Sirui T-025x Carbon Fiber Tripod with C-10 Ball Head - Ultra Lightweight Travel Tripod for DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras - Perfect for Hiking, Vlogging & Outdoor Photography

I bought the T-025X as a backpacking tripod. As with all things backcountry, weight is at an absolute premium. When I want to bring my Canon 6D and 24mm f/1.4 backpacking (which are already relatively heavy) I want to make sure I'm not overloading with anything else unnecessary. This tripod is featherlight compared to anything else I've used. When you first receive it, you'll probably be most surprised by how compact it is but how sturdy it feels.Its fit and finish are superb, everything operates smoothly, the carbon fiber legs are finished in a smooth satin and the machined aluminum parts are all very well finished. It includes two allen wrenches for adjusting the leg hinge preload and two of the three legs have a foam protector for holding the tripod with bare hands in cold weather. The twist section locks make deployment super easy. Just untwist all of them a quarter turn with one hand and pull out all the sections to length and then lock each one with another quarter turn back.When used with the Canon 6D and 24mm f/1.4, the ballhead locks it in place very well and I feel that it could easily support a 70-200mm. It's also super smooth in all its movements and Arca Swiss compatible to boot. At 52", it's not as tall as many other tripods, but brings the camera to a comfortable working height. Keep in mind that at this height, with the center column fully extended, and such a light tripod, you are compromising stability. It's stable enough in this situation for most shooting as long as you're using the necessary precautions. (e.g. self-timer or cable release remote, etc.) Using these precautions, I use this tripod for making 30 second long exposure astrophotographs all the time.For the most stability, I much prefer removing the center column entirely and leaving it at home. In this configuration, with the ball head directly mounted to the legs, the tripod is rock solid. The center column removed also brings the weight down a little bit which is welcome for backpackers. Without the center column installed, it sits about 40" tall which is about belly button height on me. (I'm 5'7") While lower, this height is still ample for nearly any type of shot and I much prefer even lower deployments anyway in order to get the best perspectives. Also considering bringing along a small empty draw string bag that you can fill with sand or rocks to hang from the included center lug carabiner for some mass dampening stability.The only thing I think is worse than expected is the case. it's just a cheap fabric sleeve with a thick nylon rope cinch that broke on my first use. I usually just put the tripod directly in my camera bag or strap to my backpack for easy access anyways so I don't regard it as a real negative, just don't buy it expecting a premium carrying case.User Triplock mentioned that when he uses the tripod in portrait orientation that he can't get a level shot without shortening a leg. I have not found this to be the case and if I place the ballhead in portrait configuration, it bottoms out a slightly past level, allowing you to easily move it back to achieve proper leveling without needing to adjust the legs.If you learn how to best use this tripod with its limits, it will be as effective or more effective than a heavier, bulkier Manfrotto or Gitzo. The space and weight saving can mean being able to bring an extra lens or extra batteries that you otherwise wouldn't have. It's holds a heavy DLSR with ease and when used right can be stable enough for even super long exposures. Highly recommended for the outdoor backpacking photographer.If you can't afford the $100 price bump for the carbon fiber version and can don't mind one that's a bit heavier, consider the Aluminum Sirui T-005X which is $100 cheaper and only 0.4 lb heavier.