Vista Explorer 60-Inch Lightweight Tripod with Tripod Bag
by Davis & Sanford
|
List Price: Our Price: $19.95 You Save: $20.04 (50%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Digital Camera See more product details |
|---|
Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Vista Explorer 60-Inch Lightweight Tripod with Tripod Bag
Customer Review: All around affordable and durable.
Summary: 4 Stars
This is the second tripod I've owned and it's a definite upgrade of what I had before.
First off the bag the tripod comes with is very useful and makes the tripod feel smaller than it actually is. I've only had it for a few weeks, but it, and the tripod, seem very durable. The tripod itself can extend to a little bit over 5 and a half feet making it useful for anyone tall or short, while at the same time it doesn't need its legs spread out very far for it to be stable.
Even on an uneven surface, the legs, with the help of the bubble levelers, seem rigid and sturdy enough to hold my dslr with a 24-200mm telephoto lens, although if the lens is angled too low, the camera will tip over and bump the tripod.
My only complaint is that the plate that holds the camera needs to be taken off for the camera to be mounted onto the tripod. You then have to screw the mount onto the camera from underneath the plate and then put the plate back on to the tripod. It's nifty but not necessary and I could easily see it getting annoying if you have to unmount and/or remount the camera very frequently. Personally, I just leave the plate on the camera and detach it from the tripod when I want to go handheld.
I have not tried this in wind, but it has a hook underneath for weights, but I feel confident that even in a modest wind this tripod will stay stable.
Overall, it's light, rigid, and a good value. With the exception of the mount plate, it's a near perfect tripod. I recommend this as a first choice.
Customer Review: Excellent tripod, lots of good features, lightweight, tall, and solid
Summary: 5 Stars
This successfully replaces two other tripods: an old one that is very solid and tall, but weighs about 8 pounds and lacks a quick-disconnect; and a very inexpensive 25-ounce one that is solid enough and has a quick-disconnect, but is not tall enough and doesn't always pivot smoothly.
The Vista largely combines the best features of the two old ones: it's tall enough to place my camera at eye-level, has an excellent quick-disconnect, is solid and steady, and weighs 43 ounces (without the nice carrying case).
The vertical pivoting is better than the 25-ounce tripod's, but still not perfectly smooth for making small, fine adjustments.
The Vista has a built-in handle, which is a nice feature. The hook at the bottom of the extension tube is small and made of lightweight plastic, so I'm not sure how useful it'll be. My heavy old tripd had a 1/4" threaded bolt in that spot, so the camera could be attached to it there as well as on the head at the top.
It has two rotating collar-locks: one at the bottom to keep the legs spread, and one at the top to secure the extension tube. Together, they make the tripd very steady and solid.
The quick-disconnect plate is well-made and suitable for use with a video as well as a still camera. My little camcorder weighs less than my DSLR, so if I ever need a tripod for video, this will do just fine.
In summary, it more than meets my expectations and needs, and is reasonably priced.
Customer Review: Reasonable Starter Tripod
Summary: 3 Stars
This is my first tripod purchase and my biggest priority was portability because I know that if my tripod weighed too much, I just wouldn't bother carrying it. I shoot with a Nikon D80 and a 18-200 VR lens so stability was also important. I'm in the midst of a 365 project (1 self portrait every day for a year) so the freedom of a tripod has greatly expanded my photo possibilities. I was concerned that my camera body and lens are heavy enough that I wouldn't be able to use it in a portrait orientation without tipping over. Honestly, cranked up high, its a bit rocky but doable, at least on a flat surface in my house. I'm not sure I'd trust it on a rocky slope. I sort of wish I'd gone with a ball-mount tripod rather than the 3 way adjuster but most ball mounts were beyond my desired price range. The adjustments achieve all the same motions of a ball, it just takes a little more effort to perfect it. So far so good though. I have yet to encounter a shot I couldn't get.
PROS:
-very lightweight and portable
-bag is a great bonus even though its minimal
-possible to use in portrait orientation with a Nikon D80 and zoom lens (just be careful!)
CONS:
-less stable than I was hoping for
-3 way adjuster takes some getting used to
Overall, I am fairly satisfied with the tripod. It's a nice starting point. However, down the road I'm sure I'll desire a more substantial pro-style one.
Customer Review: Talk about getting BANG for your BUCK...20 Bucks in this case.
Summary: 5 Stars
Look, I read a review here and there, complaining about how it doesn't swivel smoothly enough. How it has plastic parts...Wha, Wha, Wha.
This is the reality...IT ONLY COST $20!!!!
Let me tell you, it's a $20 well spent. If you need a basic tripod to hold your camera still in one spot...buy this.
If you want to record movies at your kids party, or at your sister's wedding, buy it.
Want to take some pics at the park this weekend because that's what you like to do as a hobby, and need a lightweight tripod, buy it.
If you think you are professional photographer and your income depends on your camera and tripod...don't buy it.
Some people want everything for nothing. This tripod gives you excellent VALUE for just $20. It even comes with a nice carry bag for goodness sake!
Recommended for folks looking for a cost saving and effective tripod for $20!!
Why 5 Stars? Because you get the most Bang for your buck.
BTW...yes there are "instructions" included. It's part of the Warranty Registration Card. I think most folks think the card is a brand label and just throw it away. It tells your how to set up the tripod and how to use panning and tilting. Don't throw away the 3 X 5 card that looks like a label tag.
It's super easy to use. But can refer to the card to give you peace of mind if needed.
Customer Review: Nice Tripod, Low Price
Summary: 5 Stars
I read many of the reviews on this tripod and decided to buy it even with the negative reviews that were written about this tripod. I think the negative reviews were written by professional photographers who were looking for a professional grade tripod at a bargain price or people who had no idea how to manipulate the tripod.
I am an amateur photographer and will probably only use this tripod a dozen or so times a year and so could not justify an expensive tripod. I bought this to use with my Canon T2i DSLR. When I my tripod arrived I mounted my camera on the tripod with the 55-250 IS telephoto lens which is the heaviest lens I own. The tripod was able to hold my camera steady at every angle I tried and working even better than I had hoped. Playing with the tension on all of the settings I was also able to easily pan side to side and up and down with my camera mounted on the tripod.
The legs are made of aluminum and many of the remaining parts are plastic but seem to be very sturdy for my use. I have two $30,000 vehicles in my garage that are made with many plastic parts so why should I expect anything different with my $25 tripod.
This tripod is going to do everything that I need it do at a bargain price. For any amateur photographer looking for a cheap tripod for occasional use this one will work great for you.