Review (ENG): Fotopro X-Aircross 2 Carbon tripod
The new tripod by FOTOPRO
Superlight, compact, innovative!
Those are the first three thoughts that came to my mind as soon as I saw and tested the newest tripod professional series by FOTOPRO: l’X-Aircross 2.
As I got the pack in my hands I thought it was empty ! I’m not joking. So excited, opening the package I found a soft pouch marked FOTOPRO. Once opened it reveled to me, besides the tripod, also another small pouch including a set of tools and the instructions/maintenance manual. At first sight is really good: excellent quality of carbon fiber, mouldings are neatly designed, even the smallest construction detail witness a serious, solid and professional product. The construction details give the idea of a serious, robust and professional product. Besides you can benefit of two fundamental qualities for a Travel Photographer:
– minimum size you can store this tripod into;
– a very light weight.
The X-Aircross 2 Carbon has an attractive and innovative design, available in 4 different colors (Flame Orange, Slate Gray, Jungle Green e Graphite Blue). Kit includes the central column, which can be removed, and the amazing ballhead FPH-42QR, I will tell you about it in a while.
Dimensions, weight, and…..
The X-Aircross 2 has really small dimensions being a professional and top quality tripod. As you can see from pictures with the legs folded up and inverted its length is only 36cm/14,17”, while with legs not inverted its length is 48cm/18.89”. Thanks to the building technology and materials it weigh only 850g/1,87lbs, being one of the lightest professional tripod on the market!
X-Aircross 2 allows you to shoot at different height level. Removing the central column, the minimum height level is only 17cm/6,69”, while at the maximum legs extension it reaches 126cm/49,60” arriving at 150cm/59,05” with the central column extended.
Tripod has carbon fiber legs divided into 5 sections with a diameter varying from 10mm/0,39” to 25mm/9,84”. Unfolding the legs is accomplished through a small rotation of the rubber foot. The innovation applied to the twist-lock system allows to open the first, second third or fourth section according to the number of rotations. A very and innovative smart system that avoid using multiple locks.
One of the legs is partially lined with silicon to have a better grip. Legs can be opened at 4 different angles: high angle, middle angle, low angle e reverse which adapt it to any shooting situation.
Those feature and materials allow the tripod to handle up to 10Kg load without any significant vibration.
Details and accessories
The structure of the main body and the collar neck area has been designed to minimize the overall dimensions, weight and to accommodate, an absolute peculiarity, further accessories. In fact, in addition to the height adjustment knob for the central column, there are two further threads, specifically designed to accommodate intelligent accessories such as the Multi-direction adjusting gripper,, a multidirectional arm that can support action-cameras, mobile phones, spot lights and even more.
Central column which rise the total height of the tripod up to 150cm/59,05” can be shortened partially removing a section.
It has a massive hook which, in windy conditions can hang sand bag or backpack to eliminate vibrations and add stability.
Ballhead
The X-Aircross 2 comes in kit with ball head mod. FPH-42QR, have a look! The lowest cylindric knob enable panning, horizontal rotation, referenced by an angle scale. The L-shape knob loosen and tighten the ball, and the last knob locks and unlocks the plate holder for Arca-Swiss, which has an embedded spirit level. What pushed me over the edge doing this review, besides its design and lightness is the possibility to horizontal rotate everything from the base. Hence, even if you don’t have the tripod perfectly levelled you can always make panoramas only levelling the plate holder, saving much time versus creating a wonderful composition. Maximum load the ball head can handle is 3kg/6,61lbs
Field testing
I used the X-Aircross 2 during my last shooting sessions. During the latest I was in the magic Val d’Orcia in Tuscany, while in the previous one on the Tellaro cliffs near where I live, close to La Spezia.
The X-Aircross 2 did a great performance, showing a very good stability on the Portovenere’s rocks. I also took 2 minutes shots in windy conditions without having any micro-movement demonstrating that the tripod has no vibrations even
To completely test the head I took a panorama, using the plate rotation. It was very easy to level the camera and rotations are really fluid. The clamp system is very precise and efficent and you feel safe the camera is well locked.
I streched my tests beyond testing the kit with my Canon R5 and the RF 100/500, telephoto lens with an average weight. In this configuration I got some vibration working at 500mm while in the range 100/200mm everything was stable and perfect. Bear in mind that the X-Aircross is not the perfect choice for those weights a focal length even if it can handle. At the end of my sea-side session I cleaned the legs top bottom with a dump cloth to remove backish residual and clean the carbon fiber.
Final toughts
Fantastic value for the dollar, it performs beautifully so I really feel like to suggest it to friends and photographers looking for a new tripod. Technical specs, its weight and dimensions make it an ideal travelling companion even more special for long trekking on mountains. Being able to package luggage to board on a plane or a backpack for a mountain trekking without struggling for weight and dimensions it’s really important!
Now I’m looking forward to test the big brother: Sherpa Plus di FOTOPRO!
For further information and to buy it online use the following link: FOTO PRO X-Aircross 2