Comments about Cullmann Cullmann Pro 4405 Macro / Grounder Tripod:

This is a superb piece of German construction, super sturdy, gets way low for ground level macros, and reaches up to eye height for me at 5'9". My favorite aspect is the leg brace/ spreader. You can quickly pick up the tripod and camera, move to another spot, and pull down on the brace, or pull out on two legs, and have the legs perfectly deployed to set down immediately. All three legs spread out together in unison at the same time, and with the flip locks you can move and deploy this stand lighting quick. It is light but not featherweight. For backpacking and hiking I use a Benro Travel Angel; for any other use around the house or when traveling by car I much prefer the Cullman. Be sure to find the onboard allen key located on the top inside of one leg, a nice bonus you might overlook! I combined this with a Benro B-1 ballhead which is lightweight and has a load rating of 26 pounds. This is a super quality, very affordable, heavy duty but not too heavy, tripod and head combo. Note that Adorama lists this as the 4405 Macro/ Grounder but it is in fact the 4305 Macro / Grounder. The 4405 is a different tripod with a removeable center column that becomes a monopod. Be sure you order the correct tripod, the SKU on this one is CU4305.

Comments about Cullmann Cullmann Pro 4405 Macro / Grounder Tripod:

I purchased the 4305 Cullman f[...] I have a really cheap Ambico tripod that had one feature I really liked, the center section leg brace/ spreader. Most current popular tripods don't have this, just the really cheapos. I also have a Benro Travel Angel which of course does not have this brace. The problem is when you pick up the Benro to move a few feet the legs swing in and wind up dangling straight down, and you have to fool around trying to get them spread back out equally and with stability. If your camera is attached to the tripod while you are doing this, you have to be super careful. And your camera WILL be attached to your tripod! The cheap Ambico legs stay properly spread out because of the brace. But, Ambico is cheap, plastic, and has a proprietary pan head that is not an Arca-Swiss ball head. Well, the Cullman is a high end German built tripod that can accept any ball head and has this center leg brace. So you can pick it up and move it and then just quickly set it down with the legs fully spread. This may seem like a minor detail, but it's not! You can move very quickly and easily with this feature.It is very sturdy, exudes German craftmanship, fairly light although not featherwight, and has the ability to get down to ground level for macros. Also, unlike the Benro and the Ambico, this tripod can get the camera up to and above eye level for me at 5'9" height. Wow, what a back saver! At max extension the height to the ball head mounting plate is 58" and with Benro B-1 the height to the Arca Swiss plate is 61 1/2" It's also quite affordable, and has quick acting flip lever leg locks. These are faster and easier to use than twist type locks, and combined with the center leg brace make for lightning quick deployment and moving of the tripod. The thing is solid as a rock also. I put a Benro B-1 ball head on it and this combo is light and solid, and super affordable. I 100% recommend Cullman. Looking at it on the Adorama website you might think it is a cheap low quality product like Ambico or Sunpak or the like; nothing could be further from the truth! Cullman is the tops. I will use the Benro Travel Angel when traveling and hiking, because it is lighter and folds very small. But around the house, around town or anywhere I go in the car that doesn't involve long uphill hikes, I'm using the Cullman. Also for any low ground level macros. [...]