April 7, 2011

Weifeng WF-595T Alu-Mg Traveller Tripod with WF-595H Ball Head Review

Weifeng WF-595T Tripod + WF-595H Ball Head set overview

This review of the Weifeng WF-595T tripod kit is a tribute to my first traveller tripod following the reverse leg folding concept in a very economical price.
After a long time with quite heavy Manfrotto  tripods, I was tempted to give a chance to a product from a manufacturer coming from China.

Lets say that this purchase was the spark for more and more research into products coming from China, at a time point where Chinese industry started to pay some serious attention in quality.

Nonetheless this review is also set as a reference for comparison to later designs. So lets see how this tripod is made and under which standards.

The Tripod

Weifeng WF-595T Tripod + WF-595H Ball Head set

Weifeng WF-595T Tripod + WF-595H Ball Head detail

Weifeng WF-595T Tripod + WF-595H Ball Head detail II

Manufacturer Specification
Weifeng WF-595T Alu-Mg Folding Tripod
Leg Sections:5
Max Leg Diameter:29 mm / 1.14"
Min Leg Diameter:13 mm / 0.51"
Max Height (Center Column Extended):1540 mm / 60.63"
Min Height:430 mm / 16.93"
Folded Height:430 mm / 16.93"
Weight:2.12 kg / 4.67 lbs
Max Load capacity:8 kg / 17.64 lbs


The Package Contents and Accessories

Weifeng WF-595T Tripod Carrying Case

Weifeng WF-595T Tripod docs and tools

Weifeng WF-595T Tripod manual

Weifeng WF-595T Tripod apron accessory

Weifeng WF-595T Tripod apron accessory open

The Carrying case

Weifeng WF-595T Tripod Carrying Case Opening

Weifeng WF-595T Tripod Carrying Case Pocket

Weifeng WF-595T Tripod Carrying Case shoulder strap

Leg Sections Tubing & Twist Leg Locks

Weifeng WF-595T Tripod unfolded

Weifeng WF-595T Leg tubes and twist locks

Weifeng WF-595T twist lock threading

Weifeng WF-595T twist lock lock-rings

Weifeng WF-595T anti-twist inserts and lock-rings

Weifeng WF-595T twist lock dis-assembled

Leg Rubber Feet

Weifeng WF-595T leg rubber feet


Legs Hub & Center Column Stem

Weifeng WF-595T leg hub and center column

Weifeng WF-595T center column twist lock

Weifeng WF-595T twist lock cap and insert

Weifeng WF-595T center column stem detail
Weifeng WF-595T center column stem detail showing the anti-twist boss of the center column


Center Column
The tripod comes with a long aluminium alloy center column, 24 mm  (0.95") in diameter, which is one step narrower than the top of the tripod leg tube diameter. It comes with a quite large top 59 mm (2.32" ) mounting plate and a removable spring loaded hook at the bottom.

Weifeng WF-595T center column and hook

Weifeng WF-595T center column top plate

Weifeng WF-595T center column top plate from bellow

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Leg Angle Locks

Weifeng WF-595T leg hub / spider w legs folded

Weifeng WF-595T + WF-595H set in normal pos

Weifeng WF-595T + WF-595H set in grownd level pos



The Standard WF-595H ball head

Weifeng WF-595H mounted on WF-595T Tripod

Weifeng WF-595H Ball Head front view

Weifeng WF-595H Head ball detail

Weifeng WF-595H Head lock knobs and panning base

Weifeng WF-595H Head mounting base

The Original Quick Release

Weifeng WF-595H head - original quick release

Weifeng WF-595H head - original quick release bottom view

The Quick Release Conversion

Weifeng WF-595H head w QR clamp and original quick release

Optional WF-533H 2way head
Although the Weifeng WF-533H 2way Pan-Tilt Video Head is actually a kit head coming with the WF-533T Flip Lock classic tripod, it can be found sold separately.
It is a fairly good but mostly cheap solution for shooting video since it fits well on top of the mounting plate of the WF-595T. However, due to its shape and bulk it cannot fit between the tripod legs when they are folded back 180°.
For more details check the relevant Review.

Weifeng WF-595T Tripod w WF-533H 2way head

Packing and Carrying the Tripod

Weifeng WF-595T + WF-595H set inside the carrying case

Pros
Very low price.
Fair overall size and weight making it a good transportable solution.
Smooth extension and retraction of legs.
Smooth ball head operation.
Good manufacture quality.
Snap on quick release plate.

Cons
Absence of short center column or mechanism for ground level shooting.
No tension control of ball head.
Harshly adjustable panning friction.
Non universal quick release plate.

Conclusion
This Review article is still under construction till all texts are duly prepared. In the meantime the article stands as a reference page and photo guide to the Weifeng WF-595T Alu-Mg Traveller Tripod with WF-595H Ball Head.

I hope you found the article useful, thank you for viewing.
All Photos: © 2011-2016 S.C.Vlachos

Price & Availability:
Currently unavailable.

Referenced Articles:
Weifeng WF-533H 2way Pan-Tilt Video Head
Desmond DAC-01 50mm Quick Release Clamp Review
Triopo RS-3 Ball Head Review

Relevant Articles:
Benro B-2 Double Action Ball Head Review
Nest NT-6294CT Carbon Fiber Traveler Tripod Review
Triopo GT-3228X8C Carbon Fiber Traveler Tripod Review

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