Slik 713 Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs, Maximum Height 65.5", Supports 9.9 lb

2008-09-25T21:00:00

A good choice if you're looking for compact and lightweight tripod legs. I don't believe I'd want to use it with really heavy gear, but that's not what I bought it for. I have found the leg locking a bit fiddly, but other than that no real complaints so far.

ADAM R.

2007-11-29T19:00:00

After reading user reviews for many years and following the recommendations of many, I thought maybe it was time I contributed and repay the kindness of others. I thought this tripod would be a good start since I couldn’t find any on-line user reviews for this particular product. Also, I understand I’ll be incurring the wrath of many since Slik doesn’t seem to be in favor among either the pros or the enthusiasts. After agonizing over what tripod and ball head I’d purchase for about two weeks, I finally broke down and ordered the Slik PRO713-CFII from Ace Photo Digital via Amazon. It appeared to have everything I wanted, super light weight carbon fiber, a maximum load weight of 12 Lbs, and very low cost. I also purchased a Bogen-Manfrotto 486RC2 Compact Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect to complete the outfit. Delivery was prompt and my good arrived unscathed. Sturdiness was my major concern, could it handle my heaviest camera lens combination, a Nikon D80 (1.4 lbs.) with my beloved SIGMA APO 50-500mm F4-6.3 EX DG HSM (4.1 Lbs.), total weight approximately 5.5 lbs.? I wanted to hold the tripod assembly weight down because the “Bigma” weighs so darned much. It may not look like much on paper but imagine the weight after a full day of walking and shooting pics. Not to mention, I’m no spring chicken. Let me start by saying I was very pleasantly surprised. Tripod setup was quick and smooth. The weight (or lack there of) was everything I had hoped for. I inspected the carbon fiber legs and they were smooth and the surfaces flawless. The Bogen-Manfrotto 486RC2 also exceeded my expectations. I read some reviews that the ball would slip under even lighter loads but it was solid as a rock with my outfit. The ball movement is exceptionally smooth and the tightening lever very simple and easy to use. It takes very little pressure to lock the head in place. The head assembly seems to weigh more than the specified 1 lb. However, that’s just a guestimate on my part. Overall I am thrilled at the stability of the set. I see no noticeable droop after locking the lens in place or extending the zoom. I would highly recommend this for the serious weekend photographer. I can see this setup lasting for years. I don’t think I’d want to walk around with the camera mounted on the tripod. Personally, it would scare me regardless of the setup but if you’re Art Wolfe, you can afford the best, go right ahead. What the heck, you get a nice tax write off on your equipment anyway. One mistake I made that is not the fault of either manufacturer (as they both plainly state the specifications) was the thread on the tripod is 1/4” and the thread on the head is 3/8 in. DOH, I knew better. Hence, a trip to the camera store for an adapter bushing that costs about $2.00. No problem but I believe I’ll pick up some thread tight to insure it stays secure. I only worry that the bushing becomes the weak link in my setup, causing wobble. I wish I had matched my head choice with the Slik. I sincerely doubt it’ll be a problem. I almost didn’t buy this product because I couldn’t find a single review on line, good or bad. I visited my local camera shop in Raleigh, NC in hopes of trying this tripod but the salesman wouldn’t even let me look at it. Instead he wasted a half hour showing me a Gitzo that weighed much more and cost three times as much. He was also quite negative about the quality of Slik products. Insisting I’d need an outfit that rated for at least 35 lbs. Why would a tripod or ball head rated at 12 lbs. not be able to handle 6 lbs. of equipment? Needless to say, my confusion was boundless. Hopefully I’ve removed a little of the stress from your next purchase.

Wintermoon