Loyal Site Supporter Registered: May, 2020 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,372 | | Review Date: February 2, 2023 | Recommended | Price: $115.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sturdy | | Cons: | Depends on use, carry case | |
The others talk about the weight of this tripod as a bad thing, but it's one of the reasons I bought it. I like to do long exposure work, and this tripod holds my camera rock solid even in a little wind (and it doesn't take much wind to ruin a long exposure). That's why I said in the "cons" that it'll depend on use. For others, the weight is a bad thing. For me, it's a benefit.
The carrying case seems a little on the cheap side, and didn't take long for the zipper to get kinked, but it's held up for about 2 years now with my occasional use. The kinked zipper is mostly cosmetic for now, but I would like a more sturdy carry case.
Other than that, this tripod has been excellent and served me well. It's a little wobbly fully extended, but not near as much as I expected (and I doubt you'll find any tripod that is stable at full extension). Everything locks solidly into place and movements are fluid when they need to be. I paired this with a Manfrotto head and couldn't be happier.
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Junior Member Registered: January, 2012 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 27 | | Review Date: September 20, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $60.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Rock solid- well built- professional level quality | | Cons: | a little heavy | |
I just bought this tripod today and played around with it alittle. I have not used it on a photogig yet but I am looking forward to it.
First, this tripod is indeed heavy, almost 8 pounds with thehead on it and it’s certainly not a back-pack tripod to be used on long hikesand yes, it’s big. But the added weightis a trade off I’m willing to make for something solid and well build and thisis indeed well built. The legs are solidand long and lock into place securely with the clamps. The rubber feet are also big and secure. All the locking hardware is metal and withthe exception of rubber covered handles and knobs this entire tripod appears tobe made of metal. Nothing appears cheapor flimsy. Even the leg locks clamps aremetal and must be pulled up to release and pressed down to lock. The center post can be screwed off at thecenter and legs folded out making the minimum height from top of the head tothe bottom about 15 inches. Perfect forme.
I bought mine used off of Craigslist and it came with theSlik pan tilt head with the round quick release plate. I thought this would be troublesome but afterusing it I found I liked and it locked in tight. The pan head worked well and was rathersmooth. The handles were well positionedand the level bubbles were a pleasure.
Overall I am very pleased; it’s well built and rock solid. Would I pay $159.00 for this tripod new fromB&H? Absolutely! It’s worth every penny.
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Forum Member Registered: February, 2011 Location: Chicago Posts: 95 | | Review Date: March 17, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $90.00
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | Solid as a rock | | Cons: | heavy | |
This is my second tripod. I also have the Dolica that everyone starts with from Amazon. The slik is rock solid. I bet you could get tack sharp long exposure photos during an earthquake. It is quite large and heavy though. It is probably not suited for field work where there is a lot of hiking involved. I also added the Slik pro 800 ball head. (the cost I quoted is for the legs and the pan head) It is large and solid just like the legs. It has a proprietary QR plate which is interesting in that it is round so it goes on easier than square ones that you have to line up but it is also thick and you cant use any sling style straps with it.
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Senior Member Registered: November, 2009 Location: Idaho Posts: 102 | | Review Date: September 10, 2011 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
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This is my second tripod. The first was a consumer aluminum piece of junk, so this tripod is refreshing. It is as solid as a rock. As the previous reviewer said it is a little heavy but for the money I'll pack the weight. The only thing I don't like about this tripod is that fully extended I'm just a little too short to see my camera unless it is in portrait orientation on my ball head. Rather than blame the tripod I'll blame my five foot tall mother.
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Veteran Member Registered: April, 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 2,054
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 5, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Very stabile, very well-made | | Cons: | A little heavy | |
If size and weight are not your paramount concerns, then this is an excellent tripod and a screaming bargain. I paid $100 for mine, but I just noticed that B&H now has this black model for $90.
Probably best used for more stationary situations such as studio work or any situations where stability is of primary importance, this unit is a little larger at approx. 27 inches folded height, 70 inches fully extended. A 9-inch removable section of the center column allows a minimum set-up height of a little over 10 inches. These dimensions do not include a head, as there is not one included. The unit also weighs in at a little under 6 lbs., so it is not a light-weight. Some of the rock-solid stability also comes from the fact that this unit only has three sections, so even the smallest diameter section is still quite robust. It is rated for about a 15 lb. load, but it feels like it should be able to handle about 115. Seriously, the 15 lb. rating feels like some kind of mistake.
It is of aluminum construction and comes with foam leg covers for comfort. The section locks are of the lever-type, and the leg-angle locks are all metal.
If the size and weight of this unit is not a problem for you, then I can't imagine anyone not being pleased with this bad-boy.
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