Slik 504QF-II Tripod System

Comments about Slik 504QF-II Tripod System:

For it's price range, it is a nice step up from something you would purchase at a major photography retailer, being that it is on the more pro-sumer end of things. It's light weight allows for versatility when shooting outside and moving around often, but it has enough weight, to be set up in a more fixed setting and get the job done well. Nice fluid pan and tilt head, allow for nice steady camera movements. Head variance from landscape to portrait is nice for DSLR use when switching from stills to video.

Comments about Slik 504QF-II Tripod System:

I needed a relatively inexpensive tripod for doing both DSLR photography and some video (using a consumer level digital camcorder) work at my job. This item fit the bill fine, and I've been happy with it. It's relatively heavy, but not much can be done about that at this price. It's definitely a step up from many of the entry level Sunpaks and so on in terms of stability, build quality, etc. I find it a little slow to set up. Still, I'm happy the purchase.

Comments about Slik 504QF-II Tripod System:

I bought this tripod for DSLR use - video and photo. Its head is great for both, it even will go sideways for portrait shots - which is key for me. It feels like a thousand dollar tripod, its material and black look. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a decent priced tripod,

Comments about Slik 504QF-II Tripod System:

I tested out a few different tripods before purchasing the SLIK. Very satisfied with this tripod. It's light but sturdy, allows for smooth tilts and pans, and was perfect for traveling.

Comments about Slik 504QF-II Tripod System:

Good for price, sturdy enough. I needed something cheap and light for shooting while traveling. I'm using this just to keep the camera still, so for that it gets the job done.

Comments about Slik 504QF-II Tripod System:

The video club I advise owns 5 of these tripod. Only had trouble with one - the arm was tightened down to far. Other than that, these work great with our Sony PDX-10, PD-170 and Panasonic GS-400/500.

Comments about Slik 504QF-II Tripod System:

I was originally looking for a photo tripod for my 7d, but realized I could use also use this for shooting video instead of my heavier Manfrotto. It works great. Steady enough for video and good for stills. It wouldn't work for a heavier camera, but for a DSLR- it's perfect.

Comments about Slik 504QF-II Tripod System:

This tripod has exceeded my expectations. Considering how much less this cost compared to other comparable items, I was expecting a decent tripod, but so far it has done everything that I expected and more. [...]

Comments about Slik 504QF-II Tripod System:

I was looking for a tripod in the sub $200 range with a fluid head and center column portability and I was happily surprised bu this Silk tripod. The head is extremely nice and wonderful for video. I might have a single con with this model, its legs can be a little more sturdy, but still great for it's price range.

Comments about Slik 504QF-II Tripod System:

These tripods are so smooth and sturdy. For the price it's just unbeatable!

Comments about Slik 504QF-II Tripod System:

I used this tripod for a recent wedding shoot, second camera. I was impressed on how the legs can be adjusted to ~90 degrees (I did not know it had this feature). I liked the weight. Head was fluid. I purchased this type because it did not have the lower brace meaning I can stand it behind chairs with any leg straddling the chair in front of me. The leg adjusters are a bit time consuming but I know the legs are secured in place.
Now I only had this for a few weeks so right now the head is fluid and does not stick. Lets see what happens in a few months.

Comments about Slik 504QF-II Tripod System:

I use the tripod with my sony video camera that I also got from B and H. Can't say anthing bad about the things I have brought.

Comments about Slik 504QF-II Tripod System:

I've tried many tripods at Sami's Camera and this is by far the best bang for the buck. It has a fluid head for smooth panning and tilting

Pros
-Smooth Pan/Tilt
-Sturdy, very solid
-It kind of self balances

Cons
-Although its a Japanese product, its made in Thailand
-The clips for the leg extension is a twist method (takes more time)
-A bit heavy

Comments about Slik 504QF-II Tripod System:

I am a novice photographer. After talking to many of your sales persons I chose the Pentax K-7. I did not know at the time the value of having a sturdy tripod. So two weeks later I was back at your store looking for the right product at the right price. I approached one of your people in the tripod department with this question: "Can you recommend a tripod which will give me a steady image for stills, both close up and distance, and also allow me to get smooth quality movie images." Within seconds he suggested the 504QF by Slik and a second similar piece of equipment. He demonstrated both the advantages and disadvantages of each, so I could make the best decision. [...] I feel like a pro!

Comments about Slik 504QF-II Tripod System:

Definitely a great tripod to get.
Affordable. A lot of bang for your buck.
Only changes I would make would be a quick leg release. The constant twisting to adjust leveling gets old quick.

Comments about Slik 504QF-II Tripod System:

Bought this tripod for video recording insects in the forest using a high power zoom from a distance and I needed something that panned smoothly. This does exactly what I wanted it to do.

Comments about Slik 504QF-II Tripod System:

I am a U.S. Army public affairs officer deployed to Iraq and needed a lightweight tripod small enough to throw into an assault pack, but sturdy enough to hold both my Nikon D5000 and Sony PD170 video camera steady in the rocks and sand. This product fits the bill!

In addition to being tough and stable, the Slik 504QF-II even has a few features that I didn't expect. First, if you flip a lever on each of the legs, the legs sprawl out the opposite way, providing a nearly flat profile that is stable enough to lay out in the back of a flat bed truck for shooting on the go.

The second feature that comes in handy is the ability to pop the top off and turn it over, allowing you to shoot upside-down. This works well for shooting nice, steady close-ups of objects on the ground...like, say, an IED or a camel spider.

I would definitely recommend this tripod to anyone with a light, high-end video camera who wants durability, but is living on a soldier's salary.

Comments about Slik 504QF-II Tripod System:

This tripod is small, fits in the suitcase, durable, light and handles heavy load. I can use this with prosumer HDV cameras such as Canon XH A1. You can carry this all day long without feeling tired of it. This is a great tripod for prosumer HDV camcorder users as well as small camcorder users.

Comments about Slik 504QF-II Tripod System:

For doing amateur/low budget video, this is the best tripod for the job. The head is smooth for pans and tilts and the tripod is sturdy.

The only downside is that you have to take off the handle in order to make the tripod fit into a bag. (You could also just lock the head in a tilted-up position but I believe it is better to be in it's natural position.)

I recommend this tripod.

Comments about Slik 504QF-II Tripod System:

It fits my needs doing high definition video with relatively lightweight (less than 3 lbs) equipment.
It delivers smooth pans and holds position under normal circumstances. The spring head mechanism makes it difficult to use at extreme angles (mount center upside down helps or get creative with cable ties). If you're doing a lot of this sort of thing, spend more for a legit fluid head.
Extra quick mounts permit fast changes for stills (I do some technical/ training video).