Velbon Ultra Maxi-L Tripod w/ PHD-31Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head

Comments about Velbon Ultra Maxi-L Tripod w/ PHD-31Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head:

The Ultra Maxi-L is a ultra light weight tripod that I intend to use for travelling.
The folded length is very compact and this tripod is quite tall but avoid using the centre column. The tripod is very light and with narrow legs it feels a bit flimsy and unstable. I don't think it is a strong tripod but the best tripod is the one you have with you and I think I could comfortably carry the Ultra Luxi-L around. It is also an expensive tripod compared to other cheap, lightweight tripods but the Velbon leg-locking system is unique and efficient.
This tripod requires good technique and is not suitable for heavy cameras and lenses. I suggest 1 kg max and use mirror lock-up for longer exposures. Hanging a weight (e.g. camera bag) below the centre column may help stabilise the system.
I feel the PHD-31Q head is too bulky and heavy (mass c. 240 g) and will swap it for my 120 g Manfrotto 482 micro ball head (current model 492). Beware that this tripod has a fixed 1/4" screw and most tripod heads are 3/8". I have ordered a thread bushing to adapt.
I think the Ultra Maxi-L is a useful tripod but with convenience comes compromise.

Comments about Velbon Ultra Maxi-L Tripod w/ PHD-31Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head:

I carry can easily carry this tripod in my day pack. It sets up and collapses quickly and is very stable. I only wish it was a couple pounds lighter!

Comments about Velbon Ultra Maxi-L Tripod w/ PHD-31Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head:

This tripod is just what I was looking for. Based on my search criteria I gave it a 5 star. It weighs only a little over two lbs. and it is easy and quick to operate. The head pans easily and the quick release is positive. I wanted a tripod for travel and this one fits the bill well.

Comments about Velbon Ultra Maxi-L Tripod w/ PHD-31Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head:

This is my second Ultra Maxi. I travel a lot, and shoot travel videos, which I want to look very steady. I spent many years looking for the perfect tripod and bought many. This is my perfect travel tripod. It is light and is small enough to carry all day and in every venue, and then it expands to place my camera at eye level. I expect to use it for many years. My only suggestion would be to make a fluid head available on some models. The tripod is not as steady in a high wind as a really large tripod, but for me, the ability to carry it easily makes up for that.

Comments about Velbon Ultra Maxi-L Tripod w/ PHD-31Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head:

My intent was for a lightweight, small tripod which I can fit in a backpack when I go hiking. It had to be tall enough to not be a pain for my 6"3" height. It also had to hold my Canon 30D.

This tripod was one of maybe 3 that could fit the bill for under $125, and it has done so nicely.

I love how small it compacts, and how lightweight it is. I find because of this simple fact that I'm carrying it with me out & about at way more places than I would consider taking my roomie's Manfrotto.

The head plate is small, but does the job.
The head moves well enough, and the rubber feet grip well. The legs can be moved & lengthened independently & freely.

Areas that could use improvement:

-locking of legs isn't super smooth, and you twist to lock them, so I always feel like I have to double check them. No locking mishaps so far.

-The locks to angle the legs out don't always snap at the defined angles, so sometimes you have to play with it a little to lock it in place.

Comments about Velbon Ultra Maxi-L Tripod w/ PHD-31Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head:

I bought this tripod to carry with me everywhere I went in Tokyo, JP. It is very sturdy and very compact... perfect for those trips you are walking a ton. The flexibility of the wanted heights are awesome as well... plus it comes with a nice handy bag. You won't be dissapointed.

Comments about Velbon Ultra Maxi-L Tripod w/ PHD-31Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head:

I recently broke my ~8-10 year old similar model.

The one I had is apparently no longer in production and this was the closest thing to it (by specs), so I bought one.

I was very pleasantly surprised by the upgraded features, such as the variable leg angles, the split/removable CC, and the threaded plug in the bottom of the CC with the hole in it (which makes it easy to add a hook or mini-biner to hang weight from.)

Anyways, I love these things! No, they are not as stable as CF or more substantial tpods. However, comparable (in weight and size) CFs start at about five times the price, and anything anywhere close to this in price weighs at least 2-3 times as much.

The bottom line is pretty simple... As a pro photog friend says, the best kit is the one you have with you.

I found I was missing a lot of shots because my (rather substantial in bulk and weight, but otherwise nice) DSLR kit was often not with me.

Well, at significantly less packed space and lighter weight than even the smallest equivalent CFs (once you add a head), and certainly much, much lighter and much less packed space than any fullup tpod even close to it, this thing fills a niche that no other tpod even fits!!!

Toss in a lighter, entry-to-mid level DSLR + kit lens, or something like the Canon G11 and a few accessories etc, and you've got an entire kit that weighs about what a single prosumer or better DSLR + one good lens weigh! And the entire kit packs into about the same space as one full-ish-sized tpod does (collapsed.)

For myself, on both the old one and the new one, I removed the Velbon n-axis head and replaced it with a small, lightweight ballhead (there are several on the market, just check some of the typical makers) with a Kirk-compatible clamp.

Voila!

Now, using this thing can be challenging. While it is better than no tpod, it is not as stable as many others and is more prone to vibration than many others. YMMV and be sure to employ sound tpod techniques, such as used timed release or remote release whereever possible, etc.

But the key is again, the notion that it's better than NO tpod even if it's not the equal of most other tpods. And believe me, if you are like me you will be carrying this thing in places you just would not have even considered a more substantial tpod!

Comments about Velbon Ultra Maxi-L Tripod w/ PHD-31Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head:

I use the tripod for hunting purposes. It is a very secure tripod for high end spotting scopes...nice and stable. It is also easy to use. The only reason why I am giving it 4 stars and not 5 is due to weight. It would be great if it were lighter, but hey, for the money, you cannot beat it.

Comments about Velbon Ultra Maxi-L Tripod w/ PHD-31Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head:

This tripod is great! Easily holds an SLR with a 70-300 lens. Surprisingly stable considering how thin the legs are and how tall it gets. It's very quick to set up and take down. Small and easy to carry in the included bag.

Comments about Velbon Ultra Maxi-L Tripod w/ PHD-31Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head:

A nearly full-size tripod that folds to 36cm/14". There aren't many other similar products.

It's not rock stable, but that's to be expected from a five-section tripod with 9mm (11/32") bottom sections. Still, it's stable enough to hold my (small) DSLR with a kitlens, and if I don't extend the center column, even with a 70-300mm lens. It is definitely a quality product.

One thing that irritates me a little is that the quick-release plate can't be firmly attached just with your fingers; an extra piece of metal is needed to tighten it.

Also, in spite of what it says on the website(s), on the box itself the maximum load is listed at 1.5kg (3.3lbs).

Comments about Velbon Ultra Maxi-L Tripod w/ PHD-31Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head:

I use a tripod for personal and travel purposes. In this instance I needed a very lightweight but sturdy tripod for picture taking while bicycle touring. This product is rated at 2.2 lbs, and that may be so w/o the head, but with the head it's certainly more than that. So it's just barely within allowable limit to carry long-distance on a bike. It's also rated as supporting 4.4 lbs, but is sturdy enough to hold much more.

Very nice build quality! All the mechanics are compact and solid. Clearly a lot of thought put into down-sizing the required features. All axis controls are precise and secure...no cheap plastic here. Pivot points for the legs are strong and sturdy...ingenious slide device allows legs to open horizontally. Love the twist-lock legs and rubber leg ends.

Gets an A+ for quality and compactness. Gets a B for overall weight. Comes with cordura-type carrying bag.