Sunpak Fieldmaster Black Tripod with Ball Head & Pan Head

2008-10-06T21:00:00

Rating of 8.8 pounds with tilt pan head is greatly exaggerated. A load of 4 pounds with camera and lens and the 1/4 thread mount in the titlt pan head pulled right out. It is a metal sleeve molded into the head, once it pulls out there is no putting it back in. As for the ball head, it will handle 4 pounds I guess as the camera doesn't fall off but it doesn't tighten down well. If the weight is off center, once tightened down it will continue to slip towards the side with the weight, usually the lens side. Makes placement/framing difficult as it slips past where it was tightened, so one typically needs to tighten with the camera pointing several inches higher so when it slips if you are lucky is about where you wanted it pointed. The legs seem decent for the price, maybe a better head would help but it is a 1/4 mount so a conversion bushing would be needed for a decent head, then again it probably isn't worth it as a decent head would cost twice as much as the tripod. Probably a nice tripod for a point and shoot.

KRAIG S.

2007-09-27T21:00:00

My (brand name) tripod that I had for about 25 years bit the dust. Wanted a sturdy replacement, light weight (ease of transport while hiking), digital camera - nothing too heavy. Yes, this tripod met the requirements, but just wasn't the same quality as the old one that I paid $35 for - but that was 25 years ago. Probably needed to look at the $150-225 price range for the equivalent quality, what with inflation, etc.

Walt

2007-02-11T19:00:00

For the most part, this tripod does what I have expected it to do. I could use a little more stability when fully extended, but, that's a trade off with size and carry weight. Using the attached hook to hang additional weight from does add to the tripod's stability. Overall, I'm happy with my choice.

JAMES W.