K&F Concept X284C2 review

Every time I see this tripod online, it’s been heavily discounted, from £599 to £299, a marketing tactic that usually raises alarm bells for photographic equipment. However, having recently received a sample and often being asked about K&F Concept, I decided to put it to a more rigorous, long-term field test.

Upon arrival, the quality of the tripod was striking; it genuinely looks and feels premium. The weight balance is good, brass washers are used around the leg joints, the ball head locks and releases smoothly, and the rotation of the ball head itself is fluid.

The leg sections and locks are all in place and function well, although they are slightly sticky, as is common with new tripods, but they soon settle down for easy locking and releasing. The overall finish is excellent, and there’s some real innovation, like the quick-release centre column, which is the best design I’ve encountered yet and pleasantly surprising.

However, the design isn’t flawless. The 3/8-inch accessory ports, while a great feature, lack rotation stops, which is a minor annoyance.
Additionally, the bubble level fell out after a week. A bit of glue fixed it securely back in place, but this is an issue I’ve encountered with almost every tripod brand over 20 years, so it’s not a major concern.

So, what is the K&F Concept X284C2? It’s a very nice surprise, appearing to be a well-designed and robust carbon tripod. However, the heavy discounting still makes me wonder: Is this truly a £299 carbon tripod or a £599 one?

“Not what I expected” is the only way to describe the tripod I found within the stylish yet somewhat standard carry case. The grey fabric bag is functional and understated, resembling many affordable carbon tripods on the market. However, the tripod inside was something altogether different.

Firstly, unlike other budget carbon tripods, everything feels tight, and not just when the knobs are tightened. Even when they’re loosened for rotating the head, adjusting the friction, or extending a leg, there’s little to no play in the joints, indicating a definite sense of precision. This precision, a byproduct of the accuracy of CNC machining, suggests that such quality is no longer exclusive to premium brands.

The paint, anodising, and carbon finish also seemed top-notch. After a couple of initial releases and locks of the legs, the leg sections moved smoothly in and out.

On closer inspection, there’s little, if anything, not to like about the tripod. The design seems solid, and the knobs for releasing and locking the various parts all seem robust enough.

A couple of standout features immediately caught my attention. The first is the centre column; released with the main knob as with other tripods and withdrawn, the hook on the bottom twists to retract the base stoppers, allowing the column to be lifted clear of the crown. Then, by rotating the collar and depressing the two buttons on either side of the head, the head is removed and can be placed atop the tripod minus the centre column. This mechanism is incredibly neat.

Additionally, there’s the usual Arca-Swiss-compatible head, three-angle legs, interchangeable feet, twist locks, friction control ball head, and accessory ports on two sides, which are a nice touch despite the lack of rotation stops. Overall, it’s all looking very promising.

The K&F Concept X284C2+BH-40L is part of the company’s X series and has been awarded a Reddot design award for its fusion of functionality and design. This carbon fibre tripod, at an almost constant discounted rate, offers a competitive price and will appeal to both professionals and enthusiasts.

Central to its appeal is the carbon fibre construction, balancing stability with lightweight portability – the tripod weighs just 1.845 kg. This combination of features makes it an attractive proposition in the market.

A notable aspect of the X284C2+BH-40L is its dual-form design, allowing for seamless transitions between two states: one without a centre column, offering enhanced stability, and another with an extendable centre column for adjustable shooting heights. With the centre column, the tripod reaches a maximum working height of 1573mm (61.92 inches), and without it, the height is 1281mm (50.4 inches). When packed down, the tripod measures a compact length of 546mm (21.4 inches), facilitating easy transport and storage.

The tripod’s load capacity is equally impressive, supporting up to 25 kg (55 lbs), thanks to a ball head featuring a 40mm sphere diameter. This capacity makes it suitable for a wide range of filming equipment, catering to diverse creative needs.

Further enhancing its versatility are the interchangeable feet, which can be adapted to various terrains, including mud, sand, and stone. This adaptability ensures reliable performance across different shooting conditions. The tripod also features four leg sections, with diameters ranging from 19mm to 28mm (0.74″ to 1.1″), providing additional stability and flexibility.

The real test of the tripod goes beyond its great looks; aside from needing a little glue for the bubble level, the initial tests proved that it offers very solid performance.

The overall finish is exceptional, and I’ve found myself really warming to the tripod over the weeks I’ve used it. This tripod is well-suited for enthusiasts who take good care of their equipment. It’s well-made, with materials that have been thoughtfully chosen and crafted.

For professionals who might be rougher with their gear, tossing it into the back of a van rather than placing it carefully, there’s a higher chance of losing small parts like the bubble level. However, there’s no reason this relatively affordable carbon tripod won’t last for years.

In use, the legs quickly loosen from their new stiffness, providing ample support for small to medium-sized cameras. I’d avoid using it with anything too large, but it seems strong enough to hold the weight it claims.

The adjustability of the tripod head is commendable, offering a good range of movement through the friction control. The knob sizes and positions are well thought out, though the friction control and panorama lock are somewhat close together.

As highlighted throughout the review, a standout feature is the speed of the centre column’s removal; it’s quick and easy, free of threads or screws, and locks solidly in place, with or without it. This design is excellent.

Another point I appreciate is that the company has opted not to include a monopod leg. This means you can carry the tripod on any leg without worrying it might loosen. I’ve gone to the extent of using Locktite on one tripod for this reason; if I need a monopod, I’ll bring one!

Overall, the tripod performs well. The one disappointment is the 3/8-inch accessory port. The thread size is great for attaching larger monitors and battery holders, but for monitors, the lack of a rotation stop can lead to the monitor rotating.

In various conditions, including wind, rain, and sun, the tripod, though now muddy and in need of cleaning, performed incredibly well.
On the maintenance front, the leg sections can all be easily removed, cleaned, and reinstalled without any fuss, which is a major plus.

This is a challenging one as if the K&F Concept X284C2+BH-40L were at full price, and it would be competing with some of the best photographic tripods on the market, like the Gitzo Traveller Series 1. Even at its discounted price, it faces competition from the likes of Vanguard Veo 3+ 263CB and Benro Rhino, among countless others.

When compared to these rivals, even considering the innovation of the centre column, it’s challenging to determine if this tripod will truly endure over time in a short-term test. So far, after rigorous use, it seems promising; it’s already borne a few battle scars – being soaked, covered in mud, and well-used.

For my money, at £300, it’s a good deal and holds its own against some of the best in the market. However, at the full price tag of £599, I would recommend waiting for a discount. The K&F Concept X284C2+BH-40L is a decent tripod, but it’s a bit overpriced at full value and better priced at £299.