SmallRig AD-120 Heavy-Duty Carbon Fiber Tripod Released

Tripod News

by Jakub HanMay 31^st, 2024

The SmallRig AD-120 tripod offers three-section carbon fiber legs with FreeSpeed locking – one flip lock per leg. Working height is available from 58cm (22.8″) to 197cm (77.5″). The included DH12 fluid head features an adjustable 6-step counterbalance system (1-8kg) and step-less damping system for pan and tilt. The quick-release plate is compatible with the DJI RS series and Manfrotto plates. The tripod kit with both mid-level and ground spreaders and a carrying bag is available now for $475.15.

The Chinese company SmallRig is known for producing affordable and “well-thought-through” camera accessories – cages, grip arms, clamps, etc. Nowadays SmallRig produces a wide variety of products including LED lights, batteries, and even microphones. When it comes to tripods, SmallRig is a relatively new player in the field, but the company already managed to launch some interesting products.

Last year, for instance, we reported about the SmallRig FreeBlazer tripod for up to 8kg payloads. At this year’s NAB show, we made a video about a Smallrig x Potato Jet collaboration resulting in a hydraulic tripod called Tribex (available from July 2024). Now, SmallRig officially launched another new tripod called AD-120. Let’s take a quick look at its features and specs.

SmallRig AD-120 heavy-duty carbon fiber tripod

The words heavy-duty are part of the tripod’s name – that is how SmallRig calls their line of video tripods. How heavy-duty the tripod really is, of course, has to be tested in hands-on reviews. Perhaps the most notable design feature of the tripod legs is SmallRig’s FreeSpeed locking technology which can lock/unlock each leg with only one flip lock. This should make it easier and quicker to extend the tripod to its full height.

The AD-120 tripod features three-section legs made out of circular carbon fiber tubes (16mm / 0.6″ diameter, a total of 5 tubes per leg). The working height is available between 58cm (22.8″) and 197cm (77.5″) – from the ground to the top of the camera plate. The folded length is 99cm (38.9″), and the feet feature built-in metal spikes that are covered with detachable flat feet.

SmallRig includes both mid-level and ground spreaders with the tripod. The size of each spreader can be adjusted with knobs to provide different angles for the legs. This contributes to the flexibility in the tripod’s height and enables low-angle shooting. Each spreader can be removed with an easy one-touch design.

SmallRig DH12 Fluid Head

The tripod kit comes equipped with the SmallRig DH12 fluid head. This features an adjustable 6-step dynamic counterbalance system that can balance payloads from 1kg up to 8kg (17.6lb) (when the height of the gravitational center is 55mm / 2.2″ – according to the company). The step-less damping system of the fluid head can be adjusted with two anti-slip knobs (pan and tilt).

The fluid head adopts a new Touch-and-Go quick-release mount plate design which does not require alignment and is more efficient than traditional slide-in plates. The plate is compatible with the DJI RS series and Manfrotto quick-release plates.

The detachable telescopic pan handle allows rotation and it can be attached to both the left and right side of the head using the two stainless steel ARRI rosette mounts. The head features a detachable 75mm bowl base with 3 built-in anti-rotation screws.

You can mount various accessories to the 1/4″-20 threaded mounting hole with locating pins that SmallRig included on the side of the head.

SmallRig AD-120 key features

• FreeSpeed one-key locking quick height adjustment
• Adjustable 6-step fluid counterbalance system up to 8kg
• Adjustable step-less damping system for pan and tilt 
• Easy switch between Manfrotto and DJI RS quick-release plates
• Interchangeable ground and mid-level spreaders
• flat and spiked feet
• Working height from 58cm (22.8″) to 197cm (77.5″)

Price and availability

The SmallRig AD-120 tripod kit is already available for $559, but there is currently a $84 discount, so the kit can be purchased for $475.15.

On top of the tripod-head combo with both spreaders, the kit further includes a customized carrying bag for storage and protection, an Allen wrench, a phone holder, and a user manual.

Do you use any of the SmallRig tripods for your productions? What do you think about the new SmallRig AD-120 tripod? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section underneath the article.