78"/198cm Aluminum Camera Tripod, 3-section Central Axis Travel Tripod with 32mm Metal Ball Head Load Capacity 26.4lbs/12KG, Suitable for DSLR Cameras

I usually buy the cheaper tripods because I get to see them with my own two hands before I buy them, however this time, as I was buying online, I was worried if I paid too little, I would get plastic junk! )))

This is by no means the high-priced ones you see for a couple of hundred, but at the same time, it is not cheap either. I was expecting it to be better than the cheaper ones of course, but I had no idea it would be able to give the more expensive ones a run for their money. I have a feeling I will be slowly replacing all my tripods with these.

I bought this tripod to replace my top-quality Manfrotto, which has been a trusty companion for over 20 years of professional photography.

I needed a smaller, but still solid tripod to fit in the back box of my Honda 50, along with a large medium format camera, for local photo-trips. I measured the back box interior and noted the dimensions information that was given with the tripod, and it fits perfectly (see photo).

I was a bit dubious about the ball head holding my very heavy camera, so I replaced it with the heavy-duty pan and tilt head from the Manfrotto and it works perfectly. I've put the ball head from this one on the Manfrotto to hold a DSLR that I use for digitizing negs.

No, it's not as sold and robust as the Manfrotto (which cost 3 times as much), and that's to be expected. But it looks like it will do the job, and saves me from putting a really heavy tripod on my back when I go out on the bike!

I have had this tripod for over a year and it is still going strong.

I cannot speak for it's use in a studio, however if you have a studio I doubt that you are looking at a travel tripod such as this.

The attached pictures are from a trip to the isle of skye, which I took this tripod on. During my time there I used both and RB67 and a Nikon EM. The tripod had no trouble with the weight of the RB67, so I cant see it having any trouble with anything digital unless you have a weighty telephoto lens attached to the front.

I have taken this tripod up to the old man of Storr during snowy, wet and cold conditions and it did not miss a beat and has suffered no damage from this, the same can be said for placing it in water while making images at the fairy pools. Just be sure to carry something to wipe the moisture from it before you pack it up to store it. This is common sense but I felt it was worth mentioning.

The plate it comes with has a good release system, but it's not quick release so is something to bear in mind if that was an option you desired. The only issue I came across with the plate was at the summit of the old man of Storr I discovered the screw had backed out slightly from the RB when I removed it from my bag. This may have been due to cold, I could not say, but worth mentioning either way.

I have put this tripod through abuse and it just keeps going, I highly reccomend it and if you're concerned about weight, I hope some pictures of it holding my RB have helped you!

I use this tripod for landscape photography, taking it out at least once a week on photography hikes in the Peak District.

Weight - this tripod strikes a great balance between sturdiness and easy of carrying. Attached to my pack it adds very little perceivable weight, considering some of my hikes can be 15 miles + this of great benefit.

Stability - I quite often encounter high winds when shooting, the tripod stands up fantastically with no shifting, flexing or any sign of being lifted off its legs. The ball-head is also very solid, staying locked fast in position. For perspective I'm shooting with Nikon D750 and moderately weighty lenses so this may contribute to the stability of the rig, providing a fair amount of force down the legs to keep it planted. Likewise, I've used this tripod in fast flowing water and have found it to be perfectly stable in this type of situation. The most extreme conditions I've used the tripod in were during the snow and wind storms of early March, where I used this in gale force winds and full blizzard conditions with no issue.

Height - if you shoot at or above eye level and don't like extending the center-column, you may want to consider a different tripod. As someone who likes to shoot from below chest height most often and lower, it's perfect for me, minimising the size of of the tripod whilst folded.

Fittings - the latches on the legs are nice and bulky allowing them to be gripped and operated easily whilst wearing gloves, or just firm when not using gloves. The rings used to lock the center-column close down firmly and stay locked.

I've had a few k and f nd filters which have been good so I thought this would be good quality and it is. Very well thought out, very well made and just a really good product all round. The only down side and this is only a down side if your hiking with it is the weight, its not heavy but its easy enough to wear on you over a days walking etc. Over all brilliant.