Velbon Elcarma 640 4-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs, Black, Supports 13.2 lbs., Requires Head.

2010-04-06T21:00:00

A nicely built tripod that appears sturdier than its stated maximum load capacity of 11.03 lb./5 Kg. (which is what's printed on the box, although this site lists the load capacity as 13.2 lb./6 Kg.). The smallest leg section is about 3/4" in diameter, much larger than the pencil-thin legs found on some 4-section tripods. I would not hesitate to use this tripod with a 70-200mm f2.8 or 300mm f4 lens mounted on a full-frame DSLR. I love the flip-locks, the height markings on the legs, the neoprene leg covers, and the short 17.7" folded length (without head). Although the rubber feet do not convert to spikes, I seldom use spikes anyway. The two-section magnesium center column is not grooved and rotates 360 degrees. However, the twist knob tightens the column quite securely. For travel, I will use only the 3-5/8" short section of the center column, which lowers the tripod's weight to about 3 lbs. with a maximum extended height of about 50". The accessory hook, which can also be screwed onto the short column, is fairly small, but I plan to attach a carabiner to it from which to hang my camera bag on windy days. The head platform is 2.1" in diameter and has a reversible 1/4"-3/8" mounting screw. There are two holes (not the usual 3) drilled into the platform into which set screws (not provided) can be inserted to prevent the head from turning. The tripod case is of decent quality and long enough to accomodate a mounted ballhead and clamp up to about 4" in height. I wish it had an ID slot and an accessory pocket. I doubt I will use the cumbersome-looking stone bag. There was no allen leg wrench included with my tripod as stated in the description, but I already have plenty of these.

Kzoozoomer