Product Description: New and improved quick release equipped compact tripod designed / Adds the professional range 3157N rapid connect plate to the ball head
Stable tripod for light equipment With an interesting hexagonal leg profile, an average ball head, a decent carrying bag all in a fairly light package, this tripod may be consider by the owners of a SLR-like or point-and-shoot cameras who want a quick buy. But again, if you care about how much weight you carry with you and care less about quality than practicality, why would you spend over $100 for something significantly heavier than your camera. Needless to say that who has an SLR and is looking for a tripod, they should keep looking. Here is a short comparison with other two tripods: http://anonimu72.blogspot.com/.
Manfrotto This tripod is the best ever. Its in budget price, the ball-head is perfect for free adjusting, works fast. It expands into huge-ness. Considering that I'm 6'4" and it levels almost exactly to my eye. :). The bag is sturdy, and the tripod itsself is sturdy. Only it gets wobbly when you extend it fully. I think the description of the height is a bit wrong... But i havent measured my self. The only flaw is that the head is shaking, but it can be fastned with a 6-sided screwdriver.
solid . . . Bogen Manfrotto has a reputation for quality, and indeed the 725B tripod is well-built, and very sturdy, designed for use with SLR's. It is capable of supporting a SLR with a heavy zoom lens, and battery grip, in most applications.
The fully adjustable, built-in ball head is plus for most, and a minus for others, as it is not interchangeable. When locked down, the head will pretty much stay in place, unless you exert excessive force, or the position is such that the weight is too severe. This usually happens only when the camera is positioned vertically, and the center of gravity is off on one side. The camera may require readjustment to hold steady. These comments apply only to SLR's. You should not have any problems with a point and shoot camera, as the rated maximum load of the 725B is 7.7 pounds.
Camera position is adjusted by hand, and then the ball head is locked down. There are no positioning levers, or a bubble level indicator. Minimum height is 19 inches. Fully extended, the tripod is about 53 inches tall, and the center post can be raised to make the maximum height 66 inches. When the camera is in landscape position, stability is good, even at full height. Weight is about 3 pounds, and it comes with a nice carry bag.
The mounting plate is metal, with rubber for traction. To prevent accidental release, the release latch has a tiny locking lever. This mechanism may take a little while to get used to. The 725B is economical, and great for general use. If the built-in ball head works for you, it is well worth a look.
Poor quality I bought a similar tripod (the digi 714B) with the same leg locking mechanism. After using it at 2 week long events, 2 locking mechanisms have broken and 2 more have cracked rendering the tripod virtually useless.
For an expensive (I paid almost $200) tripod this is unacceptable. Buyer beware.
NOT for video equipment Perhaps I should have known from the description but it doesn't say that this tripod will not work with a video camera. I am not a professional so maybe somewhere a detail is given that should have made me realize that but I didn't. The tripod seemed nice but not for a video camera. Amazon refunded me immediately upon return. Easy transaction if you use their return procedure. The tripod seemed nice and sturdy just not for my needs.
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
