The market for compact and lightweight tripods has exploded in recent years. Well, Falcam has decided to shake things up with their new TreeRoot carbon fiber tripod, taking on the big leagues in a compelling way. Is it the right choice for you? It certainly offers a lot in its portable frame.
The competition is clear
I mainly compare Falcam TreeRoot arrive Benro CyanBird and Peak Design Travel Tripod. All three are aimed at the travel photographer or filmmaker who wants a compact, lightweight yet capable tripod. They all have their own way, but the latest Falcam has many tricks up its sleeve that may even make or break your decision. I have been using it for a few days now and I must say, it has grown significantly on me.
Compact yet complete
When folded down, the tripod is only 47 cm long and weighs 1.5 kg. Its shape is quite slim thanks to the unique inverted shape of the middle column. Unlike the tripods mentioned above with their oddly shaped legs, the Falcam TreeRoot has three rounded sections that are held in place by well-designed twist locks. I saw the Benro CyanBird’s lever lock fail far too often when I worked in a camera shop, and the Peak Design lock sometimes came loose and lost tension. Yes, they allow for thin shapes, but their repairability and strength are compromised. On the other hand, twist locks allow for quick repairs. You know for sure that the locks are tight and they can be easily operated with one hand at a time. I especially like the fact that they stop when loose enough to release the sections. The number of times I have to explain to my customers not to over-tighten the twist lock and not to lose the internal gaskets is too many—great design choice from Falcam here.
As I mentioned, when collapsed it’s very slim. I can comfortably carry it in the side pocket of the Shimoda Urban Explorer with all three legs tucked neatly away.
Interesting head
The head is odd but in a good way. It’s a ball head design combined with a panorama where the entire mechanism is at the top of the head as the bottom is just the center column. This allows for a compact height when tucked in. However, it doesn’t seem to be limited in any way. You get full ball head movement including a 90° vertical position, a tactile and clicky friction adjustment knob, a very easy to understand locking lever and a lock for 360° rotation of the plate once the head is level. Perfect for panoramas.
The quick release mechanism caught my attention immediately. It is compatible with Arca Swiss and comes with Falcam’s F38 plate, which is also compatible with Arca Swiss. I can even use it with the Peak Design Capture plate, which is great. But it doesn’t have traditional Arca Swiss tightening screws. Instead, you attach and remove the plate using a quick-release lever and click mechanism that, for example, Gitzo owners have enjoyed for years now. It truly offers the best of both worlds.
Down low, up high, do it fast
The tripod can extend as far as 155cm, or 61 inches for my friends across the Atlantic. But it can also go as low as 16cm. All of this is made possible by a unique mechanism that quickly shortens the center column without any tools. In fact, that’s one of the many things I really love about the tripod. Everything you need is built in, and you don’t have to carry around any spare tools. The center column mechanism simply raises in two separate movements, separating it into two sections, avoiding any awkwardness when you extend each leg individually to its widest position for low-angle shots. And if that 16cm isn’t enough, the center column is also reversible.
Accessorize, modify, don’t play with the screws
The ability to attach a variety of arms and accessories to a tripod is nothing new these days. But it usually comes in the form of a ¼” or ⅜” thread with or without an ARRI pin. Anything heavier than that risks coming undone at an awkward angle. You even risk over-tightening and stripping the thread if you over-tighten it. TreeRoot offers Falcam’s proprietary but widely used F22 mounting point, which we love on their camera frames and subsequent accessories. Simply attach a magic arm, a tripod, a tilt adapter, and just about anything else in an instant with a quick click. Detachment is just as easy. For example, I used the Falcam Magic Arm to mount my small but powerful Nanlite Pavotube for a little extra light in my scenes. I can imagine this feature being extremely useful for people using teleprompters, any kind of diffuser, microphones, and even other cameras to create BTS angles.
Simply built well
I’ve been using the tripod for a while now and it’s been impressive. Everything stays where I want it to, there’s no creaking, the whole thing is made from carbon fiber and metal, and I feel like I’ve found a real replacement for my Manfrotto and I love their Italian craftsmanship. The Falcam TreeRoot just offers some cool features while still being a really reliable tripod. I know it’s a small detail, but I even like the fact that the quick release plate allows for a flat/coin or Allen key to attach to the camera. And if you don’t have it with you when you need it, no worries. The center column hook is made to hold the backpack as a removable weight, revealing a hidden key to attach the plate exactly in the shape of the Allen key/coin slot. It’s the little things.
What I like about TreeRoot
- Light
- Strong
- Twist locks have a stop when opened
- Compact profile
- Well designed head
- Arca Swiss compatibility with quick release click mechanism
- F22 mounting plate
- The center column can be easily removed
- Constructed of metal with carbon fiber tubing
- The center column is fully reversible and replaceable with a flat mounting plate compatible with any ¼ and ⅜ head
- Adjust friction
- Panorama
- Implant bag
What I don’t like about TreeRoot
- Not as light as some other tripods in its class but at least it offers more features
Buy
