Novo Helix T50 Carbon Fibre Tripod

Adam Waring discovers an unfeasibly small yet feature-packed travel tripod

- Adam Waring

Good things come in small packages and the Novo Helix T50 tripod is a prime example of this. Packing down to just 35.5cm with the legs wrapped neatly around the head, it extends to a decent, if unremarkable, operating height of 140cm and weighs in at a relatively lightweight 1.84kg with the BHP-32 ball head attached.

The tripod is available as a legs-only option but the kit is good value, saving around £50 ($50) over buying the legs and head separately.

When choosing to purchase a travel tripod, there are several aspects you need to consider as a photographer. Unsurprisingly, the overall weight is at the top of the list - indeed, that's probably the main reason you'd find yourself googling the phrase 'travel tripod' in the first place. However, versatility and maximum load are also important characteristics. While it's less of a problem with newer mirrorless cameras, which are lighter by nature, a tripod still needs to be sturdy in a firm breeze.

Luckily the Helix T50 ticks both of those boxes. The impressive height differential is achieved with no less than five extendible leg sections plus an additional two-section centre column. Despite the number of twist locks and lightweight build, the tripod feels rigid when fully extended, thanks to the chunky legs 'Superweave' construction, made from 10 layers of carbon fibre. The leg locks and spider are made of aviation-grade aluminium and have a smart black anodized finish. Novo claims that the legs can support a 20kg payload or up to 8kg with the included head, which is sufficient for a big full-frame, super telephoto lens and should support your kit in more exciting outdoor conditions.