Slik Pro 713 CF-II Carbon Fiber Tripod

Comments about Slik Pro 713 CF-II Carbon Fiber Tripod:

I needed a simple tripod since most of the work I'll do with it is for work creating 360° virtual tours via panorama. The carbon fiber is strong, sturdy and lightweight. It more than supports my Really Right Stuff ballhead and panorama contraptions as well as my Nikon D300s plus 20-700mm lens.

Comments about Slik Pro 713 CF-II Carbon Fiber Tripod:

I bought this tripod to use for mounting my binoculars (and spotting scope) on for aiding in finding and viewing wildlife. I previously had a heavier competitor's aluminum tripod, and I figured I could save almost 2 pounds from my pack by going with this carbon fiber tripod.

I use it to hold my 15x56 binoculars. It was more than steady enough to support these high mag binoculars both in a sitting and standing position with a medium wind blowing.

Initial thoughts were this tripod folded up slightly taller than my older one (22 inches vs 19 inches) and that it would stick out of my pack more, but I didn't have any issues with the slightly longer length and it actually required less adjustment to use in a sitting position and allowed me to get set up quicker. The individually adjustable leg angles are a must for the way I use this tripod. It allows me to position the tripod so I can slide right into the tripod and sit comfortably.

I also like the twist lock leg extensions as they slide easier into my pack and don't hang up as easily as flip-lock levers do. Hopefully long term reliability won't be an issue.

Overall, I am very pleased with this tripod. It met my requirements of being lightweight, yet supportive enough for higher magnification binoculars/optics. I would definitely recommend this tripod to my friends.

Comments about Slik Pro 713 CF-II Carbon Fiber Tripod:

Not only did I reduce my carrying load by half, but this tripod is far easier to use than my last one. The legs extend easily and the twist locks are more secure than flip levers. It also has dual feet - I can either use the spikes or rubber feet. The height is perfect and puts the camera right at eye level if need be. And, the way it spreads the legs for close-up ground work is so much easier & faster. This tripod is definitely one I'll be keeping & using for a long time.

Comments about Slik Pro 713 CF-II Carbon Fiber Tripod:

I do a lot of hiking and wanted a fairly solid but light tripod that had some height (I am 6'2).

I love this tripod, 2.75 lbs, and feel it is very solid when the center post is not fully extended.

Even when fully extended it is pretty darn solid but if I have a shot that is real important I often frame it extended then drop down the centerpost for the final shot. It is absolutely rock solid when centerpost lowered and still around five feet high at the view finder.

I highly recommend this tripod if weight is an issue and would buy it again immediately if it were stolen or lost.

Don't kid yourself, that one pound less that it weighs is a huge difference when hiking.

Comments about Slik Pro 713 CF-II Carbon Fiber Tripod:

After reading user reviews for many years and following the recommendations of many, I thought maybe it was time I contributed and repay the kindness of others. I thought this tripod would be a good start since I couldn't find any on-line user reviews for this particular product. Also, I understand I will be incurring the wrath of many since Slik doesn't seem to be in favor among either the pros or the enthusiasts. After agonizing over what tripod and ball head I'd purchase for about two weeks, I finally broke down and ordered the Slik PRO713-CFII. It appeared to have everything I wanted, super light weight carbon fiber, a maximum load weight of 12 Lbs, and very low cost. I also purchased a Bogen-Manfrotto 486RC2 Compact Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect to complete the outfit. Delivery was prompt and my good arrived unscathed.Sturdiness was my major concern, could it handle my heaviest camera lens combination, a Nikon D80 (1.4 lbs.) with my beloved SIGMA APO 50-500mm F4-6.3 EX DG HSM (4.1 Lbs.), total weight approximately 5.5 lbs.? I wanted to hold the tripod assembly weight down because the Sigma weighs so darned much. It may not look like much on paper but imagine the weight after a full day of walking and shooting pics. Not to mention, I'm no spring chicken.Let me start by saying I was very pleasantly surprised. Tripod setup was quick and smooth. The weight (or lack there of) was everything I had hoped for. I inspected the carbon fiber legs and they were smooth and the surfaces flawless. The Bogen-Manfrotto 486RC2 also exceeded my expectations. I read some reviews that the ball would slip under even lighter loads but it was solid as a rock with my outfit. The ball movement is exceptionally smooth and the tightening lever very simple and easy to use. It takes very little pressure to lock the head in place. The head assembly seems to weigh more than the specified 1 lb. However, that's just a guestimate on my part. Overall I am thrilled at the stability of the set. I see no noticeable droop after locking the lens in place or extending the zoom. I would highly recommend this for the serious weekend photographer. I can see this setup lasting for years. I don't think I'd want to walk around with the camera mounted on the tripod. Personally, it would scare me regardless of the setup but if you're Art Wolfe, you can afford the best, go right ahead. What the heck, you get a nice tax write off on your equipment anyway. One mistake I made that is not the fault of either manufacturer (as they both plainly state the specifications) was the thread on the tripod is 1/4 and the thread on the head is 3/8 in. DOH, I knew better. Hence, a trip to the camera store for an adapter bushing that costs about $2.00. No problem but I believe I will pick up some thread tight to insure it stays secure. I only worry that the bushing becomes the weak link in my setup, causing wobble. I wish I had matched my head choice with the Slik. I sincerely doubt it ll be a problem.I almost didn't buy this product because I couldn't find a single review on line, good or bad. I visited my local camera shop in Raleigh, NC in hopes of trying this tripod but the salesman wouldn't even let me look at it. Instead he wasted a half hour showing me a Gitzo that weighed much more and cost three times as much. He was also quite negative about the quality of Slik products. Insisting I'd need an outfit that rated for at least 35 lbs. Why would a tripod or ball head rated at 12 lbs. not be able to handle 6 lbs. of equipment? Needless to say, my confusion was boundless. Hopefully I've removed a little of the stress from your next purchase.

Expertise: Weekend warrior