Tilta VT05 Carbon Fiber Tripod with Fluid Head Released

Tripod News

by Jakub HanAugust 12^th, 2024

Tilta VT05 carbon fiber travel tripod offers 4-sectioned legs with a removable center column, a maximum height of 63″ (1600mm), and multiple 1/4″-20 mounting threads with locating pins. The fluid head has a maximum payload of 11lb (5kg) and features a 90° rotatable ARCA Swiss receiver, an integrated leveling bowl, a telescopic adjustable pan handle, and an integrated flathead screwdriver. The tripod is available now for $269. (A limited-time price offer).

Though very light travel tripods with simple ball heads (such as this FALCAM model) are already quite common, so far it hasn’t been an easy task finding one with a capable compact video head. Is this about to change?

The Chinese accessories manufacturer Tilta just announced a new carbon fiber travel tripod with a fluid head focused on video work on the go. Especially the head has a few interesting features that are not common in this price/weight category. Let’s take a quick look at the features and specs of the new Tilta VT05.

Tilta VT05 carbon fiber travel tripod

The Tilta VT05 tripod legs feature a two-stage detachable center column with a locking lever for extended height as well as extremely low angles. When reversed (mounted upside down), the column allows for a minimum shooting height of 5.12″ (130mm). Made out of 10-layered (diamond cross-woven) carbon fiber, the 4-sectioned legs (diameters of 25, 22, 19, and 16mm) are durable and lightweight according to Tilta. The connecting parts are made out of aluminum alloy.

Regarding the working height of the tripod-head combo, the maximum height (with the center column lowered) is 52.05″ (1322mm). After extending the center column fully, the tripod reaches 63″ (1600mm). The minimum working height (with the center column mounted normally) is 9″ (230mm).

With a simple twist, the legs can quickly be switched from rubber feet to metal spikes when needed. The tripod legs feature semi-automatic locks for quicker leg angle adjustment. The maximum payload of the legs is 22lb (10kg).

When collapsed for transport, the whole tripod’s dimensions are 23.23″ x 5.75″ x 5.5″ (590mm length). Its weight is 4.41 lb (2 kg). The Tilta VT05 tripod comes in two colors – space gray and forest green.

Tilta VT05 fluid head

For me, the most interesting thing about the new tripod is the head as it features some interesting functionality given its size. It supports up to 11lb (5kg) payload and offers a 180° tilt range (-90° to +90°) and 360° panoramic base for smooth horizontal panning.

The head utilizes an ARCA Swiss receiver with a quick-release plate. The good thing is that the top of the head can be rotated by 90° which makes it easier to skip the quick-release plate and mount the camera directly on the cage as many cage designs feature ARCA Swiss-compatible baseplate.

There are multiple 1/4″-20 mounting threads with locating pins for mounting various accessories both on the tripod and on the fluid head.

The head has a telescopic adjustable pan handle and, surprisingly, also sports an integrated leveling bowl for quick balancing. Known for their camera cages, Tilta also included a magnet-attached flathead screwdriver in the head’s design.

Price and availability

The Tilta VT05 travel tripod is now available, and they claim that every pre-order ships within a week. When it comes to price, the full retail price is $299, but until August 21 you can get the tripod 10% off (for $269).

For more information please visit Tilta’s VT05 product page.

What tripod are you using when traveling? Do you take a compact fluid head with you? What do you think about the new Tilta VT05? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section underneath the article.