Comments about Slik Slik U212 Universal Deluxe Tripod with 3-Way Pan Head #212:

I have had my U-212 for 16 years now and Have no major complaints. For me it has been a solid, stable platform for night shots, Macro work, floral and Landscape photography. The longest lens I have used on it has been a 500mm and the tripod performed beautifully even with Semi-trucks going past at 65 mph less than 15 feet away.(I was feeling the effects of their going by) I have experienced the clamp cracking problem myself and was able to purchase a replacement clamp from Slik Co. [...] I had the tripod operational again in less than 30 minutes. As I am quite tall, I like the full extension height of the column. There is a little loss of stability at full height due to a slight column wiggle but at high shutter speeds it's not noticeable.The one complaint I do have is the weight of the tripod. At six (6) pounds it is a bit heavy. It's not really the thing you would want to lug along on a two or three day wilderness trek.All in all I like this tripod. On a scale of 1-10 I would give it a 9.

Comments about Slik Slik U212 Universal Deluxe Tripod with 3-Way Pan Head #212:

A classic tripod that can do a little bit of everything. Make no mistake: it's heavy. But the amount of things that this tripod can do more than compensate for its weight. Stands high enough for taller people, and can get really low to the ground for "floor shots." I wouldn't recommend this camera for video, though, as its panning capabilities are not as smooth as it could be. But with the money you've saved, you can always purchase another head to add to the unit! The clamps are plastic, but with care, they should last a long time. And they are replaceable. [...]

Comments about Slik Slik U212 Universal Deluxe Tripod with 3-Way Pan Head #212:

I bought this as my first tripod, so I don't have much else to compare to. After owning it for 3 years, and putting it through lots of use, I am very happy with the purchase. The tripod is well made. I didn't have any issues with the clamps breaking or cracking. Everything functioned like it should, and it is very sturdy. I've used this around rocks and trails with uneven surface, and it has always does the job.

I don't really like the quick release piece (the little knob that screws to the bottom of the camera body). With the piece screwed into the camera, you can't set your camera down on a table. It would be nice if it's a plate rather than a knob. Also, the tripod is a tad heavy to haul around. It's great for use in the studio or at home, but I wouldn't take this hiking up a mountain.

For this price and the stability/durability of the product, I think the tripod deserves a 5-star.

Comments about Slik Slik U212 Universal Deluxe Tripod with 3-Way Pan Head #212:

30 years and still going strong. What more can I say, it is awesome.

Comments about Slik Slik U212 Universal Deluxe Tripod with 3-Way Pan Head #212:

I have been using this tripod since the mid 1970s and I never have any problems with it. I took it all over the world with me.
The only thing I had to do was to glue the rubber pad back on the head.

Comments about Slik Slik U212 Universal Deluxe Tripod with 3-Way Pan Head #212:

I intially really liked this tripod but at some point when I opened the legs umbrella style one leg would never lock and the tripod was forever unstable after that. I've considered user error but for the life of me cannot figure out how to secure that one leg. SLIK really doesn't have any support. No manual. etc. The tripod is totally useless to me now.

Comments about Slik Slik U212 Universal Deluxe Tripod with 3-Way Pan Head #212:

I HAVE AN OLDER VERSION OF THE U212, HAD IT FOR 30 YEARS HASN'T FAIL ME YET. THANK YOU! STILL HAVE THE U210 AND IT'S GOING STRONG.

Comments about Slik Slik U212 Universal Deluxe Tripod with 3-Way Pan Head #212:

The Slik U212 has a fatal flaw. The quick-release leg clamps are made of plastic and are under-designed, causing them to break under the considerable pressure of normal clamping. It really doesn't matter how well you treat this tripod, the clamping mechanism is just fragile. I've had two of these and they both broke the same way after about 10 uses. Slik should make the clamp, itself, out of metal, or heavier-gauge plastic. I've included a photo showing the broken clamps on both tripods.

Comments about Slik Slik U212 Universal Deluxe Tripod with 3-Way Pan Head #212:

You never forget your first tripod. I had one of these stolen out of my car after 20 years of dutiful service. I went with the Bogen Manfroto setup about 2 months ago but it was a LOT heavier and twice the price. That mistake got returned.

The only down side of the SLIK is the double-edged sword feature of weight. It's easy to carry but difficult to keep planted at times. However, you can hang your camera bag from it if you need to.

It folds up short and tight, too, so it easily fits into slim camera bags. LOVE the built in bubble level. I use that plus the grid lines in my NIKON to make sure I'm level, though I just picked up a triple-plane bubble level for the hot shoe. If I'm not plumb now I'll never be.

Comments about Slik Slik U212 Universal Deluxe Tripod with 3-Way Pan Head #212:

I'm in the market for my third U212. Yes, third. I've been using this tripod for low level photography since the mid-1980s. Install a ball head, cut down the center post, and you are as stable as possible and super low to the ground. It doesn't matter if the ground is flat, angled, or rocky, this tripod will get the camera where you need it. The only issues I've ever had are the plastic leg locks that do break with enough use, and don't superglue back together. The broken leg locks are the only reason I've needed to replace the tripod. This is the tripod that always gets packed, and I'm tickled to see it's still available.

Comments about Slik Slik U212 Universal Deluxe Tripod with 3-Way Pan Head #212:

I have used the U212 since about 1990 and it's still going strong. I use it for nature photography (animals and landscapes). I really like the way you can put the legs at any position without being stuck with interval positions. This feature allows me to get the camera almost on the ground when I put the tripod head on the screw that is on the leg (you can prop the leg up on a branch or rock or even a lens case). I have even used an old Novoflex (400, 600, 800 and even tried the 1200 mm set up just for fun) with the pistol grip which makes it unstable when mounted on a tripod. But this tripod did well and even did fairly well with the 1200 mm set up). The only things that could make it better would be to make it lighter and to put a ball head on it.

Comments about Slik Slik U212 Universal Deluxe Tripod with 3-Way Pan Head #212:

My first choice when I go into my tripod collection after I switched to a Gitzo ballhead. The supplied head is useless plastic. Have used the legs for approx. 30 yrs. Just broke a leg lock at an important event! Yup, the locks are plastic!! Good reason to have a backup tripod with you. Lose the plastic head and it's hard to beat. See photo of broken lock.

Comments about Slik Slik U212 Universal Deluxe Tripod with 3-Way Pan Head #212:

Been using this great tripod for 5 years. In use it has met every need for a stable platform. From potraits to macro nature shots the U-212 has been a ready tool. The pan head is functional though a higher quality replacement certainly wouldn't hurt. That would solve my only real gripe. The product specific quick release button is too easy to lose and in fact it is the only camera related item I have managed to lose. Twice so far. It is fast on-and-off the head, but gets in the way at inconvinent times with predictable results.[...]

Comments about Slik Slik U212 Universal Deluxe Tripod with 3-Way Pan Head #212:

I purchased my 1st U 212 at least 20 years ago. Because of recent collision damage I am in the market for a new tripod. I'm surprised that the model has survived. Well I now know what I am going to buy.

Comments about Slik Slik U212 Universal Deluxe Tripod with 3-Way Pan Head #212:

Overall a great tripod for the price. I replaced a Slik U112 with this version and it's just as good, if slightly larger. The leg locks are easy to use, even with gloves, and the combination rubber feet with internal spikes makes the U212 stable on hard surfaces or soft. My only gripe is the 3-way head, which is fairly sturdy but made mostly of plastic. I replaced that with a ball head which, in my opinion, is a much better choice.

Comments about Slik Slik U212 Universal Deluxe Tripod with 3-Way Pan Head #212:

This is a well thought out tripod with great stability. It is not especially portable due to it 's weight. However it is great for studio use as it is very stable and has multiple adjustments to get you exactly where you want to be. Due to the numerous adjustments it would be good on most any terrain or uneven footing. It holds my Nikon D70s with extra heavy and long lenses without difficulty. Mine is used primarily for photos of jewelry products for listing in our internet store [...]I'd recommend it to anyone, interested in a sturdy, adjustable tripod at a reasonable price.