Dolica GX650B204 Proline GX Series 65 inch Aluminum Tripod and Ball Head Combo for DSLR, SLR

There is a difference between the tripods you find at your local electronic store and the ones from the photo shops retailing at over $400. $400 for a tripod? Yes. The Dolica GX650204 has pro features but it doesn't cost $400.The dolica is 4-section aluminum tripod. The sections use flip leg locks and when you open the latch, you have to pull the leg out, it doesn't slide out on its own. Also the legs have non slip rubber feet with retractable spike. To reveal the spikes, just turn the rubber feet. The legs also have closed cell comfort grips and 4-position leg angle adjustment. This makes the tripod very comfortable to handle and very flexible. You can position your camera in a variety of positions (including inverted) because of this.The center column is non-rating but can move up and down. It is exceptionally sturdy in a high position, but i use it in the mid to low position. All tripods are more sturdy when the center column is closer to the legs. Its much better to raise the tripod first, then adjust the center column. The center column is also reversible which allows you to hang your camera upside down. When the center column is in its normal position, the counter weight hook can be used to give your tripod added stability. I will sometimes hang my camera bag there. There is also an Integrated tripod bubble level, but i never use it.Tip: Invert the center column for low level shooting angles1) unscrew the ball head. 2)unscrew the hook, revealing the 3/8 screw. 3)screw the ball head on the center column. adjust the center up and down as needed.Tip: Convert the tripod to floor level for extreme low level shooting angles1) unscrew the hook. 2) remove the short column section by pressing the two buttons near the hook and pulling the short column section down. 3) remove the ball head. 4) remove the center column. 5) screw the ball head on the short column section. 6) insert the ball head with short column section into the tripod. 7) extends arms to their maximum position (almost horizontal).The ball head is exceptional. This alone is worth the price of admission. The ball head has an arca-swiss style quick release plate. It uses a dual lock system, a knob and safety lock. I know some photographers don't like the safety lock, but i think it is great, especially when your camera is angled down. The ball head pans 360 degrees and can tilt down/up from 0 to 90 degrees. To tilt down to 90 degrees, there is an indent for the ball neck. The pan movement is is very smooth so you will be able to perform perfect pano shots with this ball head. The quick release plate also works with a lens mount. I've also used an RRS clamp and l-plate with this ball head. It works perfectly.The tripod is light and wouldn't be cumbersome carrying to a location or trekking thru the woods. Also the carry bag seems sturdy enough and will probably last the life of the tripod.In conclusion, the Dolica GX650B204 is a professional level tripod with an excellent price. I really can't believe how good it is for the price. It has a ton of features, excellent ball head, lightweight, sturdy and can carry 17lbs. And if you get the 65", since it has 4 sections, It works well with short, medium height and tall people. Highly recommended.

I purchased this tripod in October 2015 and have been using it on a regular basis. I'd been using my old tripod, Velbon Victory 450 for the last 20+ years. It was still a solid, reliable tripod, but I was looking for something a little lighter and more portable. I selected the Dolica GX600B200 Proline GX Series 60-Inch based on the features, price and reviews. My typical work is done outside shooting flowers, nature and still life, or indoors with natural or soft box lighting. Telephoto, fixed macro lenses or extension tubes are my go-tos, shooting anywhere between f1.8 and f11 depending on the situation.The Dolica GX600B200 Proline GX Series 60-Inch has been a great tripod for all around use. I've found it light to carry and fairly sturdy. I miss the three-way brace for added leg stability, but that's the tradeoff for being able to angle the legs as far as these will go. I prefer flip lock legs to the screw type. They are fast and easy to extend evenly with the built in level bubble or to adjust to different angles when my terrain is uneven. I can get nice and low with this tripod with the legs angled almost flat. Although not unique, the spikes in the feet are nice for bracing or digging into the ground for added stability, while the rubber feet are slip resist when screwed out. The head it comes with is pretty fluid and adjustability is nice and tight when locked down in various positions. I can hang my camera bag/backpack (or sandbags) on the hook in the center column for additional stability. It also comes with a really nice carrying/storage bag.I've started a new project of photographing agate slices in macro on a light box. While I'm well versed with macros, this project requires that I shoot straight down in order to get the flattest focal plane possible. I was able to easily reverse the center column. It took a little fiddling with the leg lengths and center column height adjustment in order to be able to straddle my  US ART SUPPLY Lightmaster Jumbo 32.5" Diagonal Extra Large(A2) 17"x24" LED Lightbox Board- 12-Volt Super-Bright Ultra-Thin 3/8" Profile Light Box Pad with 110V AC Power Adapter & Dimmable LED Lamps. Now Includes for FREE: 1 Measuring Overlay Grid & 1 Circle Template/Protractor 1-Year Warranty  for the correct focal length (pictures attached). I didn't want to put the tripod on top of it. This is setup on a 24"x40" table. As with manual focus macro work, unless you have delicate touch, cable release and rock solid support your focus will be off and can be difficult (and frustrating) to achieve. I've since purchased a  ME456 A4 LED Light Box 9x12 Inch Light Pad Only 5mm Ultra-thin USB Power Light Table for Tracing  which is more than adequate and much easier to work with. It's allowed me to shorten the legs for more stability. I will probably purchase a copy stand at some point, but this tripod will work great until then.I recommend this for anyone who is looking for an affordable, lightweight, stable and versatile tripod for studio work, outdoors or travel.