Overview and features

Carbon fibre tripods are notoriously pricey, often costing upwards of £300 once you include a head. That makes the Jessops Major Carbon Fibre look an absolute steal at £99 RRP or as low as £80 if you shop around, especially as it comes complete with its own three-way head.

It's not only easy on the wallet, but also easy on the back, weighing just 1.8kg. That's a whole kilogram less than most aluminium tripods. But is it all good news?

Jessops stipulates a maximum load of 5kg for the Major Carbon Fibre tripod legs and 6kg for the three-way head that's supplied as part of the complete kit. That's pretty respectable, especially considering that the tripod itself only weighs 1.8kg.

By contrast, the Hama Omega Carbon II carbon fibre tripod and ball head has a lower 4kg load rating, yet it's a weightier 2.7kg to carry around.

With three sections, each leg has two quick-action clip locks, and comfort padding is fitted to the upper sections of all three legs. The leg sections have diameters of 22mm, 20mm and 17mm, which is rather thinner than normal and the main reason that the tripod weighs so little.

The camera tripod's centre column can be inverted for ultra low-level shooting, and there's also the provision of no less than four different leg angles to choose from, where most tripods only offer three.

Using wider leg angles, you can shoot at a minimum height of 48cm without inverting the centre column, which also features a weight hook at its base.

There's a bubble level on the shoulder of the tripod legs, plus another one in the head. The second is rather superfluous, because it's not mounted on the camera platform, so simply duplicates the information provided by the lower bubble level. The upshot is that it's easy to level the tripod legs, but there's no indication of whether or not the camera itself is level.

Build, performance and verdict

Build quality

We wouldn't expect fully professional build quality at this price and, sure enough, the Jessops Major Carbon Fibre feels a bit flimsy compared with heavier tripods.

Then again, the light weight makes it very travel-friendly and it folds down reasonably small, to a length of just 64cm. The flipside is that the maximum operating height is a meagre 161cm, even with the tripod's centre column fully extended.

The clip locks work well in combination with the spiral-etched carbon fibre leg sections, enabling smooth operation when making height adjustments.

There's not much else to get excited about, however, as there's no pivot facility for the centre column or other advanced features.

Performance

Thin legs inevitably mean more flexing, and the Jessops Major Carbon Fibre lacks the stability of heavier-duty tripods, even when the bottom leg section isn't extended at all.

The head feels a touch wobbly as well, despite the ability to fasten it to the platform with three grub screws, using an allen key. The quick-release plate is a strangely oversized affair, measuring 8x5cm. This should enable a firm, solid connection to the camera, but the D-ring for mounting is very small and difficult. The screw also lacks a slotted head, so you can't use a coin to aid tightening.

One neat trick is that any of the four-position, multi-angle legs can be used in an almost vertical upward direction. The extreme rotation of one of the legs can come in really useful when you need to shoot very close to a wall, or when you're pinned into a corner.

We liked

For hiking or holidays, the 1.8kg carrying weight is a joy, and the ability to rotate any of the legs almost vertically upwards is great if you're pinned up against the wall.

We disliked

Typical of lightweight tripods, it's prone to flexing and can't match the stability of a sturdier alternative.

Final verdict

A reduction in stability is often the sacrifice you have to make for reduced carrying weight in a tripod and, sadly, the Jessops Major Carbon Fibre is no exception. It has a lot to offer as a travel tripod, where weight saving is at a premium, but it simply can't match the sturdiness of most full-sized aluminium tripods.

Overview, features and build quality

For DSLR and lens combinations weighing up to 8kg, this aluminium-based Benro tripod and ball head are well engineered to take the strain of heavy camera kit.

Sold separately, they also offer a range of features to suit the most demanding of photographers in all sorts of shooting scenarios.

The tripod and ball head combination is smartly styled, immaculately finished and comes complete with a durable padded carrying case.

Well matched for use with heavy SLRs and lenses, the Benro A297EX FlexPod tripod has a maximum load rating of 10kg, while the BH2-M ball head is rated at 8kg.

The combined tripod and ball head weigh 2.7kg and fold down to a carrying height of 75cm. Each leg has three sections, with diameters ranging from 28mm to 24mm to 20mm as they descend from top to bottom.

By extending the centre column, the maximum available height is a lofty 184cm.

Features

Leg sections are clamped with clip locks and the bottom sections have solid rubber feet, although these lack retractable spikes. A bubble level in the tripod collar and another one in the ball head help you to level the tripod and the camera for perfectly straight horizons in your photos.

There's also a weight hook fitted to the bottom of the centre column, to help stabilise the tripod when shooting outdoors in breezy conditions.

Advanced features include multi-angle legs, which hinge out to any of three angles. This is particularly useful for low-level shots down to about 49cm or for shooting in cramped areas or on rough terrain.

Equally useful for close-up photography and for shooting with ultra wide-angle lenses, the centre column has a 180 degree pivot facility.

Build quality

The locking action of the tripod's leg section clamps is reassuringly tight. When the clip locks are released, the leg sections extend smoothly, although there's a little stiffness when collapsing the sections from their fully extended lengths.

Tension in the hinges for opening the legs is sufficient to stop unwanted movement, but not so stiff that adjusting the leg angles is difficult. Comfort padding is fitted to only one of the three legs, but it's better than nothing.

Clips for operating the three-position leg angles are smooth and precise, and the pivoting centre column assembly is well designed and very secure.

At the top of the Benro A297EX FlexPod tripod's centre column, the platform features three grub screws for securely attaching the head with an allen key. The tension of the leg section clip locks and the main leg hinges can also be adjusted if and when necessary with allen keys.

Build quality of the Benro BH2-M ball head feels similarly robust. The locking screw enables complete steadiness, even with long telephoto lenses or when using the camera in portrait orientation.

Performance and verdict

Performance

Any tripod with the word 'flex' in its name might sound a bit off-putting, but the Benro A297EX FlexPod proved very solid and resistant to flexing in our tests. Bubble levels in both the tripod collar and the ball head make for quick and easy levelling of both the tripod and the camera.

The tripod's centre column can be removed and inverted for low-level shooting. But there's no need for this, because the pivoting facility enables you to quickly and easily swing the centre column through a complete 180 degree arc.

It's similarly simple to adjust the angle of the legs from the centre column to any of three different positions.

The Benro BH2-M ball head has no friction control or separate panning control, but is nevertheless solid and well built. Its scissor-action lock on the quick-release plate makes for fast fitting and removal, while offering a degree of security against releasing the plate accidentally.

With its single locking screw, the ball head is very quick to adjust. There's also a reassuring level of friction when the screw is released a little, despite there being no secondary friction control.

The quick-release plate also offers a secure, solid fit to both the tripod head and the camera.

Verdict

At the price, the Benro A297EX FlexPod is right up with the leaders in the class, such as the Giottos MTL9361B, Manfrotto 055XPROB and Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT.

We liked

Impressive stability, good implementation of 180 degree pivoting centre column and bubble levels on both the tripod collar and ball head to aid levelling.

We disliked

Collapsing the leg sections from their maximum extension can sometimes feel a little sticky.

Verdict

A solid performer, the Benro A297EX FlexPod tripod combines excellent stability with great versatility. Advanced features such as its 180 degree pivoting centre column and three-position multi-angle legs are well implemented and easy to use.

Benro's BH2-M ball head is similarly well engineered, but lacks the finery of an adjustable friction damper or separate panning control, although the bubble level is a nice touch and is helpful for levelling the camera.

Overview and features

One of the biggest names in tripod manufacture, Manfrotto offers a huge range of tripods, monopods and heads to suit almost any requirement and budget, from tiny tabletop supports to fully professional carbon fibre kit. This reasonably priced combination, available for sale separately, comprises the 055XPROB aluminium tripod and new-generation 496RC2 ball and socket head.

Despite weighing 2.9kg – slightly heavier than most competing tripods of its size and class – the maximum load capacity of the combined Manfrotto 055XPROB legs and 496RC2 head is 6kg. That's slightly less than the 8kg ratings of the Benro A-297EX and BH2-M head and the Giottos MTL9361B and MH1311652 ball head.

The Manfrotto's rating is split between 7kg for the 055XPROB legs and 6kg for the 496RC2 head but, in our tests, the kit felt every bit as strong as the Benro and Giottos products.

The legs are of the time-honoured three-section type, but the difference in diameter between each section is 5mm, compared with just 3mm in many competing tripods. The result is that the sections are particularly easy to extend and contract once you've released the high-quality and extremely effective clip-lock clamps. The section diameters themselves are a chunky 30mm at the top, 25mm for the middle section and 20mm for the bottom.

Multi-angle legs are now featured on the vast majority of current tripods, but whereas most feature three alternative angles, the Manfrotto has four. However, unlike the Jessops Major tripod, which also features four leg angles, the Manfrotto's legs can only be raised to a horizontal position, rather than being rotated almost vertically upwards.

By opening the tripod's legs to a greater angle from the centre column, you can reduce minimum shooting height with your DSLR from 71cm to 58cm. To go lower than this, you need to remove and invert the centre column, shooting with the camera upside down.

Maximum height with the legs and centre column fully extended is an impressive 187cm.

The Manfrotto 055XPROB features a pivoting centre column, which is absent on its slightly cheaper 055XB tripod. This particular feature is good but not great, as we'll come to later.

Other features include a bubble level on the tripod collar, but there isn't one in the ball head to help level your camera. The new-generation 496RC2 improves on its predecessor by including an adjustable friction damper, but there's no separate pan control.

Build, performance and verdict

Build quality

Build quality on the Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod and 496RC2 head feels sturdy and dependable, from the rubber feet all the way up to the ultra firm-fitting quick-release plate on the head. All joints and controls operate very smoothly and easily, yet are very solid when locked in place.

Unlike some of Manfrotto's very cheapest tripods that we've used in the past, the 055XPROB tripod and 496RC2 ball head have a really professional feel to them, and are also very good value at the price.

One thing we would have liked to see, however, is the use of allen key screws rather than regular slotted screws for securing the head onto the tripod platform. This seems a bit of a penny-pinching measure.

Performance

In normal use, the Manfrotto 055XPROB legs and 496RC2 head combine to give rock-solid support, even at the highest available operating height of 187cm. Everything is quick and easy to adjust, from the top-quality leg section clip locks to the centre column lock and the clamping screw in the ball head.

The push-release catches for adjusting the angles of the legs has a similarly fast and simple action.

Speed and simplicity are carried through to the unique pivoting mechanism for the centre column, which relies on just one locking clamp, whereas most competing systems use two. All you need to do is to loosen the centre column lock, raise the centre column while pressing in a safety catch at its base, then pivot the centre column through 90 degrees. After pivoting, the same locking screw clamps the now horizontal centre column.

However, this simplicity comes at a cost. Competing centre column pivoting systems featured on the likes of the Benro A-297EX, Giottos MTL9361B and Vanguard Alt Pro 263AT all enable you to lock the centre column at practically any angle through 180 degrees in the vertical axis.

By contrast, the Manfrotto 055XPROB's centre column can only be used either vertically upwards or with a 90 degree pivot, as a horizontal boom. Compared with the competition, it lacks a bit of versatility.

You also lose the weight hook normally featured on the bottom of the tripod's centre column as this gives way to the safety lock release catch. Instead, a small hook forms part of the tripod shoulder at the top.

The sturdiness of the ball head is excellent and the friction damper featured on the Manfrotto 496RC2 is a useful addition. Unlike many ball and socket heads, there's a cut-out on both sides of the vertical position rather than just on one side, so you can easily flip the camera over to portrait orientation in both directions.

We liked

All operating functions are very quick and easy to use, build quality and performance are excellent throughout.

We disliked

While simple to operate, the pivoting centre column only has vertically upright or horizontal options, lacking the full range of 180-degree rotation offered in many competing tripods.

Final verdict

Great build quality and excellent stability are the hallmarks of the Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod and 496RC2 head. But it's also extremely simple to use, especially when it comes to the centre column pivot facility. The only downside is that the pivot lacks 180-degree versatility, as it can only be used in regular vertical mode or as a horizontal boom.

Overview and features

Not everybody wants fancy tripod frills such as a pivoting centre column for easy macro and ultra-wide-angle shooting. With its pared down feature set, the modest and retro-styled Velbon Sherpa 600R is a complete tripod and head kit based on sturdy aluminium legs.

More importantly, it's only about half the price of most feature-frenzied competitors, available for about £85 if you shop around to beat its £140 RRP.

The somewhat basic feature set of the Velbon Sherpa 600R is remarkably similar to the Slik Pro 500DX Complete tripod kit, also distributed in the UK by Intro 2020.

One notable difference is that the Velbon is 0.6kg lighter, weighing in at a travel-friendly 2kg. Despite this, its maximum load rating is only 0.5kg less, at 4kg, offering substantial support even for heavy DSLR and camera lens combinations.

At 63cm when folded, the Velbon is refreshingly small for carrying around yet, despite having three rather than four leg sections, it still attains a maximum height of 166cm with the centre column fully extended.

The legs appear to be a bit on the thin side but they nevertheless have fairly typical diameters of 26mm, 23mm and 20mm. The main reason they don't look chunkier is that the upper sections have no comfort padding.

The relatively light weight of the tripod means they're still comfortable to carry around most of the time, but holding onto cold metal is no fun in winter time.

There are three alternative leg angles on offer and the centre column can be split as well as inverted for low-level shooting. By splitting the tripod's column, you can shoot down to a height of 26cm, or right down to ground level if you invert the column and shoot with the camera upside down.

The three-way head is a slight twist on conventional design, having only one locking arm for both pan and tilt adjustments.

Build, performance and verdict

Build quality

Considering its street price of just £80, the Velbon Sherpa 600R's build quality is pretty good. Everything operates smoothly and efficiently, from the clip locks on the legs to the centre column and head. However, a few corners are cut in the pursuit of value.

There are no grub screws for fixing the head securely to the platform on top of the centre column and, in our tests, it proved quite easy for the head to work loose. Similarly, there are no screws for re-tensioning the clip-locks for each of the leg sections, if necessary. Even so, the locks should give years of trouble-free service.

Performance

The Velbon Sherpa 600R is a relatively lightweight tripod. Indeed, it's only 0.2kg heavier than the similarly sized Jessops Major Carbon Fibre tripod. Despite this, it's remarkably stable and resistant to flexing, even at its maximum operating height with the legs fully extended, and is certainly a lot more rigid than the Jessops tripod.

The locking mechanism for adjusting the three-position multi-angle legs is quite unique, featuring sliding clamps at the top of each leg. They look a bit cumbersome but work well in use.

Up on top, the three-way head has a regular twist lock for swivel but a single locking arm for both pan and tilt. It actually works very well and saves time in positioning the camera, compared with more conventional three-way heads that rely on two locking arms.

There's also the bonus that you don't need to remove one of the two arms before you can pack the tripod away in the supplied bag.

The downside is that for very fine adjustments in positioning your camera, the dual-action lock lacks a little precision. It also makes pan-only movements more difficult to achieve, for example when taking a series of shots to stitch into a panorama. Even so, if the centre column isn't raised, you can simply loosen its locking screw and pan using this instead.

Verdict

The Velbon Sherpa 600R is quite a bare-bones affair, lacking the advanced features included in some of the latest and greatest tripods. However, it's remarkably sturdy and stable for a combined tripod and head that tip the scales at a mere 2kg.

We liked

The modest feature set is reflected in a relatively cheap selling price but there's plenty of stability on offer, and that's the most important thing in any tripod.

We disliked

Maximum height is a little lacking at just 166cm and, without grub screws in the centre column platform, the tripod head can work loose.

Final verdict

Collapsing to a folded height of 63cm, the Velbon Sherpa 600R is a good travel companion and well worth the asking price.

Overview and features

There's often money to be saved by buying a complete kit that includes both tripod and a tripod head in one package. In this case, however, the Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT legs sell for around £125 on their own and the GH-100 pistol grip head is available for about £85 if you shop around. Buying them as kit you can expect to pay around £195, so you'll only save about £15. Even so, there are plenty of novel features to capture the interest.

The Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT tripod has a sturdy aluminium construction with a maximum load rating of 7kg. The GH-100 pistol grip ball head is a close match, rated at 6kg and, indeed, they look every inch as if they're made to be together.

When combined, the photography tripod and head enable a minimum shooting height of 68cm, which rises to 175cm with the centre column fully extended.

The kit folds down to a carrying height of 73cm. Like most modern tripods, the three-section legs have highly effective, quick-action clip-locks and, more unusually, the rubber feet come complete with retractable spikes which are good for offering a stable platform when shooting on carpet or loose ground.

Leg diameters range from 26mm to 23mm to 20mm, from top to bottom.

A full complement of advanced features includes three-position multi-angle legs, a bubble level on the tripod collar and a pivoting centre column. The pistol grip head is more unusual, with a trigger action to release the clamp and enable positional adjustments.

Build, performance and verdict

Build quality

All aspects of the Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT tripod legs are well engineered from quality materials, including the robust clip locks for each of the three main leg sections.

The tension of the clip locks is adjustable, although we'd prefer allen key screws to the cross-head screws that are fitted, which are more prone to being rounded off during adjustments.

There's no such problem with the tripod centre column's platform, which features three allen screws for locking the head in place securely.

All clamps and locking screws operate easily and smoothly, enabling swift and precise adjustments. Operating the Vanguard GH-100 pistol grip head is more long-winded, though.

Performance

We're fans of Vanguard tripods, and the Alta Pro 263AT legs lived up to our expectations. It's a sturdy piece of kit that offers excellent stability, even when the bottom leg sections are called into play and the centre column is fully extended.

The centre column's pivot facility is very well implemented and enables a complete 180 degree arc of rotation. It's similar to the Benro A297EX and BH2-M ball head and the Giottos MTL9361B and MH1311652 ball head in this respect, and offers more versatility than the Manfrotto 055XPROB, which has a more limited choice of only vertical or horizontal use.

The only slight niggle is that there's a spring-loaded safety pin that needs to be pushed in to enable pivot mode, which is a bit fiddly. Manfrotto's arrangement of having a push-button on the bottom of the centre column is more elegant, but at least the Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT features a useful weight hook in its place.

We were somewhat less impressed by the Vanguard Alta Pro GH-100 pistol grip head that's supplied in the 263AGH kit. It feels less substantial than the tripod, despite having a 6kg maximum load capacity. We had to tighten the adjustable friction screw as tight as possible to avoid heavy cameras slipping in portrait orientation shooting.

Also, while the grip enables a full range of movement, this demands removal and replacement of the quick-release plate at any of four alternative orientations. The plate is square so it can be fitted at 3, 6, 9 or 12 o'clock positions in the head. It doesn't take long to re-orientate the camera, but it makes operation a bit fiddly.

On the plus side, the GH-100 pistol grip head features a separate panning lock complete with a scale on the base marked in five degree increments. There's also a bubble level, although it's mounted beneath the quick-release plate, so you have to remove the camera in order to use it.

Verdict

The Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT legs are a quality item that offers very good stability, limitless versatility and an impressive standard of build quality. We weren't so inspired by the GH-100 pistol grip head, which is a bit fiddly in use and lacks firmness when locked.

We liked

As a set of legs, the Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT offers a full range of advanced features with speedy ease of use and high-quality construction.

We disliked

The Vanguard Alta Pro GH-100 pistol grip head feels a bit gimmicky and is quite fiddly in use.

Final verdict

Looking at the Vanguard Alta Pro 263AGH as a whole kit, we'd be more tempted to buy the legs on their own and fit a regular Vanguard SBH-100 ball and socket head, which has a 10kg load rating, adjustable friction damper and separate panning control.

Overview and features

With a distinctly retro look, the Slik Pro 500DX Complete bypasses the 'black is the new black' fashion of most current tripods and proudly displays a set of shiny metal legs, even if the top ones are covered with black comfort padding.

Sold as a complete kit, the head is also old-school in its looks, being of a traditional three-way design rather than succumbing to the new vogue for ball and socket heads.

New-fangled features such as a pivoting centre column are also absent, so what's so slick about the Slik?

The legs of the Slik Pro 500DX are made from an 'exclusive' Super Aluminium-Magnesium-Titanium' construction that, according to Slik, gives a 40 per cent increase in strength to weight ratio, compared with standard aluminium.

Even so, at 2.6kg, the DSLR tripod isn't any lighter than most other aluminium-based tripods of the same size, despite only offering a modest maximum height of 167cm.

As for strength, the maximum load rating of 4.5kg is rather less than most aluminium tripods in its class, which often have an 8-10kg rating to support your camera and lens sets. Folded down, the Slik has a fairly average height of 72cm, enabling a minimum shooting height of 68cm with the legs at their regular angle. There are actually three alternative leg angles available, with conventional catches to enable use of the various options.

The centre column has no pivot facility, but you can unscrew the lower section of the column, after a large number of turns. Combined with wide leg angles, this reduces the minimum shooting height from 68cm to just 32cm. If you want to go lower than this, the only option is to remove the centre column completely and to refit it upside-down.

Leg diameters are a fairly typical 26mm for the top section, 23mm for the middle section and 20mm at the bottom. Beneath that is a set of solid rubber without any retractable spikes. At the top, there are no bubble levels to help in levelling the tripod or the camera.

The conventional three-way head features three independent locks for pan, tilt and swivel. The pan clamp has a small thumbscrew, whereas the other two locks have longer operating arms. Again, this is typical for a three-way head, and you need to unscrew one locking arm and screw it into the other to enable the tripod to fit into the carry case provided.

Build, performance and verdict

Build quality

The Slik Pro 500DX Complete feels pretty rugged in most respects, but lacks some of the finer points featured in most competing tripods. For example, there are no adjustments on the clip locks so you can't re-tension them if they become loose over time.

Similarly, there are no grub screws in the platform at the top of the centre column for securing the tripod head, so you have to rely on brute force when screwing it on.

Construction of the three-way head feels a lot more solid than that of the Jessops Major Carbon Fibre tripod. The quick-release plate connects firmly to both the head and the camera, although it lacks a safety catch to guard against accidentally releasing the plate.

Performance

There's a reassuring level of stability on the Slik Pro 500DX that's maintained even at the maximum operating height, with the centre column fully extended. Leg sections extend and contract smoothly and the clip locks work well.

The multi-angle leg facility is easy to operate and the tripod overall is very simple to use, partly because of its lack of advanced features. It's a bit of a pain having to unscrew one of the head's locking arms and screw it into the other, every time you want to pack the tripod away into its carry case, but that's par for the course with three-way heads.

All in all, performance is solid rather than inspiring.

Verdict

For photographers who like to 'keep things simple' the Slik Pro 500DX Complete has a reassuring lack of fancy features. For example, there's no complicated pivoting centre column to get to grips with.

We liked

The Slik is generally simple but effective, offering good stability complete with a three-way head that works well for making precise adjustments in composition.

We disliked

At nearly the same price as some of the latest, greatest tripods, the Slik has a rather limited feature set and its load rating and maximum operating height are both a bit disappointing.

Final verdict

For the money, the Slik Pro 500DX Complete feels a little too basic, and while it's fairly robust, tripods like the Benro A-297EX and Giottos MTL9361B have a lot more to offer, with only a small increase in price.

Overview and features

You can usually expect to pay upwards of £300 for a decent quality carbon fibre tripod and head. This makes the full-sized Hama Omega Carbon II look something of a bargain, because it's widely available for around £180 and comes complete with ball and socket head, plus a good quality padded carrying case.

One of the main attractions of carbon fibre camera tripods, compared with their aluminium cousins, is that they save weight, while still offering good stability. Let's see if the Hama delivers on its potential.

The Hama Omega Carbon II tripod and head kit has a combined maximum load rating of 4kg. That's easily sufficient for a bulky DSLR and long telephoto zoom lens but, even so, the load limit is only half that of some competing (and slightly cheaper) aluminium tripod and head combinations, such as the Benro A297EX and BH2-M ball head, or the Giottos MTL9361B and MH1311652 ball head.

The folded height for carrying the tripod around is 69cm, and the maximum height in use is 174cm, with the centre column fully extended. That's not particularly impressive considering that the Hama Omega Carbon II has four-section legs, whereas most tripods of this size have only three sections.

As well as having an extra set of clip locks that you need to operate to extend the tripod to its maximum height, it also means that the bottom leg sections are quite thin and spindly. From top to bottom, the diameters of the sections measure 28mm, 24mm, 20mm and 16mm.

As with most modern tripods, you can adjust the legs to any of three different angles from the centre column. This enables shooting down to a height of 48cm, and you can also unscrew the safety ring from the bottom of the centre column, so you can invert it and shoot from lower levels with the camera upside-down. However, unlike some competing tripods, the Hama Omega Carbon II lacks a pivot facility for the centre column.

Other features include both a compass and bubble level on the tripod shoulder, and a weight hook at the bottom of the centre column. The ball and socket head provided in the kit has a full complement of locking screw, adjustable friction damper and separate panning control. The last of these has a handy scale calibrated in 9-degree increments.

Build, performance and verdict

Build quality

The Hama Omega Carbon II's build quality feels reasonably good but not of the professional standard offered by some aluminium tripods at this price. The clip locks feel a little plasticky, and the hinges that enable the legs to swing out were a little loose for our liking. However, you can adjust the tension in both the clip locks and the hinges using allen keys.

Three grub screws in the tripod platform enable firm fixing of the tripod head, which itself is solidly constructed and feels very durable.

One curious omission is that there's no D-ring on the screw for securing the quick-release plate to the camera base. It just has a hex head with a slot running through its centre. A coin is therefore the ideal tool for fixing the quick-release plate to a camera. You just have to hope you don't run out of small change while you're out shooting.

Performance

In our tests, performance was a bit of a mixed bag. The tripod is fairly stable if you only extend the upper three sections of each leg. However, extend the tripod to its full height using all four leg sections and it becomes very prone to flexing. On the plus side, spiral etching on the surfaces of the carbon fibre leg sections makes for smooth sliding when extending or contracting them.

The quick-release plate isn't as quick as most, as it has a screw-in locking clamp instead of the more usual clip-lock, as well as a separate safety catch. There's also no bubble level or spirit levels on the camera platform to aid levelling. The bubble level on the tripod shoulder only helps to level the tripod legs, not the camera itself.

Another flaw is that the physical connection between the quick-release plate and the camera is via two fairly thin rubber strips. The connection proved noticeably wobbly in our tests, especially when using heavier DSLR and camera lens combinations.

Verdict

Weight saving is a key advantage of carbon fibre tripods but, at 2.7kg, the Hama Omega Carbon II is pretty much the same weight as most competing aluminium tripods fitted with similar ball and socket heads.

We liked

The Hama Omega Carbon II is very easy to use, and the calibrated panning dial on the head is useful for taking a sequence of shots, for subsequent stitching into a panoramic image.

We disliked

No weight saving over similarly sized aluminium tripods and it lacks stability towards its maximum operating height.

Final verdict

The weight, coupled with a relative lack in stability when extending all four leg sections, mean that the Hama Omega Carbon II isn't a particularly good buy at the price.

Overview, features and build

Extending to a dizzying height of nearly two metres, when fitted with the Giottos MH1311652 ball head, the MTL9361B is a professional-grade aluminium tripod with a combined maximum load rating of 8kg.

The tripod boasts Giottos' typically excellent build quality and includes a raft of advanced and well-implemented features.

Features

The rugged and sturdy Giottos MTL9361B tripod legs can support DSLR and camera lenses weighing up to 10kg. This is closely matched by the MH1311652 ball head, which can be bought separately, rated at 8kg load capacity.

This Series II head features a main locking clamp as well as an adjustable friction damper and separate panning control, plus a pair of spirit levels for levelling the camera.

Down below, the tripod legs feature three sections clamped with high-quality clip locks, which are somewhat quicker and easier to operate than old-fashioned twist locks.

The combined carrying height of the tripod and ball head when folded is 75cm, while the maximum operating height is 190cm with the centre column fully extended. There's a 3mm difference in diameter between each of the leg sections, which measure 28mm, 25mm and 22mm.

There are three leg angles to choose from, with an easy-to-use locking mechanism. The tripod's centre column has an elegantly implemented 180-degree pivot facility, perfect for ultra-wide-angle, macro and low-level shooting. There's also a low angle adaptor which can be inserted into the top of the tripod collar instead of the centre column. Without using the adaptor or pivoting or inverting the centre column, the multi-angle legs enable shooting from as low as 48cm. A weight hook is fitted to the bottom of the centre column to aid stability in blustery outdoor shooting conditions.

Build quality

The 3mm difference in diameter between leg sections is quite typical in tripods of this class and enables smooth extension and collapsing of the legs, while the high quality of the clip locks ensures solid clamping at any length.

An allen key is provided for adjusting the locks if and when needed, and this can also be used for securely fastening the ball head to the tripod platform with three grub screws.

All adjustments and controls have a dependable, smoothly operating and professional feel to them. The Giottos simply oozes quality from top to bottom. Comfort padding is fitted to the upper sections of all three legs, although a carry bag isn't supplied with the tripod.

Performance and verdict

Performance

It's very quick and easy to adjust the Giottos MTL9361B to any shooting requirements. Even at its maximum height with the centre column fully extended, the level of stability is extremely good.

As well as the main locking clamp for the centre column of the tripod, there's a separate head rotation control, which comes into play when you pivot the centre column, enabling you to rotate the pivoted head through 360 degrees on a horizontal axis.

It's simple to set up your camera to any height or angle with this professional tripod, right down to ground level, so long as you don't mind shooting with the camera upside-down.

The Giottos MH1311652 ball head is a similarly strong performer. The main locking screw enables a full range of positional adjustment while also ensuring excellent firmness when clamped, even for heavy camera and lens combinations. The adjustable friction damper also works well, avoiding the potential for jarring accidents when using heavy camera kit.

The separate pan control is another neat addition, so you can pan the camera while keeping the tilt and swivel adjustments locked off. It's a bonus when taking a series of shots for subsequent stitching into a panoramic image.

The dual spirit levels on the camera plate also help with this, and the quick-release plate gives a good, firm fit between the camera and tripod head.

The only thing that's a bit of a chore is using the low-angle adaptor. This requires you to remove the platform from the top of the centre column and attach it to the adaptor, using the allen key provided. Even so, the task only takes a couple of minutes.

Verdict

Build quality is first-rate throughout the Giottos MTL9361B tripod, and pretty much every feature you could possibly want in a tripod is present, correct and well implemented. The same is true of the MH1311652 ball head, which includes an adjustable friction damper and pan control.

The combination of the Giottos MTL9361B and MH1311652 is cheaper to buy than most of the competition, including the Benro A-297EX and BH2-M ball head, Manfrotto 055XPROB and 496RC2 ball head, and the Vanguard Alta Pro 263AGH tripod and pistol grip kit.

We liked

The full range of basic and advanced features are quick and simple to use, backed up by excellent build quality throughout.

We disliked

To use the low-angle adaptor, you need to remove the platform from the centre column and fix it to the adaptor using the allen key provided.

Verdict

Solid and dependable, the Giottos MTL9361B tripod lives up to the 'professional' badge sported on one of its legs, while the MH1311652 ball head is a similarly high achiever. The Giottos combined kit is unbeatable value for money.

Part of Benro's Travel Angel tripod range, the C-1681 is an attractive looking, four section tripod made from carbon fibre.

With a maximum load of 8kg, it's well able to support enthusiast and semi-pro SLRs and lenses, while maximum height is a lofty 1 metre, 41 centimetres.

The C-168 is available for around £290 online, so it's not cheap, but will appeal to travel and nature photographers.

Build quality and performance

Despite its similarities to the C-1180T, the C-168 feels less sturdy, with noticeably more flex in the legs.

It's got the same nice twist-lock system as the C-1180T for easy set-up, but the legs don't fold right down to the ground.

However, the centre column pops out, which is a nice touch, that is useful for macro photography when you need to get low to the ground.

The carbon fibre legs are reverse folding too, which makes packing and transportation easier, and leg angles can be adjusted via the splendidly named Plucking Angle Adjuster – you literally 'pluck' them into shape.

Verdict

This lightweight carbon fibre travel tripod has many virtues, but it's still outclassed by the C1180T model. The latter feels sturdier, while still being very easy to carry around and set up.

The C1180T is one of Benro's mid-range tripods, making it a good choice for keen travel photographers who don't want to lug larger and heavier models around.

Clever design means it folds down completely flat, which will be a big help when packing.

You're immediately struck by how compact and light this four-section tripod is, weighing at a mere kilogram; at the same time, it's able to support 8kg of camera and lens, roughly equivalent to a Canon EOS 7D SLR with 200mm superzoom lens.

So this is a good lightweight-tripod choice for landscape photographers, too

Build quality and performance

The C1180T is made from magnesium alloy and carbon fibre.

Build quality is generally good, although there is a bit of flex on the lower legs.

Particularly impressive is the twist-lock leg section locking system. It's a delight to use compared to cheaper clip systems, and makes setting up and packing away a breeze.

Another good feature is the removable extending centre column, which gives some useful extra height (it can also be used with the neckstrap to support the camera). The C1180T has interchangeable feet too, so you can add spiked feet for extra stability on damp or uneven surfaces.

Verdict

You can get the C1180T for £250 on Amazon, which makes it an attractive buy – certainly more so than its inflated original price of £359.99.

Its solid but lightweight construction, handy twist-lock system and ability to support some serious camera kit will really appeal to both travel and nature photographers –and it folds down flat too!

We liked

The C1180T is easy to set up and dismantle, and manages to be lightweight yet sturdy thanks to its quality mag alloy and carbon fiber construction. The optional spiked feet are a bonus too.

We disliked

Not much, really, except for the rather steep official price and a bit of flex in the lower legs.