Velbon CX-470 Deluxe Lightweight Photographic/Video Tripod

Rating:
Summary: better than nothing
Review: Quick release is a poor design. The plate is difficult to tighten, and even at that, slight camera movement loosens it off. The interface between plate and tripod is poor too, made of plastic, the tolerances to fit are sloppy and there is a little snap mechanism to hold the securing latch that loses tension over time, rendering it useless. As a tripod, it is very unsteady with center mast extended and lowest legs extended. If used with just the legs splayed and the camera bag looped over the legs for weight/ballast, it does a fine job, and in that respect, better than nothing. All locks work well with the exception of the plate latch/lock which is the most important one. This tripod is relegated to holding a flash for me.

Save your money and buy something more substantial.

Rating:
Summary: better than nothing
Review: Quick release is a poor design. The plate is difficult to tighten, and even at that, slight camera movement loosens it off. The interface between plate and tripod is poor too, made of plastic, the tolerances to fit are sloppy and there is a little snap mechanism to hold the securing latch that loses tension over time, rendering it useless. As a tripod, it is very unsteady with center mast extended and lowest legs extended. If used with just the legs splayed and the camera bag looped over the legs for weight/ballast, it does a fine job, and in that respect, better than nothing. All locks work well with the exception of the plate latch/lock which is the most important one. This tripod is relegated to holding a flash for me.

Save your money and buy something more substantial.

Rating:
Summary: Pretty good for something so inexpensive..
Review: Tripod serves it's purpose. For those of you who are just playing around with photography like I am, this tripod does the job. Built decently for what you pay for. The movement seems pretty smooth to me. The only thing I did not like were the legs. They're quite troublesome to extend and they sometimes got a little stuck. Other than that a great buy for the price.