Dolica LA600 Pro 60-Inch Aluminum Alloy Traveler Edition Tripod (Black)

I bought this for those times when my big tripod (Manfrotto 3191 with 6300 fluid head) is just too big and unnecessary for the task. I was pleasantly surprised at how sturdy it is, but also how light and its ability to fold compactly.Key features (at least for me):1. Leg locks are levers, not those obnoxious twist locks. WIN.2. Solid aluminum construction throughout.3. STURDY leg locks that can lock almost parallel to the floor for pretty low shooting angles (not quite as low as a high hat, but still pretty good), or at a pre-set angle. They're all metal and easy to manipulate, though be careful, you could pinch a finger.4. The quick release plate is removable from the ball head, which was a bonus for me. I like all my quick releases to be identical (manfrotto 501PL style), so I replaced the included quick release with this: https://www.amazon.com/Andoer-Connect-Adapter-Release-Manfrotto/dp/B00PGVS2TO/ref=sr_1_15?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1456268859&sr=1-15&keywords=501pl . All it took was the removal of a single Alan screw (proper wrench included) which then was used to secure the new quick release adapter. Works great and doesn't interfere with the folding.5. It includes a decent canvas bag for convenient storage and carrying. The pocket inside has the instructions and alan wrenches for any maintenance you might need to do. That inside pocket also zips, so you can easily store some extra camera screws or small items for use on your shoot.6. The tube has a standard diameter of about 1 inch (I forget the exact measurement, but it's close), so you can easily get a shorter tube or cut the included tube in order to allow your camera to mount closer to the ground.7. Nearly forgot: the entire ball head assembly can be unscrewed from the sticks, revealing a standard 3/8" screw. I used it to attach my Manfrotto 504HD fluid head for some test shots, and it had no problem supporting the extra weight (couple of pounds) along with my Canon 70D and a variety of cinema lenses.For the price ($54.99 when I bought it, free Amazon Prime shipping), I'm not sure you will find a better deal. If you're a serious film or photography person I do recommend replacing the included quick release with something that matches whatever you use. It's a cheap, easy option that'll just make your life easier.

I purchased this tripod in January to have a small but sturdy tripod to take on hikes. It fits the bill for being sturdy but is a little on the heavy side for me to carry in a backpack while hiking, but it is do-able. What I wanted to review is Dolica's customer service. Recently while hiking in the forest the screw that locks the ball head fell out making the tripod useless for me. I looked online and ordered the part which I thought would work but alas, it did not. I emailed the company explaining my situation and they quickly responded (within a couple days) and told me to send back the part and that they would send me the correct part after filling out a warranty questionnaire. I received the part today and voila! my tripod is up and working again. I was very pleased with their rapid response to my problem. The tripod works well. My only complaint is that the leg locking/unlocking mechanism is a little tricky to use. Otherwise I am very pleased and want to commend Gordon in the customer service dept. who helped me with my problem.

Upon receiving this tripod, I opened the box and setup the tripod. I put my camera on the plate and when I released it, it Snapple and broke. Maybe I hit a dud, but I wouldn't try again. Since, I've purchased a Mefoto tripod and couldn't be happier. The quality of the Mefoto is great.

Given the very reasonable price of this tripod, I was prepared to be disappointed, even with all the positive reviews. But I have to say that I am absolutely astonished by the quality of this product. Every piece and part is clearly thought through, over-engineered, and manufactured to a very high degree. An example: I unscrewed the cap at the end of the center stalk to invert it, only to discover the bolt inside was a quarter-inch thick. This is a part that most customers will never see and that is out of sight in any event, yet even this is manufactured to what seems to be military specs. The ballhead is also very well designed and manufactured. The motion is smooth and easily controlled with one lever. My previous tripod was a Manfrotto, which I had always thought of as top-drawer, but the Dolica is far better made.Despite the substantial construction, the tripod is amazing light, yet it seems sturdy. I'm six feet tall, and I find the height to be just fine, though it does mean the center post has to be fully extended, which makes things a little more susceptible to vibration--- but that's why it has a hook for a weight on the center post; with a weight on it, I feel it will work perfectly. That's the tradeoff that any tripod faces for me: if it's tall and immovable, it's also going to be heavy, which means I'll be less inclined to bring it. The best tripod in the world is useless if I leave it home. I'm sure somewhere there's a tripod that combines all the best features--tall, strong, flexible, and light---but I can't afford it, The Dolica is, for me, the best possible tripod: one that I will use, that is well made, and that I can afford.