Equipment Recommendation: Tri-pod
We had our equipment recommendation for a travel tri-pod, which we suggested the Benro Travel Angel Tri-pod. This tri-pod is amazing for hiking, traveling, and using your tri-pod “in the wild”. But, now we are turning the corner to the tri-pod of all tri-pods, the Slik AMT Pro 700DX! Sounds like a super robot in its name and maybe resembles a robot in its strong build, but it is mostly just an amazingly built, constructed, and stable tri-pod. These adjectives for a tri-pod are all ideal, especially because you are stepping away from your expensive camera and giving your trust in this tri-pod to securely hold it. Of course, we all know a tri-pod is a necessity in your photography arsenal because it creates a stable hold when your own body and arm strength are not steady enough, or when you want to get in the photo also. Tri-pods are great when using slow shutter speed and trying to capture those slow changes without the shake of your own hand. The Slik AMT Pro 700DX is that incredibly strong and stable tri-pod that you will have forever and this may be an over exaggeration, but I mean for a very very very long time.
So, let’s get into the key technology that this tri-pod features and then I will go in depth a little more about the wonderful qualities and features this tripod has. This tri-pod is made of super strong alloy. This makes the super titanium alloy legs of the Pro 700DX rock steady yet lighter than they seem to look. In most other tri-pods when they don’t use titanium allow, they use aluminum, which makes for cheaper quality and cheaper performance. The alloy has a 40% greater strength to weight ratio, which means light weight and strong! This tri-pod is capable of handling the weight of a large format field camera or a medium size camera with a heavy, long telephoto lens. That is the most important part of a tri-pod in my book, the fact that it is stable, strong and of good quality, while still being portable!
Another important aspect of tri-pods is how easy it is for you to use it! Some tri-pods can take so much time to unscrew the legs, extend them, level it, connect your camera, etc. But, this tri-pod is made to be set of easily with secure yet fast speed release leg locks, gearless center column, and 3 position adjustable angle leg locks. These 3 position adjustable angle leg locks give you the ability to set up easily on uneven ground or on a step. It also has specially designed rubber leg tips for even more balance and stability on any ground. The center column of the tri-pod is two threaded pieces that unscrew and can change to top piece to become a short column. The benefit of making this a short column is to pair with the adjustable leg angles and bring the tri-pod to just 15 inches off the ground. This is stellar for very low angle shots, macro photography and more! For just basic numbers too, this tri-pod can expand to a maximum height of almost 7.5 feet, which is not necessary for most, but can produce some awesome effects. Overall, the tri-pod weighs in at 3.2kg, which makes it very portable and can hold a max capacity of 15 lbs. for heavy lenses and cameras.
When using a tri-pod, you also want to be sure the head of the tri-pod has a quick release to take your camera off. The Pro 700DX has an all metal 3-way pan head that has one of the fastest and easiest to use quick release plates in the industry. SLIK has made a circular quick release plate that can secure the camera to the tri-pod pointing in any direction, which is so much better than trying to attach your camera with a squared off or angled plate and taking up precious time shooting, setting up your tri-pod and camera.
Overall, when compared with other tri-pods with similar features and the stellar construction and material that make this camera a true investment, this tri-pod is one of the best values out there for professional cameras.
Great Quality! I take it with me biking. I used to have to wear my cearma on a strap around my neck and it would constantly flop around. This allows me to keep it secure and easily accessible. My only complaint is that I didn’t find it earlier before I invested in that cearma strap.