Who might benefit from the T1 Plus Basic Set and T-Track options for the Pantour carbon fiber tripod? The way it is smartly designed, quite a few of us. We reviewed both options to see if it might be a fit for you.

Note: Fotopro sent us the Fotopro T1 Plus with Basic Set and T-Track Pantour carbon fiber tripod to review and keep. However, this is a completely independent review. All thoughts about this product are our own.

Pros

• Sturdy, smooth, solid build.
• You may remove the rubber cap to reveal the 6-claw all-terrain feet.
• Fotopro states that it passed a “Level 8 wind test” on the Beauford Scale.  Level 8 has wind speeds of “approximately 39–46 mph (62–74 km/h).” It also describes this as “twigs and small branches break off trees; generally impedes walking progress; walking into the wind is almost impossible.”
• You may pull out the tightening knob on the side of the ball head to set your own custom clamping level, essentially acting as a friction knob (Fotopro refers to this as “custom damping”). This works extremely well, and keeps the setting.
• The T-Track option offers a built-in leveling base, allowing you to loosen the center lock to level the ball head.
• Panorama Platform Locking Knob: the 360° pan-lock lever allows you to rotate the camera without affecting the vertical angle (tilt) or the main ball adjustment.
• The T-Basic option, which sort of acts like the center column, can be removed easily. The tripod has two 1/4″ expansion holes so you can attach accessories.
• The tripod can apparently be used from in extreme temperatures ranging from -40℃ to 70℃ (-40°F to 158°F.).
• Good quality carrying bag.

Cons

• Removing the quick release plate requires pressing a button on the tighten knob, which takes a little getting used to initially but works effectively. This is a safety feature that is pretty great, and works not only with the included quick release plate but with Arca-Swiss compatible plates and L-brackets as well.

Fotopro T1 Plus with Basic Set and T-Track Pantour carbon fiber tripod — Technical specifications

All of the technical specifications for the tripod are from the official Fotopro website. To be perfectly clear, this is information for the tripod plus two options, the Basic Set and the T-Track, which is a leveling bowl for video and panoramas.

• Max. Height: 1491MM/58.70 in (with T-Basic)
• Min. Height: 196MM/7.71 in (with T-Basic)
• Max. Height: 1521MM/59.88 (with the T-Track column)
• Min. Height: 226MM/8.89 in (with the T-Track column)
• Sections: 4
• Net weight: 1.94KG/4.27 lbs (with the T-Basic column)
• Net weight: 2.08KG/4.58 lbs (with the T-Track column)
• Dia. of Tube: 32MM/1.25 in
• Max. Load: 20KG/44.09 lbs
• Folded size: 606MM/23.85 in

Fotopro T1 Plus with Basic Set and T-Track Pantour carbon fiber tripod — Ergonomics and build quality

The ergonomics are generally quite good for everything. There are new features that I needed to get used to initially, but once I did, I thought they were pretty great. I’ll mention a few of these features.

Damping Knob

I love damping, or friction, knobs. I won’t purchase a ball head unless it has one. This determines how much damping, or friction, there is when you loosen the adjustment knob. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want my camera to suddenly become real loose and flop over. 

Fotopro’s damping knob is a great design once you know how it works. Pull out the most inner knob – the ones with the numbers – and turn it. The higher numbers have more friction. Their design allows you to set and forget it. The damping amount won’t change again through normal use. It works beautifully.

Safety Button

Most Arca-Swiss ball heads have a knob where you twist to tighten or loosen the clamp. Here, Fotopro has an extra feature, the Safety Button. You must first loosen the clamp, then press the Safety Button to release the camera. It works quite well.

Panorama Platform Locking Knob

This allows you to turn the camera 360 degrees without having to loosen the ball head. It’s a small lever located in one of the corners of the clamp. This is a fantastic feature to have, especially when used with the T-Track Leveling Bowl option.

Build quality…including Fotopro’s Great Wall wind test!

All of the knobs, levers, locks, and everything else work effectively and feel robust. Nothing wiggles. Everything feels like it was machined well and built solidly.

But there’s more. According to Fotopro, this tripod passed the Level 8 wind test. What’s that, you ask? I’m so glad you asked. Level 8 is part of the Beaufort Wind Scale. This was developed by British Admiral, Sir Francis Beaufort, in 1805 to help sailors estimate winds via visual observations. Everything is measured from a scale of 0-12. 

The Beauford Wind Scale describes Level 8 as this: “Gale. Winds of 39-46 miles per hour. Moderately high waves of greater length; edges of crests begin to break into spindrift. The foam is blown in well-marked streaks along the direction of the wind. Breaks twigs off trees; generally impedes progress.” Um, wow.

The Great Wall of China Test

Ever curious, I reached out to Fotopro, inquiring about how they test this. This was their response in its entirety:

This assessment is based on real-world validation under extreme conditions​ rather than a standardized laboratory wind tunnel test.

The test was conducted in the China Great Wall area, where strong winds are common, especially at higher and more exposed sections—wind speeds of Level 8 (approx. 17.2–20.7 m/s) are completely possible, especially during seasonal transitions and weather changes. Our product and engineering teams conducted field evaluations in such harsh, high-wind environments to assess the tripod’s performance and stability in practical shooting scenarios. While we don’t disclose the exact load and height parameters publicly, the test was designed to simulate demanding outdoor use with typical professional gear (using 70-200mm lens).

Do bear in mind that you could increase this tripod’s capability by using its hook to fasten weights to it. If you do this, especially if experiencing strong winds, I would recommend having the weight resting on the ground and then securely fastening it. This is so the weight doesn’t swing and cause unwanted vibrations.

I did not perform a high-wind test with my camera equipment. While you may be disappointed, you may rest easy knowing that you now have enough information to replicate the test like Fotopro did. Please report back your findings if you do.

The T-Basic center column accessory

I usually don’t use a center column. However, four column accessories, designed for different needs, make this versatile tripod even that much more versatile.

The T-Basic accessory, which is a basic center column, is a solidly built, no-nonsense, non-extendable column with a hook. This offers an additional 14″ of height and also offers additional versatility if spreading the tripod legs out to get down very low. The fully-extended height useful for tall 6’1″ (186cm) photographers like me. This weighs 0.24 lbs (0.11kg).

Switching between the T-Basic column, other accessories, or nothing at all is easy and quick. Once you loosen the base knob and press the release button, you can make the column switch and resecure it in a matter of seconds.

The T-Track accessory

The T-Track is designed to provide flat, consistent panning with custom damping in conjunction with the well-designed ball head. Especially welcome, the T-Track has a built-in leveling bowl non-extendable center column connects the tripod base to the dual-head pan/tilt system. Together, they work very well for creating panoramas. Simply level the T-Track bowl with by loosening and tightening the collar, or sleeve. Do the same with the ball head, making sure that the camera is even on both axes, and you are ready to go. 

Fotopro T1 Plus with Basic Set and T-Track Pantour carbon fiber tripod — In the field

I tested the tripod during a cold evening in Joshua Tree National Park during a nearly full moon. I found the rubber handle especially welcome here, not having to carry a cold tripod. Loosening and tightening the twist-locks of the tripod were easy, thanks in fact to the smooth action and knurled rubber coating of the locks. 

Because I had already adjusted the Damping Knob, loosening the ball head in the field felt perfect, and at no point was my camera in danger of flopping over suddenly while adjusting its position.

If I used accessories that needed a mount, this tripod would nod its (ball) head and say, “How can I help?” It has not one but two different ¼” screw mounts.

T-Track Leveling Bowl in the field

Having used the Basic Set column several times, I was excited to try out the T-Track leveling bowl accessory for some panoramas. I was able to level the T-Track bowl by loosening and tightening the collar or sleeve easily, making minute adjustments to get the bubble level as centered as possible. I did the same for the ball head, which also has a bubble level. After this, I made minute adjustments while looking at the camera’s two leveling axes (the roll axis (side-to-side tilt) and the pitch axis (front-to-back tilt). This worked extremely well, and I was able to get the camera quite level on both axes within a matter of minutes each time.

After that, the ball head allows you to turn the camera without loosening the ball head itself. This extremely useful and well-designed feature is 360° pan-lock lever (often referred to simply as the panoramic lever or independent panning knob) located at the base of the ball head, which allows for smooth 360-degree rotation of the camera without affecting the vertical angle (tilt) or the main ball adjustment. You simply unlock the lever, turn the camera, and lock the lever again. This makes the process of creating panoramas very quick and easy.

Smoooooooth

Every time I made an adjustment on the tripod, whether it was using the leveling bowl, ball head, or adjusting the legs, the tripod felt smooth and well-machined.

Size and weight in the field

The tripod is a little heavier than what I am used to at 4.27 lbs, as my tripod is 2.58 lbs. This was noticeable but not annoying when I was carrying the tripod for about half a mile. But the Fotopro does support approximately 44 pounds. 

It folds down to approximately 24″. This is a bit too large to be regarded as a travel tripod, and it’s not meant to be. It’s going to be a lot more robust and able to handle much heavier loads than a typical travel tripod as well. It was small enough that I could attach it to my photography backpack and walk around at night easily.

Fotopro T1 Plus with Basic Set and T-Track Pantour carbon fiber tripod — “Flexible and robust”

This is an impressive, smooth, well-machined, and extremely flexible carbon fiber tripod that holds up well in many different scenarios. If you are looking for a well-designed, heavy-duty tripod that will do whatever you want just about about wherever you want, have a close look at the Fotopro T1 with one or more of its four options. Excellent.