SLIK Camera Tripods

1 | Yufeng Dong

September 14th, 2009 at 11:58 pm

I got it at $70 from Amazon and used it for half a year for my EOS 40D +28-135 lens. It is light and stable. It is always with me, even in hiking! But I think it is designed for Japanese, who are normally not tall~
Rating: 4 / 5

2 | Paula J. Rowell

September 15th, 2009 at 2:01 am

This is a decent tripod for “beginners” and by beginners I mean new to tripods not photography. Although many reviews and forums recommend saving your money for a better tripod, this is fine for now for what I need it for. In the future I will probably purchased something better. That said, this tripod is fine and that’s why I gave it 4 stars. The legs are pretty sturdy and set-up is easy. It is on the heavier side but that’s fine with me because it makes it sturdier. One problem is with the center post in that you have to push it up and down yourself as opposed to using a handle to turn it up and down. Once set up, it’s fine. If you can’t afford much for a tripod, this will do; otherwise, save up for a better one.
Rating: 4 / 5

3 | O.C. Ron

September 15th, 2009 at 4:58 am

I really liked the Slik Pro 330 DX tripod from the start! For around $100, it didn’t make much sense to go cheap on equipment that will be responsible for holding up my $800 camera. This tripod has been to the driving range on numerous occasions where I can video my golf swing. With all the activity going on at the range, I needed a tripod that was easy to setup and sturdy enough to withstand the occasional gust of wind. The feature that sold me was the ability this tripod has to widen the legs even wider than the standard width of your typical tripod. You will not be disappointed in this tripod.
Rating: 5 / 5

4 | Eagle JT

September 15th, 2009 at 6:49 am

I’ve had this tripod for a while now. It is very sturdy and flexable enough that I could use it in streams, on a rocky hillside, and just about anywhere else I go. The shaft inverts for low shots. My only complaint is the plastic leg locks, but if you’ve read any other reviews I’m sure you’ve already heard enough about that.
Rating: 5 / 5

5 | Richard P. Crowe

September 15th, 2009 at 7:20 am

I wanted a really lightweight travel tripod to supplement my full-size Giottos MT-8180. The stock SLIK Pro 330DX offered me a good lightweight tripod which, with two modifications, has become an excellent tripod that is light enough to carry boonie tromping and is small enough to fit in my airline luggage.

I first replaced the stock center column with the optional shorter column sold as an accessory. I do not believe that a lightweight tripod such as the 330DX should be used with an extended center column. Another option would have been to shorten the stock center column by sawing off a portion of its length. However, I opted to use the accessory column as a more professional looking modification.

Secondly, I replaced the rather heavy stock SLIK pan/tilt head with an Adorama Flashpoint F-1 Arca Compatible magnesium ball head. This head not only considerably reduces the total package weight but allows the use of a Really Right Stuff L-Bracket. The RRS L-Bracket increases stability by eliminating the need to cantilever the camera/lens over to the side of the head when using a non-tripod-ring equipped camera/lens in the portrait position. This head provides a significant advantage in stability while lowering the total weight of the modified tripod/head package.

The modifications reduce the weight of the SLIK Pro 330DX tripod/head package from its stock 3.5 pounds to only one pound, eleven ounces yet allows me to adequately support my 1.6x cameras with either my 17-55mm f/2.8 IS or 70-200mm f/4L IS lenses. The modified tripod/head has performed very well; even in some rather heavy winds while photographing Bryce Canyon, Utah.

The one drawback with this package is that it is fairly short in height. I adequately compensate for the lack of height by using a right-angle viewfinder which weighs only an ounce or two and allows me to comfortably shoot from the lower platform. I would give this setup five stars if it were only a bit taller. However, if it were taller, it would also be heavier. I wish that the SLIK Pro 330DX had been available without the need to purchase the pan/tilt head but, tripods in this price range are usually not offered without a head.

I really like my modified SLIK Pro 330DX and since it is so light and small of a package; I can carry it everywhere with no problems.
Rating: 4 / 5