KF Concept TM2534T Camera Tripod
KF Concept TM2534T Tripod
Aluminium tripod with ball head and transverse mount bar
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K&F Concept offer a range of tripods and camera accessories. A while ago Keith looked at the KF Concept TC2534 carbon fibre tripod.
As you’d expect from a carbon fibre tubed model, it was relatively lightweight – ideal for carrying about.
However, sometimes convenience and flexibility count for more than weight, so Keith has been looking at the TM2534T
It’s a similar sized tripod, but with a very different design for the centre post, which allows for a transverse mounting option.
More tripod details at the K&F website
Special offer Amazon UK – Nov 2018 £99.99 and free UK delivery
Discount code: KFUKCT015
The tripod is available ($145.99 at time of writing) at the K&F web site with free shipping to many countries.
Using a tripod
As part of my work, I’m an industrial photographer, so I sometimes need a bit more than the simple up/down adjustment of a normal tripod. I’ve a large studio stand that works well, but as the name suggests, it’s not very portable.
The K&F Concept TM2534T is an aluminium alloy tripod with four section legs. It comes in a sturdy carrying bag, complete with a ball head fitted with an arca-swiss style clamp.
Tripod Specifications
- Model: KF-TM2534T
- Item Colour: Black/Red
- Material: Aluminium alloy
- Weight: 1.58kg
- Max. tube diameter: 1” (25mm)
- Load capacity: 8kg
- Folded Height: 470mm
- Maximum height: 1835mm (72.25″)
I’d note it not much heavier than the carbon fibre option.
As with most tripods, you need to pick which bits to extend to get the height you need.
The tripod is pretty stable at full leg extension.
The two part centre column can extend further, but something like this is not going to be very steady in much wind.
In fact, since there is a short centre column extension supplied (albeit not mentioned in any documentation), so you could add a few more inches to the height.
The short tube will fit to the ball head, using the 3/8″ screw.
However, it’s much more stable to use the red metal top from the transverse column, since it spreads the load from the head and makes for a more robust connection.
If you know you don’t need the extra height and transverse movement, the short column will save weight.
The head/short tube can fit directly into the top of the tripod leg assembly.
The red (metal) mount ring clamps whatever centre post you are using very efficiently.
Be careful when experimenting, to make sure any screw connections are solid and tight – loose connections make damage much more likely.
Note the 1/4″ threaded option – I’ve used this for attaching a small flash extension unit (with a 1/4″ thread).
This is not a heavyweight support, just something it’s nice to know is available.
The ball head
The head is of the same design I looked at for the TC2534 tripod, and solidly built.
It comes in a soft bag – useful, since you don’t want dust/grit getting into the mechanism, when you’ve swapped it for a different head.
The mount took all of my Arca-Swiss style mounting plates and ‘L’ brackets.
The head movement is marked out in degrees if you’re taking multiple shots for panoramic work.
The transverse bar
There’s one feature that this tripod has that none of my others do, the ability to offset your camera sideways from the centre axis.
With the centre column unextended, the unit can be locked solid.
The centre column has a smaller diameter inner tube which rises up through the ball joint.
Once extended, it’s no longer in the main centre tube, so the ball joint lets you rotate it.
You can see it here running through the ball joint.
Note the groove in the inner tube – this is where the lock screw holds the bar in place, and stops the tube rotating.
The ball head and camera are attached as normal.
Note that the camera is slightly overhanging the tripod legs. This is potentially unstable, so take care with balance.
The main centre tube can be reversed for mounting the camera lower.
I’ve shown the bag (with a metal weight inside) hanging at the back for stability. There’s no hook on the tube, so take care with whatever you use for a weight.
All your camera movement from normal use of the tripod is available.
The legs can be set at 80º to give a very low, but stable configuration.
This makes any ground level work a lot easier.
I’ve not extended the arm too far, so the set-up is very stable.
Monopod
One leg of the tripod can be detached to make a monopod.
The leg needs attaching to the centre column (long or short).
The threaded connector and nut will secure the two parts, but be careful to make sure enough thread is in each section and take care that everything is tight.
Here’s the monopod with the full length centre column (and side bar).
Monopods are great for resting the weight of long lenses when you’re standing around. I don’t use long lenses very often, so not a feature I really make use of for any of my tripods.
Conclusions
Like many, I’d thought ‘Oh, the carbon fibre version must save a lot of weight’.
Well, looking at this metal tripod, I realised that this choice is not always so clear cut – a significant part of the weight comes from your choice of head and for my industrial work I’d prefer the flexibility of that transverse bar option.
The instruction sheet that comes with the tripod is rather incomplete and not very clear, but other than that there’s little to complain about.
Not only a tripod I’d be more inclined to take on jobs, but one I’d happily suggest to some of our clients for our product photography training.
The tripod is currently listed at $145.99 (free shipping to some countries).
There is more information about the tripod available at the K&F Concept web site
Special offer Amazon UK – Oct-Nov 2018 £99.99 and free UK delivery
Discount code: KFUKCT015
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