FotoproMini Tripod, Compact Portable Travel Tripod with Ball Head Quick Release Plate, 18 Inch Aluminum Tabletop Tripod for DSLR Camera Video Camcorder with Carrying Bag Load up to 11lbs/5kg

OverviewI bought the Fotopro M5-Mini for an overseas trip in Netherlands. I only had 1 hand luggage, therefore size was important. After 2 weeks of use I would say that this mini tripod is a sturdy, compact and reliable; great for people that travel a lot.Packaging & ContentsThe item came in a cardboard box (some branding on it + instructions & specs). The box contains a manual, a key (to adjust the screws) wrapped in a plastic envelope and the tripod which has a bag.In ActionThe tripod has 4 sections that extend using their proprietary system. The tripod supports up to 5kg and 15.39 inches fully extended. The detachable platform has a conversion screw with 3/8 thread allowing you to mount a ball head or your camera straight on top of it. There is a ballhead already included, which I may say that works flawlessly. It also has 3 spirit levels making it very easy to position your camera at a straight angle.The rubber feet are made of a very solid rubber (pretty hard to wear down) and the legs mve at a 180 degree angle. You could have the ballhead on top or below (iverted position) making it very easy to capture low-angle shots.To extend the tripod all you have to do is rotate the legs, extend them and rotate again to lock into positionYou can capture some rally amazing shots from these angles and you can even fold the legs to form a shoulder-mount device to capture video.The prosReally sturdy - even with 5 kg on it, the tripod is still sturdy and doesn’t wobble around. The quality of the finish is great; the inner plastic bearings are made of good quality plastic making the legs slide really smoothly, as well as the ballhead which rotates really smooth. The carrying bag is waterproof and it just feels really top quality. It also allows you to tuck the tripod away in less than 20 seconds. You can wear it around your neck or around your arm (like you would with a purse).The consSometimes the legs will slide down if not correctly locked in place.I wish the tripod had the spirit levels located in more useful positions.ConclusionThis tripod is great for everyone that travels a lot. It is really small and can be easily folded and stored in the provided poch/bag. The Central column will allow you to have a variety of setups, and it will also allow you to hand a weight to stabilise the tripod (if you’re shooting on a floor that’s not levelled). I fell that you’re really getting a quality product for this money considering that only the ballhead alone is worth a couple of pounds as well. This is a very honest review based on my experience with this product and the experience you might have with it will probably differ. I work in advertising/filming and I’m always on the look for products that can compete with more premium established brands such as Manfrotto/Sachtler/Vinten, therefore my expectations are quite high.

So ok it's not cheap for a mini tripod, but what you're getting for the price is total quality. Don't expect it to be ultra-light, it isn't, that's because it's a really solid, well-made piece of kit. It packs away in a good quality bag which has an adjustable integral strap for over the shoulder use and also has a handy small internal pocket - a nice touch. I can't really add to the already excellent reviews only to say once you take it out of the box you'll be impressed - you'll keep it! I'm going to look out for Fotopro gear in the future because if this well thought out piece of equipment is anything to go by they've acquired a new fan!

Superb product, works perfectly. Ideal when weight and space are at a premium. Can highly recommend.

Quality portable product built to a high spec. Easily carries the weight of a heavy DSLR with telephoto lens attached. Arrived in record time.

This is an extremely high quality product, aluminium construction. It’s got some really clever design features, love the way the camera can hang underneath, meaning you can shoot at ground level! I purchased this when the product only had two ratings, but both 5*, I also checked out the fotopro website and read more about this product. If you buy you won’t be disappointed :-)

great little tripod

Tack för en snabb och trevlig leverans!

Les beaux matériel, professionnel et surtout de qualité

Exclusives Stativ für meine Nikon, sehr vielseitig anwendbar

Si te quieres ir de viaje y llevarte un trípode (vale, de altura es enano) y que este te entre en la cabina del avión... este es tu aparatejo!!!Firme, robusto y vale cada euro de lo que cuesta.

Con grande stupore l'oggetto è fatto discretamente bene,leggero e davvero portatile,pratico e comodo..ho qualche dubbio sulla reale capacità di carico massimo dichiarata,ma ovvio che sia un cavalletto da viaggio per cui non è certo indicato per montare full-frame con tele da un peso decisamente altino.Vedremo con il tempo se anche il meccanismo di apertura e chiusura dei piedi reggerà alle sollecitazioni d'uso.consigliato comunque.poco piu grande di una reflex aps-s