Slik Pro 400DX Tripod Legs - with 3-Way Pan/Tilt Quick Release Head, for Mirrorless/DSLR Sony Nikon Canon Fuji Cameras and More - Black (615-400)

Excellent tripod for the price. Great compromise between portability and strength without spending a fortune. It is hefty enough that I am totally confident in it's ability to hold my Nikon d7100 and 18-200mm lens securely, but not too heavy to take along with me. I wouldn't go on a backpacking trip with it, but it's very easy to take along in the car or on shorter excursions. It's very adjustable and can quickly adapt to a huge range of situations thanks to it's multiple leg locking points and various angles. Also, it can be mounted upside-down for even more versatility. The padded legs are a nice touch too, providing some hand insulation from high heat/cold environments, or just general comfort for shoulder carry. The only negative I can think of is that there is a little bit of play in the handle that swings the camera from landscape to portrait format – but it's manageable.

Compact for carrying and easily adjustable for bird watching. Multiple extensions that lock sturdy in place.

I have had this tripod for over 2 years now. It has performed beautifully. It feels very sturdy - I am comfortable with my 7d sitting on it fully extended. The only downside is the size and weight - it does not collapse to a very tidy size (making it fun when you are at the airport) - but I figure if you want something to last it needs to have a little size to it (unless you are willing to drop a little more $$$ on it) ... plus you need some weight if you are going to hold a 7d with some heavy lenses. I am not a professional (at all), but this serves me well on trips and when at family gatherings. When traveling, it fits reasonably on the outside of my carry-on (which is a Gregory day-pack) when looped through the gear loops - it is probably a little longer than collapsible trekking poles.

The screw that connects the center column to the pan head was bent upon arrival. While this was fixable by bending it back into place, I think this may say something about the quality of the equipment, especially considering the price. After fixing the screw the tri-pod seems to be very stable, and no assembly was required making it easy to use, manual is also very straightforward. Weight is heavy enough to prevent it from being unbalanced by my camera (Nikon 3200d) but not so heavy it's a burden to carry. The ability to invert the center column and pan head allows you to do achieve multiple desirable angles when combined with the independent adjustable legs. Overall pretty good, but it remains to be seen if it's built to last.

professional grade, sturdy and useful for photography, i have not tried it for video

Excellent tripod for a spotting scope. Mine sports a Leupold SX-2 Alpine HD Gen 2 20-60x80 on it and it is rock solid...perfect pairing between this tripod and the spotting scope.

I gave a five star review because it is great for what the tripod was intended for. I wanted to use it for videography and am not happy with it because I didn't realize that I wanted smooth movements from start to finish during pans and tilts - well I did realize that I wanted that -but I didn't realize that I needed a fluid film head to achieve that effect. So I ended up spending $150 + on a different tripod head and a converter screw ($10) that will allow my new tripod head to fit on this tripod. I am keeping the product instead of returning it because I really like the tripod legs - they are super sturdy, and built to last. This tripod will be great for you if you are doing home videos, still photography (although you may want to buy a level to mount on your camera), or locked-down videography. However, if you want to do fluid-movement - you can take my route and buy this tripods legs and a different head.. or just invest in a fluid tripod made for film...... I feel silly for making the initial mistake, but thought I'd share in case anyone else was about to do the same. Again, I gave it 5 stars because it really is a great tripod for its own purpose.

I had been using my dad's wooden WWII era tripod for years and while I'll always have a fondness for it - it's stability (or lack of it) and it's weight began to make photography less enjoyable. I received this tripod as a gift after dropping hints here and there and I love all it's bell and whistles. It's very sturdy, has a flexibility my old tripod could never hope to compete with and is lightweight and easily portable. It holds the camera steady so focus is never a problem. I couldn't be happier with my purchase.