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201: Landscape Photography with the Smallrig AP-10 Tripod - A Field Review

D Griff Gallery: Mostly Photography

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In this landscape photography video I take a look at the Smallrig AP-10 carbon fibre tripod. I've been using it extensively over the last couple of months, taking it into the mountains and onto the coast in a howling gale to see how it stands up to the sort of abuse it can expect from my photography.

Smallrig AP-10 Carbon Fibre Tripod: https://www.smallrig.com/Carbon-Fiber...

Link to my website with full res images from this video: https://dgriff.gallery/smallrig-ap-10...

My Facebook group "Mostly Micro 4/3 Landscape Photography": Facebook: m43landscapephotography

If you'd like to learn more about the Anglesey, Snowdonia/Eryri and North Wales places I visit for my landscape photography, you can see full details on my website in my Location Guides section at: https://dgriff.gallery/location-guides/

To join me for landscape photography workshops, personal tuition or guiding in the mountains have a look over this page: https://dgriff.gallery/tuition/

I get asked a lot about the equipment I use. As I’ve typed up countless replies and links and lists for friends and viewers, I’ve now set it all out definitively here: https://dgriff.gallery/gear/

https://dgriff.gallery/
Facebook: dgriffgallery
Twitter: dgriffgallery

Edited, mixed and produced with DaVinci Resolve 17.
Music by Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com)

20 Comments

@MrWolf__ 5 months ago

Really considering buying this! I am 6ft but I don’t ever recall shooting at that height

@fathom-avant 10 months ago (edited)

@DGriffGallery . Thank you for this upload. Considering this tripod (along with others like the Benro Super Slim, Benro Cyanbird, Leofoto LY-224c and the Leofoto LY-265CF). But I have a few questions:

1. How's the Smallrig AP-10 holding up after 2 or 3 years of use? Have problems incurred already while using it brutally just like what you mentioned in one of your comments?

2. Would plastic be not recommended for extreme cold weather pointing to its Plastic lever locks? While I live in a tropical country, we'll be visiting Gifu, Japan this late December for 8-days and it will be cold and snowy probably -2˚C to 2˚C. I'm also checking out Smallrig's Aluminum legged AP-02—Wouldn't gloves be enough for that bitingly cold touch to not crawl onto one's hands?

3. Are spike feet necessary for the snowy locations over rubber? If I were to consider one without spike feet, would you recommend against it?

Hoping to get your response soon. Thank you so much.

@mista_jouns 1 year ago

Wasn't sure if it would be tall enough, thanks for the tip!

@Mcabrera145 1 year ago

great review, thank you!

@originaljamtracks 1 year ago

Great review, answered the questions I had. Thank you

@SuperSuperka 2 years ago (edited)

Thank you!

@albertpaoloawesome 2 years ago

Good day sir, may I ask if the angle adjusters and the elbows on the tripod are metal or plastic like the flip locks? And if the monopod screws into plastic or metal to go back to tripod mode? I'm worried since some of the Ulanzi's are plastic. Thank you :)

@bngabbott 2 years ago

Thank you for the honest and insightful review. Very entertaining too!

@Juaansi 3 years ago

Your video really got me in a happy mood. I really like you review this tripod with a smile!

@leonarddavis5307 3 years ago

Great video David. Such a shame smallrig dont do a higher version as I am 6'2"

@ronshephard9429 3 years ago

Smashing review David but could you tell me the model of L Bracket you used in the video.

@donaldpirie5485 3 years ago

Thank you, thank you and thank you again!

I have been using a K&F for the past few years with both MFT and APS-C. Most recently I have been taking moon shots with my OM-1 and 40-150 with 2x converter. No matter what I do, the set up invariably droops just enough to result in a slightly ‘off-target shot’ – not by a massive margin, but enough to irritate.

I had decided to look at a geared head and then found your review today. Talk about providence! I have to say that your reluctant gear review has been an absolute godsend. AP-10 about to be ordered!!

Subscription button already pressed.

@fotogfitzfoto412 3 years ago

Thank you, I have spent some time researching a new travel tripod, and this has convinced me to buy the SmallRig AP-10.

@saugeangel6607 3 years ago

So glad I saw this. I was thinking of getting one of these but was worried as I hadn’t seen any review videos on it. I am so relieved that I will be making the right choice by getting this one. Thank you

@burtjake4137 3 years ago

Thank you for an interesting review not that I wanted tripod enjoyed the images great as always thank you Burt

@MrBusby 3 years ago (edited)

Well. That was timely. The good lady was berating her twist lock K&F the other day. Don’t tell her but, I’ve just ordered one of these based on your recommendation.

@alangauld6079 3 years ago

Nice shots. If I was looking for a lightweight pod I’d definitely consider that. I have 3 already though (5 if you count table pods!) so can’t justify it. I do prefer screw legs though, much easier to fix in the field if they get sand or ice etc in them - no screws to faff about with.

@jiml989 3 years ago (edited)

Off topic question: What L bracket are you using/recommending?

@SimonBurnCreative 3 years ago

I'm a big fan of Smallrig, they make some really nice gear at a reasonable cost. 👍

@roycejohnson929 3 years ago

I just purchased another one very similar to your one( number three ) its an ARTCISE NS60C Tripod, this is my Travel Tripod and it is a combo eg it has a removable center column that a triangle shape with a hook on the under side, I prefer not to have a center column but this is the best of both worlds, the feet have pull off rubbers to expose the spikes. I also have the larger one thats has 32mm diameter legs and is a bit heavy but a very good tripod, also purchased a macro tripod , an Evumo EX3, they are all beautifully made and came from Aliexpress in China. Very highly recommend them. Cheers from New Zealand. PS you can never have enough tripods ! lol