Not long after the release of the robust "Series 3" Desmond DCF-432 last August, a second Carbon Fiber traveler tripod was released under the Desmond label.
This time the label says "Des DCF-428 Carbon Fibre" meaning that the new Desmond tripod falls into the more standard "Series 2" segment with a 28 mm top leg section diameter.
This the most competitive market segment with many contenders coming from top brands but from numerous not so known manufacturers.
What would make the difference in this hard to compete segment?
I guess Desmond mentality has proven enough to make a difference up to now. Budget price tags on quality products. Well, indeed this is where this tripod package stands. The DCF-428 kit offers a very good quality equal to only top brands with a price tag difficult to believe.
The Tripod Legs
| Manufacturer Specification: | |
|---|---|
| Model: | DCF-428 |
| Leg Sections: | 4 |
| Material: | Carbon Fiber 8X |
| Maximum Leg ∅: | 28 mm / 1.10" |
| Max Height (Center Column Raised): | 1710 mm / 67.3" |
| Max Height (Center Column Down): | 1425 mm / 56.1" |
| Min Height (Short Center Column): | 241 mm / 9.5" |
| Leg Folding Mechanism: | 180° |
| Folded Length: | 49.5 mm / 19.5" |
| Weight: | 1.84 Kg / 4 lb |
| Max Load: | 20 Kg / 44 lb |
The above specifications refer to the tripod with the DB-40 ball head included in the kit
Features
- CNC machined Aluminium alloy spider.
- 8 X Layers Carbon Fiber legs.
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- Reversible center column with retractable sandbag hook.
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The Ball Head
| Manufacturer Specification: | |
|---|---|
| Model: | DB-40 |
| Ball Diameter: | 40 mm |
| Material: | Aluminium |
| Base Diameter: | 53 mm |
| Arca Style QR clamp: | Yes |
| Bubble Level: | Yes |
| Quick Release Plate: | 60 mm |
| Leg Folding Mechanism: | 180° |
| Folded Length: | 49.5 mm / 19.5" |
| Weight: | 1.84 Kg / 4 lb |
| Max Load: | 20 Kg / 44 lb |
For the record the kit is covered by a 5 year warranty
Once again, rest assured that functionality and quality are above expectation for the price range. Any minor issues have been wiped off, since I have personally participated in the evaluation and refinement of the pre-production samples.
In this respect I can verify that the DB-40 ball head is among the strongest, if not the strongest, in its caliber, surpassing models with larger 44 mm balls. The torque test results are top, but please wait until a full review comes out.
I hope you found the news interesting, thank you for viewing.
Photos ©2015 by courtesy of Desmond Photographic Distributors
Price & Availability:
The RRP of the Desmond DCF-428 + DB-40 tripod/head kit is US$ 199.95 shipping included in the Continental US.
However, for the holiday season both Desmond tripods - meaning also the previously released DCF-432 are available with a 15% discount.
Therefore, the DCF-428 + DB-40 Kit sells at the incredible US$ 169.96 and is available from Amazon or from eBay.
Referenced Articles:
Desmond to Release own Brand Carbon Fiber Tripods Soon
Relevant Articles:
Nest NT-6294CT Carbon Fiber Traveler Tripod Review
New Nest NT-6324CT Carbon Fiber Traveler Tripod Released
Triopo GX-1328 Carbon Fiber Classic Tripod Review
Thanks for the article. I am interested in a lightweight tripod and I'd like your opinion among the Nest NT-6295C Vs Desmond DCF-428
ReplyDeleteThanks also for commenting Oscar.
DeleteNest is still tops in detail and finishing. On the other hand, although cheaper Desmond is almost as good quality-wise.
However, there are some points that you have to consider before making a choice. NT-6295 is a 5 section tripod vs 4 sections of the DCF-428. Nest is a little bulkier larger in diameter but a little shorter when folded. Desmond has 3 leg angle stops vs 2 of the Nest. Desmond has closed foam grip and ss spikes while Nest doesn't.
BTW any minor flows of the Desmond design, were corrected by me before it hit the market, while keeping the budget low.
I hope to publish the hands on review soon and explain everything there.
Insane price increases recently. Went from $130 in Jan 2016 to $179 6/2/2016 to $199 6/2/2016 pm. Think they lowered the price to get the quality for the value reviews in for the product. Not sure at this new price point the value is there anymore for this model.
ReplyDeleteBetter read the Price and Availability section in the post above. Even when introduced in December 2015 the DCF-428 tripod kit price was $ 199.95 (including a ball head) and as explicitly stated there was a 15% discount for the Holiday season. Now it also sells for $ 169.95 without ball head.
DeleteI still think that the DCF-428 Carbon Fiber tripod represents a great value for money as at the time of its introduction.
Yeah, it's still really really aggressively priced... $170 is only $20 more than Sirui's equivalent ALUMINUM legs, the Desmond essentially saves you a pound for $20. Any chance a review is forthcoming?
DeleteI was actually about to purchase a pair of N-2004X with a K-20X head but I'm now tempted to go with Desmond.
Carbon Fiber tubes have more merits than weight saving. Are more rigid and absorb vibrations better than Alu.
DeleteDCF-428 review is among the pending reviews.
Unfortunately personal problems have kept me away from completing a lot of articles for some time now.
I'm sorry to hear that Soitris, I noticed there weren't a lot of posts this year on your wonderful site, I hope it all works out for ya! I've gone ahead and purchased the Desmond legs in the meantime along with a Sirui head, knowing you were involved in their testing gives me some reassurance.
DeleteI chimed in a few times last year when I was building a pano rig with a combination of Hejnar/Sunway parts... Your site was instrumental then as well as a couple helpful comment replies you wrote. Still can't figure out why my comments keep showing up under 'Unknown' even tho I signed in via Google, oh well.
Thanks for your kind comments.
DeleteYou won't regret your choice, this is good stuff directly from the source with a very low overhead and no intermediate costs, thus the low price. Enjoy!
Regarding your comments signature, it seems you comment signed in to blogger. If it were a Google mail account I guess it would show your name.