Vietnam Vet

Looks aren't everything. You get what you pay for. I don't have any of their products but those who buy them appear to love them.
I shoot with Canon 1D bodies. Please explain to me why they are worth as much as they sell for. I don think they are, but it's all I shoot with and I own three of them and getting ready to buy the 1dx2.

jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419

Have you considered: Some serious photographers use more than one tripod. If you don't need a tall tripod because you photograph from a low height when shooting landscape or wildlife photos, need a carbon fiber tripod that can dampen the wind-induced vibrations on your long (600mm or 800mm) lens, and want to minimize your tripod weight and cost, the tripod you have identified will be better than most alternatives. Ridiculing something you don't understand is risky--it might reveal your ignorance.

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

Many references above to the quality of RRS equipment. Well engineered, excellent quality, US manufactured and premium price.

In the case of this mini tripod, note that it is expandable in height and has a load capacity rating of 50 pounds. This is a high quality product for specific purposes. None of these features are cheap.

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

Anything..a house, a car, a camera, a tripod, whatever, has a value range. It's worth nothing if no one wants to buy it. It's worth a million bucks if someone will pay it.

People spend what they spend based on real or perceived need, because they just "like" it, or solely for status value,

I'd put a $500.00 mini tripod in the "worth nothing to me" and "solely for status" classifications.

Only YOU determine what something is worth.

josquin1 Loc: Massachusetts

Looks like the legs are in camouflage. Remember the army pays $50.00 for a screw.

BBurns Loc: South Bay, California

You are absolutely correct. One of my skills is being a machinist. The first time I laid eyes on a RRS piece back in 1990, I recognized the quality.

There are those whose style of photography has no requirement for this level of gear and yes, there are those out there that are overly frugal.
There is also a much broader selection of available hardware today that will fit most any budget.

RRS filled a niche that the photography world needed. There was no standard in QR plates yet and the Arca-Swiss mount was still in its infancy.
One must look back and remember that 30+ years ago there were very few players in the high quality tripod world.
Yes, prestige may play a part in it but the object was to protect your gear with a solid support.

Here is a shot given to me of my setup shooting an eclipse from the Palos Verdes Lighthouse back in January of 1992.
It is a poor quality, scanned, Instamatic print but it shows my Bogen 3051, then 9 years old. It cost $250 in 1984 and I still have it.
There are 3 camera systems mounted on the 'T" bar. 2 Canon New F1's with motors. One with a 300mm+2X & one on the back of a C5 Celestron.
The third camera, in the rear, is a Pentax 6x7 with a wide angle.
One end of the 'T' bar is secured to the fence railing using a Bogen Magic Arm with a Super Clamp. It is rock solid.

juan_uy Loc: Uruguay

The most expensive part of a large tripod are still present in this one. So if the price of the big ones are justified, based on quality, this one is also justified.
The length of the carbon fiber legs is just a reduced part of the cost.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Oh man. I didn't even know I wanted one of those until you posted this link.
--Bob

Bear123 Loc: Wild & Wonderful West Virginia

Me neither, and only another $415 for a ball head! Sweet!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

I've wanted one for awhile. I don't have to justify the cost of anything related to my hobby.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I've always approach things with price is no object, but cost is always a consideration.
--Bob

AirWalter Loc: Tipp City, Ohio

If you scroll down just a little you will see the RRS $415 ball head you can buy for it.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

By that logic you would spend $4000 for a tripod?

There are much cheaper tripods capable of holding a $4000 lens and camera safely and reliably. But hey if you like to spend money then by all means buy one.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

That's dirt cheap in comparison to some other mini tripods!