Giottos MT-8361, 3 Section Carbon Series, Universal Tripod Legs, Supports up to 8 Kg, Maximum Height 64.6", Black

2012-04-15T21:00:00

About 1/8 turn and it unlocks and back an eighth and it is rock solid. Very easy to get bubble level correct. It will NEVER rust or corrode and sand and dirt are easily removed.

JAMES R.

2011-09-03T21:00:00

I've coupled this tripod with a Kirk ballhead and couldn't be happier. This tripod can be contorted into almost any position that you can imagine. One of the hardest tests in my opinion is using it on beach photo shoots. Sand tends to destroy a lot of tripods in the locking collars but this one came through with flying colors. Note: if you use the shaft in the horizontal position, make sure you have a counter weight on the other end for stability.

JAMES L.

2010-02-02T19:00:00

I researched quite a few tripods before deciding on the Giottos. I must admit, I was a bit skeptical about buying a brand about which I had little to no knowledge. I read the reviews and decided I really needed a carbon fiber tripod. My first trial with the unit was last Sunday in the snow, lugging it and my camera all over Colonial Williamsburg, VA. I was impressed by the solid feel this tripod gave to my Canon 5d. I shot some HDR and did some panorama shots. I certainly will be taking this tripod with me on many future shoots.

Howie

2010-01-25T19:00:00

Strong, easy to set up and very flexible. You can put your camera inches from water with the pivoting center shaft. Put you camera in the flowers looking up at the sky - nice capability Good value for the money

JAMES R.

2010-01-12T19:00:00

Very well built carbon tripod.

railman

2010-01-09T19:00:00

I'm tall, and so I appreciate the height of this well-built tripod. Of course, its height makes for more weight and bulk, but I'll take the trade-off. It is a fully-featured tripod. I combine it with the MH-1001 medium ball head, and so far I'm happy with both.

w40

2009-07-05T21:00:00

You can spend more, however, you won't get a better tripod. Simply, this is the best tripod on the market. I've owned (still do) and used a few other, more expensive, tripods that never quite fit the bill. This will be the last one I buy. It has every feature you'll need, excellent stability, and comes complete with a carrying strap, case with another strap, short center column (along with the long column), and tool kit. You're wasting your money with Manfrotto, Gitzo, or Really Right Stuff -- this is a better tripod.

DaveUS1

2009-06-24T21:00:00

I use this tripod for macro and closeups. Very stable, and I have yet to find a position that it couldn't put my camera where I wanted it, be it 6' up or on the ground.

Richard S.

2009-04-08T21:00:00

Good quality, solid tripod - rivals the Gitzos IMHO - at a good price. I use it in the studio as well as in the field, I am 6'1" tall and it puts the camera right at eye level without extending the center column. Haven't used the articulating column yet but it felt solid at initial set up. It is a little heavier than other CF tripods but that adds stability and I am not climbing mountains.

William E.

2009-04-05T21:00:00

Nice and sturdy - build quality is great. Extras (bag and carrying straps) are very welcome. Sets up very quickly with one-handed loosening, extending & tightening. Built-in "head" is nice to start, but you'll want to add a head sooner or later - it's a little tricky to level without a proper head. I picked up the Giottos MH-1001 and they work nicely together. Center column/boom is great (you can put the camera anywhere you need it), but takes a little getting used to - you need to remove the column first, and it's easiest to make large adjustments without it (and the camera) in place - if it's not fully extended, clearance on the "back side" of the tube can tricky, with the legs sometimes getting in the way. Listed maximum height (64.4") doesn't include the fully extended column, which puts it over 6'.

William O.

2008-12-04T19:00:00

A recent nature photography workshop convinced me of the value of a good, lightweight tripod. After quite a bit of research, I chose the Giottos MT-8361. With the popularity of the Gitzo/Bogen/Manfrotto tripods, one might think that this is simply a cheap knockoff. On the contrary, this is a precision piece of equipment in its own right. The carbon fiber legs are smooth and exceptionally well-made. Though it's not advertised as such, the legs do not rotate, which makes adjusting the leg locks and leg length significantly easier. The locks themselves are strong and operate smoothly. The 'body' of the tripod, where the legs connect, is precision machined and very solid. I haven't yet had occasion to use the adjustable-angle feature of the center column in the field; but in experimenting with it at home, I find Giottos to have the best implementation of this kind of design. The similar Manfrotto feels flimsy in comparison, and is limited to a 90 degree angle. The Giottos is rock-solid at any angle, easy to adjust, and a pleasure to use. The adjustable leg angle feature is also exceptionally implemented. The adjusters are all metal (vs. plastic in some other brands, even ones that cost more), solid and secure. The great design and construction of this tripod gives me confidence in my photography, and the light weight allows me to take it almost everywhere. This is a truly exceptional product.

Hal S.