Sunpak - PlatinumPlus 72" Tripod/Monopod

I use this tripod all the time and am very happy with it. Was looking at much more expensive models to hold D90 with 70-300mm and 50-500mm lenses and decided to check out BB. As I was about to leave I spotted this as an open box special so decided to check it out. This thing is a little heavy but very solid. It is rock solid with the D90 and 50-500mm Sigma attached. Two of my friends have seen how it works and one purchased his own and the other is considering it. It is not a $500.00 tripod and if you realize that up front you will be very happy with the unit. It is a little on the heavy and large size for backpacking but it really allows me to take great shots of sunsets. Be careful when folding it though; the legs can easily close up and smack your fingers...hard. I only made that mistake once. A great value.

Bought less than 5 months ago, limited use and now the panning handle has snapped clean off and from reading reviews on other sites it is apparent that this is a common fault! Also the quick release plate sits loosely in it's fitting, so there is an issue with long exposures and movement, AVOID THIS PRODUCT!

I bought this tripod at Best Buy around May or July 2010. When I got it, it was only $60. Now let's talk about the tripod. The durability of this tripod is excellent. I've dropped it on hard surfaces, used it in cold rainy weather, and just recently used it in cold wet snowy weather. Not a scratch. I also like the retractable metal spikes. I used these in the snow and it doesn't slip. It is definitely tall enough and I find myself rarely using the third section of legs. The center column is great and stays where you want it (although I haven't used it much). It has a built-in bubble level on the tripod, and two on the head. These are helpful. The 3 way pan head is alright. It stays where you want it and is pretty smooth. I'm not one for panoramas but it looks like it would be great for that. There are only a couple of things that I don't really like about this tripod. One is the weight. This baby weighs in at 5.5 pounds. Yeah that's not much but when it's on your backpack, better take some Tylenol with you. But in a way it's an advantage because the weight will keep it steady in wind, which I have tried. The folded size is also big. 26" is the folded length. That's like twice the size of my backpack. It is definitely not good for travel so I will probably be getting a Benro TRA069 Travel Angel tripod. So all in all, this is a good tripod that doesn't break the bank and will last for years, but don't even think about making this your travel tripod ;)

I needed two things, a tall tripod with smooth panning. This has it. Compared to BestBuy's carbon fiber Rocketfish, this one kicks butt at 7" taller, $60 cheaper, with two bubble levelers, and with a center mechanism that gives same angle opening of all legs (non of which the Rocketfish has). It's little heavy and awkward for carrying around, doesn't come with a carrying bag, and extending the legs could be smoother, but for using it primarily in a studio, as I am, it's fine. I use a folding camping chair bag as a carrying case (the perfect size and shape) when taking it with me. I haven't had any of the troubles others are reporting. Excellent value. I did a lot of searching and hands on reviewing before buying this. You won't find another with these features without paying much more. Just treat it gently, and you've got a great tripod.

The only reason that I gave this 4 stars rather than 5 is because it is heavier, larger, and has more plastic on it than the more expensive tripods. Really, I don't think you'll find much under $100 with this level of versatility, unless you buy used. For somebody that is just starting to move beyond family vacation snapshots I think that this is a great tool. It is larger, and heavier than the more expensive tripods; however it is carrying all of the weight of an aluminum monopod along the whole time as well. It does not have a carrying bag or strap; however, it does have a ring on it so that you can clip it to a an attachment point on a gear bag using a carabiner or similar quick release clip. Finally, the feet are screw adjustable for fine tuning the level, and when screwed all the way in reveal very small spikes to help anchor the tripod in dirt. The monopod is nothing great; however, it does give you an option for places where tripods would not be practical; however, it does not have a padded handle and is a rather ugly walking stick.

Works as advertised. For a consumer product, this thing is a horse. Maximum height to the plate is about 6-1/2 feet. I'm 6' tall and at max height, I was reaching up to the camera! No wobble at all with a video camera on 50x zoom. Now, the bad news: The tilt (up/down) on mine was sticky, really sticky. I actually disassembled the head to see what was wrong, and found nothing other than poor to fair workmanship and an overly complex design. I smoothed some things out, added some good lube, and got it to be serviceable. the pan is very smooth, absolutely perfect. In every other respect, this is a great tripod. I recommend it on the condition that the tilt may not be as smooth as you might expect for the money. Or, I might have got a lemon and this is, in fact, the best tripod out there for under $100.

This tripod has a versatile set of features which allow me to keep my camera steady under a variety of circumstances. The release clips at the legs are large and easy to manipulate. The tightening knobs on the tripod head are also easy to grip and use. Overall I have been pay with the strength and general construction of the tripod. There are two aspects of this tripod I would criticize however. At the base of the tripod head, where the center pole connects to the head of the tripod, the pan axis can be tightened down so that the camera cannot move from left and right. However, the connection between the head and the pole are loose to the point that any amount of pressure to move the camera left or right will move the camera despite of the fact that you have locked the head in place. If a person continued to turn the camera the whole head would unscrew from the pole. The solution, of course, is not to do this, but it I am absent minded and I often try to move the camera horizontally even when the tripod is tightened down. The whole head will turn regardless whether I have it locked or not. Over time this is going to wear the connection out. The other aspect I would criticize is the built in mono pod leg releases. When solidly tightened they are difficult to adjust. One link will release while I am trying to loosen another. It is difficult to readjust the length on the fly. Again the solution is to have patience and move with more deliberate attention to what I am doing. I know how I am, and it is likely that I will continue to struggle to move quickly from one height to another quicker than the design of the monopod will allow. Overall I am very happy and would recommend this tripod to those that want to take photographs and videos beyond the candid family photo.

Overall a pretty good tripod, especially for the price. Comes with 2 quick disconnect camera mounts. Legs extend wide for good stabilization. While its description says extends up to 72", I am 6'4" and when fully extended I have to look up at the camera. This is great for recording from behind a crowd such as in a church sanctuary. Most mechanisms are pretty smooth and easy handling. The first one I bought I had to return because the crank handle for raising the center post was broken. My second one has a slight catch in the gear mechanism on the center post, but not enough to bother returning it.