Calumet CK8145 8X Carbon Fiber Tripod 3-Section Legs with Non-Slip Rubber Leg Locks 70" Max Height 24 Lbs Max Load

I bought this for use with a Jobu Jr 3 Gimbal head and I didnt want to push my manfrotto 190xprob to its weight limits (rated for 11lbs) and saving weight will only help when treking away thru the woods. .I just didnt have the budget to spend $500 plus on a gitzo and this seemed like it was worth the try. Especially for $198!WOW! Its really light and really sturdy! I suppose most CF tripods are. The legs extend with ease, and it includes what looks like a very well made carrying bag (though missing a strap). It takes the gimbal, D800 gripped, flash and 150-600mm tamron with ease. I have aspirations to get a Sigma 120-300 sport/2x on their and Im confident this will handle that weight with ease too.Upon my first outing a couple of things were noticed. The center column is not the smoothest to raise/lower, this isnt a huge deal to me using a gimbal but certainly worth noting. Also 1 of the legs became loose - upon picking this up, the leg would just fold itself in - I fixed this instantly by tightening the screw with a hex wrench and it hasnt been a issue since.Overall I rate the tripod a 4+ overall because of the center column, and a 5 for its outstanding value. I may feel different paying $267 which is the price as of this writing, but for $200 Im really happy and the $ saved can be used for a photo trip

This is a great tripod.After researching it on line I found the Calumet US has declared bankruptcy. Calumet UK is still going strong so getting parts should not be an issue. This was the biggest concern with purchasing this tripod, but after receiving it I am very happy with my decision.I have several other tripods but this one is by far the most stable I have, including my studio Manfrotto unit. I paired it up with a Manfrotto 488RC2 ball-head and they seem to go together perfectly.This tripod goes up to 54" without extending the center column, and weights in at 3.3lbs. Not the lightest but this is a large tripod rated at 24lbs. It is not a small travel tripod, since it comes with only three sections to only folds to 24.8". One other issue to note, the case they provide, although being very well made, does not fit the tripod with the ball-head attached. The other issue not mentioned in the general description is that the center column is grooved and can be reversed to low shots.The other item I like is that the spiked feet are attached and I do not need any special tools to install in the field, the rubber feet also cover them and do not extend enough to fall off in the field.This unit is selling on the UK web site for $367.56, so being able to purchase such a great tripod at less than half price was a great buy.

Seems to be a well made tripod. I was hauling around an aluminum tripod that weighs in at around 10 pounds with gimbal attached. This shaved 5 pounds from that setup and boy does it make a world of difference!The overall quality seems to be there and hopefully it will hold up well to being lugged around trails and woods. The feet are a bit cheap (instead of soft rubber they are a hard plastic) but they work. I like that you can just screw the feet in to expose the spikes.Carbon fiber tripods are expensive and with the price of this one I saved a bundle and it works just as well as any others I've used. I'm completely happy!

This set of carbon fiber tripod legs is among my best photography purchases ever! It is an extremely high quality tripod, easily compared to $500 Induro models. The top legs are a full 32mm of high-end carbon fiber( as opposed to 24-28mm upper legs on cheap CF tripods).. Adjustment is quick and easy. Another important feature is the height of the tripod, with the center post all the way down(retracted) is 54". These specs are often purposely hidden and hard or impossible to find on cheaper tripods.It's easily worth twice what I paid due to the closeouts from Calumet while the company was reconfiguring it's operations. And I have used it for over a year and it still looks and performs like new...a very high-quality product!

I have been using this tripod since May of 2015. This is a quality, well made unit. The legs are quick to extend or contract with the twist release locks. My only beef with this product is that the legs are always loosening after a day of use in the field. It has just become a part of my post-shoot activities to take a hex wrench and re-tighten all the leg screws before my next outing.

For the price this tripod is a very good value. I had never heard of the brand because when I did mostly video I did it professionally, and I used pro stabilization gear... specifically, Sachtler. But now I do a lot of still photography and hauling out the big guns isn't practical. So based entirely on reviews, I bought the Calumet. I am very impressed with its stability and quality craftsmanship. And it's so light, I'm spoiled rotten. I hope I'll feel the same about it in a couple of years. We'll see.

Screw on one leg will not stay tight, other than that love it.

Amazing value, this tripod is light (3.6lbs instead of the claimed 3.3lbs). Very strong and very stable, easily handles my Canon 400mm 2.8L II non-IS. Definitely a great option compared to the more expensive options from Manfrotto, Gitzo, etc.