PHTRBBL Gear Traveler Big Tripod (Blue)

For $70 you can't beat it. I found this tripod to be extremely durable and stable - if I needed to pan, it would be very smooth. I mainly shoot commercial photography - interiors/exteriors stills and food menu items. I was able to use this tripod with ease for both types of photography. For my Interior photography I manually stack exposures for HDR so I don't have to worry about the camera bouncing around when I snap each photo. This tripod is so stable and trustworthy - trustworthy as in, I feel like I can walk away from it for a couple of moments if I have to and I can trust it to NOT tip over, even without a counter weight (my camera body is a smaller DSLR and my wide angle lens isn't that heavy). I like that the entire construction of this tripod is made of metal. Not flimsy aluminum, it's solid, whatever it's made of. Sure it's a little weighty, but that's also confidence-inspiring. I found the mounting piece to be easy to detach and reattach. I also liked that the knobs used to attach the camera to the tripod and to adjust the tilt were also extremely sturdy and all made of metal. NO flimsy, thin plastic dials and levers that feel like they're going to break off in your hand while turning them. I like that tilting the camera to vertical is also very easy. The legs are quick and easy to set up and break down. I also like that the height adjustment uses the twist feature like the legs to adjust and secure. I am a semi-professional photographer and this surely gets the job done.

I needed a better tripod than a $20 special which would still wobble event after locking it down tightly, making it effectively useless. Got this on a Cyber Monday special for a third of what other positive reviewers paid for it, and couldn't be more pleased!In the Q&A section, the seller indicated it did not have a carry bag. This is incorrect. It has a nice durable padded bag which can be worn like a backpack. I worried about stability in dirt - The rubber feet can be removed and replaced with included spikes. It has multiple levels, has a hook for your gear bag, it'll hold virtually any camera/lens you throw at it! It's easy to setup and take down. You can't go wrong with this one, especially at the still very reasonable post cyber Monday price.Trying to dig for any negatives, and all I can come up with is what others have said, a 2nd QR plate or way to readily acquire more would be nice. Also would love if it had its own storage compartment for the included spikes, 3/4" adapter, and allen wrenches.. Just stick them in your main gear bag if you must bring them along!

good, sturdy

I absolutely LOVE this tripod. It's very well-made & definitely durable. My favorite part is the VERY simple conversion from tripod to monopod (and the fact that it even has this option in the first place). It's definitely simple enough to switch back and forth easily on the go. Also, there aren't any small parts that you'd have to store in your pocket/bag and worry about losing when you've got it swapped to the monopod. You won't lose anything in the process. I can't believe how simple it is! I love that it's got a horizontal AND vertical level in it as well...I'm terrible at taking level photos and HATE having to crop them afterward to straighten them. It's also so easy to take anywhere, and the bag is made of a thick canvas-like material and very durable & can be carried like a backpack. So, when you've swapped to monopod, it's so easy to carry the extra legs & post). I will never use another tripod or monopod again! This thing is amazing. Definitely recommend it!

Plastic piece holding the center column sturdy broke during my 2nd use. Overall size and weight was good though. Returned it and purchased a different tripod.

I bought this as a gift for somebody else. I don't know much about it beyond the reviews I read, and a few articles about tripods I found online that said it was a decent tripod for the money.

Great tripod - I do believe that this tripod could last me for the rest of my life.

Impressive tripod. Very secure and nice looking. Folds down quite compact.