additional stability. I do have one complaint with the included ball joint mount. The ballhead locking mechanism is located on the right side relative to the U-slot, allowing upward aiming beyond the normal range of the ballhead. This means that when adjusting the camera when using the U-slot, you have to awkwardly reach with your left hand or reach around with your left hand all the way around, as you have to use your right hand to hold the camera while adjusting the locking mechanism. The other option is to hold the camera with your left hand, but this requires you to hold the camera by the lens or awkwardly on your body. The other thing I don't like is that you have to remove the hook on the bottom of the center column, if you want to reverse the center column to position your camera closer to the ground. I haven't used enough tripods to know if the quick release is any good or not. It can sometimes be difficult to put it back on, but this may be due to operator error. Overall I am very happy with this tripod and would recommend it to anyone who is tall or looking for an extra tall tripod for specific purposes.

I got the best picture I have ever taken using the monopod part of this sturdy tripod. The picture was a long exposure of a waterfall. This tripod is sturdy but weighs quite a bit for me to pack as a rather small woman. One of the many neat features of this tripod is one leg (it's identified) can be taken off and used with the center piece as a monopod. The monopod I'm willing to tote on a hike. The monopod gave me the stability I needed for get the picture without any shake. It was fairly easy to get the pieces back in place when I returned. This tripod does extend really high which is helpful when shooting over fences such as those put up to keep the public safely back. I like the idea of using this tripod better than taking along a ladder which I've seen some photographers use for abandoned buildings and ruins. Although I haven't made full use of the range of positions this tripod permits, I like its availability. I also like how secure my camera feels on the tripod. This comes with a carrying case so when it's not in use, this tripod doesn't take up much room. My rating is 5 stars because of the sturdiness and I love being able to also use this as a monopod.

We needed to attach a 5lb monitor screen at 6 feet and a camera at 8 feet. Needed stable, strong, tall and portable! So far this is proven to be exactly what we needed.

A little heavier than most tripods of similar size due to solid build. I'm using it in the studio exclusively in the studio unless specific situations call for a taller tripod. Overall very pleased with ease of use.

Material and quality is perfect and working excellent, I’m using for live streaming at studio

We have been looking for a tripod that is sturdy and functional. This is the one. We have been using it for over a month and have been using it exclusively. Highly recommend.

Well, I do not use a camera tripod that often and when I do, I like a good one. I had a project that I needed to raise a camera over a corn field, which will not happen any time soon now since this is on its was back to Amazon.The design is brilliant and versatile, since I was spending the money on a tripod to replace all of my $35 or less tripods and the added height. This looked like the cat's meow. Especially considering it was direct competition for my bog pod, this looked like it was going to be even more stable and easy to set up. The bog pod has zero center support or locks short of the legs.However, the problems appeared in the actual construction. The locks, were a bit of of a bother to loosen up, the legs stuck while sliding out, and it was WOBBLY! I traced the wobble back to the rubber feet. This thing would bounce back and forth like a spring. I tried it on several surfaces with and without a camera, I also tried putting weight on the hook, no effect,If it was constructed slightly better the only thing I would not have liked was the monopod. Coming in at 5' 10" the top adjustment for height was to low (below my waist) for me to easily set it up. I had to move away from the view finder to reach it and once tightened, it was to high or to low. I use a lot of bipod so the idea behind adjusting the legs is pretty strait forward, but it appeared to be to much to adjust. A pity.It weighed in more than I thought it would compared to the specs. While heavy may be horrible for carrying long distances I thought perhaps it would survive minor wind gusts.I wish it would have worked, its versatile nature is very appealing and I have yet to find another brand offering anything similar.

This is the best tripod I've ever bought. The applications I will use this for are almost limitless. It's a bit more expensive than I wanted to spend, but absolutely worth every bit.

After first use I am confident I made a good choice ! And to the few bad reviews I say inspect your equipment and use the Allen key to tighten mount and legs when inverted has THE shot . But I’m a newbie

Excellent strong and user friendly