Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This tripod is BETTER than I expected! I am a professional photographer and I lost my light weight tripod on a shoot and I looked around for a lightweight, but strong, not expensive, carbon fiber one for travel to Europe. I wanted something very compact and easy to carry and pack. I ordered this hoping it would meet my needs, and it has not only met my needs, I wanted to recommend it to others out there that have any doubts. I was so surprised at how sturdy this tripod actually is, considering all the sections. All the joints tighten up solid and tight with ease with only a turn or two. The carbon fiber "tubes" are super strong and don't seem to flex like you would expect. I extended the tripod to it's max and shook it around and it feels very sturdy in all directions. I pushed down hard from the head to see how the legs would flex under weight, and they barely flexed at all, and that is FULLY EXTENDED! The center extension is super strong and sturdy! The alloy fittings are gorgeous with the black and gold finishes that are solid mechanically. The pivot joints on the legs are smooth and tight, not loose or cheap feeling at all, very professional feel, with push pull locking buttons for different leg angles. The one leg turns into a monopod by unscrewing it. The head unscrews, as well as the center post, which is also extendable, to attach to the monopod leg, making the monopod longer and extendable. The strap handle it made of strong, woven cloth material, not plastic junk. The spring loaded weight hook on the bottom of the center post is a great feature to keep down movement when needed, and unscrews to allow you to take off the center post, which has a screw hole on the bottom, to be used for other uses like the monopod. The head on this is good for travel and great that it fits together with the tripod when compacted without having to remove it before packing it in the bag. The head locks tightly in position, and the round levels help with balance. I wouldn't say the head is professional, but it is definitely not bad for it's intended use. This is not a video head, so those looking for this to pan and tilt as you shoot, you can forget it, this is for still imaging only, is my recommendation for that. The head plate is not quick release, which is not great, but it does have a spring stop under it that prevents a camera from slipping off the head if the plate would happen to come loose. The knobs are all easy access and easy to turn and tighten with no problems. Remember, this is designed for TRAVEL, so it is designed to be lightweight, easy to carry and pack, which is it's intended use. It comes with a padded carry case, and a padded cover bag to cover the head when it's all folded up! I give this my highest recommendation, because this tripod has so much versatility, especially for travel, that you would spend much more for some name brand one and end up with less features and not the compact size this offers. Just because this is not some expensive brand does not make it less quality. This functions as good as it looks, and I am picky. The price is outstanding for what you get, trust me! I am absolutely blown away with how good this tripod is, and you will be too!!