Slik SPRINT PRO 3-WAY Travel Tripod with 3-Way Panhead and Quick-Release

Very nice tripod. Watch-out 4 the suggestive sale on the Slik tripod carrying case. We purchased it along with the tripod not knowing that Slik packages it with a travel case. The worst part is that the case Amazon suggest purchasing with this is too large 4 the tripod. Fortunately they agreed 2 take it back. So purchase the tripod & forgo the extra case & you will be happy.

I purchased this tripod about 1 year ago, & have been quite pleased. Its best feature is that it is short enough (due 2 3-way) 2 fit inside a carry-on bag. Most other tripods are just too long. It also rises 2 over 6 foot in height when fully extended. It is not as stable as a Bogan (of course), but it's a lot more portable when on the go. I have this tripod & my Bogan, & this one gets used about 90% of the time. I also like the fact that is is quite light, yet quite strong. I did break off the small adjustment knob when I dropped it, but fixed it with a little super glue. It would be nice if Amazon also sold spare parts.

Bob

I bought this 4 my Canon S5 IS (with a metal lens adapter & a couple filters attached most of the time) & after waiting around 4 a week 4 it 2 arrive at my doorstep, I was a bit disappointed. It's a tad too flimsy 4 my tastes.

The Bad

With the legs at full length & the center column at the lowest point, the legs would bend a considerable amount. Out of 10 medium-exposure night shots taken with the tripod legs fully retracted, I could only get 2 shots 2 come out clear. My tripod was also shipped with a sticky (to the point where you needed a flathead screwdriver 2 get it loose) leg angle adjustment clip which was easily resolved by taking the leg assembly apart & tuning a couple screws. With two leg sections extended, I was still getting considerable shake & movement in a light breeze. Then again, it's a travel tripod designed 2 be lightweight.

The Good

It's small enough 2 strap 2 the outside of my bag so I can take it long-distance with ease. The light weight helps as well. The different number of positions it can achieve is also pretty neat. This came in handy 4 macro shots.

Conclusion

It's a decent travel tripod & it doesn't hold too much weight if it's fully extended.

And one other thing, the user-taken photos 4 this product are actually photos of the Slik Pro 700DX.

I first walked down a line of tripods at B&H here in NYC 2 see & feel the real versions of the digital pics I saw on the web. Since I am primarily a video guy with several bulky but steady 'pods, I wanted something 2 fit in a backpack with my new Nikon still camera. This one fit the bill 4 me. While we would all like 2 find a foot-long, 3 ounce & STEADY pod - it just ain't in the works yet.

I shoot with a Powershot G9, & this tripod seems a perfect match. The G9 is a small camera with lots of great features, & in similar fashion this tripod combines portability with flexibility. I especially appreciate the range of positions that the reversible & adjustable center column affords -- it really lets me explore the G9's macro capabilities. This tripod will get you up high & get right down 2 the ground, & it's easily converted from one position 2 the next. Nice & light & it comes with a carry case too! If you have a big camera this may not be ideal, but it gets the job done with smaller cameras like digital superzooms, prosumer compacts, & the like.

Like the SPRINT PRO, the SLIK SPRINT PRO 3-Way has the features that are required of a full sized tripod, a maximum height of 64 inches reaches eye level yet the SPRINT PRO folds 2 an impressively compact 18.9 inches & weighs in at just 38 ounces 4 easy travel. Instead of using a small ball head, SLIK designed a new 3-way pan head that is fitted perfect 4 the SPRINT PRO & is included with this model. This head can easily handle a camera up 2 4.4 pounds* in weight. The emphasis on the SPRINT PRO 3-Way is ease of use. This tripod makes setting up simple & secure with fast, easy 2 use SLIK speed release leg locks, gearless center column 4 quick height adjustments, & 3 position adjustable angle legs 4 easy set up on uneven ground or steps. The adjustable legs angles can also be used 2 lower the tripod. When used with the built-in short center column, (the included center column unscrews into two pieces) the camera is just 6.8 inches off the ground 4 extremely low angle or macro photography out in the field. Another way 2 get the camera low is 2 reverse the center column.