VelbonVideomate-638 Video Tripod Height 171 cm Black

If you're serious about have a solid tripod to mount your camera, this is the one to get.It comes with a nice bag too.This is not a high end tripod for professional but it is considered in the middle range.

I haven't had this long at all, but have already put it to some good use. I didn't know what to expect as the price was quite low for a tripod with a fluid head. I have read many comments saying it is not a true fluid head, but for me that technical point doesn't really matter as it does give a very smooth pan and tilt action. I will still find it hard to dispense with the heavy-duty rubber band use to pull the handle, but that is more down to habit than any shortcomings with the fluid head itself.There are quite a number of plastic parts on the tripod, but that doesn't detract from the quality feel of it. The tripod certainly seems sturdy and the legs do give a good spread and hold my DSLR with telephoto very well.There are thumb screws on the head to enable it to be locked off on position which works well, although they could do with a more positive action, but this is a minor issue and maybe me not being fully used to it yet. There is also a small bubble level built into the tripod to enable it to be positioned horizontally. The adjustable height slider has a nice smooth action too, and this can also be locked off.EDIT - I have had three of these tripods now. The first one ended up with a broken leg clamp, so the leg wouldn't lock in position. Fortunately, I returned it within the one-year time frame and Amazon replaced it. The second tripod, was bought to match the first so I could mount a motorised slider on them both, and it works fine still. The replacement for the first tripod has now failed again, exactly on the plastic leg lock too. The tripods are great, but probably not up to sustain hard use. I have now replaced all my video and DSLR camera mounts etc with the Swiss/Arca system so have full compatibility with all my cameras and fluid heads. I now have twist-lock Carbon fibre tripods and the remaining Velbon is relegated to the cupboard as a spare.

Very pleased with this tripod. The pan and tilt movements are the smoothest I have come across. My only problem (and it seems to apply to most tripods) is that the operating arm is on the right and the pan and tilt controls are positioned to suit. For video use, where the camera pan and zoom contols are positioned for the right hand, you need to control the tripod with the left hand. Fortunately, the arm is reversible, but that puts the pan resistance control at the front. I usually leave it quite free.I useful accessory is a tripod slider plate, that fits between camera and tripod quick release plate. This enables the camera to be moved forward to balance the weight of the arm. The one I bought for a Canon H30 camcorder is Giottos MH-621 Quick Release Assembly with Short Sliding Plate. More expensive tripods have this feature built in.

Easy to use. I had used a slightly smaller velbon model before and it was very lightweight, this one (understandably) is heavier as it’s a much stronger build than previous. Perfect for filming and photography too.

Bought this but have only used it a handful of times. It's very light and very sturdy, which proved itself one evening during strong winds. However it's now showing signs of wear and considering I've not used it much I'm a little disappointed.The rotating head is now stiff. There's a circular piece of plastic at the base of the arm, this has now started to break off - probably linked to the rotation sticking.There is also a vertical extending arm to the tripod but I really wouldn't advise using it. The recommended loading weight is 2kg and my camera is 1.7kg, the arm cannot support it. When using the crank to move it up/down the movement isn't smooth and keeping control of the movement is incredibly difficult because it wants to just shoot straight down. I also extended the arm and tightened the nut on it to stop it being cranked up/down. It held the camera up for a few seconds before shooting straight back down - not great if you've got some expensive kit!

A sturdy, stable and lightweight aluminum tripod. The tripod is mostly aluminum, but it has some plastic parts, I don't find this an issue but some may. It is very lightweight and easy to carry, especially with the bag that is included. The tripod is stable when set on the ground. The quick release plate can just be clipped on and it holds well. The bubble level was a positive surprise that I wasn't even aware of.I bought this tripod to do videography, and I'm very pleased with the smooth panning capabilities, but I don't find the tilts as smooth and they're a bit harder to achieve, but still doable. The tripod can be extended with the handle on top of extending legs, and it can also be used for cool slider-like videography shots. The fluid head is not detachable, which was a bit of a letdown, but I don't feel the need for separate legs so it doesn't bother too much.I use this tripod for videography, and I'm very pleased with the smooth panning capabilities, but I don't find the tilts as smooth and they're a bit harder to achieve, but still doable. The tripod can also be extended with the lever even further on top of extending the legs, and it can also be used for cool slider-like videography shots. The fluid head is not detachable, which was a bit of a letdown, but I don't feel the need for separate legs so it doesn't bother too much.All in all, great budget tripod, especially for videography because of the fluid head's great panning and tilting capabilities.