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SmallRig 4221 Travel Video Tripod Kit

BH #SM4221 • MFR #4221
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SmallRig 4221 Travel Video Tripod Kit
Key Features
  • Load Capacity: 8.8 lb
  • Max Height: 63", Folded Length: 16.1"
  • Leg Sections: 4, Weight: 3 lb
  • Ball Head with Pan and Friction Knobs
Keep your video capture treks lightweight with the 4221 Travel Video Tripod Kit from SmallRig. This kit pairs the 4170 Video Head with a compact carbon fiber tripod. This lightweight system weighs only 3 lb yet supports up to 8.8 lb, providing a portable support for professional photographers, videographers, and vloggers. It reaches a maximum height of 63" when using the center column, folds down to 16.1" for easy transport in the included carrying bag, and features a detachable leg that combines with the ball head to form a monopod.
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SmallRig Travel Video Tripod Kit Overview

Keep your video capture treks lightweight with the 4221 Travel Video Tripod Kit from SmallRig. This kit pairs the 4170 Video Head with a compact carbon fiber tripod. This lightweight system weighs only 3 lb yet supports up to 8.8 lb, providing a portable support for professional photographers, videographers, and vloggers. It reaches a maximum height of 63" when using the center column, folds down to 16.1" for easy transport in the included carrying bag, and features a detachable leg that combines with the ball head to form a monopod.

The compact ball head provides 360°of pan and 145° of tilt, and its quick release Arca-type plate has a 1/4"-20 camera screw. Other features include two 1/4"-20 threads on the legs for accessories or extension arms and three adjustable, individual leg angles.

Portable Travel Tripod
  • Lightweight, portable carbon fiber tripod and mini ball head system.
  • Weighs just 3 lb but supports up to 8.8 lb camera rigs.
  • Arca-type quick release plate with a 1/4"-20 camera screw.
  • Two 1/4"-20 threads enable you to mount accessories like articulating arms.
Versatile Height Range
  • Provides a maximum working height of 63" when used with the center column.
  • Each tripod leg adjusts individually in three angles: 23, 55, and 85°
  • Folds down to 16.1" for easy carrying.

SmallRig Travel Video Tripod Kit Specs

Key Specs
Camera Mounting
1/4"-20 Screw (Quick Release Plate: Arca-Type)
Head Type
Fluid Head
Drag Control
No
Primary Material
Carbon Fiber
Load Capacity
8.8 lb / 4 kg
Maximum Working Height
63.0" / 160 cm
Minimum Working Height
22" / 56 cm
Closed Length
16.1" / 41 cm
Weight
3.02 lb / 1.37 kg
Head
Camera Mounting
1/4"-20 Screw (Quick Release Plate: Arca-Type)
Head Type
Fluid Head
Base Mount
Flat Base with 3/8"-16 Female
Counter Balance
No
Dimensions
Base Diameter: 1.5" / 37.00 mm
Height: 3.5" / 88.00 mm
Pan & Tilt
Drag Control
No
Independent Pan Lock
Yes
Independent Tilt Lock
Yes
Vertical Tilt
+90° to -55°
Lateral Tilt
No
Legs
Primary Material
Carbon Fiber
Leg Lock
Flip Lock
Leg Sections
4
Independent Leg Spread
Yes
Leg Positions
3 Positions
Foot Features
Spiked
General
Load Capacity
8.8 lb / 4 kg
Maximum Working Height
63.0" / 160 cm
Center Column
Yes: Removable
Minimum Working Height
22" / 56 cm
Closed Length
16.1" / 41 cm
Accessory Mounting
2x Pan Handle Fitting
2x 1/4"-20 Female Thread
Bubble Level
Yes
Spreader Support
No
Weight
3.02 lb / 1.37 kg
Packaging Info
Package Weight
3.65 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
14.8 x 4.4 x 4.4"

SmallRig Travel Video Tripod Kit Reviews

Brilliant

By Stephen
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2025-07-30

This little tripod is a brilliant solution to versatility and mobility. Light weight and compact and ready to do a pro job with today's light weight cameras. May not be best for long and heave lenses but take this on your road bag for all your prime lenses - It is perfect !

Tripod legs ok, pan head not suitable for video work.

By Gothic Albany
Rated 2 out of 5
Date: 2024-01-30

I got this tripod to use for hike-in video shots because of its small size and light weight. I checked and it really does weight only 3 pounds. While the legs are good for the price and weight, the video head is inadequate for pro or semi-pro work. Video Head: Pros: Small and lightweight. I like the ability to level the video head when the legs are not perfectly level. You can tighten down the quick release plate without interference from the camera body, an issue that is common on many other smaller video heads. Construction appears durable, although I have not field tested yet. It has a level bubble, although like other small tripods, it is recessed, and small which makes it hard to see correctly. Cons: There is no fluid drag for pans. The pan head is very free with no resistance, making good smooth pans impossible. This tripod is unsuitable if you need to pan, it is only marginally better than the plastic head tripods from big box stores. Despite the fact that it says it has a pan friction knob, this does not work to adjust the drag like on a real fluid head, it only locks down the pan head. Also while it has some counterbalance for tilts, the quick release plate is not long enough so my camera can not balance correctly to take advantage of this. Also the pan arm is way too short. Even though it is extendable, it only extends to 9 inches. Tripod legs: I was going to return this tripod on account of the poor video head pan performance, but then realized that it would cost more to get separate carbon fiber legs than buying this tripod kit. I like the light weight of the carbon fiber legs. Just be advised that it is not very tall unless you raise one or both of the center columns. I am a little concerned about the plasticly feel of the flip locks, but otherwise the construction seems adequate. In summary: I'll keep the tripod for the carbon fiber legs. I will only use the head if I know ahead of time I don't need to pan or tilt and only doing lockdown shots. Otherwise a different head like the Benro S2 needs to be used. (Note that the S2 will increase the weight by about half a pound which is well worth it). If you use a different video head, you can level only by manually adjusting the legs, because the leveling is build into the video head of this kit, not the legs. If they could get a working fluid drag, or at least smooth drag with some resistance, along with a longer pan arm then this tripod would be worth considering. Until then, only consider it for the legs unless you only do lockdown shots. Also attention still photographers, this may be the cheapest carbon fiber tripod you can get unless B&H has one on sale.

See any errors on this page?

Is this tripod suitable for vertical portrits as ...

Is this tripod suitable for vertical portrits as well? Looking for a video + stills tripod.
Asked by: Leslie
The SmallRig 4221 Travel Video Tripod Kit has a fluid head without a ballhead. For shooting vertical, the camera will need to be turned on its side with either a cage or an L-bracket.
Answered by: Jonathan S
Date published: 2025-10-08

Does the head have resistance pan or just loose?

Does the head have resistance pan or just loose?
Asked by: SOHEIL
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