SLIK PRO 500DX tripod

 

 

  

Newly purchased tripod, replacing my older Velbon DF-50. Well in fact a voucher that I've won in photo competition was used to get this Slik PRO 500DX tripod.

500DX is much larger and heavier that its predecessor, which allows taking pictures at strong winds and more uneven surfaces such as staircases. It weights approx. 2.5kg, and you may think it's a lot, well it is, but it comes in handy with some heavy gear like a gripped Canon 40D with a large lens.

The panhead is still only a 3D panhead (ball heads are the best), but the two handles make all the head movement quick, easy and very smooth. The center column can be moved vertically in a nick of time simply by loosing up the locking collar. It can also be totally removed and inverted - that allows us to attach a camera upside down, and do some macro photography. All three legs can be widely spread apart (each can be positioned separately), which also helps with macro shots, as well as we can take pictures from frogs' eye view, well almost. Legs are of course covered with a soft foam for better hand grip.

The tripod itself is made out of ATM, i.e. strong aerospace alloy composed of aluminum, magnesium and titanium. Nicely packed in a carry sack and a cardboard box. The only con about the carrysack is that it lacks of a typical armstrap, instead it has basic handles, but those are too short to carry it on your arm without a hassle - so I have attached (like I did with the Velbon DF-50) a Canon 20D strap to the tripod itself - no need for the carry sack apart when you want to travel around.

The panhead in this model is fully detachable, which means you can invest in any other panhead, such as the Manfrotto horizontal grip action ball head, something I'll be willing to get - Christmas is just round the corner ;-)

Slik could also have made the panhead with a quick lock/release mechanism for quick hot shoe plate attachment. Even so, the tripod is of high class and quality, and worth every cent.

Few reasons why you should get a tripod:

1. You can do some self portraits, or simply pictures of you with your family.

2. Night photography, now a tripod is a must here to keep the camera still.

3. Long-exposure shots, i.e. of moving cars, lights, water/rivers.

I am pretty sure there are few more reasons, but the above 3 are the most common ones.

Along with the tripod you should get a remote shutter release, either the wired or wireless one. This will allow you to take pictures without causing the camera/tripod to be moved while pressing the trigger on the camera itself.

And remember, NEVER take pictures using the image stabilization (Nikon's VR, Canon's IS, Sigma's OS) while having the camera on the tripod.