Every photographer has those days (or trips) when we just want to bring a small and light camera and be more casual photographers. Then there are those, like me, who do not want to miss out if a tripod is needed on the go. This might be an option.
Compact cameras have surely made a comeback in the past couple of years, and no, I do not just mean smaller interchangeable-lens cameras, but even compact fixed-lens cameras have been getting more and more popular. Cameras like the Fujifilm X100VI, Ricoh GR IV, and Sony RX1R III have recently come out as updates to their brands’ powerful tiny cameras. At the same time, younger casual photographers have been rediscovering the point-and-shoot cameras of the early 2000s. To accompany any of those, especially for users who aim to do serious photography, this tripod from Fotopro aims to rise to the occasion.
The Fotopro Aircross 3
The Fotopro X-Aircross 3 is a carbon fiber travel tripod that folds down its five sections to a minimal length of just 365 mm (14.3 inches). It achieves this shorter length because they were divided into more sections and fold down without any external locks that would otherwise make the tripod longer. The entire tripod weighs just 940 grams, which is significantly light and easy to carry, but it can hold up to 5 kilograms of camera gear, which is considerably heavy for its own weight.
Each leg has a rubber foot that also serves as the grip for unlocking and locking the leg sections, since the actual locks are inside the telescopic carbon fiber rods. Because of that, it takes one twisting motion to fully unlock each leg and all four joints, and just another twisting motion to lock them all. However, it is important to fully tighten and twist all the way so that all leg sections are secure.
When each leg is fully extended along with the center column, the Aircross 3 reaches a maximum height of 1,510 mm (59.45 inches). However, it becomes considerably less stable when fully extended because of the elevated center of gravity whenever the camera is heavier than the center column and head assembly.
On the proximal end of each leg is an angle lock that allows for a wider spread of each leg. This can be used in combination with the fact that 80% of the center column’s length can be removed by simply twisting and screwing it off from the base. When that is done, the tripod can be used down to a minimum working height of 160 mm (6.6 inches) for low-angle shooting. Alternatively, the center column can also be inverted to achieve low angles as well.
On the central joint, adjacent to the angle locks, are 1/4-inch screw threads that can be used for mounting additional accessories and arms onto the tripod. Above this is where the tripod head is mounted, and the X-Aircross 3 comes in either a photo-centric ball head option or a video mini fluid head.
The ball head comes with a bottom 360-degree panning axis controlled by a small knob at the bottom. Above this is a knob that controls the main ball joint of the head. At the top of the ball is an Arca-Swiss compatible quick-release clamp that can also rotate on its own axis with the use of a secondary knob on the side opposite the lock. This allows for controlled panning action regardless of the level of the legs and relies only on the angle of the ball instead.
Application
It is absolutely counterproductive to bring a compact camera to “pack light” and then have to carry a big tripod just for the sake of sturdiness. There are a million and one different compact tripods out there, but most of them sacrifice stability for the sake of portability and design. This tripod is a good middle ground for such situations because, while it is not as small as those tripods with absurdly tall and flimsy center columns, it is still significantly small, light, and certainly stable enough for most use cases. It is also technically compatible with accessories and mounting tools used for relatively larger tripods and heavier camera setups, which makes it convenient to have as a secondary tripod for those who own more than one.
While this tiny tripod can technically carry larger camera setups, it is definitely more proportionate and apt for compact cameras like Fujifilm’s X100 line, Ricoh’s GR line, and Sony’s RX1R series. With such cameras, the additional accessory mounting ports can even be used for lights, microphones for vlogging, or whatever else can be helpful. It is easy to bring around and would definitely match the portability of compact cameras while still giving the user adequate height and angle options for when they want to do more than just handheld shooting.
The quick one-twist locking motion is also quite handy once the user has gotten used to it, but this could be enhanced if the internal locks had a more tactile response for each section to affirm that each leg has been securely locked. That would remove hesitation that twisting too much might break the legs. Of course, for casual photographers and travelers, this would be great for self-portraits and vacation photos, even with just a smartphone.
Given the weight and despite the payload capacity, this tripod is definitely not for rugged environments such as windy locations or when being submerged in flowing water. For anything else, especially for shooting around an urban location or outdoors in calm weather, the Fotopro X-Aircross 3 is definitely a great companion for a compact setup.
Ultimately, the Fotopro X-Aircross 3 feels like a thoughtful response to the needs of photographers who value mobility without completely compromising on function. It bridges that gap between convenience and capability, offering a professional feel in a form factor that doesn’t intimidate or weigh you down. Whether you’re wandering through a city, hiking a trail, or just slipping out for a weekend shoot, it’s the kind of tripod that quietly earns its place in your bag—ready for when inspiration appears without warning.
What I Liked
- Compact and lightweight tripod
- 5 kg payload
- Removable center column
What Can Be Improved
- Internal twist locks could have better tactile response
- Perhaps even a slightly larger version with external locks