Novo Explora T5

£199/$279 Carbon for the price of aluminium

We’ve been taken with the quality, performance and affordability of Novo carbonfibre tripods in the past. The T5 undercuts the T10 that we’ve previously reviewed for price, weight and load capacity, and it’s a little shorter as well. It’s actually the lightest kit in this group, at just 1.43kg, but still has a very decent maximum load rating of 10kg for both legs and head.

With four sections per leg, it doesn’t fold down particularly small, at 47cm, but manages a maximum operating height of 161cm. The carbon legs are resistant to flexing and vibration, even when fully extended and utilizing the bottom sections that only have a 14mm diameter.

Simple but effective, the ball head has quite a unique design. There’s the often-seen adjustable friction damper, but it’s built into the main release knob. There are not one but two pan-only release knobs: one that enables rotation of the entire head, the other allowing only the camera platform to rotate. A bubble level is featured, but you can only see it after removing the Arca-Swiss compatible quick-release plate.

Features

There are two pan-only release mechanisms, one of them just for the camera platform.

Swing-up legs reduce carrying size, and one leg is detachable for use as a monopod.

Performance

The Explora T5 is not the tallest tripod in the group and it doesn’t fold down the smallest, but it offers a good compromise in a particularly light yet nicely engineered package. The pull-off rubber foot pads that reveal metal spikes are a nice touch, and everything about the design works simply and efficiently. The look and feel of carbon-fibre also adds a touch of luxury at the price.

WE SAY

Build quality and performance are impressive for a relatively inexpensive carbon tripod kit.