Velbon Maxi 347GB Mini Tripod with 3-Way Pan Head & Case (extends to 62" folds to 16.87.5", Weighs 2.6 lbs and supports 8 lbs)
by Velbon
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: VelbonDigital Cameras Photo Reviews of Velbon Maxi 347GB Mini Tripod with 3-Way Pan Head & Case (extends to 62" folds to 16.87.5", Weighs 2.6 lbs and supports 8 lbs)
Customer Review: Quality tripod, many nice features, folds up very nicely
Summary: 4 Stars
I spent about 2 days off and on researching tripods on Amazon.com and other Internet stores. There were so many to choose from, but my final decision was to go with one that folded up very compactly. I plan on doing a lot of hiking this summer, so this was the deciding factor that lead me to purchase this item. This item seemed to be the smallest that I could find, and was reasonably priced at under $[...].
I have yet to take it out into the field, but here are my first impressions after playing with it at home:
1) The legs fold out very smoothly and quickly. When you unlatch each section, the legs just extend via gravity. Once locked into position, they feel sturdy and stay in place. The legs have rubber feet, but if you screw in the rubber part, a metal spike is revealed. I believe this is to be used to obtain extra traction, but I'm not sure how much this will really help. But having this feature definitely can't hurt anything.
2) The shaft in the middle extends upwards via a gear system. The crank shaft used to raise the middle section is made primarily of plastic and does have a bit of a cheap feel, but I believe as long at it is not abused, it should last. Once you losen the tightening screw, the crank smoothly raises/lowers the middle shaft. Once the screw is tightened, it stays in place.
3) The head on the tripod moves in several directions. Tilts right or left to 90 degrees, back and forth and 360 degrees around. All movements are fluid, and once you lock them down, they stay put. The platform that attaches to the bottom of your camera is very small, which I really like, and when inserted into the head fits snug and tight. The toggle that allows you to remove the camera from the tripod is easily accessible no matter what position the camera is in. There is a small pin that pops up when the camera is removed that keeps the toggle in the 'out' position for re-attaching the camera. When the camera is inserted, the pin is pushed down and the toggle clamps down the platform. A minor plus, but a handy feature never the less.
4) None of the screws, handles, etc. that allow you to move your camera to various positions get in the way of each other or the camera. I credit this to good engineering design, and serious thought seemed to go into this feature given the compact nature of the tripod.
5) I have a Canon 30D with a 17-40L lens, alltogether weighing about 4-5 lbs. The tripod feels like it completely supports this weight and I don't have any worry about it failing while out in the field. I would imagine that on a windy day, the tripod may suffer from shake since it is so light, but to me that is just the trade-off for having such a light & compact tripod.
6) My only complain with this tripod, which keeps me from giving it a 5 star rating, is that the top of the head is not level. When moving the head left/right, there is a notch that is suppose to represent 'level'. However, when the head is in this position, it is not level. I confirmed this with a bubble level, and it was quite a bit off (approximately 1 degree). However, because the head leans left/right, I can compensate for this by simply making the necessary adjustment. The knob that tightens the head to hold its position is very tight, so once you do adjust it to level, it stays that way. I may have a defective unit, but because I can adjust it to level on my own, I do not plan on returning the unit. If I was unable to correct this issue, it would definitely warrant a return.
Those are my impressions of the unit. I comes with a nice carrying bag and the tripod fits nicely in it when folded up. I think this will serve me will during my hiking trips this summer and I look forward to using it. I would recommend this tripod to anyone looking for the features it offers.
[...]
Description of Velbon Maxi 347GB Mini Tripod with 3-Way Pan Head & Case (extends to 62" folds to 16.87.5", Weighs 2.6 lbs and supports 8 lbs)
4-section legs enable this tripod to reach a maximum height of 158 cm and just 42.7 cm when folded. Extremely light and handy (1.2 kg), a must for every photographer. Supplied with PH-237Q 4-way "Revolver" pan head. Features a geared centre column for accuracy and braced legs for stability.Accessories
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