Slik U8000 3-Section Aluminum Tripod with 3-Way Pan Head, Black

2025-05-10T14:47:10

This is a stable, well-made tripod for the price, but with a serious weakness. Mine arrived with the crank handle shaft broken off. This is the handle with which you crank the center post up or down. I had to return the broken tripod after checking out the rest of it. The plastic shaft for the crank handle sticks out from the otherwise fairly solid plastic top section of the tripod far enough to be vulnerable. Other reviewers have noted concerns about this, and I have to agree. If you plan to use this tripod in an office or studio setting, it should be fine (once you get one that isn't already broken). It is otherwise a solid, nicely designed piece of equipment for this price new, although you can do better if you are willing to buy something used. The plastic parts are solid, not cheap, and there are metal hinge pins, bars, and tubes in the appropriate places. But if you plan to travel with it, or expect it to be knocked around for some other reason, you risk being stuck with the crank handle shaft broken off at some point. In a pinch, the tripod would still work -- just without the ability to raise and lower the camera easily. You would have to adjust each of the three legs to get to the desired height, and the maximum height would be less with no way to crank up the center tube. That risk is a deal-breaker for my purposes, which require inexperienced crew members to precisely adjust the head height. The tripod is also not particularly small or light, if those issues matter to you. Pay attention to the specs. I am going to work for a few months at a remote, rural location, and I didn't want to take my trusty late-1980's Bogen 3001 (Manfrotto) tripod that is built like a tank, almost entirely of metal (but that does not crank up and down). I was planning to leave this Slik tripod there. So I was surprised that this Slik is only slightly lighter and smaller than my trusty Bogen. I would definitely recommend this tripod for circumstances where it won't get banged around, but not for travel or other uses where it might get a bit abused.

Bruce O.

2022-01-19T09:55:55

I love my slik tripod

PEGGY K.

2020-12-11T12:57:14

This tripod is a workhorse! It is very tough for its moderate price. I paint outdoors using it. It’s so easy to set up that I’m the first to set up and the first to get packed at the end of a session. This is my second Slik U8000! Can’t have too many!

MELISSA R.

2019-07-21T11:52:32

I purchased this tripod after reading reviews with budget in mind. I don't do this professionally, rather I wanted to dip my toes into astral photography and knew I'd need a tripod to do it. This tripod is so far great. It's light, of high quality, easy to setup, and has plenty of options to adjust height, tilt, etc. It can easily handle pans if you're looking to do video as well, and came with everything I needed to get started. The only con so far in my opinion is that the crank to raise the head up and down is VERY stiff, not sure if it will loosen up over time, but it takes quite a bit of effort. Solid budget option here that'll do what you need. Is it a peak design tripod that everyone rants and raves about? No. But it's absolutely well worth the money, and feels like I should have paid more for it.

Aaron R.

2018-07-17T11:56:58

Works great! Very easy to set up and use for solid, steady picture taking.

Matthew B.

2017-08-09T09:35:20

These lightweight but durable cameras serve their purpose in my classroom.

ACCOUNTS P.

2016-11-30T16:38:37

best tripod i ever had.... most practical.

Romeo U.

2016-10-05T08:28:30

Recently bought this to use with my Nikon D3300. Easy to use and very substantial. Good price.

Carol H.

2016-04-25T08:50:58

without going kevlar and super-lightweight this is a great place to start. Sturdy, easy to adjust, great value

Richard C.

2013-12-16T19:00:00

Portable and very easy to use by both me and my wife, compact yet very sturdy with easy adjustments.

Harold

2012-02-07T19:00:00

Used this product for a video

Dick

2009-11-11T19:00:00

Use it with all my still and video cameras. Easy to set up and fold up. Came with a nice case. No need to spend more for a tripod when this one will do most anything a more expensive one will do. You will need a level as this has none.

Richard r.

2009-01-31T19:00:00

I'm a photography major and I have use it alot since I got it and I love it! It is quick to extend and retract. The flip mechanisms to extend the tripod's height are easy to manage and it truely is "Slik"! The varying height is great especially with the crank for that extra lift. Gets low and stays high! Lightweight and sturdy. Overall, A GREAT PRODUCT!

HelloPhoto

2009-01-20T19:00:00

Excellent tripod - especially for the price!

Kay

2008-08-23T21:00:00

I just bought it and have not had too much experience with this tripod yet, but it certain has smooth actions and quality material. Sure beats anything at [...].

Ken

2008-07-09T21:00:00

Even as a newbie, I was able to just look at this tripod and figure out how to work it. It's a breeze. I'm impressed with its sturdy construction yet light weight, and its ease of use.

the h.

2007-12-05T19:00:00

I bought this 9 years ago, along with a VHS CamCorder, and it has held up perfectly to the weight and rigors of that heavy CamCorder. Recently, I have been using it along with my little Canon Digital Camera. This is a perfect tripod for just about any Camera.

Nhork-Man

2007-07-24T21:00:00

The tripod worked well for 7 years until I let my friend borrow it from me, he forced the head and broke it. Other than that, the tripod was stable and quick to release all the time. I will have to order a new one.

Kalin

2007-07-10T21:00:00

Borrowed this from a friend while visiting on vacation. Mounted a Nikon D80 w/telextender along with Nikon VR 80-400 zoom for nature shots. When finished, I was folding the tripod legs and everything came snapping back; the plastic parts in the head weren't strong enough to retain the weight and I was very lucky to have caught my camera and lens so no damage was done to them. I purchased this tripod to replace my friend's but caution anyone from putting much more than a camera and standard lens on it.

John