Really Right Stuff TFC-24 MK2 carbon tripod of the Ultralight Series 2

Really Right Stuff TFC-24 MK2 carbon tripod of the Ultralight Series 2 for demanding travel photography

You’re looking for a three-legged tripod that hardly makes a difference in your backpack, but holds your camera as steady as if it were set in concrete? This is exactly the niche the Really Right Stuff TFC-24 MK2 carbon tripod of the Ultralight Series 2 fills. Compact when packed, light in weight and yet surprisingly stable, it is made for travel photography, landscape photography, telephoto work, hide photography and architectural photography.

With its fixed tripod shoulder and particularly slim design, it fits easily into many camera backpacks or even crosswise into a travel bag. It is a carbon tripod that doesn’t look like a compromise, but like a well-thought-out solution for photographers who are on the move a lot and still don’t want to put up with wobbly stopgaps.

Ultralight Series 2 with 4 leg sections for maximum flexibility on the go

Each leg of the TFC-24 MK2 is divided into 4 sections with diameters of 33, 29, 25 and 21 millimeters. This combination provides an optimal ratio of stiffness to packed size. You can collapse the tripod to a very compact length and still have a solid base, even when working with telephoto lenses.

The transport length is about 50 centimeters, and the packed diameter remains pleasantly slim. This allows you to easily attach the tripod to the outside of your backpack or stow it in a narrow bag without feeling like you’re hauling half your household with you. It is clearly designed for mobile work without sacrificing stability.

Stable load capacity and well-designed specs for DSLRs and telephoto lenses

Despite its low weight of about 1.54 kilograms (depending on configuration also around 1.433 kilograms), the TFC-24 MK2 offers an impressive load capacity. Fully extended, it is rated for up to 18 kilograms of payload, so medium-sized camera-lens combinations are well within its comfort zone. Typical setups such as DSLR cameras with 70–200 mm f/2.8 or 300 mm f/4 lenses can be operated safely and steadily.

The maximum working height is around 1.25 meters. This lets you work very comfortably while seated, kneeling or slightly leaning forward, especially in nature or in a hide. At the same time, the minimum working height of about 8.6 to 9.0 centimeters is extremely low, giving you ground-level perspectives for macros, landscape details or unusual architectural views. This range from very low to comfortably high makes the tripod surprisingly versatile in everyday use.

Large-diameter carbon tubes for stability and vibration damping

The ultra-thin-walled, large-diameter carbon tubes are the heart of the construction. They provide excellent stability and very good vibration absorption at low weight. Really Right Stuff’s patented carbon is designed to quickly soak up vibrations so that your long exposures, telephoto shots or night images don’t fail due to micro-movements.

Especially in telephoto and hide photography, when you’re working with longer focal lengths or perhaps waiting in the cool morning air for the perfect moment, this stiffness really pays off. The tripod remains steady even if you grip the camera a bit more firmly or the wind picks up a little.

Slender, fixed tripod shoulder for compact packed size and accessory mounting

The fixed tripod shoulder of the TFC-24 MK2 is deliberately kept narrow. As a result, the overall diameter of the tripod in transport position remains about 9.7 centimeters, which makes stowing it significantly easier. At the same time, the shoulder is designed to provide a solid base for your ball head. The RRS BH-40 ball head is particularly recommended here, as it matches the tripod perfectly in size, weight and load capacity.

Three 1/4" UNC threads are integrated into the tripod shoulder. These allow you to mount additional accessories, such as a smartphone holder, small ball heads, LED lights or other tools. This way you can flexibly expand your setup without having to improvise extra mounts.

Vented legs for fast handling during setup and takedown

A detail you only learn to appreciate once you’ve used it: the vented legs. The ventilation allows air to escape when the legs are pushed in, preventing unpleasant pressure build-up. The result is a much faster and smoother retraction of the sections.

Especially when you’re on the move, the light is changing quickly or the clouds suddenly line up perfectly, you don’t want to fight with sticking legs. Here the sections slide together quickly and in a controlled manner, which simply saves time and nerves in everyday use.

Twist Lock leg locks for secure hold with minimal effort

The Twist Lock leg locks are generously sized and ergonomically shaped. Each lock consists of an aluminum ring coated with rubber so that you still have a secure grip even with cold hands or thin gloves. A quarter turn is usually enough to loosen them, which greatly speeds up handling.

You can operate all the locks on one leg at the same time to bring the tripod to the desired height in no time. Then simply twist them closed again until you feel a clear resistance. Done. No endless turning, no guessing whether it’s really tight. It holds, and it holds reliably.

Interchangeable feet with teardrop design for a secure stance

The standard feet of the Really Right Stuff TFC-24 MK2 are teardrop-shaped. This design ensures that the tripod remains stable even when the legs are spread wide and that the legs themselves do not touch the ground. This keeps the carbon tubes better protected and gives you a defined contact point.

If needed, you can replace the feet with optional stainless steel spikes. This is particularly interesting if you are frequently out in the field, for example on soft meadows, in the forest or on icy surfaces. The spikes bite into the ground more effectively and further increase stability.

Integrated shims and O-rings for clean leg locks

To keep the leg locks moving smoothly for as long as possible, integrated shims and O-rings are installed inside. They help keep dirt, dust and moisture away from the sensitive areas. This reduces maintenance effort and extends the life of the locks.

Especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors, perhaps at the sea, in sand or on dusty trails, this protection should not be underestimated. You will still need to clean the tripod from time to time, but far less intensively than with simpler designs that lack such seals.

Reversible mounting stud for maximum compatibility

On the tripod platform sits a reversible mounting stud. You can switch between a 1/4" UNC photo thread and a 3/8" UNC thread, depending on which head or accessory you want to mount. This makes the TFC-24 MK2 very flexible, whether you’re working with a compact ball head, a larger video head or a special bracket.

Changing the stud is done quickly and requires no special tools. This lets you easily adapt your setup to the task at hand without having to question the tripod itself.

Optimal ratio of load capacity to weight for mobile use

A key argument for this carbon tripod is its very well-balanced ratio of load capacity to weight. At around 1.54 kilograms and with a maximum load of about 18 kilograms, the TFC-24 MK2 covers a wide range of camera systems without weighing you down on your tours.

This is particularly interesting for travel, landscape and architectural photography. You can take a robust setup with you without your backpack becoming a burden. At the same time, you don’t have to compromise on stability when working at dusk, at night or with longer focal lengths.

Made in the USA, precision and workmanship at a professional level

The Really Right Stuff TFC-24 MK2 is made in the USA and is correspondingly high in quality. The components are precisely machined, cleanly deburred and built for longevity. You can tell that the tripod is designed for hard, regular use and not just for the occasional weekend outing.

Many details, from the fixed tripod shoulder to the carbon tubes and the locks, feel like they come from a single mold. If you value reliable gear that you don’t have to replace every year, this three-legged tripod is a very solid choice.

Perfectly matched to medium-sized camera setups and the RRS BH-40 ball head

Tripods of the Mk2 Series 2 are specifically designed for medium-sized camera-lens combinations. The TFC-24 MK2 carries DSLR or mirrorless cameras with lenses such as a 70–200 mm f/2.8 or a 300 mm f/4 with great confidence. Slightly heavier setups, for example with a battery grip or robust L-bracket, also remain well within its intended range.

The RRS BH-40 ball head is an especially good match in this context. It complements the tripod in size and weight, giving you a well-balanced system that feels neither top-heavy nor overbuilt. Together they form a setup you can take practically anywhere and that inspires a lot of confidence in use.

Areas of use from travel to architectural photography

Whether you’re standing in the mountains at dawn, shooting night scenes in the city or waiting for wildlife in a hide, the Really Right Stuff TFC-24 MK2 carbon tripod of the Ultralight Series 2 is suitable for many scenarios. For travel photography, the low weight combined with the small packed size is worth its weight in gold. In landscape photography you benefit from the stability and the ability to work very low or at a moderate height.

In telephoto and hide photography, the stiffness of the carbon tubes ensures steady framing, even when using longer focal lengths. In architectural photography, the precise alignment helps you keep straight lines clean and tackle distortions in a controlled way. It is not a specialist for just one field, but rather a very well-tuned all-rounder for ambitious photographers who travel a lot.

Scope of delivery and note on pictured accessories

The scope of delivery includes the Really Right Stuff TFC-24 MK2 tripod itself. Other equipment items that may be shown in product images are not included and serve only as application examples. You can combine the tripod with the ball head and accessories of your choice, as long as the threads and load requirements are compatible.

This allows you to configure your system individually, whether light and compact for city trips or somewhat more robustly dimensioned for longer telephoto lenses and intensive outdoor use.