Customer Reviews

Velbon El Carmagne 540 Carbon Fiber Tripod with Pan Head and Case

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Easily fits in my suitcase, doesn't push me over the airline weight limit, sets up very quickly and provides rock solid support for my heavy digital SLR. Yes, it's more than twice the $$$ of my taller and even more solid Slik, but this is the one that goes on trips with me. The Slik I save for hauling around town, when weight isn't a consideration. If you shoot at sunrise and sunset, especially HDR (or like group shots that include you), a tripod is obviously indispensable, and this should (crossing fingers) last a lot longer than the much cheaper and flimsier lightweight aluminum tripods that always seem to die just when you need them to work. Expensive, but it's one of those accessories that feels exactly right when you use it. Very happy with this.

As a beginning photographer I wanted a smallish, lightweight tripod to use with my Nikon D80. Since this is merely a hobby and good, lightweight tripods are very expensive I was torn what to do (the camera and a really good lens were already pretty expensive). Fortunately I happened across this tripod and decided I would spend a little more (ok, twice as much) than I had intended. Frankly it was well worth it. The construction is very solid, the entire setup is lightweight and stability is great. I've been very pleased with my purchase, from capturing excellent photos of July 4th fireworks to stop action photos of waterfalls where a tripod is essential, and the relative lightweight of the Velbon made hiking 3 miles uphill with it even feasible. I don't have a lot of experience in photography yet, but I'm a fan of Velbon already.

As an "advanced amateur" I wanted a light weight, not too big, tripod capable of holding a Nikon D200 securely for mostly close-ups and nature subjects. This one fits the bill. Small enough to pack for travel. Lighter than any aluminum tripod. Tall enough extended to shoot at eye height and adjustable to virtually on-the-ground close-ups. Looks well made but still new to me.

First off the Pan Head is OK...no quick release kills it for me. The rest of the package is Grade A. This tripod is sturdy, lightweight, super versatile and compatible with most high end tripod heads. The legs can lock in place at almost any angle. The split post design allows one to use this thing virtually inches off the ground. Flip the post upside down for even more options. Use the included accessory hook and stone bag to add additional weight to insure rock solid performance. I love this thing.

This is a very nice tripod for the price. It is sturdy and lightweight. The included head is decent and I feel no need to upgrade it. One cautionary note - The ad says it supports 25 pounds. The box says it supports 8.8 pounds. I do have a camera lens combination that weighs about 16 pounds and I won't be putting it on this tripod!

I bought this few months back to do some light Macro work and i didn't know who Velbon is well now i do and i'm a fan! What a great tripod, it's super light, it sets up easily and it helps me to create nice tact sharp images! Be sure to turn off your VR or IS when you shoot on a tripod!

I really like this tripod.I mainly photograph wildlife and need a tripod that is light,and for the price this is an excellent choice.I replaced the pan head with a manfrotto ball head which made it a little heavier, but i like it better.I really like the measurement marks on the legs because you can set it up quicker too.there are better tripods out there but for the money this is the best choice.

I am very happy with this tripod. It is light and sturdy. I use it for a small video camera. It is significantly better than lesser expensive models which are flimsy and create jerky videos. This is an excellent choice for a moderately priced tripod. I would buy it again.

I have had many tripods over the years, and the sturdy ones have been too heavy to carry comfortably. This tripod is lightweight enough to take it everywhere, and when you remove the head (I prefer a ballhead), it fits perfectly in a carry-on bag. This tripod is light enough that I can extend it fully with the camera ready to shoot, set it to shoot with the self-timer, and hold the tripod high over a crowd to get a higher vantage point.
When shooting, it is always more work when you are carrying a tripod, but the results of your photographs are well worth it.

Overall: A great bargain for an intermediate photographer seeking a light, versatile, travel tripod of carbon fiber material without spending over $1000. I put this on a wish list and received as a gift after searching dozens of options by Manfrotto, Bogen, and the like. Essentially, I found that you would need to pay at least twice the price to get a kit (including adjustable head) for similar quality.

Typical Usage: Long exposure and stability shots for a heavy Canon 1Ds with an L-series 70-200mm lens (at least 8 lbs.)

Pros: Price, portability, construction, solidity, strength/weight ratio, resistance to slipping exceptional

Cons: Doesn't allow for upgrading with professional attachments (e.g. ballhead) from other providers; vinyl travel bag a bit cheap; somewhat of a hassle to "fold away" the head within the case; having to adjust two knobs rather than a single trigger ballhead a bit time consuming