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208 of 208 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent value, extremely compact, July 18, 2004
This is a great tripod that does pretty much everything you could ask from something that is so reasonably priced. That being said, the tripod may seem deficient when unfairly compared to bulkier and more upscale versions. I'm putting up a list of both pros and cons so that more discerning shoppers can pick and choose from the higher end models. Sure, there are cons, but most of the cons listed are by design; you cannot expect to be all things to all people while still creating a lightweight and compact tripod, although this item gets very close.Pros:
-Exceptional value for money
-Extremely compact; will fit easily into any small pack or even a larger-sized purse.
-Quality carrying bag (mentioned in a previous review)
-Item arrives fully lubricated (functionally, not excessively), which makes for quick and smooth use of all functions.
-Lockable axes allow for accurate horizontal- and/or vertical-only panning, as well as rotating the camera to shoot at different angles (most likely between portrait and landscape).
-Quick release shoe allows you to mount a small attachment to the bottom of your camera and then mount/dismount from the tripod with the quick flip of a lever.
-When fully extended, I can still comfortably take pictures while standing and bending over slightly (I stand 5'10"). Cons:
-This tripod is not recommended for rough ground or use as a jungle gym. The emphases placed on being lightweight and compact requires the inevitable sacrifice of strength and durability. If you are rough or careless with your equipment, this is not the tripod for you.
-The nature of the legs (similar to the extendable chrome antenna you might find on a boom box, with passive locking mechanism) is such that it's difficult to set mid-range height settings that you might want if, say, you were taking pictures from a sitting or crouching position. The tripod works very well in the fully-extended or fully compacted setting.
-This unit does lack a bubble level. I won't miss the level at all, though, as I never require that my tripod be precisely level.
-The other noticeable sacrifice made for value and reduced weight comes in the tripod head. Unlike the heavier duty, more upscale tripods, the panning motion is slightly more rough and/or uneven. The bearings and materials in more upscale tripods make it much easier to do slow, controlled pans, similar to those seen in movies. However, this should only be a problem for people who would use a video camera with this tripod. Still photographers needn't worry.
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