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I use a wide array of Canon equipment for studio and field shoots. I had the chance to use the Zomei in a variety of locations, comparing it to my three other tripods:

1)The Vanguard Alta Pro 284CT Carbon Fiber tripod (no longer available, but previously about $300), which is 3.5 lbs, reduces to 21" and goes up to 61".
2) A lightweight Canon brand tripod
3) Star-D D-120 tripod - about 50 years old and appears to be able to take any kind of transport beating without so much as being dented

First of all, the Zomei is wonderfully light for transport, at 2.5 lbs, a full pound less than my Vanguard. A pound can make a big difference, and it might be the difference between taking a tripod and leaving it home. The Zomei is also capable of shrinking down to 18", which is less than both the Vanguard and the Canon, while still allowing a full growth to 55". You'll need to decide if the extra six inches of the Vanguard is important. To me, it isn't. The Zomei also has a gravity hook at the base so that a weight or attachment can provide additional stability when you're using ultra-long lenses. None of my other tripods have this incorporated.

The Zomei has a number of other features not included in my other tripods. The feet articulate, so if the unit is on a rocky surface where the three locations are not parallel to one another, the feet will automatically adjust themselves for greatest possible stability. This has actually been the most surprising and brilliant feature. First of all, why don't all tripods have this? And second of all, the feature actually works. The other major issue is the color. Sure, you can choose black, gold, or silver and be professional. Pfeh! I chose orange, and the red and blue look nice as well. But why, you say? Well...let's say you've got two identical cameras set up for a shoot. You've got one set up for monochrome shots and the other for color, or one for HDR and the other for standard. How do you identify which is which. Easy....get one normal colored tripod (black or chrome) and another COLOR tripod like orange. Don't worry, it's not a bright gaudy orange but rather an orange-tinted aluminum. I'm not used to color choices in tripods, but the availability gives me a great way to quickly ID my camera setups.

The price point is excellent, and the manufacturer has saved one-third of the weight, so there must be a few areas where the tripod is lacking compared to the $300 Vanguard. True, there are some points on the tripod where the Zomei uses plastic and the Vanguard uses metal. The center post of the Zomei is plastic and doesn't move up and down quite as smoothly as in other tripods with an aluminum center post. The mounting bracket has a plastic baseplate rather than cork or hard foam. I suspect that the Vanguard will have greater longevity in the field. But on the other hand, this is a highly stable well designed tripod where corners haven't been cut so much that the result is a cheap tripod. Rather, we have a reasonably priced tripod with a highly acceptable build quality, a carrying case, and all of the usual adjustments and capabilities.

I got the orange one. I love the way it looks. If you want a basic tripod, by all means get this one! If you want something for serious photography, go with something a little nicer. It has a bit of shake that can be mitigated with a timed shutter. The pan and tilt mechanism are not very fluid. They can be difficult to get your subject lined up *just right*... and if you have to do it quickly, you may have some trouble. My biggest issue however is with durability. I was hiking around (nothing too crazy) and I stumbled going down a tiny little hill. I had the legs together and the camera around my neck. I dropped the tripod but only from about 18-24 inches. It landed on grass/dirt (again, nothing crazy)... and the little crank handle that raises the head snapped right off. I admit, I am a clumsy person... but this mean I drop things a lot ... and I was surprised that the tripod did not make it out unscathed. Luckily the crank itself is the one feature on it that is kind of useless (it was not at all smooth, and did not give you any kind of precise control, and you can still raise the head without it). Despite its shortcoming the tripod is still pretty cool. I will use it for things like selfies, still photos, portraits, family pictures, etc... but I will not use it for hiking, camping, landscapes, action, or wildlife shooting.

This is a nice little tripod, especially for the money. I own several Pro tripods up to 4"x5" capable. I bought this for it's compact lightweight design and fully intending to replace the head with a floating head for video.
I'd buy it again and would recommend it to a friend!!

UPDATE: 10/2019
After about 4 serious usages the head broke, making it unable to lock it from panning continuously. I baby all of my equipment and felt this was a design defect. I will no longer recommend any Zomei product!

I was extremely excited about getting this. Upon arrival it seemed absolutely perfect but after three photo shoots I discovered the little tab that you use to tighten the base to the camera is extremely floppy and no way to tighten it... so when I go to mount my camera onto the tripod the tab falls down making it impossible to get my camera on it. Very very sad and upset. Not worth the $40 I spent.

I am not a professional but this tripod is REALLY good to me. It's my first time using tripods and this product is easy to use and carry. I bought a black one for myself and one blue for my friend, she also likes it. I have used it for a few times and one thing I really like about it is its portability. It is light. There is a bag and the tripod can easily be fit in my backpack, I often bring it with me when I am out. Its height also varies as I want. Absolutely good product. Stable and safe. Btw the blue one is really pretty, but I love my tripod as well! lmao

Nice and compact but not for any real heavy duty use. I needed a tripod that will collapse small enough to fit in my luggage and will be able to extend to the proper height for me to easily work with. With the legs are fully extended the bottom extensions are a little too thin and spindly and appear to be easily bent with rough use. If it wasn't for that I would have given it five stars.

Needed to be fixed out of the box, the crank to move the center shaft was stuck and had to be lubed to work. I just did not feel like returning more amazon crap right now so I fixed it.

A lot of you tubers who do heavy filming recommended this one. I think it is great for newer video creators and for those doing table top things.

This is the product I have been I looking forward at the right price. I like its portability that makes it easier when I am out taking pictures. Also, steps setting the tripod are quite simple, and the tripod itself is stable as well. So far so good.

Man kriegt, wofür man bezahlt. In der Preisklasse ein recht "gutes" Stativ, allerdings mit deutlichen Problemen in der Benutzung. Die Flip-locks sind super und generell laesst sich alles sehr schnell auf volle Größe aufstellen. Fing allerdings schon mit unter 3kg Belastung an zu wackeln; im Wind blies mir alles, incl. Kamera, beinahe weg. Zwar hätte ich ein Gewicht befestigen können, aber alle Komponenten, die zur Stabilisierung der MIttelsâule dienen, sind aus Plastik hergestellt. Zwar kann die Mittelsäule theoretisch festgestellt, trotzdem rutscht sie ziemlich regelmäsßig recht abrupt ab. Mit leichteren Kameras bei wenig Wind durchaus ein brauchbares Reiseobjektiv. Für Einsteiger gut geeignet -- man kann lernen, worauf man bei einem nächsten Stativ wirklich achten will.

Einwandfreie Ware. Sehr robust und gut verarbeitet. Ich bin sehr zufrieden für diesem Preis.

Schnelle Lieferung, günstiger Preis, gute ausreichende Beschreibung. Sehr flexible Einstellungen möglich.
Sehr leichtes Gewicht und in der mitgelieferten Tasche gut zu transportieren.
Das Stativ, Füße sind aus Alu, der Rest ist Kunststoff.

das Stativ ist leicht, handlich und gleichzeitig stabil. Es schaut gut aus und es macht Spaß damit zu arbeiten.
Das war ein guter Kauf

Produkt und Lieferung in Ordnung.
Wie ich es bei Amazon eigentlich gewohnt bin.

Gutes Produkt für den Preis, einzig Verpackung ungünstig, die eine Stellschraube müsste abgepolstert werden, machte schon Loch in Karton

I bought this tripod for my boyfriend as a well priced entry level tripod. It works BRILLIANTLY and he is really happy with it. Quality and sturdiness is good and comes with great travel / carry bag. HIGHLY recommend.

Leider mit schon vorhandenen nicht kompatibel

Gutes Produkt!

Gut und schon genutzt

Schnelle Lieferung gute Stabilität und ausreichende Höhe

Ich bin mit dem Stativ sehr zufrieden. Geld Preis ist hervorragend.

Facile d'utilisation, il s'adapte a toutes les situations. C'est un bel objet. Seul bémol pas très simple a déplacer. Je recommande ce produit.

Good! Thanks