VELBON MAXi 343E Lightweight Photographic Tripod

by Velbon

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 9 x 9 x 9 inches ; 2.3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00006HOO1
• Item model number: 343E
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 22, 2002

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The Velbon Maxi 343E is the ideal travel tripod: sturdy, all metal and weighing less than 1.0kg. The tripod features both rubber and spiked tipped feet with each leg extending separately for rough terrain.

Triunion Shaft Legs: The legs of most tripods are joined to the head via bolts through the top of each leg, however the Maxi 343E incorporates non-piercing bolts: ie. each leg extends the entire inside length of the outer leg casing, making the tripod extremely compact when folded, yet extended the tripod measures a full 158.4cm. This unique system is called the Triunion Shaft System (TSS). Suitable for most compact digital cameras and camcorders.

Product Description

The travel and hiking tripod camera guru Herbert Keppler challenged the industry to produce! For Film, Video and Digital cameras

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The best I could find in the lightweight tripod category., July 7, 2003

By 

Christo "montxsuz" (Vancouver, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: VELBON MAXi 343E Lightweight Photographic Tripod (Electronics)

I own a heavier Velbon as well - a Camarge. I wanted something smaller and lighter, which could fit into my daypack on walking trips. I read an inconclusive article about lightweight tripods in "Outdoor Photography", and decided to do my own research.

Of the quality brand lightweight tripods available (Slik, Velbon, Gitzo, Manfrotto), this one is one of the lightest (at around 860g including the head). Yet it's carrying capacity is one of the best (at around 3.6kg). Of the other brands, the only ones that came close were double the weight and 4-5 times the price. With a folded length of only 444mm (4 sections), it fits into my daypack - with the head mounted - no worries.

The Maxi tripod is marketed for use for Digital cameras. The legs are even inscribed as such. Velbon is missing a large market segment with this strategy. I have no problems mounting a Nikon FM3A film-SLR with a medium-sized zoom lens. At the same time, the maximum operating height is good (I am tall).

The legs can get wobbly if you mount a heavy telephoto, or on a very windy day - particularly if you extend the center column. Pull down on the center column for stability, or stabilise the tripod against your body. Otherwise shorten the legs.

The ball head is easy and comfortable to use. The legs are equally easy and quick to setup or adjust. The rubber feet have built-in spikes (can be hidden). You may want to buy a small quick-release adapter as well.

I find that I now use the Velbon Maxi more than my Velbon Camarge. It is a good compromise for most conditions.

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A lightweight star, January 10, 2004

By 

Jonathan Sabin (Ellenton, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: VELBON MAXi 343E Lightweight Photographic Tripod (Electronics)

I purchased the Maxi 343E after reading Herb Keppler's article about it in Popular Photography. I really needed a tripod that I could travel with; my Bogen might be sturdy enough to mount a small car on top, but it comes with a price... WEIGHT!!

PLUSES:

It travels EXTREMELY well, and fits nicely in just about any piece of luggage, breaking down to about 18" and weighing barely a pound.

The ball head is easy to use, and even with a Nikon D100 SLR and a telephoto, the head keeps the camera locked in place. (Very little sag.) ALTHOUGH, for a REALLY long telephoto that weighs more, I suspect that this ball head wouldn't be up to the task.

The flap-locks are great. I like them much better than the screw-type locks seen on some tripods. Setup and breakdown is very fast.

PROBLEMS:

It's a light tripod. There's something to be said for MASS. In anything more than a little breeze, there just isn't enough mass to keep things from shaking.

The ball head works well, but you cannot smoothly pan from side to side as you can with a more expensive head.

BOTTOM LINE:

Certainly worth the price I paid... and considering the fact that the price has dropped $20.00 since I purchased it a few months ago, it's now a veritable bargain.

37 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars broke after 2 weeks, October 14, 2003

By 

SteveSF "stevesf" (san francisco, ca) - See all my reviews

This review is from: VELBON MAXi 343E Lightweight Photographic Tripod (Electronics)

I purchased this tripod based on editorial reviews such as: http://www.imaging-resource.com/ACCS/VEL/VEL.HTM, right before embarking on a 10 week x-country roadtrip.
2 weeks into the trip, the clamp that allows extension in one of the legs broke, making it impossible to extend and lock the leg.
It turns out the the inside pieces are cheap plastic!
Please note that I was a bit rough with it (undoing the clamps and flipping upside down to let the legs collapse), but given that this was designed for outdoor, 'roughing it' expeditions, it should really not have broken so easily.
I will say that the size and weight are fantastic.
The inner components should definately be stronger!!!