Opteka 70" Full Size Professional Photo / Video Tripod by Opteka
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List Price: Our Price: $34.99 You Save: $34.96 (50%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Digital Camera See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of Opteka 70" Full Size Professional Photo / Video Tripod
Digital camera Review: Better than I expected
Summary: 5 Stars
I received the tripod ahead of the expected schedule. I've been looking at tripods in stores in and around the greater Boston area.
You can't get a better tripod for the money. In fact, you can't get anything "decent" for under $40-50 and even then I'm not sure you will get something this good.
I had it shipped to my job and a few guys in the office (which I didn't know) had purchased a tripod in the past and where really impressed when I told them I only paid $25 for it.
Conclusion: is the tripod perfect, NO. The head looks and feels like plastic. But it has nice rubber feet and rubber grip in addition to everything listed on Amazons website. This tripod is perfect for the beginner to enthusiast photographer.
Digital camera Review: Bought this 8-06 ... (with revise)
Summary: 4 Stars
I am 6ft tall and this is such a perfect tripod for someone who is a beginning/novice photographer for occasional to moderate use (would be my guess). My forté is post-production, as I am a graphic designer and needed something to use with my new dig camera. I did a lot of research for tripods and this seemed to have what I needed for my usage. The plastic clips concern me somewhat with durability for the long haul, but I would love to be surprised and that is just my nerves and luck talking. How can you beat the price regardless?
I am so happy with this tripod so far. I love how tall it is for me particularly and how easy it is to use. I did so much research online and found this 70" one and said "screw it" I am tired of looking and bought it. I knew I needed something that accomodated for my height and there isn't a whole lot out there for us tall folks that have decent ratings and is in the hundred and below dept. I didn't have the pesos to make another "hundred+" purchase and took a risk here when I rated the cost versus quality (in my head). I feel as though I have won this battle for now.
I like the two "levels" (that i have noticed) to make sure I am squared up on this piece of equipment. Equipment has a smooth pan and I will be using it for my own photo work, video tours for my husband's realtor work and recreation/family photos. I am excited to use this more with my dig Rebel. Legs extend easily. Metal (light weight) body with plastic clips and pieces. Comes with a black bag to hold your tripod also. Easy snap-off piece to remove your digital camera and to attach. In fact I just leave it always on my camera as it expedites the process when I am in a hurry.
Tripod feels quite sturdy with my Rebel attached. I think this is a really good-looking tripod. It is so SO light weight and portable. I love that it is NOT clunky and loud to assemble when pulling it straight out of the trunk/car for quickly assembly.
I would've liked to seen a manual for recommended usage and ways of maximizing longevity of the product, but I am over it and the product is great so far.
(revise 10-09-06) Still LOVE LOVE this tripod. I use it ALL the time. So easy to use and it is SO lightweight and I can just toss it in the trunk. So quick to set up too. Love it ... it ROCKS (from a tall gal).
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October 2008: I did lose one of the footings, but found it and snapped back on. Still works fine and I am pretty rough with my tripod. No other parts broken yet. For the price, I am still so glad I have this tripod. The panning is "so-so" for those doing virtual tours now at this point in it's tripod life. Still I make it work. I am not a professional in the sense of photography, but for what I use it for (home photos, virtual tours) it still works and does the job pretty darn well. I don't have experience with other tripods. This is my first one and the only I have had thus far. It doesn't work as well for a panning camcorder and/or flip video. Just too jerky with the plastic pieces and 360 rotation. This tripod lives in my car so I have always ready to go. I am sure to a degree I am lucky I haven't bashed it with kid toys and/or grocery bags, but you get what you pay for, and I have definitely seen my money out of this piece of equipment and then some. Maybe I have gotten lucky, and if so I am glad.
11/10: I believe in edits to a review to add dates ... this stand is still going strong for me. Unbelievable. It's nothing fancy and not good for smooth pans, but for the average joe looking for a good steady and/or someone that is tall (I don't write this to discriminate, just calling it as it is) ... this has been such a nice stand to just keep in my car.
Digital camera Review: Cant' beat this for the price
Summary: 5 Stars
Excellent value. Comparable 30 dollar tripods don't come close. Easy to adjust. Steady with my D80 mounted on it.
Very pleased with this purchase.
Update: jan 2011
Still pleased with the tripod - but I have one complaint which is that when using at a 90 degree (portrait) position with my D80 and a heavier zoom lense, the camera has a tendancy to spin forward (slip) on the mounting plate. The only solution is to really tighten the wingnut mounting screw really hard. There is a locating pin on the baseplate, but unfortunately my Nikon does not have a hole for it. Its not completely a tripod issue - but still may be important to someone who plans to use this heavily with portrait position and heavy lenses on a D80.
Digital camera Review: Cheap but does the job
Summary: 4 Stars
I ordered this tripod specifically because it was inexpensive and since I typicall hike into spots that are pretty rough on equiptment I didn't want to invest lots of money. When the tripod arrived I was a little let down at all the plastic parts. I wonder if it is going to be able to hold up long term. But thus far it has worked like a champ and you certainly can't beat the price for a 70" tripod (which is nice not having to stoop to use it).Digital camera Review: Decent tripod for the price.
Summary: 3 Stars
Although it has nothing to do with the word "professional", it IS a decent tripod for the price it is sold. Could be a good tripod just to try, in case you are a beginner and don't really know what you want from it.