List Price: $449.99
Sale Price: $249.99
Today's Bonus: 44% Off
This is an incredibly sturdy, lightweight, stable, and versatile tripod.
This kit includes the tripod, a carrying bag, a detachable gear pouch / counter weight, a multi-tool key, an SBH-50 ball head, and a second quick release plate.
The tripod itself is pretty darn amazing. I've used Manfrotto and Bogen tripods, none were as light weight or as stable as this tripod. The carbon fiber legs make this a very light weight tripod. Usually light weight translates into tippy, and unstable; not this tripod. I was able to lean very hard into the top post and this tripod remained rock solid it never budged. There are two leg extensions that release and tighten with a quarter turn. The legs slide in and out of each other smoothly, the finish on the carbon fiber is super smooth. When locking the leg in position, the quarter turn stops firmly when the leg is locked, there's no second guessing.
The center post is a miracle. The post glides up and down smoothly, there is a big rubber O-Ring under the tripod head to help dampen a sudden release of the center column. There is a unique flipping attachment at the center post. Pull the center post all the way up, flip an orange lever and the post can now flip almost 180 degrees. With this arrangement it is possible to quickly and easily position a camera within inches of the ground.
There is some kind of damping built into the rotation of the center post. It isn't exactly a fluid drive, but it feels a lot like it. This is super smooth rotation; there is no grabbing when starting the rotation. Although this is not really a video tripod; in a pinch, that smooth rotation could be used for panning.
I like the design of the tripod head mount. The multi-tool key has a two point tool for removing and tightening down the adapters for 1/4 or 3/8 inch screw mounts. There is a wonderful storage spot on the head for the adapter not in use. The tripod head is not only secured with the standard 1/4 inch screw, there are three hex set screws that virtually bolt the head to the tripod. Once attached, the head cannot twist off. The multi-tool kit also contains the correct Allen wrench.
There is a small bull's eye bubble level on top of the leg mount.
The legs can be adjusted from a standard 25 degree spread, to 50 and 80 degree spreads. The 80 degree spread gets the tripod low to the ground and is incredibly stable. I'm not a huge fan of the release buttons for changing the leg angle. There isn't a solid click when the leg is locked at a particular angle. I prefer the old school metal spring loaded clip of my Bogen tripod.
The weakest link in this tripod is the SBH-50 head. It is a small ball head with a simple quick release mount. The base is very nice, with 360 degree markings to help visualize rotation. The release knobs are well designed; they are large and covered with a rubber grip that makes turning them very easy. The quick release is excellent, the screw knob tightens down the mount, and a red button has to be pushed to release the head. It's a very good design. The problem I have with this head, it just doesn't lock tightly. Everything about this tripod is sturdy, stable, and rock solid. When I lock the ball head as tight as I can, I can still manage to move the head with my hand and pushing on the top. A heavy 300mm f 2.8 lens would not be a very good idea on this particular head (the tripod can handle it; it's just this small ball head). The other problem is the bubble levels. There is one at the rear and another on the side. The rear level is impossible to see from up above. So it's impossible to actually level the head perfectly with those two levels for panning.
The carrying bag is cheap junk. That's kind of sad in a way, this is a moderately expensive tripod, and the carrying bag could be a bit nicer. No matter, I've found some very nice padded bags from Calumet Photo that are not very expensive.
The accessory pouch or counter weight bag is also really cheap. I'm not sure I'd trust putting expensive items in that thing. It also doesn't look like it would hold much weight. The center post has a hook for hanging counter weights.
I really dislike the instruction sheets. They are many pages of drawings with letters. Many pages later is the text describing the letters and the captions for each drawing. The instructions are in 13 different languages, making it almost impossible to understand the pictures.
Overall this is an amazing strong light weight tripod. The ball head is decent. Since the tripod is so solid, it wouldn't be hard to add a better head. As a kit, this is a really good deal.
May 3, 2013 Update: After over a year and a half use, I would buy this tripod again in two seconds. I really love this thing. The ball head was not as bad as I expected. It's taken a bit of time to get used to loosening the knob just the right amount to adjust my camera. The quick release plate is heaven pure heaven. The knob on the tripod plate is perfect for holding the camera in tight it won't let go. I loosen the knob a half turn, press the red button, and my camera slides off the head. Replacing is super simple, slide the camera in until there is a click, and then tighten the knob. Super fast, super secure, and super easy.
I use this tripod for recording sporting events. The camera is locked in position and I don't move it during filming. The primary sport I record is volleyball. I have to move quickly from one court to another, I've got the drill down to about a minute to tear down or set up. The bubble levels are critical I love the one on the quick release mount, I use that to make sure my camera is perfectly level (I don't even bother looking at the horizontal lines on the video screen). The legs are fantastic in tight places. Sometimes they are spread out full to the first stop, or two are spread and the rear is only moved out a little bit. Still, so simple to set this up. The weight is great, or lack of weight is great. At full extension (legs all the way out and center column at max height) this is just over six feet tall.
The Calument Photo carrying bag is a fabulous. There is just the right amount of padding that I can throw this bag anywhere and not ruin the tripod. A padded bag is the perfect accessory.
Overall, this tripod makes me smile every single time I use it. It has survived the long haul. Light weight, stable, and tall it is perfect for me.
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