Opteka MP100 Pro Photo Video Monopod

Opteka MP100 67" Pro Photo / Video Monopod

Follow the action and keep your horizons true, shot after shot. And, when you move your camera for a different view, you can reset it level in seconds. No more fussing with blurry pictures or tired arms. Opteka's legendary craftsmanship and state-of-the-art engineering creates a unique professional monopod, ideal for today's photographer: whether shooting digital, film or compact video. Robust four-section black anodized aluminum monopod featuring sure rubber grip, wrist carrying strap, quick action lever leg lock system with 45° flip, large 1.2" camera / head platform with plastic cover and camera screw.

Overall Rating :

Opteka MP100 Pro Photo Video Monopod Technical Details:

1. Robust four-section black anodized aluminum monopod
2. Sure rubber grip
3. Quick action lever leg lock system
4. Wrist carrying strap

Opteka MP100 Pro Photo Video Monopod Product Details:

1. Product Dimensions: 1 x 1 x 21 inches ; 1 pounds
2. Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
3. ASIN: B0002RBQO0
4. Item model number: MP100
5. Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars (126 customer reviews)

Most Helpful Opteka MP100 Pro Photo Video Monopod Costumer Review:

135 of 137 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars - Great lightweight monpod for a digital camera, January 5, 2006 By Chip

I tried two other monopods before I settled on this one. I was looking for a lightweight monopod carry when hiking and biking with my Nikon D200 or Canon Pro1. The Pro1's 200mm equivalent zoom often requires support to eliminate camera shake when taking dawn, evening or deep forest (low light) photos. Even the Nikon's 18-200mm (27-300mm equivalent 35mm) VRII lens benefits from using a monopod.

The Pro1 weighs 1.5 pounds and the Nikon D200 3.5 pounds.

Here are the features the Opteka MP100 has that I consider important:

1. it's amazingly light weight
2. it's very rigid (considering the light weight) because the round leg has a locking channel
3. it's sturdy enough to use as a light walking stick
4. the quick action lever leg lock system means it adjusts height quickly which I find very important
5. the carrying case with strap keeps it from banging against another metal object when traveling
6. the 67" length allows me to set the camera at eye level (I'm 6' tall) even if I'm up on a step
7. folded up and attached to the camera, it can be lik a pistol grip

I've been using it for 6 months now and I'm very pleased it. I fold it up but leave it attached to the camera when I'm walking around, so it is always available.

At $13 it is a fantastic buy.

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The Optika MP100 Pro Photo Monopod is surprisingly sturdy, functional and well-made. It is supplied with a reasonably decent quality zippered nylon case with carrying strap. No, it is not "professional grade", but it is something every amateur photographer can use for weekend shooting.

12:00 PM | 0 comments | Read More...

SLIK PRO 700DX Professional Tripod Panhead

SLIK PRO 700DX Professional Tripod with Panhead (615-315)

SLIK's exclusive A.M.T. super titanium alloy legs make the PRO 700 DX tripod rock steady yet lighter than it looks. The A.M.T. alloy has a 40% greater strength to weight ration than standard aluminum, meaning the legs are lighter weight yet stronger than the standard metal used in most of today's tripods. Capable of handling the weight of large format (4x5) field cameras or heavy, long telephoto lenses, The PRO 700 DX offer professional photographers and advanced amateurs the strength and stability they need while its size, and the use of A.M.T. alloy, make it lighter weight and more portable than THE PROFESSIONAL series. A tripod should be easy to use, so that that you spend more time concentrating on your photography than you do your equipment.

The PRO 700 DX makes setting up easy with secure yet fast speed release leg locks, gearless center column, and 3 position adjustable angle leg locks for easy set up on uneven ground or steps. The adjustable angle locks combined with the PRO 700 DX Short Column (optional accessory) allow the tripod to be lowered to just 15 inches for very low angle, or macro photography in the field. The included PRO 700 DX all-metal 3-way pan head has one of the fasted and easiest to use quick release plates in the industry. SLIK made a circular quick release plate that can secure the camera to the tripod pointing in any direction, making attaching your camera (once the SLIK quick release plate is attached) more intuitive than most other heads that have squared off or angled plates.

Value, today it's more important then ever. Compare the price and features of the PRO 700 DX to other manufacturers' professional camera supports and you will see that dollar for dollar and feature for feature, this is one of the best values in a professional tripod available.

Overall Rating :

SLIK PRO 700DX Professional Tripod Panhead Technical Details:

1. Height 24 2/5 - 74 4/5"
2. Weight 7 lbs.
3. AMT alloy legs for an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio
4. Device Type: Tripod
5. Model: 615-315

SLIK PRO 700DX Professional Tripod Panhead Product Details:

1. Product Dimensions: 1.2 x 3 x 6.5 inches ; 7 pounds
2. Shipping Weight: 10 pounds
3. Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
4. ASIN: B0002EXF38
5. Item model number: 615-315
6. Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars (71 customer reviews)

Most Helpful SLIK PRO 700DX Professional Tripod Panhead Costumer Review:

135 of 135 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars - Best value on the planet. Perfect for tall shooters., November 23, 2006 By Jim Krupnik "jkrupnik"

I bought this tripod based on reviews I read on the net, and was not led astray at all. The Pro 700DX is well made, very sturdy, very tall, and light for it's overall size. It is made with high quality, black powder coat castings. The main casting tying the legs together is built with very clever, well made 3 position leg angle locks that are all metal in construction, lock in place with authority, and are simple to operate with with one hand. There is nothing in the way of cheesy parts anywhere on this tripod. It reeks of "pro-gear" quality and feel.

The pan head is rated for 15 pounds of equipment, and though the tripod itself can carry much more weight, the combination is a nice one. The pan head has nice controls, has two useful bubble levels built in, is built to high standards, and utilizes the Slik "Quick Shoe" system to full advantage. I have used many tripod systems over the decades, and have used many quick release plates as they came to market. Nobody has come up with a system that can beat the round plate system that Slik has on the market now. Not even the expensive European brands. It is secure. A camera or flash can be mounted in seconds even in total darkness,and the camera or accessory can be rotated on the head a full 360 degrees while securely locked onto the head, and before snapping the position locking tab shut. I bought 3 additional quick shoes that now live on my camera bodies, and long lenses. There is nothing else like it. Read more...

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This tripod has two handy bubble levels, a max height of 74 inches (great for us taller photographers) and an optional short center colum for low level shots.

Buy this tripod and it should outlast your camera.

11:09 AM | 1 comments | Read More...

Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod Legs Black

Manfrotto 055XPROB Pro Tripod Legs (Black)

The Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod Legs Black makes the famous Manfrotto-patented horizontal center column feature even easier to use. By extending the column to its highest vertical position, it can be swung around to horizontal without removing the head or disassembling the column itself, so switching between framing and positioning setups is more convenient than ever. The ergonomics of the leg angle release mechanism and the quick action leg locks themselves have also been greatly improved.

Overall Rating :

Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod Legs Black Technical Details:

1. Faceted center column eliminates column rotation
2. Built-in low angle adapter in the center column for ground level shots
3. Leg warmers on 2 legs ease handling in extreme weather conditions, and help to protect the legs
4. Four leg-angle settings (25,46,66 & 88°)
5. Maximum height (with center column down), 56"

Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod Legs Black Product Details:

1. Item Weight: 5.3 pounds
2. Shipping Weight: 7 pounds
3. Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
4. ASIN: B000UMX7FI
5. Item model number: 055XPROB
6. Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars (84 customer reviews)

Most Helpful Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod Legs Black Costumer Review:

474 of 477 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars - The Practical Review, February 3, 2009 By David Darick

Isn't it both amazing and quite frustrating that we as consumers must weed through what seems like hundreds of reviews just to gather enough information about a single product that ONE review should be able to produce? After literally reading hundreds of reviews for a camera body, lenses, tripods, etc, I feel like the work and time should go towards saving someone else from the toil of doing the same.

First of all, if you're like me, you're out looking for the tripod recommended by Scott Kelby's great, simple book, The Digital Photography Book. He recommends the Bogen 3001BD as the most affordable tripod which is still of good build quality. This recently has become the Bogen Manfrotto 190XPROB which is very, very similar to the 055XPROB. The differences are as follows:

055XPROB - can support 15.4 pounds
190XPROB - supports 11 pounds

055XPROB - leg diameters 29.4, 25, 20 mm
109XPROB - leg diameters 25, 20, 16 mm

055XPROB - min/max. height 3.9"/70.3"
190XPROB - min/max. height 3.3"/57.5"

055XPROB - weighs 5 pounds
190XPROB - weighs 4 pounds

Otherwise, they are the same basic tripod. Both are made out of patented aluminum and have the same features such as Bogen's fold-down center column which allows you to get great macro shots as close as a few inches from the ground and they both have the newer flip type leg locks which are a little stiff when new but hold the legs nice and tightly.

In summary, if you're looking for the best, cheapest tripod for your point and shoot or entry level digital SLR, I'd recommend the 190XPROB for the few dollars in savings, the pound you save in weight, and all of the professional quality and features of a Bogen tripod. If you are like me and are using that entry level DSLR and are looking to upgrade in the future with a larger camera body, larger lenses, flashes, etc, I'd recommend the 055XPROB for it's larger size (I'm 6'1"), heavier construction and higher load capacity. All in all, they are both excellent tripods that are nearly identical. If you ask me, I'd go with the 055XPROB regardless; is the fifteen dollars and the pound in difference really worth gaining, in sacrifice of a sturdier tripod? I don't think so. I hope this helped.

I purchased this product from Amazon on Jan 13th. The shipping was amazingly fast and the price was the best I could find on the internet, hands down. The one I ordered actually shipped from one town away so it arrived next day! It was a perfect transaction.

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- It's supposed to have legs that do not turn (more reliable and robust); this is not true: the lowest sections turn--disappointing for the price.

- Quite pricy. Wish they had used either carbon or a better leg locking system (not plastic) for this price and provided the leash, standard.

Other than that, nice tripod; it does the job and--so far--looks professional--meaning sturdy but flexible and convenient. Not sure it's a travel tripod but with a tripod bag it's easy to carry around. Nice tripod, you'll like it!

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Manfrotto 190XB 3 Section Aluminum Tripod

Manfrotto 190XB 3 Section Aluminum Tripod

The Manfrotto 190XB three-section tripod is stable, flexible, and easy to use, making it a great choice for amateur and professional photographers alike. The tripod is distinguished by its redesigned aluminum frame, which is lighter than previous incarnations and slightly more compact. As a result, it's more convenient to bring this tripod along on shoots without weighing yourself down. Plus, the ergonomics of the leg-angle release mechanism and the quick-action leg locks have also been greatly improved, making it a breeze to open, position, and close the tripod in just a few seconds. The tension of the locking mechanism is even user-adjustable, so you can find the right tension for your comfort level. And should you need to balance the tripod on an uneven surface, you can set each of the legs to a different spread angle over the tripod's center of gravity--a must for nature shots on outdoor terrain.

Overall Rating :

Manfrotto 190XB 3 Section Aluminum Tripod Technical Details:

1. Leg angle presets increase the tripod's stability in bad weather conditions or on uneven terrain.
2. Quick action leg locks with new improved design.

Manfrotto 190XB 3 Section Aluminum Tripod Product Details:

1. Product Dimensions: 20.9 x 5 x 5 inches ; 4 pounds
2. Shipping Weight: 5 pounds
3. Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
4. ASIN: B000N4LJZI
5. Item model number: 190XB
6. Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews)

Most Helpful Costumer Review:

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars - Great compact tripod, fair price, October 20, 2009 By Peter R. Gibbons "FFFan"

I purchased this tripod as a backpackable tripod, because I couldn't afford a carbon-fiber model. That said, this tripod is great, considering the relatively low price. My setup can be rather heavy, with a Nikon D200 + 80-200 f/2.8 lens, but so far the tripod in conjunction with the midi-ball head, has been very sturdy.

The great things about this tripod are the thumb clasps on the telescoping legs (rather than wingnuts), the leg warmers (great at 5am when it's 30 degrees), and the well built and adjustable pivot points on the legs. I find the ability to have legs go totally horizontal is highly useful.

This tripod does have some drawbacks. The first being the telescoping head - even with lighter setups, it introduces vibrations that take a few seconds to subside after hands are free of the camera. This extension is handy only in a pinch, with no wind, a small camera, and a remote release. Fully extended, it's shoddy, at best. This section also prevents the tripod from getting really low to the ground - the lowest it can go is limited by the length of this shaft, since it protrudes below the neck of the tripod.

Also, this tripod is short, fully extended. It's a compact tripod, so that's to be expected, but I'm just providing fair warning to those interested. With the legs fully extended, I have to crouch quite low to look in my camera's viewfinder.

All in all, excellent build quality, nice leg clasps, great adjustability, good for fairly heavy DSLR setups, and sturdy in fair weather conditions. I would recommend this to a friend, looking for a compact tripod for carrying around, and who couldn't get a carbon-fiber model.

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This tripod was stable and solid for my Canon D40, 24-70mm lens, and 580EX flash. Great construction and quality! It really holds!

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