SmallRig CT180 Video Tripod, 72" Camera Tripod Monopod with Fluid Head, Aluminum Camera Tripod, 360° Panorama Fluid Head for Travel, Video, Live Streaming, Vlogging- 3760B

Why did you pick this product vs others?:As a multimedia professional photographer and videographer, I have and use many of the top professional brands which cost more than a 1000. This product might not be those but it is made very well, it is professional grade. It's light weight and very study. It holds my Canon EOS R5C Body with a heavy pro lens just fine. I love this tripod and it's a good light weight cross over between the two worlds of Photo amd Video. Very unique design. I use this everyday now. Bill Mahon Photo: Photo, Video, Drone

I've been searching for a travel tripod for some time now. The main feature that drew me is the fact that it seamlessly integrates the manfrotto style plate and also accommodates the DJI RS3 baseplate with one simple click. This makes it easy for me to transition quickly from stationary shots to my gimbal relatively quickly. Certainly a lot quicker than all the arca swiss style mounts out there. The thing is also pretty small, I can comfortably carry it around, it fits well in my luggage, and extends to a decent height when I need. Build quality is solid too, though that is to be expected from SmallRig. If i had a complaint it would be that it can be slightly wobbly when all my equipment is set up on it, but honestly for a tripod of this size and profile I don't think that's avoidable anyway, you'd have to get something bigger and heavier for sure. I tried many travel tripods on amazon and they were decent, but this one just stands out for me.

The media could not be loaded. You will not be disappointed!! Best TRIPOD in the business. I’m 6’1” and it stands over me great for getting those panoramic shots!!! Quality! Quiet! That’s the reason I bought it. My stand squeaked and I was embarrassed at a shoot. This makes no sound. Or minimal noise. All professionals need this stand.

Very stable and smooth.The 90* feature on the head is more like 100*, and it takes a bit to get it setup.I’d buy it again.

This is by no means a professional grade video tripod. That being said, this is amazing at the price point. The fluid head functions way beyond my expectations. The tripod is sturdy and reliable and lightweight. The only thing I don't like is that the bag required the tripod to be fully collapsed and is a very snug fit, so you need to take the fluid head off to stow away. But it is very compact and a great piece of kit for run and gun or travel situations. For $100 I couldn't be happier with it.

I have used many tripods in the last 40 years. This SmallRig CT210 is affordable, well-made and versatile. Why one star? I can't figure out how to fold it, how to make it a monopod, what the leveling base is for, etc. The user manual is just pictures, no words, and the pictures are insufficient. I can't figure out the QR base plate, which is supposed to make it easy to put the camera on and take the camera off without having to screw it on every time. The problem is the plate cannot be removed without unscrewing the locking knob. Once you do that, the plate slides all around the fixture. I screw the plate onto camera, which doesn't screw on tight enough, so it jiggles a bit. Then i put the camer and plate back onto the tripod, which doesn't "snap" unless the knob is loosened, so when you snap the camer aon, it, you guessed it, slides all over the fixture and right off it. Really unhappy about this. Proper instructions are a necessity. Don't recommend to anyone who is not used to modern tripods.

Great for vlogging

The fluid head is nice and smooth---I bought this because I like my Smallrig CH-10 fluid head, and hoped this tripod would be as good a value. But even with the clamps unlocked, this head (like the CH-10) has a lot of resistance in rotation, enough to make these tripod legs flex a bit. Maybe OK with a 1x view, but very annoying in a magnified view, with a telephoto or small spotting scope.Also, the tripod is not quite as compact and handy as advertised, as the legs cannot fold completely closed around the head. The head must be removed to get the legs to close fully---which isn't too hard to do when packing it into a suitcase, but not very handy on the trail.Smallrig generally makes good stuff and I'll be watching for an improved version of this product.