Customer Rating: Summary: Solid, sturdy, but whose plastic hinges hinder... Comment: I recently damaged my previous tripod on a particularly slippery slope to a distant, scenic waterfall.
With a D-SLR, any tripod purchased has to support the weight AND be sturdy enough to handle windy days. No photographer likes blur.
This Quantaray QSX-9500 suits the bill nicely in terms of price/performance average.
Just one thing: The hinges that connect the three struts to the center are made of plastic and will break. For this 9500 is the same model I am replacing. But compared to higher priced tripods made out of 100% metal (including the hinges), and higher quality screws for the strut extensions (instead of those plastic flaps), I'll buy the 9500 every time.
Oh, my previous 9500 lasted 5 years of moderate/semi-rough handling. It's a very good, and cost-effective unit.
Customer Rating: Summary: Tripod - Value vs. Robustness? Comment: I have an expensive SLR digital camera, including a long lens and I had need of a reliable tripod designed for a heavier camera but one that did not cost a fortune. I use a tripod in my studio and also on location.
Choosing an unseen tripod off the Internet is a challenge since one needs to touch, feel, use the device to determine whether it will do the job. Fortunately I was able to evaluate the QSX-9500 in a Ritz Camera display at a local department store. I would have bought it there except only the display model was available and it was missing some items- box, bag, extra camera mount.
I read one other review that convinced me to go forward and I'm delighted with the results. Rugged, stable, lots of height, wide stance, extra camera attachment platform - this was an excellent purchase. Customer Rating: Summary: Worth more than the price Comment: I bought this tripod to replace a general tripod that my grandfather had used ages ago. I love virtually every feature this tripod has.
The maximum height that this tripod can reach is amazing. It can reach over 6 feet in height. It has two extendable leg portions on each leg, as well as an extendable head. There are bars to keep all three legs an equal distance apart from the center pole, which helps it stay level. On the head, there are two level-bubbles. One is on the base part of the head that doesn't move, and the other is on the movable portion of the head next to where your camera will stay.
The head also features a removable dock (mine came with a second one as well). It's perfect for the person who needs to hurry on to something else.
The only semi-negative aspects are: the weight, the panning handle. This is not the most lightweight model out there, but it comes with a carrying case so it's not as lumbersome. This is also not the heaviest tripod by far. And my issue with the panning handle is that when you need to use it, it gets in the way of using the camera.
But all in all, I'm so glad that I bought this. I will continue buying Quantaray products. Customer Rating: Summary: Worth looking for Comment: I have 2 of these, and I searched all of the local stores to find them (I had to buy from two separate stores to get 2). It can get high enough to see over a crowd. Though not a true fluid head, it has a very good feel to tilting and panning. I love using it and will buy another.
