Is this a good tripod?

Platinum Plus 7500tm. It is a tripod and monopod in one. My husband got that for me for Christmas along with the 100mm macro, I plan on getting a 100-400l lens in the spring so I need something to support it. I know tripods are important so I wanted opinions on it. It seems stable but may be junk, all input appreciated

22 hours and no answer? I guess you get to review it for us, then.

Is it stable and rigid? Does the pan/tilt head lock without movement? Are the leg locks solid?

-js

AprilArchambeau wrote in post #9262442
Platinum Plus 7500tm. It is a tripod and monopod in one. My husband got that for me for Christmas along with the 100mm macro, I plan on getting a 100-400l lens in the spring so I need something to support it. I know tripods are important so I wanted opinions on it. It seems stable but may be junk, all input appreciated

What do you plan to use it for?

The two things that I don't like about this tripod looking at it online (I've never so much as touched one):

1. The legs are tied together. This is common for video camera tripods that are going to be used inside. If you plan to use this tripod outside on potentially uneven ground you will soon be cursing having the legs tied together.

This design also means by default that you cannot get the camera close to the ground. Consider it an eye level tripod only, not suitable for macro.

All in all, this type of tripod is OK for portraits and group photos, not so much for landscapes and macro.

2. The head is pan and tilt. While video shooters like pan and tilt, most still photographers find it needlessly fussy to use to get the camera aimed, and the ability to smoothly pan a shot is pretty useless for a still.

I got it as a gift and it's been great so far. Everything's fluid, all locks are firm, everything rotates without issue and it's been very easy to use. No complaints so far

Look here: http://www.photography​review.com …k/PRD_392083_58​11crx.aspx

If that's your tripod, it sould do just fine for your purposes.

Yea, I am going to be using it outside for macro sometimes though, so I am wondering if I should return it and get something better

It should be fine for normal use.

I have this exact tripod. It is fine, my only complaint is the thing is pretty heavy. I would hate to have to lug it around if I wanted to take it on a trip where I had to carry it a long way...

JeffreyG wrote in post #9266752
......2. The head is pan and tilt. While video shooters like pan and tilt, most still photographers find it needlessly fussy to use to get the camera aimed, and the ability to smoothly pan a shot is pretty useless for a still.

I would find the ability to smoothly pan a shot for sports shooting quite handy . As you said, depends what you're using it for.

Ok so I returned the tripod and called Adorama about some cameras. He said he has this tripod and its good, considering buying it, its a slik 330dx and is $100, figured it would be better than the above that I previously had?

http://www.adorama.com …tml?searchinfo=​slik+330dx