Review: Small Rig Free Blazer Carbon Fiber Tripod

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Timestamps:
00:00 - Start
00:49 - Its A Trap!
01:25 - What Makes A Good Tripod?
02:09 - Why Small Rig?
02:48 - I Have Been Set Up
03:28 - How Much Dose It Cost?
04:10 - Feature Number 1
05:29 - Feature Number 2
07:05 - Feature Number 3
07:41 - The Small Stuff
10:14 - The Negatives
13:09 - Conclusion

[@marklholloway]

Nice review! Recently purchased this tripod and it’s great value for the price. Never could find a 75mm fluid head anywhere close to this price that I’d actually use. My main tripod is Ikan E-Image GH15 100mm. High quality and super smooth fluid head, but it’s heavy and sucks to take on a shoot. I’ve settled on this Smallrig for heavy mobile use, Ikan in the studio or single location shoots and still bring the Smallrig. I can also use it for my sliders, B cams, RS3. It’s well thought out and gets me 90% of what I’d get with $2k+ tripods and in some cases has nice little advantages over the more expensive tripods.

[@OBP_]

Agree. This is pretty much my experience with the tripod also. Don't have any regret about the purchase at all. Thanks for the comment, pinned it for everyone to read 👌

[@jeffb8824]

Great review! I appreciate you going into detail about the small details - really shows that you actually use your gear! Keep up the good work!

[@OBP_]

Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment 🙌 means a lot 🙏

[@maytreemedia]

Great video. I had nothing but trouble from the start with this tripod. First, a leg split at the rivet and while loose, a plastic gear at the tension handle fell out and was lost. I asked SmallRig if I could purchase a gear. The customer service rep said she'd get the technical team to answer. I asked twice - no answer. I had new gears CNC'd from aluminum and when I reassmbled the tripod, one of the metal plates that hold the works onto the leg simply broke. Too much money, many hours and a sh*tload of effort later, I gave up and pulled the expensive trigger on the Sachtler FlowTech 75 and activ8 head combo that I wanted in the first place. Of all the Millers, Sachtlers and Bogen/Manfrottos I've used over nearly 40 years of using tripods, I've never had problem with any of them. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THE SMALLRIG TRAILBLAZER.

[@TheOrisya]

6:51 I had used the sachtler flowtech. that red latch even if its plastic, its fine. but the inside whats worried me and unfortunately broke during filming. one of the moving component that broke inside the leg is made of composite aluminium. it feels more plasticky than metal.

[@tsOnMedia]

Thank you!! You just answered the one question that all the previous reviews seemed to miss - the leg latches that look like plastic are actually made out of metal. I was spoiled over the years using nice Vinten and Sachtler sticks. Sadly those were not designed for mirrorless cameras. Too heavy and too much counterbalance spring strength. I've been on the hunt for the perfect lightweight tripod & head for under $500 for the past 3 or 4 years. I'll be ordering a set of these sticks tonight and we'll see if these are keepers.

[@OBP_]

I think you'll be more than happy as it sounds like you're ordering them the perfect use case 👌

[@Csnumber1]

Great review….yes better grip on the head. But for me, the extendable arm adjustment screw would get in the way of a Lanc controller for Camcorders that support that feature. Something I use a lot!! I’d have to order third party arms that yes, also extend longer.

[@OBP_]

I feel small rig made this tripod with mirrorless cameras in mind for the target audience, as that is where they sell the most products.. But that said, the legs are amazing, and using the legs combo with another head is a real winner! Thanks for commenting 🙌

[@hartzogLovesScience]

I think I’m going to hate this video. Stability issues with a narrower footprint. How tall are you, for you need a latter to reach the tripod’s tallest height. I have a tripod with a similar clamping system. It’s worked well for over a decade. The hex is a nice feature, similar to Peak Design’s system. For me, the tripod fluid head is paramount for video. I’ve used a manfroto since 2000’s, and it worked on every camera I used it with. Can you easily swap out the fluid head? Ok, I don’t hate this video as much as I thought. Your presented a well balanced description of this SmallRig tripod! I’m looking at a new one, and this may work. But I need to mull over it a bit. Thank you for such a detailed description of this product!

[@OBP_]

Yes, the fluid head swops out tool free and takes a few seconds. The carbon fibre legs are something to keep in mind also. At this price point, none of the viral have them, and it makes a big difference in weight! Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@TheOrisya]

3:32 hey youre lucky, here in Indonesia it cost more than twice of the US price. I settled with the cheapest one. AD 01

[@antiqueivory7130]

what about the height? Can you spread the legs out more if you want to? Can it go super low like the benro?

[@OBP_]

Yes, legs spread for lower use. I would say Benro gets lower by a few inches. But none of them are amazing for low tripod work, and you'd be better getting something made for that, I'd recomond.

[@the_black_douglas9041]

Great review! The legs do look fantastic. But the head looks like a turkey. It reminds of the old Manfrotto heads when they used to falsely claim their friction heads had fluid bearings! As someone whose work involves following action I need a head that can be adjusted for balance and have zero startup inertia. I am looking to upgrade my current Miller Air tripod and fluid head but there just isn’t anyone outside of Miller, Sachtler, Cartoni, O’Connor making good ones yet. Sorry Smallrig, I love you but you need to try harder!

[@OBP_]

Yes I don't think small rig are ready to take on the likes Miller, Sachtler & O'connor just yet. but they are defo interesting to the lower price point market!

[@nguyentrongnhan35]

Starter inertia is a common problem with small head, newer brands. That's completely eliminated with the big brands, so I still with my ACE XL after testing it with Smallrig

[@ruffatoluca3271]

I also look just to save money so i can spend it on a Sachtler tripod . 😂💀

[@HowardBuksbaum]

Pronounced: Sack-ler

[@JustPassingByBaby]

Didn't you give SMallrig legs 10/10... why bashing them now as having bad feet? Are the reviews changing with each new review and time?

[@OBP_]

The SmallRig tripod is still great, i own and still use it all the time, amazing value for money. but its at lower price point to an SCG tripod. and just like cameras etc at different prices you get better features.

[@JustPassingByBaby]

@@OBP_ so you compare one thing to something that costs 4x less to make it look better? Aren't the Flow tech closer in price? Their feet are great so far. No issues. As for the head. The sachtler is more expensive but worth it honestly. Simply because of the quick level feature - I can't live anymore without it 😂