Ravelli APLT4 Digital Camera Tripod (Black 952.5g, Aluminium, Plastic, black)

Light weight for a full-height tripod, the supplied keyring torch is a nice, unexpected touch. The price was extremely competitive, so I wasn't sure what I was going to get for my money, but other reviews were positive.Well, at first, it seems like a good choice, it can bring the camera right up to face level for a 6' person. It seems quite stable and can hold a Nikon D90 DSLR with an attached 70-300 lens. However the head is very "plasticky", there is loose play in the pan adjustment and any movements you make with the pan handle are somewhat jerky. I can't see video panning being feasible with this model. When I attached the camera/lens and tightened all the adjustments, it took a second or so for the image in the viewfinder to settle i.e. the tripod was wobbling a little. I think this reflects the overall quality - it's not very good. However, if you only need the tripod to hold a still camera, it is rather a giveaway price. I returned it - I think it's worth spending a little more.<edit> The vendor, SPN Imports and Services LLC, contacted me about this review and actually sent me a better model from their range, free of charge. This is an extraordinary gesture and unprecedented, in my experience. The vendor is very keen to have happy customers. In summary, this is a 3 star tripod, but backed by a 5 star company. The Ravelli APGL3 and AVT models, both of which I have experienced hands-on, are on a much superior level to this APLT4.

The build quality on this is stunning. It's incredibly solid and sturdy and everything tightens down nicely. There are two in built spirit levels, a carry handle and even a good well made carry bag. I've purchased tripods before, and they've been rubbish. Flimsy and not up to the job and paid more money. I think even if you were a good photographer, you'd be impressed by the quality and functionality of this tripod, and blown away by the price.I brought this to mount a small mini projector, that still weighs probably a kilio or so and whilst compact, it's not exactly small. This tripod holds it rock solid steady, no hint of tipping and even when using it side mounted (for projecting onto a ceiling for example). The adjustments are really easy to make, and once adjusted, can lock down tight to prevent further movement - which of course for a projector is important. In fact, I'd say if you'd already bought one of the many low cost LED projectors on Amazon (and if not, why not - 8 foot movies on your bedroom ceiling for less than 50 quid, or a night in the garden with a 10 foot screen/bed sheet or even painted wall), this thing is probably a must have in your set up. I've spent months trying to find the best option to mount one of these for use outside, that's easy to set up, easy to adjust and doesn't involve a whole series of everything from books to place mats/coasters to bits of cardboard wedged to keep it stable and level, and this is THE ANSWER I've been looking for. Basically plonk it anywhere, point it where you need it, adjust it with one hand and then lock it down tight. All in about 5 seconds.

It's alright.The only thing that really irks me is the quality. It really just jumps all over the place. Some of the clasps are fairly easy to lift without being too easily taken off yet some require a lot of force and can hurt due to the cheap plastic. Tilting is fine and kinda smooth, but turning left and right isn't. It's stiff and if you don't put quite a bit of force on it, it just stops. Even with the handle which tightens it TAKEN OFF it's still way too stiff. The little springy metal nub on the mount often gets stuck and scratched the bottom of my camera. I swiftly removed the rubber top and removed that thing. Moving the camera up and down is fine. The metal strips which hold the legs seem thin compared to the tubes themselves and they feel sharp. The plastic is very cheap feeling. Upon inspection there were little marks like chalk on the tubes, which I did clean off easily thankfully.Despite that you get a quick release, just pull the lever and you can remove the camera along with the mount bit attached. Portrait mode, self adjusting rubber feet, a spirit level and it goes pretty high too. It's a rather light tripod as well.You get what you pay for. Don't expect it to be great because it certainly isn't. It does the job of staying still so I can take a still picture/video and that's all I'll ever need for now. If you need it to do more then look for the more expensive options as they do it so much better.

For the price of this tripod I was very pleasantly surprised. I needed something quickly that could hold a Camcorder steady, without any requirement to move or pan shots. This tripod is fantastic for that.It is quite robust, and not thin and plasticky like I feared. the components all achieve what I need it to which is hold the camcorder steady, don't wobble and be portable. However, the action on the head is quite poor, trying to get a smooth panning shot would be almost impossible with this as it stands due to the design. But at the price you are paying for it I wouldn't expect it to be!So, brilliant if you want to have the camera held on a tripod steadily. If you want to do vast panning landscape shots - I would pay a bit more!