Home > Consumer Reviews > Velbon El Carmagne 530 Carbon Fiber Tripod with Pan Head and Case

This tripod is light and easy to use. The camera must be screwed onto the base. There is no quick release or shoe. A lever on the thumb screw helps to release or to put that extra twist on the shoe screw. The overall height is excellent. The legs can be made to extend out to provide a very low setting. Markers on the legs allow the user to extend each leg to the same length. The only thing missing, that I wish this unit had is a bubble level. I will have to add my own. A bubble level is needed when doing multiple panning shots that you wish to stitch together. In some of my shots, horizontal lines are on a slight angle. I think a bubble level would eliminate this. All in all a very good unit for the money.

I had foolishly bought a couple of cheap tripods and they actually worked. My camera (Canon EOS Rebel XT) did not fall on the ground. But when I went to a 75-300 lens and Speedlight 430EX external mflash, it got shaky. Bit the bullet and got a really good one. Carbon Fiber legs, Magnesium Pan Head. It's actually lighter than the old cheap ones and I really would not hesitate to put an 8X10 view camera with a long lens on it. Solid as a rock, set-up and teardown very quick with the snap-locks, Pan-head smooth as silk. Everything I hoped for when I bought it and even more. Highly recommended.

The tripod is very light and easy to use. With this tripod, you do not need a monopod.

I love this tripod. It is extremely stable. At first I got it for my canon camera, but now use it for my rather large video camera and it works great with that too. It is not extremely light. But I still attach it to my backpack and lug it along. Nice to have. Motion is smooth and locks work great. Comes with a holster that I don't use.

I already have one Velbon 530 and just ordered my second one via Amazon. The one review on here was exactly correct.

I can add that this tripod is rated to handle over 13 pounds (you REALLY don't want to put a PRO $8000 camera setup that weighs 11 lbs on a $39 tripod that can handle 4 lbs), important to me since I have Nikon Pro digitals with those lens you see at football games. It is really steady and with most carbon fiber/magnesium tripods starting at $400, it's also a bargain.