Sunpak - PlatinumPlus Ultra 7000 2-in-1 70" Tripod and Monopod - Silver

I purchased the Sunpack 7000 tripod because of 2 primary features. One is the appearance of a good steady device (due to the leg braces connected to the center pole) and the pull-out center monopole. I've had the tripod approximately 3 months and have used it a half-dozen or more times. After using it last evening outside (temps in the 20's F), I folded it up and put it in the back seat of the car, along with my camera bag. When I got home, I brought the bag and tripod into the house, and immediately noticed the tripod was broken. The tripod's 3 legs are each connected to the center pole (for stability). This center-pole connection is a collar which you can tighten to stabilize the 3 connected out legs, and loosen and slide up when you fold the tripod up after use. 2 of the 3 outer leg brackets broke at the connection point to the center pole collar. It appears to be a weakness in the small amount of plastic which makes the connection via a horizontal metal pin (for swiveling). I had also been a bit disappointed with the primary rod handle which extends out from the top camera mount. The handle points toward me rather than away (like on my previous Velbon tripod) so it's always in the way when I try to put my head up to the camera viewfinder. While I liked the built-in monopole feature, I was never fully happy with the rigidity of the tripod, but up until now it was generall usable and I just lived with it. I am going to spend a little more money and find a more quality tripod, and hope I can at least get a refund from the manufacturer, or a replacment and just keep it as a second-hand tripod.

we have a metal sunpak tripod we bought in 97. it still works great. we wanted another great tripod. this wasn't it. it's already broken in at least 2 spots (the leg support struts and the end of column shaft stopper). this one is mostly plastic, and even so not that lightweight. the photos also show a monopod and tripod next to each other. which is stupid as the monopod is just the center of the tripod that pulls out when you raise it up too high. so all the photos are basically lying. that was really disappointing, but we got over that. the fact that the quick release plate is really hard to attach to a camera is one of the main reasons we barely used this thing. it's a total pain. (unlike the older models, which were designed much better) the legs are wobbly as well. when you remove the center to use as a monopod, the locking mechanisms aren't that reliable so it can collapse while filming. surprise! i can't wait to see what else breaks. seriously, i have a 15 dollar cheapo tripod that has also lasted much longer. oh and because one of the struts that attaches the legs to the center column broke, now one legs just flops around uselessly, and you can't tighten it anywhere at the joint. soooo it's pretty much useless. i guess we should stick to buying various tripods at goodwill for 5-10 dollars as they are apparently going to be better and last longer than a $60 tripod new from best buy. beyond disappointed. my wife would have left a review but she is so angry that whatever she wrote probably wouldn't be allowed on here. :-)

I use a tripod daily in my work, especially for shooting time-lapse video and this Sunpak model was an emergency buy when the wind knocked over my Bower tripod while capturing a sunset in the park. Miraculously, the camera survived without a scratch, but one of the legs broke clean off the Bower. Supposed to have a lifetime warranty, but who has time to ship off a tripod for repairs? So I managed to squeak into Best Buy on a Sunday evening and snag this Sunpak. BB evidently doesn't carry Bower tripods anymore. The easy conversion for a monopod is the key selling point with the Sunpak. The center tube and mounting head pull straight out of the tripod assembly, then the center post telescopes and locks for a monopod. Too handy. The dual bubble-style levels (one is built into the mounting plate for the camera) are a useful feature. It sets up and collapses quickly. A few things to be aware of: For $50-$60 (depending on if you luck out with a sale), this is not a pro-grade tripod. For many shooters, it's sufficient for still photography and weekend video shoots. Don't expect the most fluid pan head. Although I like the overall build quality (the tripod has some heft to it), I'm wary of the snap locks on the tripod legs. Betting these will be the first to break. The BB online information for this product states that it comes with two quick-release mounting plates for cameras. Mine came with one. Check the online sale price and compare to the store price (this applies to ANYTHING at Best Buy). Often you'll see the online price is lower and that's what you should pay in the store. They are supposed to honor that. This tripod does not come with a carrying bag. I had an extra, so no biggie. The Sunpak does have a folding handle, but you'll want a carry bag with a strap to sling over your shoulder and keep your hands free. All tripods beyond tabletop models ought to come with a carry bag. Are you listening, manufacturers?

I have used about every brand and style of tripod/monopod available over the last 45+years. To make a long history of comparisons short,let me say that in my opinion,the SUNPAK PLATINUM PLUS ULTRA SERIES IS ONE OF THE BEST TRIPOD/MONOPOD COMBOS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM ANY MANUFACTURER ANYWHERE..BAR NONE..!! My reasons are simple,,.1st there are bubble levels on both the tripod AND the quick release head;2nd, each of the tripod's three 3 section legs are made from high quality light weight aluminum each with three sets of easy to open/close locks; AND 3rd, SUNPAK warrantees each PLATINUM PLUS ULTRA series tripod with a LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY (BTW, in all my years of ownership of 4 different models of SUNPAK tripods,I've only had to make use of their warranty once...,,and it was NOT DUE TO A MANUFACTURER ISSUE but a failure due my error !!) SUNPAK replaced my tripod in total and WITHOUT QUESTION. I wish every MANUFACTURER handled their warranty issues as well and as COURTEOUSLY as DID SUNPAK. If you are in the market for a EXTREMELY WELL DESIGNED AND BUILT TRIPOD FROM A EXCELLENT MANUFACTURER THAT FIRMLY STANDS BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT LINE THAT IS SOLD BY A COMPANY THAT DOES LIKEWISE(BEST BUY), THEN in my opinion, you CANNOT AND WILL NOT GO WRONG buying a SUNPAK PLATINUM PLUS ULTRA 7000 TM TRIPOD/MONOPOD COMBINATION. This is my second one and I'M JUST AS PLEASED WITH THIS ONE AS MY FIRST...Try it..you'll LIKE IT. foolishfotoshooter

I have a Canon7D which is a heavy camera and I have an extra flash and a fish eyes lens as an add on. I'm a photographer and for the price your getting a great deal. The guy with the bad review, maybe just received a bad one and that shouldn't be a reason to give this great product a great such a bad review. So far I love it, it doesn't have a pistol grip like some more higher end tripods but you get used to this one. I have used it about 5 times and even on some shoots at night while using the bulb mode and when you use that feature in the camera. By any movement causes from the tripod it will make a night pic look blurry and so far it hasn't. My pics look great and if you compare from a more expensive tripod. You'll be happy with this one. I looked every where on the internet and looked at reviews and for this price and with the cool features this one offers, I doubt you have much to complain about. This tripod is about as professional gets for that price and ones you get used to it, you'll be happy with it. It didn't come with a bag but I bought mine on amazon for $20 and now my investment is covered good warranty too. Basically if you have a heavy camera that weighs about 7 pounds this tripod will hold your camera without any problems or movement and for the price you'll love it!

Being tall (6'2"), I like that it can get the camera all the way up to eye level with me. It's very solid at full extension and easy to use. The built in carry handle in the center post is nice, and so is the removable center section that becomes a monopod. My only concerns are that a couple of the leg locks tend to be finicky and not want to lock all the way on the first try (or 2 or 3). But once you get them locked in, they stay. If they don't, you know it because the lever almost immediately pops open. My other concern (not as big a concern) is that when you lock the head swivel with the screw lock, if you turn the head counter clockwise with the hand-held rod (don't know what it's called), it is easy to start unscrewing the head from the center post. And it's very difficult to really tighten down the head to the center post without tools. but be careful not to break the plastic. It's debatable whether I would recommend it. There may be other tripods just as good or better for the same money

To start off, the tripod is a great tripod, my local bestbuy only had 3 tripods to choose from. $30, $90, $155. and all of them were "SunPak." on that day, i needed a tripod right away so i chose this one since it was in my budget. I had to return it since the tripod was scratched and dinged up when i got it. i brought it back to the store and looked at about 3 other tripod boxes of the same model and they were all the same. So, i just returned it and ordered one online and had to borrow a friend's tripod. the build quality was great for a $90 tripod but i wish they weren't so banged up since they had to be shipped from Japan all the way across to globe to New Jersey. but if you don't mind that's it's a little banged up before you get to, then go ahead and buy it. this is a great little tripod if you need a quick travel or throw around one. I suggest that you go online and find a better tripod that is a different brand then sunpak such as a manfrotto, benro, or slik. you could get so much more value with your money looking at these. also, you could buy the tripod legs separately and buy a cheaper head online.

The $60 tripod was a piece of junk. The leg supports that ran from the center tube to the three support legs had plastic end that fit into slots on the three legs. I found one broken when I opened the product and found that I had to constantly reinsert the tips if I adjusted the legs. The camera support platforms wobbled and I found you had to tighten a nut at the base of the platform. When the platform was tightened, It did not allow you to traverse the camera in a 270 degree arc so panning was not possible. If I loosened the nut, the camera platform wobbled. This was the model that allowes you to convert from a tripod to a mono-pod. Poor design. A ball and socket joint supporting the camera platform that allows a smooth tracking of sports players is what I am looking for.