marciamyers Loc: Georgetown, In.

Does anyone have the ZOMEi Z66gC portable carbon tripod/monopod? If so, how satisfied are you? From the specs and some reviews it is light weight, stable, has a ball head, compacts nicely and has a 60” extended height....would like a 63-64” but that alone would not prevent me purchasing. One Amazon review stated it did not hold up after year and half but most reviews are good. Am open to other suggestions also. Thanks in advance.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

What are you using it for? I suppose it's ok for a lightweight point and shoot but not for anything serious. I don't think you can get anything cheaper, at least not in carbon. If you don't actually "need" a tripod, I'd wait until you do, then get something better -

marciamyers Loc: Georgetown, In.

D750 with 600mm Tamron lens so yes I need sturdy. I have heavier tripods but seldom travel with them due to weight. This is rated at 19 lb wt. capacity. Thanks for your input.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I don't think its skinny legs and plastic construction will be stable enough for your lens.

Typically, top tier tripods for that application cost around $1000 - Gitzo Series 5, RRS series 4, Induro Series 4.

I use a Feisol CT3472 that I bought in 2007. It is sturdy enough for a 600mm lens on a full frame camera, and I have used it with a crop camera and a 600mm and gottent good results. I would not consider a tripod with legs that have top sections of less than 37mm adequate for a long lens (or really close macro) - you are likely to be disappointed. It will take more than a few seconds for it to settle down if it is touched.

It only seems to be about 47" when fully extended without extending the center column. You don't want to extend the center column on this tripod.

Have you tried to use the combination without a tripod? I occasionally shoot with a friend who uses that lens on a D800 - and she is 4'11" and about 100 lbs. She doesn't complain about the weight at all. Even on long hikes in the woods or on sandy beaches to get to good shooting locations. The stabilization on that lens is quite good, and you can shoot as slow as 1/125 second and get consistently good, blur-free shots.

marciamyers Loc: Georgetown, In.

I have used the combo hand held and achieved good results, but not consistently.....at 68 with some orthopedic issues I am not always able to pull off the best results. When I saw this with many good reviews it aroused my interest. Thanks for your input.

doclrb

Sirui 2004 S Waterproof is sturdy and does well with my D500 & Nikon 200-500. Around $450 +/-

doclrb

queencitysanta Loc: Charlotte, North Carolina

Look at https://www.cameracottage.com/apps/webstore/ I have 2 of his tripods rated at 44 pounds.
Carter is MT Shooter on our board.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

"Light weight" and "stable" don’t go together. The "stable" reference may be for how the head and legs lock but you may not like how it works in the wind.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

If I were you I would wait to buy something better and it does not have to be brand new if you are on a budget. I use a good carbon fiber tripod when using heavy gear but my most used tripod is a cheap Dolica aluminum tripod that I bought brand new for $45. I have used my dSLR cameras on it and the results, using good tripod techniques have been spectacular.

dick ranez

Hard to beat an old Leitz Tilt-all if you don't have to carry it far.

rjandreoff Loc: Hawaii

I have done extensive global travel over the past 3 years using the Mefoto Globetrotter Aluminum Tripod. It is rated at 26 lbs. That appears to be a "reasonable" estimate. Easily fits into a 22" roller carry on. Shooting conditions included very irregular terrain, lots of wind, and heavy rain. Bodies included a D4 and a D810 (with battery extension). The heaviest lens was the Nikkor 400mm, 2.8 G VR (9.5 pounds), but most frequently an older nikkor 70-200 2.8 G VR OR the 300 mm F4. Overall, things worked very well. With the 400mm, I DID NOT run up the neck on the tripod. REALLY helped stabilize the rig. Not ideal by any stretch BUT you make loads of trade offs under these circumstances. Good luck!

Guzser02

Hi, I have the ZOMEI Carbon Fiber Q666C Tripod and I'm very pleased with it. After a year 1/2 it works very well. The issue is the ball head (bh). The bh that comes with it works fine for my needs, but if you put a heavy camera and with a long lens, the ball head will slip. You will need a larger head, not a bigger travel tripod. And if your camera/lenses are heavy, you may want to consider an "L" bracket for "portrait" mode shots.