Dolica 65" Video Tripod with Hydraulic Fluid Head, 3 Angle Leg Lock, Tilt and Pan Lock, Supports 17 lbs.

2013-05-20T21:00:00

I primarily bought this product for three reasons, videography, hydraulic fluid head and that the head is detachable. It's a good video tripod; solid footing and smooth movement. The twin handles are surprisingly helpful in keeping movement smooth and positioning. By positioning I mean the ability to adjust them to a particular shooting environment, up close to the tripod and short or extended out. The hydraulic fluid head is smooth, but it has considerable drag even at the loosest setting. For slow panning, like someone walking, it's great. For fast action, like in many sports, the high drag may be a problem. For the price, it's an excellent head. The head is easily removed. This is an advantage if you have jibs, sliders, dolly tables, platforms or other heads that you'd like to be able to attach to the tripod. With its rated 17# it can easily accommodate these add-ons. One caution I'll offer is that the pan adjustment is used to secure or remove the head from the tripod and that can be problematic. You have to make sure the head is fully tightened on the tripod or run the risk that when panning left the drag will be enough to unscrew the head from the tripod. One the other hand, I didn't want to over tighten the pan adjustment and risk damaging the pan mechanism. I will order another Dolica and put one of my older and much heavier tripods into semi-retirement.

CHIP L.

2012-11-13T19:00:00

For the price, turns out to be a good tool. Camera locking safety is excellent. Camera bag as extra weight on hook adds good stability. Properly shipped and arrived in perfect working order.

ryangerful

2012-01-05T19:00:00

The Dolica MT700 seemed like a great value, but mine arrived defective. 1. As I opened it up, the center post bushings fell out, resulting excessive play when positioning the tripod head. 2. The area where the left hand arm mounts appears somewhat chewed up. Previously used/returned item, or poor manufacturing QC? 3. The tripod head is disappointing. The "fluid" head does not rotate smoothly at all. Rather, it appears to "unscrew" from its base. I doubt this is how its supposed to work, so I can only assume this is another defect in the one I received. The vertical pivoting is somewhat stiff unless the tension knobs (both) are completely loose. Putting the "quick release plate" into position is a bit difficult, as the fit is not very precise and it binds a bit. I carefully read the instructions to insure that I was operating this tripod correctly, and it appears that this particular one is just defective. Too many poorly made parts and faulty operation to trust my camera to sit safely on this. I may have gotten the one bad one they ever made, but I will try another brand.

DAVID P.