Velbon CX-470 Deluxe Lightweight Photographic/Video Tripod

...this is an outstanding little tripod. We have two. I use it with a pretty large digital camera and it balances the camera just fine. My husband uses it with fine results for his shirt-pocket sized camera. The tripod is light enough to hoist over my shoulder for treks into the mountains, but heavy enough to be steady for finicky closeups.

The quick release is sometimes a little fussy about popping back on, but it is a quick _release_ (and it works very well at that), not a quick "snap on". The legs have been no trouble, at all. It helps that I trained myself to extend the lowest segment first, and then to move up as needed. One will need a mini-tripod because this does not go as low as you might want for some work on the ground. (True confession: I've had good luck jury-rigging the legs for shots on the ground when I haven't wanted the extra weight of a mini.)

Unless or until I decide to spend $$$$$ on fancy-schmancy equipment, this works just great for me. I've had it a while and, at the price, would have no qualms whatsoever at replacing it with the same model, if it should break -- which it shows absolutely no sign of doing.

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.

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.