Neewer Video Tripods Compared: Which One Should You Buy?
Neewer's video tripod range covers five aluminium, fluid-head tripods: the LL38, DS801, TP37, TP74 Pro, and TP75 Pro. Every one of them looks similar on a spec sheet, aluminium build, fluid head, roughly 2 metres of reach, load ratings within a kilogram or two of each other.
The differences that actually matter, load capacity, drag control, leg lock type, and base mount size, only show up once you line the five up side by side. That's what this guide does.
All five are aimed at the same kind of shooter: someone recording interviews, events, or run-and-gun video who wants smoother pans than a photo tripod gives, without stepping up to a full production-grade fluid head system. Where they split is in exactly how much control, capacity, and speed you get for the size and weight you're carrying.
Neewer Video Tripods with Fluid Heads: LL38, DS801, TP37, TP74 Pro, and TP75 Pro.
Shop Neewer Video TripodsTL;DR
All five are aluminium fluid-head tripods built for video. The LL38 and DS801 reach 200cm and share an 8kg load rating, but the LL38 has a faster one-step lever lock while the DS801 adds independent leg spread. The TP37 is the lightest and simplest. The TP74 Pro adds a sideload quick release plate. The TP75 Pro stands apart with a 10kg load rating and pan and tilt dampening for heavier rigs.
What Problem Are We Solving?
Scroll through five tripod spec sheets back to back and they start blurring together. Aluminium legs, fluid head, quick release plate, roughly 8kg load capacity, roughly 2 metres of height. On paper, picking between them looks like a coin flip.
The trouble is that the specs which do differ, drag control, leg lock type, base mount diameter, load capacity, are exactly the ones that decide whether a tripod feels right for your camera and your shooting style. Buy on height and weight alone and you can end up with a tripod that's a kilogram under your rig's real working weight, or missing the drag control that makes handheld-feeling pans look smooth.
Fluid heads use a fluid-filled cartridge to dampen pan and tilt movement, which is what drag control actually adjusts, as documented by Tripod head.
A bubble level confirms a tripod is sitting level before you rely on its pan and tilt marks, according to Spirit level.
How Are We Solving This Problem?
Rather than reading five separate spec sheets, put the numbers that matter next to each other: load capacity, base mount size, drag control, leg lock, and reach. Once they're side by side, the range splits into clear groups instead of five near-identical options.
Load capacity is the first split. Four of the five are rated to 8kg, the TP75 Pro alone goes to 10kg, which matters once you add a cage, monitor, and microphone to a mirrorless body. Base mount size is the second: the LL38 and DS801 use a 70mm half ball, while the TP37, TP74 Pro, and TP75 Pro use 75mm, relevant if you ever want to swap in a different head. Drag control, leg lock type, and leg spread round out the rest of the picture below. Vertical tilt range is the smallest gap in the lineup, four models tilt from +90° to -70° and the TP75 Pro stretches slightly further to -75°, which mostly matters for low-angle or overhead shots.
Aluminium alloy is used across this range because it keeps the legs light without sacrificing rigidity under load, as documented by 6061 aluminium alloy.
Keeping a camera's centre of mass low and centred over the tripod's base improves stability, which is why load capacity and leg spread matter more than height alone, according to Center of mass.
Overall Conclusion
If you want the fastest tripod to set up and take down, the LL38's one-step lever lock wins. If you're shooting on uneven ground and want independent leg spread, the DS801 covers that at the same 200cm reach. Want the lightest, simplest, most affordable option in the range, the TP37 is built for that. The TP74 Pro sits just above it with a sideload quick release plate and a ground-level spreader option. And if your rig is heavier than a bare mirrorless body, the TP75 Pro's 10kg rating and pan and tilt dampening are worth the extra reach in weight and closed length.
None of these five is a bad choice on its own, they're all aluminium, fluid-head, roughly 2 metre tripods built for the same job. The point of comparing them is matching the small differences to how you actually shoot, not finding a weak option in the range.
Compare the Range
Every spec below is metric. Scroll sideways on smaller screens to see all five models.
| Spec | LL38 | DS801 | TP37 | TP74 Pro | TP75 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max working height | 200cm | 200cm | 187cm | 188cm | 189cm |
| Min working height | 88cm | 88cm | 84.5cm | 85.9cm | 88.9cm |
| Closed length | 91cm | 91cm | 89cm | 91.4cm | 93cm |
| Load capacity | 8kg | 8kg | 8kg | 8kg | 10kg |
| Weight | 4.4kg | 4.48kg | 4kg | 4kg | 4.6kg |
| Base mount | 70mm half ball | 70mm half ball | 75mm half ball | 75mm half ball | 75mm half ball |
| Vertical tilt | +90° to -70° | +90° to -70° | +90° to -70° | +90° to -70° | +90° to -75° |
| Drag control | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| Leg lock | Lever lock | Flip lock | Flip lock | Flip lock | Flip lock |
| Independent leg spread | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Independent pan lock | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Spreader support | Mid-level (integrated) | Mid-level (included) | Mid-level | Ground/mid-level (included) | Ground/mid-level (included) |
As specified by Neewer's product documentation for each model.
Tripod Jargon, Explained
Drag control
Drag control adds adjustable resistance to a fluid head's pan and tilt movement. Turn it up and a pan starts and stops smoothly instead of snapping into place, useful for interviews or any shot where the camera move should look intentional. Turn it down for freer, faster movement when you're following action. Only the LL38 and TP75 Pro in this range have it, the other three run on the head's natural resistance alone.
Leg lock
Lever locks and flip locks do the same job, holding each leg section at your chosen length, but they work differently. The LL38's lever lock clamps with a single motion and pairs with continuously adjustable leg angles, which is why it's the fastest tripod here to set up. Flip locks, used on the other four, need a firm click into place per section, slightly slower but just as secure once locked.
Independent leg spread
Most tripods here set all three legs to the same spread angle at once. Independent leg spread, found on the DS801, lets you angle each leg on its own, useful on stairs, slopes, or any surface where the ground under each leg isn't level. Without it, you're limited to a few fixed, matched spread positions that assume flat ground.
Independent pan lock
This locks the pan and tilt axes separately instead of together. It lets you lock off your framing left to right while still adjusting the tilt, or the other way round, without the whole head staying static. Every tripod here has it except the TP75 Pro, where pan and tilt lock as a pair, a reasonable trade-off given its higher load rating.
Spreader support
A spreader sits between the legs and stops them splaying out further under load, adding stability. Mid-level spreaders, used across most of this range, sit partway down the legs. Ground-level spreaders, included on the TP74 Pro and TP75 Pro, sit at the feet and allow lower, wider stances for low-angle shots, at the cost of a bit more setup space.
Base mount
The base mount is the half ball that connects the tripod legs to the head, sized either 70mm or 75mm here. The size only matters if you ever want to swap in a different head: a 75mm head won't drop into a 70mm bowl without an adapter, and vice versa. For most buyers sticking with the head that ships on the tripod, it's a background spec rather than a dealbreaker.
Neewer LL38: Fastest to Set Up
The LL38 reaches the same 200cm as the DS801, but swaps flip locks for a one-step lever lock system with continuously adjustable leg angles, making it the quickest tripod in the range to extend and pack away.
Neewer DS801: Built for Uneven Ground
Same 200cm reach and 8kg rating as the LL38, but the DS801 uses flip locks with independent leg spread, useful on stairs or uneven ground, plus a sliding balance plate for fine-tuning camera balance on the head.
Neewer BASICS TP37: The Lightest Option
The lightest tripod in the range at 4kg, with a simpler fixed 3-position leg spread and no adjustable drag control. A solid entry point if you don't need the extra features the Pro models add.
Neewer TP74 Pro: Sideload Quick Release
Adds a proprietary sideload quick release plate over the TP37, plus a ground-level spreader option for lower shooting angles, while keeping the same 8kg load rating and similar weight.
Neewer TP75 Pro: Highest Load Capacity
The only tripod in the range rated to 10kg, with pan and tilt dampening for smoother moves on heavier rigs. The trade-off is a slightly heavier tripod and no independent pan lock, the pan and tilt controls work together rather than separately.
About the Brand
Neewer designs camera accessories and lighting equipment for photographers and videographers who need reliable performance without an inflated price tag. The range covers LED video panels, ring lights, light stands, studio strobes, tripods, and camera cages, all built for content creators, YouTubers, portrait photographers, and studio setups. At CameraStuff, we stock Neewer for photographers who want professional results on a practical budget. Shop online or visit us in-store in Randburg for fast nationwide delivery across South Africa.
Shop Neewer ProductsFAQs
Which Neewer tripod should I buy?
For fastest setup, pick the LL38. For uneven ground, the DS801. For the lightest and most affordable option, the TP37. For a sideload quick release plate, the TP74 Pro. For heavier camera rigs, the TP75 Pro and its 10kg rating.
What's the real difference between the LL38 and DS801?
Both reach 200cm and hold 8kg. The LL38 uses a faster one-step lever lock, while the DS801 uses flip locks with independent leg spread and a sliding balance plate.
Can these tripods handle a full cinema camera rig?
Four of the five are rated to 8kg, which covers most mirrorless bodies with accessories. The TP75 Pro is rated to 10kg for heavier setups like a cage, monitor, and microphone combination.
What does drag control actually do?
It adjusts the resistance in the fluid head's pan and tilt movement, so camera moves start and stop smoothly instead of jerking. Only the LL38 and TP75 Pro in this range have it.
Where can I buy Neewer products in South Africa?
CameraStuff is an authorised Neewer dealer in South Africa. We offer 60-day returns, free delivery on orders over R1000, nationwide delivery, and a support team ready to help you choose the right gear.
Conrad Knuist
Head of Marketing and Photography Specialist
Conrad Knuist is Head of Marketing and Photography Specialist at CameraStuff, South Africa's specialist camera and lighting retailer. With over 18 years of hands-on experience testing gear across portrait, event, and commercial photography, Conrad has personally handled hundreds of products, from entry-level speedlights to professional studio systems. He is an authorised Godox specialist and works directly with South African photographers and videographers to match the right tools to their work. Every review and recommendation he publishes is based on real-world use, not spec sheets.
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