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

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

Sometimes you only realize after a long tour how much a tripod really weighs. With the Really Right Stuff TFC-24L MK2 carbon tripod of the Ultralight Series 2, that realization comes pleasantly late, because this three-legged tripod is consistently optimized for low weight, high stability, and maximum everyday usability. Extra tall, surprisingly compact, very load-bearing, and remarkably straightforward to handle.

Weighing only about 1.674 kg, with a transport length of around 60 cm and a diameter of approximately 10 cm when packed, the TFC-24L MK2 fits easily on or in many camera backpacks. At the same time, it offers you a maximum working height of about 1.68 m and a minimum working height of around 9.5 cm, so you can cover both low-angle perspectives and comfortable eye level without constantly contorting yourself.

Ultralight Series 2: carbon tripod with high load capacity for on the go

The Ultralight Series 2 is designed for photographers who travel a lot and still don’t want to do without a serious tripod. The TFC-24L MK2 is a carbon tripod with four leg sections per leg and tube diameters of about 33, 29, 25, and 21 mm. These ultra-thin-walled carbon tubes with large diameters provide very good rigidity and effective vibration damping, even though the tripod remains so light that you’ll still be happy to take it along on longer hikes.

With a maximum load capacity of up to 18 kg, the tripod easily supports medium-sized camera-lens combinations, such as classic DSLR or mirrorless cameras with a 70–200 mm f/2.8 or a 300 mm f/4 telephoto lens. Even in telephoto and hide photography the system remains stable, even when the wind picks up or you work with longer exposure times.

Ideal for travel, landscape, and telephoto photography

Especially when traveling, you don’t want to have to think at every step about whether the tripod is really worth taking. For travel photography, landscape photography, telephoto work, and hide photography, the TFC-24L MK2 is a very well-balanced solution. Thanks to its compact transport length, it adapts well to air travel luggage, train journeys, or the trunk of a car, while the tall working height gives you plenty of flexibility on location.

In landscape photography you benefit from the high rigidity of the carbon legs and the solid tripod shoulder when you want to shoot long exposures at waterfalls, coastlines, or during the blue hour. In telephoto photography the stable base ensures steady framing, even at long focal lengths where every small movement becomes immediately visible.

Fixed tripod shoulder for maximum stability

A key feature of the TFC-24L MK2 is its slim, fixed tripod shoulder. It makes the three-legged tripod particularly compact and at the same time very torsion-resistant. The fixed shoulder deliberately avoids unnecessary complexity in order to increase stability and reduce the packed size. This keeps the tripod slim, easy to stow away, and still provides a robust platform for your camera.

The tripod shoulder integrates several 1/4" UNC threads that allow you to mount accessories such as smartphone holders, small ball heads, or additional brackets. This lets you expand your setup modularly without having to attach extra clamps or adapters.

Leg sections and twist lock closures in detail

Each leg of the TFC-24L MK2 consists of four sections that can be adjusted quickly and securely using large twist locks. The locks are ergonomically shaped and covered with a rubberized ring so you can grip them well even with cold hands or light gloves. Usually, about a quarter turn is enough to loosen them, which greatly speeds up setup and breakdown.

The legs are ventilated, which means no annoying air pressure builds up when collapsing them. The sections therefore slide into each other more easily, which may sound unspectacular in everyday use but provides a noticeable comfort gain when you frequently fold and unfold the tripod. Integrated inserts and O-rings around the locks also help keep dirt and moisture out, so the twist locks stay cleaner for longer and continue to function reliably.

Tripod feet with secure footing and optional spikes

The interchangeable tripod feet are teardrop-shaped to ensure a secure footing while also preventing the legs from touching the ground directly when splayed wide. This protects the material and improves stability on uneven terrain. If needed, you can swap the standard feet for optional stainless steel spikes, which really pay off on soft ground, in rough terrain, or in winter snow.

This gives you a choice between a more universal, floor-friendly solution and a more aggressive option that bites firmly into soil, grass, or ice. Both options aim to provide you with the most secure footing possible without requiring lengthy configuration work.

Flexibility for mounting heads and accessories

The platform of the TFC-24L MK2 is equipped with a reversible mounting stud that offers both a 1/4" UNC camera thread and a 3/8" UNC thread. This allows you to mount a wide variety of ball heads and video heads without needing additional adapters. If you change the head later on, the tripod remains compatible.

The TFC-24L MK2 pairs particularly well with the RRS BH-40 ball head, which is an ideal match for this Ultralight Series 2 tripod in terms of size, load capacity, and operating comfort. The combination offers stable, precise control of your camera while still being surprisingly travel-friendly.

Made in the USA, precision and quality from a single source

Really Right Stuff manufactures the TFC-24L MK2 in the USA, with a high level of in-house production and great attention to precision. This is evident in the cleanly milled parts, the precisely fitting connections, and the well-thought-out ergonomics. Many details may seem inconspicuous at first, but you’ll notice them once you use the tripod more often, such as the pleasant feel of the locks or the calm vibration behavior in windy conditions.

The combination of high-quality carbon material, careful workmanship, and a robust surface finish results in a tripod designed for longevity that doesn’t want to be replaced after just one season. It is intended more as a long-term companion that you take on all kinds of trips, from short evening outings to multi-day photo tours.

High working height with compact transport length

With a maximum working height of about 1.68 m, the TFC-24L MK2 is an extra-tall carbon tripod within the Ultralight Series 2. This is especially practical if you like to work standing up or shoot with longer focal lengths where a slightly higher position is advantageous. Despite this height, the transport length remains pleasantly short at around 60 cm, so you can easily attach the tripod to the side of a backpack or stow it in a larger bag.

The minimum working height of about 9.5 cm also opens up low-angle perspectives, for example for macro shots, dramatic foreground emphasis in landscapes, or creative wide-angle compositions. This allows you to work very low without an additional tabletop tripod, significantly expanding your creative range.

Optimal ratio of load capacity to own weight

A key argument in favor of the TFC-24L MK2 is the ratio of load capacity to its own weight. Weighing only about 1.674 kg and with a maximum load capacity of up to 18 kg, this three-legged tripod offers an impressive performance reserve. You don’t have to constantly wonder whether your combination of camera, telephoto lens, and possibly an additional accessory is still within the safe range.

Especially in landscape and telephoto photography, where you often work with heavy glass, this reserve really pays off. The tripod remains stable even when you’re hit by a stronger gust of wind or shoot longer series. At the same time, it is light enough that you won’t leave it in the car because it’s too bulky or too heavy.

Detachable wrist strap for more security when carrying

For transport, a detachable wrist strap is provided, giving you additional security when carrying the tripod in your hand. This way it won’t slip out of your hand so easily when you move through rough terrain or want to change position quickly. The strap can also provide light stabilization when you want to briefly secure the tripod a bit more.

If you prefer to go without a strap, you can simply remove it. This lets you adapt the setup to your personal style without being tied to a permanent solution.

Thought-out design for daily use

In summary, the Really Right Stuff TFC-24L MK2 carbon tripod of the Ultralight Series 2 is a very well-balanced tool for photographers who are frequently outdoors and are looking for a reliable, lightweight, yet stable tripod. The combination of a fixed tripod shoulder, four leg sections with carbon tubes, high load capacity, and comfortable operation makes it a versatile partner for travel, landscape, telephoto, and hide photography.

The scope of delivery includes the TFC-24L MK2 tripod itself. Other pieces of equipment that may be shown in product images are for illustration purposes only and are not included.