SmallRig FreeBlazer Carbon Fiber Tripod Kit review – solid specs, sturdy construction, good value

REVIEW – A solid tripod system is crucial for any kind of video or film production. While handheld shooting is increasingly popular all the time, there is still going to be a need for a solid tripod setup. There are many manufacturers with endless combinations of tripod heads & legs to choose from, so which do you choose? Recently SmallRig introduced their FreeBlazer Counterbalance Carbon Fiber Video Tripod Kit AD-Pro8 and I got a chance to review it. Read on to see what this tripod and head combination has to offer.

What is it?

SmallRig’s FreeBlazer Counterbalance Carbon Fiber Video Tripod Kit AD-Pro8 is a tripod kit consisting of a set of legs, a matching fluid head, a mid-level spreader, a ground-level spreader, a handle, and a phone holder.

What’s included?

• Tripod Legs
• Professional Fluid Head PH8
• Mid-level Spreader
• Ground Spreader
• 2x Allen Wrench
• Carrying Bag
• Smartphone Holder
• User Manual

Tech specs

Click to expand

• Product Dimensions: 990.0 × 165.0 x 165.0 mm / 39.0 x 6.5 x 6.5 in
• Operating Altitude: 58.0cm – 196.0 cm / 22.8 – 77.2 in
• Maximum Height: 196.0 cm / 77.2 in
• Minimum Height: 58.0 cm / 22.8 in
• Storage Length: 97.0 cm / 38.2 in
• Bowl Adapter Diameter: 75.0 mm / 2.9 in
• Tilt Range: +90° / -60°
• Counterbalance Payload: 1.0 – 8.0 kg / 2.2 – 17.6 lb
• Counterbalance: 6-Step (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
• Tilt Control: 4-Step (0, 1, 2, 3)
• Pan Control: 4-Step (1, 2, 3, 4)
• Max Payload: 8.0 kg / 17.6 lb
• Handle Length: 35.0 – 53.0 cm / 13.8 – 20.9 in
• Material(s): Carbon Fiber, Aluminum Alloy, POM, Stainless Steel, Silicone

 

Design and features

SmallRig’s AD-Pro8 kit consists of a set of tripod legs, a 75 mm bowl-style head, and a pan handle. They also package in a phone holder (which I’ve already used to shoot a time-lapse video for another review along with a small tripod that was part of another SmallRig setup I reviewed a couple years ago). Clearly a small plastic phone holder like this is not really meant for a full-size tripod setup, but it’s a nice addition to the kit. 

The tripod legs are made from carbon fiber, allowing them to be lightweight but strong. The legs have a three-segment design, which allows for a maximum height of 77.2”, but can also go as low as 22.8”. The feet include a detachable foot with a rubber base, designed for use on flat surfaces. Removing the feet exposes two metal spikes, suitable for use on uneven surfaces. The package also includes a mid-level spreader and a ground spreader to help keep the tripod legs together while being spread out.

The tripod head is a 75mm bowl style head with a quick release plate, a 4-step tilt & pan hydraulic damping, and a 6-step fluid counterbalance system. The head features the standard pan handle attachment points, with one handle included in the package, as well as pan & tilt locks for safety. Instead of using a traditional sliding base plate, the head uses a quick release plate, which makes it easier to mount the camera to the tripod. It’s also compatible with the Manfrotto  501PL Quick Release Plate system. I was also able to confirm it works with the plate that came with a Sirui tripod that I use at work. This plate system compatibility means it’s easier to swap parts between tripods and easier to find replacement parts if they go missing.

The included mid-level and ground spreader helps keep the legs together while being adjusted, as well as helping with stability. They’re sturdy without adding a lot of weight to the package. There’s also a nice slim carrying bag included in the package.

Assembly, Installation, Setup

Assembly consists of removing the parts from the package, unfolding the legs to stand up the tripod, and attaching the pan handle. Once that’s set up you can attach either the ground spreader or the mid-level spreader, depending on the type of shooting you’ll be doing and your preferred operation style. 

After the parts are put together the pan & tilt drag and counterbalance need to be adjusted. I tend to prefer to use a middle setting on the pan & tilt drag, so there’s resistance but not enough to make it hard to move the camera up, down, left, and right. For the counterbalance I tend to use a lower setting, or even keep it completely off, depending on the weight and size of the camera. In the case of this tripod, there is no “off” setting for the counterbalance – it goes from 1 to 6. This is fine for a setup of about 6-8 lb or more, but for smaller loads (like my Google Pixel 6 phone with the included phone mount) it would be nice to be able to turn it off completely.

Once these parts are put together and the adjustments are set the way you want them, the last step is to attach the quick release plate to the bottom of the camera. This quick release plate is a nice feature because all you have to do is place one side into the quick release slot, lower the other side of the camera down into the slot, and tighten the quick release screw, and you’re ready to shoot. The plate can still be slid forward and backward to help with balance, but it’s not necessary to slide the whole plate in to get it started, which is a lot easier with a larger camera rig. The quick release plate includes both 1/4”-20 and 3/8’-16 screws to accommodate multiple types of cameras or mounting accessories.

In Use

In short, this tripod is a joy to use. I’ve used tripods from Manfrotto, Sachtler, Sirui, and many other brands over the years I’ve been involved in media production. I wouldn’t say it could take the place of some of the higher end tripods out there, especially for larger camera rigs, but it’s a solid midrange tripod at a competitive price. 

The three section legs mean that this tripod can go as high as you want to for a tripod of this size and weight class. The leg locking system, with its single lock per leg, makes it easy to set up and take down. Generally for a three stage tripod there would two sets of controls to adjust the height but this takes some of that away, making it easier to raise and lower the tripod. Anything that helps with setup, adjustments, and tear-down is always appreciated.

I usually prefer a mid-level spreader, so I didn’t do as much testing with the ground spreader, but I’m glad I have both options for different shooting scenarios. The ground spreader will be especially helpful for low angle shots, which this tripod can do, since it has a minimum height of just under 23 inches. To go that low the legs have to be spread out all the way, which is where the spreader comes in handy, helping keep the legs together and stable.

The detachable feet are a good way to solve the problem of needing to use the tripod on a flat surface vs a rough surface. My concern would be that they might get lost. I’ve used other tripods where the feet are removable and they definitely do go missing if you’re not careful. I’ve also used tripods where the rubber foot screws up and down, revealing the spiked foot when it’s needed, but also covering it when on a flat surface. In this method there’s nothing to remove so there’s nothing to get lost. Time will tell how long I (or more likely someone else helping me) can keep track of these feet.

I’ve used much larger and heavier tripods that don’t go near the same height. Many of those tripods are meant for older, larger, shoulder-mounted cameras, so they need to be heavier and sturdier, and also don’t go as high for safety reasons. I like the tradeoff in size vs height vs payload that this tripod enables for today’s more compact camera setups. It’s a good compromise in my opinion.

While I don’t consider this a negative, at least not long-term, I did notice that some of the controls were a little bit stiff, specifically the leg lock mechanism. There might be an adjustment screw or something I need to loosen, I’m not sure. I assume this will work itself out over time, and will also become easier as I get used to all the controls and features.

(B-roll taken with SmallRig FreeBlazer Carbon Fiber Video Tripod Kit AD-Pro8 and Google Pixel 6)

What I like about the SmallRig FreeBlazer Carbon Fiber Video Tripod Kit AD-Pro8

• Quick release plate
• Quick release leg locking system

What needs to be improved?

• I’d like a way to completely turn off the counterbalance for smaller loads
• Feet can get lost when detached

Final thoughts

A sturdy tripod is a necessity in any kind of film or video production situation. The combination of features, compact setup, and affordable price is a strong selling point. With SmallRig’s track record of making quality, affordable accessories for the creative on the go, this could be another hit product for the company.

Price: $799.00
Where to buy: smallrig.com, Walmart, and Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided for free by SmallRig. SmallRig did not have a final say on the review and did not preview the review before it was published.