant to dirt and sand and provide a more uniform lock that doesn’t require regular maintenance. They don’t jam as easily and many photographers also find they’re easier to operate by touch.
The feet have a rubberized cap on them that can be removed to reveal all-terrain spikes.
The Falcam TreeRoot has a low-angle minimum of 168mm (about 6.6 inches) and a maximum height of 1,552mm (about 5.09 feet) with the center column fully extended. That said, stability isn’t maximized with the center column that high, and photographers should expect to operate closer to the 1,305mm (about 4.28 feet) max height with the center column collapsed. When fully collapsed, the TreeRoot tripod measures 473mm high. It weighs 1.5 kilograms (3.3 pounds), and has a recommended maximum load of about 20 kilograms (44 pounds) with the column collapsed which is reduced to 10 kilograms (22 pounds) when the center column is extended.
The Falcam TreeRoot Quick Lock Travel Tripod is available today for $500, although the company has a 20% off coupon available through Amazon (at the time of publication). Expect PetaPixel‘s review of the TreeRoot in the coming weeks.
Image credits: Falcam