{"id":66630,"date":"2025-03-12T06:33:08","date_gmt":"2025-03-12T05:33:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/?p=66630"},"modified":"2025-07-05T09:41:13","modified_gmt":"2025-07-05T08:41:13","slug":"review-fotopro-origin-plus-travel-tripod","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phillipreeve.net\/blog\/review-fotopro-origin-plus-travel-tripod\/","title":{"rendered":"REVIEW: FotoPro Origin Plus Travel Tripod"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Do you even need a tripod these days? To be honest, the necessity of tripods has been significantly reduced thanks to highly effective in-body image stabilisation, improved image quality at high ISOs and AI noise reduction, super-wide dynamic range of today’s digital sensors, and in-camera HDR modes.<\/p>\n

Despite modern tech making tripods less necessary in some situations, they\u2019re still invaluable in plenty of others. Tripods remain essential for long-exposure and astro photography, staging group photos, and focus stacking, to achieve sharp and crisp landscapes from close foreground to infinity, and especially for macro photography. Other applications where tripods are crucial include architectural photography, when you need to set up your camera with supreme precision, or when taking a series of shots with incremental panning to create panoramas. They also free up your hands for attaching or removing accessories like lens filters and microphones. Furthermore, tripods are indispensable for video work and studio photography.<\/p>\n

So, which tripod should you choose?
\nMany of us know about high-end tripods like Gitzo and RRS, but are we always willing to pay a premium for that level of quality and reputation? And what about newer, lesser-known brands? one of them: the Fotopro Origin Plus Travel Tripod, a model that promises innovation and stability at a competitive price. Let’s have a look!<\/p>\n

\"\"You can see this review as\u00a0a\u00a0YouTube\u00a0video\u00a0here<\/a>!
\n\"\"Sample images in high resolution here<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sample Images<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Long exposure on Fotopro Origin Plus tripod<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Precise architectural photography in Low light (1\/6 s) on Fotopro Origin Plus tripod<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Panorama made of multiple exposures on a Fotopro Origin Plus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The original panorama of the previous image<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Multiple exposures on a Fotopro Origin Plus tripod<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
Long exposure on Fotopro Origin Plus tripod<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

\"\"
Long exposure on Fotopro Origin Plus tripod<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Long exposure\/Astrophotography on a tripod<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Panorama, precise framing\/composition in low light (1\/4 s) on a tripod<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Focus stacking + Exposure bracketing on a tripod (Credit Hamed Qane)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Most of the sample images in this review and many more can be found in higher resolution here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Specifications<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Folded size with head (without head)<\/td>\n50.4 cm (42,4 cm)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max height with head (without head)<\/td>\n153.4 cm (145 cm)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Height column down with head (without head)<\/td>\n126.7 cm (119.5 cm)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Min height with head (without head)<\/td>\n17 cm (8.7 cm)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/td>\n1.53 kg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Max load<\/td>\n20 kg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Number of leg sections<\/td>\n4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Leg section lock type<\/td>\nCam lever<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Diameter of Tube<\/td>\n32 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Head Model<\/td>\nFotopro Ball Head O-8H<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Diameter of Ball<\/td>\n44 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Buy:
\n<\/strong>Fotopro Origin Plus: Amazon (anywhere) ,<\/a> Fotopro website<\/a> for $309 (Affiliate links)
\nFotopro Origin: Amazon (anywhere)<\/a>, Fotopro Store<\/a> for $299 (Affiliate links)
\nFotopro Quick Release: Amazon (Anywhere) <\/a>, Photopro store<\/a> for $39 (Affiliate links)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Disclosure<\/span><\/h2>\n

Fotopro kindly sent this tripod for test and review purposes, however this is a totally independent review.<\/p>\n

Variations<\/span><\/h2>\n

There is also a smaller sibling, the Fotopro Origin travel tripod (without the “Plus” designation), which features a smaller ball head and a maximum load capacity of 15 kg.<\/p>\n

The tripod I am testing is the Fotopro Origin Plus travel tripod with grey accents. This model is also available in an all-black version and a “20th Anniversary Edition” with gold-accent details.<\/p>\n

Additionally, both tripods are available as a kit with a fluid head instead of a ball head, making them suitable for video work.<\/p>\n

\"Fotopro
Fotopro Origin Plus tripod | Black with fluid head, Grey with ball head, Anniversary Edition with ball head<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Handling and Features<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Tripod<\/h3>\n

The Fotopro Origin Plus’s all leg sections are constructed from 8-layer Japanese “Toray” 3K diagonal weave carbon fibre, the centre column is made of aluminium magnesium alloy. This has made the tripod 1.53 kg, including the ball head. Fotopro has opted for a non-cylindrical design for the tripod\u2019s 4-section legs, similar (but not exactly) to the ones seen first on Peak Design Travel tripod legs. Here the legs have an irregular polygonal shape with the outer edge rounded.<\/p>\n

Half of the upper section of one leg is covered with thick rubber, providing a convenient grip and preventing your hand from freezing in cold weather. The centre column is triangular. The legs and centre column are designed so that when folded, everything fits together. Thanks to the shape, the legs fold neatly into each other, which provides a super slim overall diameter when the tripod is folded in for packing or travel. This gives a much smaller packed volume than most tripods. For reference here next to a 0.5 l water bottle.<\/p>\n

\"Fotopro
Fotopro Origin Plus tripod | Next to a 0.5 l water bottle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The centre column features a hook at the lower end for hanging ballast or backpack for added weight and stability e.g. in windy conditions. The hook features a spring mechanism that keeps it securely in place. With slight force or when a weight is hung on it, the hook releases and can be rotated without loosening, allowing you to adjust its angle in four different directions.<\/p>\n