3 Legged Thing X4 Eric 4-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod with AirHed 1 Ball Head (Black)

Amazing lightweight. Demonstrably strong. (Or, as one guy says, "What are you going to do, sit your fat a$$ on it? I put camera gear on mine."). Wonderfully adjustable. At 7 feet all, it's considerable taller than I am, but it still gets really low. See more with "3 Legged Thing X4 Eric and X4a Jack" on YouTube. Especially if you start to make the extra little bit that I'm going to suggest to them.I do NOT know how the seller managed to sell me a current generation Eric for about the same price as the discontinued model one on 3LT's, but I'm very happy to have gotten it. I went to their website first and couldn't get through PayPal's stupidity - the checkout was completely non-functional for days- and them one day I found this one listed on Amazon for about $30 more. Hmmm, a current-generation Eric for $279 when the same thing listed as discontinued on their website for $249, (but still unavailable to me), and normally as $489? Sign me up.So I had to settle for the black AirHed instead of the blue one that I would have preferred. Oh boy, what a sacrifice that is going to be. I'm going to cry about that every time I use it, huh?

I decided not to keep this tripod. Don't get me wrong, this thing probably does do what the commercials claim. But for me, there always remained an unhealthy paranoia about just how sturdy this tripod is. It is very lightweight (lighter is always a plus), fits in my gear bag; a Lowepro X200 AW (another plus). works as a monopod in a pinch, and at max extension, it is only stopped by my basement ceiling (which is about 7ft, or thereabouts).The problem for me, ironically, is just how light it is.At full leg extension. I noticed that one of the legs seemed to have a slight bend to it. Under normal conditions, I wouldn't make a big deal out of it; camera bodies, and pro lenses can get a lil heavy. Problem is this was happening with my T3I and a 24-105 lens. Ok, so Ill just have to mind that leg.Next came the issue with the center column extension. With all the columns fully extended, there was a bit of wobble that made me nervous. By that time, I had already shortened the legs so I wouldn't get that slightly bendy leg, and everything would be stable. But then I lost that height advantage the extended legs gave me. Nice thing though is that I had no trouble moving it around since it was so very light.But, I couldn't shake that uncomfortable feeling that if I really put it through its paces, Id lose a body, a lens, or both (I didn't mention a flash, because, frankly, I couldn't figure out how to mount one on the tripod, silly me :P)Watching the videos, I felt there was so much to like about this tripod, and I so much wanted to like it. Super light, very easy to pack, very tall, the copper accents upped the coolness factor. etc. I just couldnt go on blind faith that that this thing was going to be solid.I still needed a tripod that I could travel with and get the job done. So without much fanfare, I went for something else. Review for that something else coming soon...

Great Tripod, lightweight, easy to use. Only complaint, the knob to attach/detach the camera mounting plate to the ball head is a little short and sits right under the camera base. If you have large hands like me turning the knob can take some effort. over all the rest of the tripod works like it should. Walked 22 miles using this tripod last Saturday and had no problems with size/use/weight. Very happy with this product.

It arrived with one screw on foot pod missing. I constantly had to tighten other foot pods. The legs did not hold their tension. In the course of a 15 day European shoot, it was necessary to tighten legs, twice with wrench provided.I was not impressed with the pivoting head which did not always hold its tension. The circular knobs to tighten and loosen were problematic.The circular zipper inside tripod bag which housed wrenches and extension was totally dysfunctional; it took approximately 1 minute to open and close it. For anyone with this tripod, I advise a longer tripod bag that would allow tripod to be in ready position; inverting and locking, unlocking legs, takes too long.The 3 positive features; it can easily accomodate a 1 DS and 70-200 lens(although extra locking plate from Adorama for 70-200 cost $30!Tripod in bag fits easily in 22" carry on suitcase. Reasonably priced.Bottom line-I am sending it back.On the positive side, its compact and fits easily into a 22" carry on suitcase.

Excellent Tripod and head! Super tall and super light. Great addition to the gear bag!