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Doing studio work, portraits, seascapes, etc., I find that if I swing the legs around so the "Velbon" label on the legs is between my knees, the head is level, left-to-right. It clicks into the head of the tripod securely and I feel comfortable with it, though I do wish there was a positive lock, as mentioned previously.So, now I've got the light-weight Zeikos for hiking and checking with the luggage when traveling, and now this fine Velbon DF-60 for studio-quality work, as well as being light enough to pack around if a lot of tripod shooting is anticipated.Now it's home is near the kitchen patio door, where I can quickly bring it out on the deck and snap the camera on for long-exposure sunset and telephoto shots here in Colorado Springs.In short, for the price paid, this tripod is heavy and sturdy enough to do studio-quality work, and light enough that it travels well while handling relatively heavy DSLR/telephoto setups. I do have to agree with the dissenting reviewer, this should not be labeled a 'light weight' tripod. This was the case with my Nikon D90 DSLR with 75-300 telephoto lens, I needed a more sturdy and stable tripod to hold the camera without tip-toeing around it to set up my shot. The QR plate is flat on the bottom and I've been leaving it semi-permanently attached to the base of the D90 DSLR for now. Using a small torpedo level, I checked the nice, built-in bubble on the tripod, set legs so that was centered, and then, panning the head around, found it was tilted slightly to the right, in the leg configuration I would use to normally set it up. For outdoor/landscape/general shooting, this should not pose a noticeable problem.
So, in error, I also bought a "Velbon QB-5W - Quick release plate" for a few dollars, and now have two, which might not be a bad thing. quick release camera platform", in other words, the base plate for the quick-release that mounts to the camera.
I experimented with this on a level surface and found this to be a potential issue. I find the feature of exposing the spikes for outdoor/icy work to be real nice, I've used it already.It would have been nice if this came with a case, but the Amazon recommended (at bottom of product page) nylon case that I purchased at the same time is just the right size and very good for the price: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002E1TYK/ref=oss_product - it comes with a shoulder strap.Also, I missed it in the product description - "featuring.
I have a Zeikos tripod slightly shorter (and much lighter) that handles my small digital camera and camcorder fine, but when the tripod is lighter than the camera, it is a recipe for disaster. People should also check the nifty leveling screws at the bottom of the tripod legs, the three of them should be consistent so the base will be level on a level floor.
Thanks for reading, Lorin Boyack The Velbon DF-60 tripod does just the trick at a very reasonable price.Another reviewer mentioned that he had to rotate the tripod around to get the head level.
I checked the pan/tilt assembly (used to swing camera 90 degrees for portrait shots) to make sure it was clean, but it 'wants' to come down another degree or so.
Compared to what else you have to chose from, this is great quality for under $50.
It got to me quicker than expected - which is a plus. This tripod is exactly what I was looking for. It is sturdy enough to handle minor bumps without damage.
I was able to purchase a Sunpack QSX 2001 locally with virtually identical specs weighting about one - third the weight of the Velbon and same build quality. Although the quality appears to be excellent for the price, I returned it immediately after removing it from the box as I had no intention of lugging around something that is trying to pass itself off as a light weight tripod. Calling this tripod light weight is like calling a PC portable. I purchased this tripod exclusively for use at my daughter's school functions, dance recitals, etc.
FULLY ADUSTABLE PAN HEAD AND A FEATURE I LIKE. THAT BEING SAID HERE GOES: DISLIKES: THE SIZE OF THE TRIPOD IN IT COLAPSED STATE IS NOT REALLY COMPACT WHICH MAKES PORTABLITY SORT OF A CONCERN I CAN FIT IT IN A SMALL BACKPACK WITH MY CAMERAS HOW EVER IT DOES TAKE UP SPACE AND THE TRIPODS WEIGHT ALSO MAKES IT BULKY AS MENTIONED IN OTHER REVIEWS IT SHOULD COME WTH A CARRYING CASE PREFERABLY ONE WITH STRAPS SO CAN SLING IT OVER ONES SHOULDER FOR OUTINGS AND THEN YOU DONT HAVE TO SHOP AROUND FOR A BAG THAT FITS THE TRIPOD SIZE LIKES: FOR THE PRICE AND COMPARED TO OTHER TRIPODS IVE OWNED FOR POINT/SHOOT CAMERAS AND FILM SLR'S THIS IS A PERFECT TRIPODITS WELL CONSTRUCTED WITH QUALITY MATERIALS, FEATURES LIKE A LEVEL & MANUAL CRANK TO ADUST HEIGHT TO ANY VERTICAL LOCATION. REMOVEABLE QUICK RELEASE CAMERA ATTACHED BRACKET SO YOU CAN REMOVE THE CAMERA FOR HAND HELD PHOTOS THEN SLIP IT BACK INTO THE TRIPOD FOR OTHER PHOTOS.FINALLY IT HAS HORIZONTAL BRACKETS WHICH IMPROVES THE TRIPODS OVER ALL STABILITYIVE OWNED THE VALBON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND ITS BEEN EASY TO SET UP IN THE "FEILD" AND FOR MY P/S DIGITAL IT ELIMINATES CAMERA SHAKE AND GREATLY IMPROVES PHOTOSSINCE PHOTO EQUIPMENT CAN BE A BIT PRICEY IVE VOTED 5 STARS SINCE FOR THE MONEY THIS HAS PROVEN TO BE A QUAITY TRIPOD DID LOTS OF SURVEYING AND READING TRIPOD REVIEWS ON AMAZON BEFORE DECIDING ON THE VELBON DF-60 TRIPOD. BASICALLY ITS DIFFICULT TO TELL FROM A PHOTO WHAT QUALITY YOU ARE PURCHASING.
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