Neewer LT32 Travel Tripod Review: A Compact and Versatile Solution for Wedding Videographers

Josh Birman

Current Tripod Setup and Need for Change [0:35]

• The reviewer, a wedding filmmaker, previously relied on a solid, heavy-duty Manfrotto 755XB tripod with a 502HD head.

  

  

  • This setup, while robust, proved too heavy and bulky for wedding videography, making transportation difficult.
  • He faced challenges with packing multiple large cases for gear, including light stands, two tripods, a monopod, two camera backpacks, an audio kit, a lighting kit, a gimbal, and sometimes a drone kit.

    

    

  • This extensive gear made loading/unloading and moving around venues cumbersome, and air travel impossible.
• The primary issues identified were the tripods and light stands.

Selecting a New Tripod and Initial Impressions of Neewer LT32 [1:29]

• The reviewer initially considered the popular Peak Design Travel Tripod.
  • The high price tag of the Peak Design tripod led him to seek alternatives.
• Discovery of the Neewer LT32.
  • The Neewer LT32 was recently released and offered similar size, weight, and height to the Peak Design model.

    

Size, Weight, and Portability [2:10]

• The Neewer LT32 is significantly smaller and lighter than the Manfrotto tripod.

  

  • It can easily fit into carry-on luggage or a backpack's water bottle pocket, making it ideal for travel.

    

    

  • It comes with a streamlined zippered sleeve that adds minimal bulk and provides protection.

    

• Enhanced portability for wedding shoots.
  • The lightweight design allows for carrying two Neewer tripods with ease, unlike the Manfrotto which was a chore even for one.

    

  • It extends to an impressive height for its compact size, reaching past eye level with the center column extended.

    

• Comparison with Manfrotto BeFree Advanced tripod.
  • The Neewer LT32 is taller at maximum height and shorter at minimum height compared to the Manfrotto BeFree Advanced, another travel tripod.

    

  • The height is perfectly suitable for wedding videography needs.

Stability [3:43]

• Acknowledgment of reduced stability compared to heavy-duty tripods.
  • Being made of carbon fiber and weighing significantly less (2.6 lbs / 1,178 g) compared to the Manfrotto (8.6 lbs / 3,915 g), it is expected to be less robust and more susceptible to flexing.

    

• Despite the lighter weight, it is considered sturdy enough for reliable use.
  • The reviewer has no concerns about leaving a camera on it unattended.
  • The primary difference is that it might be easier to tip over if accidentally bumped, due to its lighter weight, whereas heavier tripods stay put with their own mass.

Ball Head Features and Limitations [4:23]

• Positive aspects of the ball head.

  • The locking lever for the ball head is highly praised for its speed and ease of use, eliminating the need for twisting.

    

• Lack of a dedicated pan function.

  • The absence of a separate pan function is a minor disappointment, as it requires loosening the entire ball head for minor horizontal adjustments.
  • A workaround involves loosening the cylindrical center column to achieve panning, though this can alter the camera's angle slightly.

    

• Removable top half for potential upgrades.

  • The quick release part of the ball head can be removed by loosening a set screw, suggesting future possibilities for accessories like a 360° panning base from Neewer, although currently no threaded attachment point exists.

    

• Ball head smoothness.

  • The ball head is not as smooth as desired, making precise tiny adjustments challenging.

• Quick release system: love and hate.

  • Pros: The automatic locking mechanism upon plate insertion and the easy release button are excellent. It also uses Peak Design QR plates, offering seamless integration for users already in that ecosystem.

    

    

  • Cons: The system is limited exclusively to Peak Design QR plates, which is inconvenient for users with other ARCA Swiss plates (like those compatible with Ronin S). The placement of the release lock button raises concerns about accidental release.

    

    

    

• Swappable Head with Included Adapter.

  • The ball head can be swapped out with a different tripod head using an included adapter piece.

    

  • This allows for attaching other heads, such as a fluid head, increasing the tripod's versatility, especially for videographers.

    

  • The inclusion of this adapter by default is highly praised, as other brands typically sell it separately.

Legs and Latches [8:37]

• Leg extension and sturdiness.
  • The legs extend easily, and the latches close tightly, feeling sturdy with no noticeable wobble or flex.
  • The carbon fiber legs feel stiff and sturdy when extended.
• Latch adjustment.
  • The tripod features four latches per leg.
  • Initially, the latches were tough to open and close simultaneously, but loosening the screws slightly resolved this, making them much smoother.

    

  • This adjustment did not compromise the leg's ability to hold weight.

    

Travel Tripods for Weddings [9:36]

• Strong recommendation for compact travel tripods in wedding videography.
  • Switching to a compact tripod significantly reduces kit size, saving space in tripod cases.
  • Dramatically lighter weight makes carrying gear around wedding venues much easier and lowers luggage weight for travel.

    

• Improved workflow efficiency.
  • The ability to carry two or three compact tripods at once eliminates the need for multiple trips back to the gear case during setup.

    

• Trade-offs.
  • While there is a loss in height and overall stability compared to larger, heavier tripods, the benefits of portability and convenience far outweigh these negatives for the reviewer's specific needs. The slightly lower height has not been a practical issue.

Final Thoughts on Neewer LT32 [10:42]

• Overall positive review.
  • The Neewer LT32 is highly recommended for its excellent ball head, quick-release system (despite the proprietary limitation), intuitive controls, and the inclusion of a versatile head adapter.
• Areas for improvement.
  • The lack of a dedicated pan function and the exclusivity to Peak Design QR plates are the main drawbacks.
  • A redesign allowing for removable pins to accept various ARCA Swiss plates would greatly enhance compatibility, even if it meant sacrificing the click-in locking feature.
• Price and competition.
  • The Neewer LT32 is priced at $300, making it significantly cheaper than the Peak Design Travel Tripod (carbon fiber $600, aluminum $380) and competitive with the Ulanzi tripod ($370, possibly discounted to $300).

    

  • The reviewer finds no dramatic difference in function or quality between the Neewer LT32 and the Peak Design tripod, suggesting it offers great value.