Really Right Stuff TFC-14 Test Results

The RRS TFC-14 is the smallest and lightest standard tripod made by Really Right Stuff.  As we typically expect from them, the test results are impressive.  I expect this tripod to be one of the stiffest, if not the stiffest, available at its size and weight.  As usual for RRS, the damping isn’t in the same league as the stiffness of the tripod, so long lenses on this tripod will be a problem.

NameRRS TFC-14
ClassTravel
Stiffness About Vertical Axis703 +/- 1 Nm/rad
Damping About Vertical Axis0.204 +/- 0.02 Js/rad
Stiffness About Radial Axis2521 +/- 10 Nm/rad
Damping About Radial Axis0.422 +/- 0.042 Js/rad
Retail Price$795
Weight2.33 lbs (1.058 kgs)
Manufacturer weight rating25 lbs
Maximum Height47.2 in (119.9 cm)
Minimum Height11.1 in (28.2 cm)
Center ColumnNo
Base Diameter1.6 in (4.1 cm)
Folded Length17.2 in (43.7 cm)
Folded Circumference8.8 in (22.4 cm)
Folded Volume106.0 cu. in. (1.7 liters)
Leg MaterialCarbon Fiber
Leg Sections4
Primary Leg Angle25 deg
Leg LocksTwist
Top Tube Diameter28.5 mm
Second Tube Diameter24.5 mm
Third Tube Diameter20.5 mm
Fourth Tube Diameter16.4 mm
Exchangeable FeetYes
Foot TypeRubber
Bottom HookYes

The stiffness and damping data are the averages of 10 trials for each measurement.  The reported error is the standard error, except in the case of the damping data.  I have set the error in the damping at 10% as the standard error metric does not appropriately capture the error in fitting to the data.  All of the reported specifications are measured, with the exception of the weight rating.

Example data for oscillations about the vertical axis of the tripod:

Beautiful fit.  The damping is adequate, but not spectacular.

Very clean frequency space data showing that we are very obviously hitting the resonance frequency.

Example data for oscillations about the radial axis of the tripod:

 

Excellent performance.  As usual, the stiffness and damping are significantly higher for oscillations about a radial axis compared.  There was a little bit higher variance in the spring constant than I am used to, as reflected in the reported error.

Yep, we are fitting to the correct resonance.