SMALLRIG 73" Video Tripod, Max Load 8kg, Heavy Duty Tripod with 360 Degree Fluid Head and Quick Release Plate for DJI RS2, Camcorder, Cameras - 3751

Product Information

That head – which on its own weighs 696g/1.53lbs and attaches to the SmallRig AD-01 3751 via a 3/8-inch thread – even has a 75mm levelling bowl base for setting-up perfectly level shots. It also boasts a spirit level/bubble level to help get the tripod itself level. When it comes to tripods, I definitely don’t recommend getting the cheapest tripod you can find. And while the SmallRig AD-01 is not the cheapest, it is certainly one of the cheaper video tripods on the market. I wouldn’t recommend using the tripod with both stages opened all the way up and the spreaders collapsed in. This doesn’t offer very good stability. What are the feet like?

Its maximum height is 1.86 m (6’2″), which makes it very versatile for many different kinds of shoots. As a wildlife photographer and videographer, a major downside of this tripod for me is its minimum height, which is 0.85 m (2’9″). I often want ground-level shots, which would not be possible with this tripod. The tripod at minimum height If you have both stages of the legs adjusted and use the tripod at height then there is certainly a lot more flex, especially towards the bottom of the legs. Also, the plastic connections between the legs and the head area do dampen some vibrations, so it might not be such a disadvantage when shooting video. When you consider this, it’s no surprise that the SmallRig AD-01’s fluid head is one of its biggest weaknesses. Perhaps the best thing I can say about panning and tilting with the SmallRig is that it will give better results than trying to pan with a ball head – but it’s definitely not fun. The fluid head of this tripod is its biggest weakness The SmallRig Heavy-Duty Fluid Head Tripod comes in a lightweight carrying bag. This bag is ok, but I do worry about how long the zippers will last.

How much does it weigh?

Lightweight Carbon Fiber】The camera tripod is made of carbon fiber legs, which is lightweight and load-bearing of 25kg/55lbs, making it more suitable for carrying and traveling. Also comes with a customized handbag for better storage, protection, and portability.

Would you consider SmallRig’s new tripod? Let me know what you find important in a video tripod and fluid head in the comments! Where to Buy You can still use the tripod on uneven terrain and it still works well on stairs if you have the tripod at a certain height. Because the spreaders don’t adjust out you do have a limited ability to use the tripod at its lowest height on uneven terrain. Switch your camera from the tripod to a gimbal Stable and Adjustable Tripod：Heavy duty aluminum double-tube tripod with built-in bubble level, 75mm bowl bottom, which can provide better stability for the video tripod. The adjustable height of the travel tripod is: 85-186cm/33"-73", and the maximum load is: 8KG / 17LBS. On one hand, the panning motion is smooth and decently dampened. However, I found it very hard to keep the panning speed consistent. With practice and even using an elastic band, you can improve a little, but you will never get smooth, buttery pans like you can with more expensive heads.

Carry Bag

One thing I didn’t like is that the spreaders don’t have a rounded edge and they are quite sharp. This is something you need to be aware of. While the tripod does feature a built-in bubble level indicator it isn’t illuminated so you can’t see it in darker conditions. What is the ideal use case for this tripod? If you are working in a controlled, relatively safe environment where you just need something to hold your camera steady and maybe do a pan once in a while, the SmallRig AD-01 will be fine. However, if your main use case is a lot of panning and tilting in demanding environments, I would suggest spending more for a smoother fluid. The centre spreader’s three arms have units of measurement on them so you can ensure that the legs are spread evenly and with precision. (Image credit: George Cairns / Digital Camera World) Thus, it is not surprising that this tripod has some compromises. The question is whether these compromises are acceptable or not if you’re in the market for a budget tripod.