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Velbon Sherpa 600R Kit with Velbon PH-157Q Head and FREE Tripod Case. This model features a sliding center column which is removable, so that it can be inverted, making a more versatile tripod. Sherpa 600R has a choice of 3 leg angles, allowing the tripod to be operated with maximum stability and giving low level capabilities-down to just 29cm. Other features include a splittable center column to allow near ground level operation and PH-157Q 3-way panhead with Velbon's quick release system and one touch locking of pan and tilt actions. Features 3 way Panhead PH-157Q:The 3-way panhead with quick release system incorporates some clever features such as a one-touch handle that allows locking of both pan and tilt movements with one twist. The handle is mounted on the left which allows the user to keep their right hand free to operate the camera. Slanting toothed gear: Most models in the Sherpa range feature slanting toothed geared elevator for smooth adjustment.Friction adjuster: Enables adjustment in tension of centercolumn elevator. After extending elevator, tension can be increased by rotating Friction Adjuster. The method of S.R.C. (Splitable Racked Column):This, the world's first S.R.C. system allows the elevation column to be split into two sections for near ground operation as low as 28cm. Each leg has quick locks and an individually adjustable span which allows normal, semi and full low angle shooting.
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Technical Details
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By L. R. C. Camm (UK)
Most reviews here are five stars, and I agree 100% with them. There are some things which need explaining to potential buyers, to clear up what I see as 'misunderstandings' in some of the poorer reviews.
Firstly, the 'leg lock' system. What is it? Actually it is brilliant. The legs pull out from the centre column in the usual way to a normal angle for general use. The clever bit is that, at the top of each leg, there is a 'switch' which moves vertically up and down, and has three positions.
Each position allows the leg to pivot out to a different angle. The normal position gives you a rock solid tripod with a great maximum height - see velbon's site for details etc. The second setting allows the legs to spread wider still, while the third setting allows photography at very low / ground level. At ground level, it is best not to extend the legs (length) for stability. I haven't found, or thought of, a situation where you would need to do that anyway!
If you need to use the lowest level set on the legs, you will also need to raise the centre post of the tripod, or if you need to keep the camera as low as possible, you can remove the lower part of the post by simply unscrewing it. This allows the tripod head to remain low. (at the lowest leg angle setting the centre post would otherwise be lower than the legs, preventing them from touching the ground at all!
The clever part is this: as each leg has it's own 'switch' you can set each one individually - they don't all have to be set to the same angle at all, so, for example, if you were photographing from behind a 4ft wall, you could set two of the legs to the lowest angle, and put them ON the wall, while keeping the standard angle on the third leg, allowing it to reach the ground, creating a stable platform for your precious camera. (of course, it would probably be more stable to arrange it so that only one leg was on the wall, the other two on the ground - I am only painting a picture of how to use this tripod to it's best capabilities).
The only other tripod I know of which allows variable leg angle adjustment like this, is the trekker 3 from benbo - but it is near three times the price with no head supplied.
The important thing here, is that leg angle can be independantly set, and each leg can be set at a different angle to the other two. On variable terrain, rocks, hillsides, even in shallow water, this could make a huge difference to using a standard tripod, or one which allows 'leg spread' but restricts you to having to set all three legs to the same angle at once! This capability has not been discussed in other's reviews in detail so I thought I should tell you in depth. A wonderful tripod for this feature alone, but there is more:
Staying with the tripod's legs, these are robust and sturdy, round section, with just three pieces to each leg. This is great, as you only have to concern yourself with six quick setting leg locks to go from fully closed to fully open (or any intermediate height) Full height is a generous 1.7m and while the closed height is understandably more than other tripods, the other tripods acheive that by having more sections per leg. My manfrotto 785b for example has five - but the last section is so thin that the tripod suffers movement in windy conditions, forcing me to extend the legs so that the thinnest leg remains closed - restricting the height.
No such problems with the Velbon 600r - it's 'thinnest' leg is still a very substantial piece of metal, affording a rock solid platform. What is the point in going to the trouble of using a tripod if it doesn't at least provide that one single quality - stability?
There have been comments about the top of the tripod being 'not level' - which is not a problem I have experienced. The centre post of the tripod is held in place with a locking knob in the usual way - as you tighten it, it puts pressure on the post to prevent movement. This locking knob is between two of the legs, atop the tripod. As it pressures the post, the post obviously moves a fraction as it gets tightened into the shaft under the head. Maybe other users have the knob facing away from them, and the post favours slightly to the left (or right) due to the tightening action.
Clearly, the knob should be FACING the photographer, so that any such 'movement' will be 'front to back' not 'side to side'. The photographer should anyway have all controls facing him / her for accessibility. You don't want to start searching for controls in the heat of the moment, and miss a shot!
As I say, I have not noticed any 'level' problem, but I always have the adjustment knob facing me anyway!
Summary:
A very well made quality tripod, incredibly versatile, adaptable to infinite possibilities by built-in features, comes complete with a decent general purpose head, not too bad on weight (2kg), incredibly stable in all positions, and finished in a very sexy grey/bronze metallic finish. Add to that an included strong carry bag, and you really are set to go anywhere.
Velbon have thankfully NOT put one of those silly crank handles on this, for centre post height adjustment, you do it the proper way, with that locking nut I mentioned earlier (while considering the 'level' issue above. A bonus of this option is that the centre post rotates freely while unlocked, so if you don't have a ballhead for landscape, you could use the rotation to achieve the same thing!
If you only shoot landscapes, you may want to keep your existing head and fit it to the Velbon. Most landscape buffs use a medium / heavy ballhead anyway. Thing is though, the supplied head is 100% perfect, you only need to consider changing it if you want to do HDR (photo stitch) photography extensively. For normal on-off setups, once the included head is locked, that's it! perfect.
Hope I've cleared up some of the doubts raised by negative reviews - my opinion, if you're serious about photography, you need one of these.
By A. Taylor (Ash, England)
In a reasonable amount of use I haven't found this tripod as good as the majority of reviews here would suggest, perhaps most were written shortly after they got the item and before they really had a chance to try it in anger :-).
I don't find the leg locking very good, basically you get three positions and it can take some fiddling about to ensure that you have all three legs locked to the same one. Although the clip mechanism for extending the legs and locking them in place is very good, a built in spirit level would have been a worthwhile addition as it can take some adjusting to get the tripod level - and even when you think you have you look through your camera lens and lo and behold you haven't got it as level as you thought! It's also quite heavy, though it does come with a bag which can be shoulder slung, doing a lot of walking with a camera bag as well makes for a fairly tiring time. The head is pretty good and fairly trouble free, works well.
However, this tripod, no matter the price, just don't cut it for me and I'll be changing to a carbon fibre non Velbon (I really don't like the head to leg locking system) one ASAP.
By Ms. Alison J. Baker
Really love this tripod. Easy to use and so versatile for different types of shot. Lives right up there with my research and expectation. Cannot fault it.
By Mr. I. Gordon (N'Ireland)
I had previously got a cheap tripod which just didnt hold my camera and telephoto lens steady this tripod is of good build quality and has an excellent quick release head and is sturdy enough to hold the camera for any job. For the price I would recommend to any one.
By Oliver N. O'sullivan (UK)
Fantastic combination of bargain price and quality. Everything you need for a day out, without getting into the very high tech and overly expensive stuff. The only thing I wish it had was a level built in, but that was easily overcome by getting a cheap one for the cam.
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