Hama Camera Tripod Star 700 EF | Lightweight with 3-Way Head | Photo Tripod with 42.5-125cm Height | Tripod Including Carrying Case | Camera Tripod Suitable for SLR and System Cameras | Champagne

As a first time tripod user and a total amateur when it comes to photography, I wanted a tripod that would make my product photography easier and less shaky than holding the camera myself.This has proven to be terrific value for money and has helped improve my photos enormously. There are loads of features that make adjusting the height/angle of the camera really easy, that, once locked in, holds very firmly too.The locking mechanism for the camera on the base feels really sturdy, and I feel very confident using it that my camera is safe. None of the locking mechanisms are overly complicated and the whole set up process feels very intuitive.Has a nice weight to it, but isn't too heavy, comes in a nice case and packs away quickly. I don't have much to compare with, but for a beginner this has been absolutely brilliant and excellent value for money.

For the price this product is probably unbeatable on quality.I use it with my Canon SX50 HS as a quick and cheap tripod.It can go very tall and very short and seems quite strong for its light weight body.If you use it correctly and tighten all the bits up; it's quite steady also. Not as steady as a £100 tripod; but steady enough for some good shots.I've used this product to take a 15 sec exposure picture of night sky @ ISO 80 and have acceptable results if I use a 2 second self timer to make sure body is steady.Quick release base! on a tripod this cheap and steady; I love this base!Negative point: the spirit level's are utter pants. Don't rely on them. The 360 degree one is just not at all working on mine and the horizontal one seems to be a bit off. My Canon SX50 has built in on screen level so doesn't bother me that much but has lost a star because its such a cheap thing to get wrong. It has 2 levels and both on mine are off or not working.1 star for strength, 1 star for steadiness, 1 star for price, 1 star for weight, 1 star for overall satisfaction, -1 star for slight defects.

For £15 this tripod is Brilliant, I keep it as a backup and it sometimes gets used for my other photographic equipment.I don’t use it for my main photography as it is a little bit too chunky, but this isn’t a major issue, I just happen to prefer another tripod that I own.Fully expanded, and cranked all the way up to max height, it is almost level with my eyes (I’m 5’8).The telescopic legs are in three sections. They are tightened and loosened by the use of plastic clasps that are very secure. The tripod legs are supported by arms that link them to the center column which. These supports provide extra stability and security as there is a ring which can be tightened. This helps prevent the legs closing back up accidentally.There is a stability hook at the bottom of the column. This is used when you need extra stability (outdoors on a breezy day?). This is where you attach your camera bag or something equally heavy, which helps hold the whole apparatus in place.The central column can add extra height (should you need it) by way of a crank handle. As many photographers may suggest, only use this when you absolutely need to. The higher this is cranked, the less stability you will have which will defeat the object of having a tripod!This has a quick release mechanism which uses the standard threads, it seems to work well and you can buy extra plates if you have other cameras, this will let you quickly switch between them without having to undo the plate each time.The camera mount allows you to shoot in landscape as well as portrait, by flipping 90 degrees. However, this is not a perfect right-angle and I would be hesitant in using it in this mode. The angle does seem rather more obtuse than it should be.Speaking of angles, the tripod has a couple of spirit levels. I am not convinced of their accuracy and I would prefer to use something else to check my levels as they seem a bit off.There is a sturdy handle for carrying and and a canvas bag if to keep it protected which can also be used for transport.All in all it’s a lovely bit of kit given the really cheap price you can’t beat it. Perhaps wouldn’t recommend it for a pro photographer, but for an amateur or as a backup, this is perfect for the price, I can’t fault it!

I don't even know where to begin when attempting to review this item other than to start by saying that It's quite simply the best value/quality product I've ever purchased.The product was dispatched and delivered promptly and without issue. It arrived undamaged and neatly packed.The carry case is of a good quality and will come in very handy on my astronomical and photographic excursions. The product itself is built very well and upon erection remains sturdy and unflappable. It Isn't flimsy at all and I have supreme confidence in using my telescope with it. I have also attached a Nikon D3100 complete with battery grip, flash gun, and 18-200mm zoom lens and found the tripod to be quite capable of safely and securely holding this weight.The turret movement is smooth and clean and the added benefit of the spirit level is a huge bonus. You can add weight to the balance of the tripod via the little hook Hama have provided, and the hook is built strongly enough to take the added weight without fear of it snapping. I am 6'1" and the tripod is more than capable of going higher than my eye level. The legs of the tripod feel strong and able to resist winds.Overall this is better than my more expensive tripods and I'm sorry I didn't buy one sooner before I wasted huge amounts of money on so-called better pieces of kit. Easily the best bargain I've had on amazon yet!