Fine for travel, but not for studio or long lenses.
583973
I bought this tripod purely for travel. I know it won't handle my Canon 5D Mark III with Sigma 150-600 Sports lens. But I don't bring that lens on trips, at least not with the intention of needing a tripod. So the heaviest lens that I have that would go on here is the Canon 24-105 L. This combination makes about 3.5 pounds, which is well within the rated weight limit of the tripod.

Because of this, I was looking for a light weight (this is 2 pounds 10 ounces, which is 3 pounds lighter than my beefy tripod), somewhat tall, but didn't have to be enormous, should pack down well, and be stable. Overall, this tripod meets these requirements, with just a few drawbacks.

The height of this is ok. It has two center columns, but the smaller one is basically useless. That gives it about 4.5 feet of height. I'm 6'4", so this is a little short for me. But since it's only for trips, I can live with that. The other height is that of the monopod leg. This is short at only 3.5 feet. So short, that I will likely not use it. Also, I would have unscrew the head, which I tightened with an allen wrench, so that doesn't seem like a feature I will really use.

It does pack down well. The minimum height in the specs is if you swing in the legs to wrap the head. This works, but I always find it clunky, as you have to twist the head to get it just right, and also it's more of an effort to shoot. So I will likely just collapse the legs on themselves. This gives a packed height of 19.5 inches, which is well within my needs.

As for sturdiness, it's really quite sturdy, as long as you don't use the second center column. The last leg gets really skinny, but even with those extended I felt comfortable. And the head locks in place well. I found that I didn't need to guess at how far about the subject I should lock in, the ball just locks on and stays there.

The other thing that keeps this from a 5 star tripod is the twist legs. I really prefer flip lever legs. I find them faster and easier to use. Just like every twist leg tripod I have used, this one has the problem of twisting just one leg sometimes doesn't work, it twists other legs. This can make setup and takedown more of a pain.

I am pleased with this, it's just not "perfect."
4733387
Pros: Cheap, sturdy, durable, metal clips connect adjustable shoulder strap to bag, plenty of pockets and compartments, water bottle & cell phone storage

Cons: Pretty big bag, doesn't hold as much as it looks like it could, plastic clips on front are flimsy, no easy / quick access to camera

In short, this bag is better for going on a trip out of state or out of the country (I got it to shoot a documentary on a mission trip I volunteered for in India during summer '11) than for going to the park and shooting your family and friends. If you're looking to avoid the $100+ price tag I've seen on some camera bags, this is probably your best bet.

My must-have photo and video equipment list includes: (1)&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Canon-EOS-Rebel-T2i-and-EF-S-18-55mm-f-3-5-5-6-IS-Lens/dp/B0035FZJHQ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Canon EOS Rebel T2i and EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens</a>, (2)&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Canon-EF-S-55-250mm-Lens/dp/B0011NVMO8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Canon EF-S 55-250mm Lens</a>, (3)&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Canon-EF-50mm-f1-4-USM/dp/B00009XVCZ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM</a>, (4)&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Rode-VideoMic-Pro-Shotgun-Microphone/dp/B004K8WPUQ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Rode VideoMic Pro Shotgun Microphone</a>, (5) four&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Canon-LP-E8-Battery-Packs/dp/B00393THEK/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Canon LP-E8 Battery Packs</a>, and (6) two&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Canon-LC-E8E-Battery-Chargers/dp/B003A281AG/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Canon LC-E8E Battery Chargers</a>.  All of this plus a few pens, a small notebook, and my&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/LensPEN/dp/B000KO0GY6/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">LensPEN</a>&nbsp;can fit inside, along with my 6 extra SDHC camera cards.

My first impression was that it doesn't seem like it holds too much although it's a big bag, and that's because you can't really have your camera placed vertically in the bag (which is a disappointment for me). The way they set up the velcro and padded pieces, you can only have it laid flat, which takes up too much space.  The only nice thing about having your camera laid flat in the bag is that it prevents it from really being damaged if dropped since there is some buffer space in between the bottom of the bag and your camera (in addition to the padding).

That aside, it's a sturdy bag with enough space for two or three extra lenses or flash units (depending on how you set it up).  In addition to that, there are several zippered pockets that are great for shot lists, pens, camera cards, batteries, manuals, maps, and more.  There's a space for a water bottle on one end, and a pocket big enough for a large smartphone.
731416
This is a great lense, from the 15 pictures I took with it before I returned it.  It is superbly universal with such a dynamic zoom, and if lense speed isn't super important (like when in daylight settings) this gives you a huge range in a single light weight lense.  The glass is good enough to get quality pictures, and the Macro setting is an added bonus.

That being said, I somehow missed the part where this lense is cropped to fit a ASPC-C sensor DSLR camera, and accidentally ordered it for my 5D, and subsequently returned it.  It's a shame, because if they had a full frame sensor version of this lens, I would consider it for vacations if we are going on day trips (less weight than carrying several large lenses for the same purpose).
1484738
decent construction but limited protection for your lenses.
3022448
Portable, well made, decent optics, very close focus (a particularly value to me). Not really as bright or sharp as some of the newer optics. I chose this over a sharper, brighter version anyway because I wanted close focus. Works fine, isn't bad, really, and definitely does the job. But I was sad to return a sharper one because it only focused 16 feet or more, which didn't work for me.
68932
Maybe not quite as consistently sharp as L Glass, but its size and weight (and color) make it an ideal travel lens!  I have the 70-300L, and it is a magnificent lens, but it is HEAVY and HUGE.  So when I travel, between weight restrictions and luggage size restrictions, this is a great lens.  Pair it with something smaller (like a nifty 50 or sporty 40), and you have almost everything except macro photography covered.

This is a well made, solid lens - not like the standard 75-300, which feels - cheap?  This lens is heavier (just over a pound) and quite solid.  The zoom is a bit stiff, but not bad.  As already noted, it is not quite as sharp as an L lens, but performs pretty well until you hit the max zoom - shut it down a bit and shoot at 250 or so, and your photos will be sharper.

Obviously, it is not a low-light performer - at 5.6, you need decent light to use this lens.  So you aren't going to be shooting indoor sporting events, or dusk shots, but for daylight (even cloudy day) shooting, it performs quite nicely.  If you are looking for a nice travel lens with reach, this is a great option.
4579557
I have a Canon 7D Mark II with a 60mm macro lens and this product collapsed under the weight. If you have have a small point and shoot or are using this for you mobile phone, it is fine. does all the things a flexible tripod should but it is NOT for DSLR's. It is too flimsy. I am shipping mine back. Mine was also missing the 1/2" screw adapter. The product i rec'd does not look the same as the image.
823133
Kinda difficult to use and to travel with and the switching out of lenses is not easily done!
2977766
I bought this at the local camera shop.  It is small, solid, and nimble.  It is not, however, particularly sharp, especially at the long end.  It's lower end is better, its mid-range pretty good.  Build quality is excellent.  On balance, for what it is, it is a good choice as an all around lens, particularly for travel.
3129934
The scope is smaller than my 84mm and so is better for travel.  I like that the Leica camera fits nicely on the lense so it is a nice package
743190
I bought two of these stands for my travel kit, and I have used them a few times now.  I use them with a medium-sized flash units (Yongnuo 460, 560, and Olympus FL-600) and 40 inch umbrellas.  They are good travel stands, and even fit in my carry-on luggage.  However, they are too flimsy for studio use.  I may use them for kicker stands, but not for any of my studio lights or modifiers.  My only complaint with the stands (and the reason that they lose a star) is that it is VERY difficult to sufficiently tighten the sections enough that the stands don't shorten themselves as I use them.  I am always afraid that I am going to break the knobs or strip the screws before I can get the sections tight enough to not collapse.
276679
Seems well made so far, and comfortable to wear but not as practical for gear as I'd hoped. It's fairly rigid which gives protection from the outside, but inside the bag the dividers are also quite rigid and the options for moving them around are very limited, this means that lenses ratle around a lot unless you put them inside padded lens bags. There's no room to fit paperwork without folding it which limits its use massively, also the compartments for cables don't have room for anything beyond 1 small cable each (was hoping they would fit radio mics). I regret not getting the pro runner 450AW, which I was considering. I was hoping to use this as my all round bag for jobs but it's not quite suitable, might be suitable for pure photography needs without the need for paperwork and video gear.
4186616
This product is mainly made for those who need a small light weight tripod and move around a lot. This tripod could easily be put in a bag for travel and transport and can hold most small to medium DSLR cameras, I would not suggest putting a large expensive lens on this though, For example Nikon's 200 - 500 f 5.6, that lens weights 5 pounds and with the weight of a camera, it might hold but it would not be safe. This is mainly made for mirror less DSLR cameras and point ans shoot compact cameras. Overall this is a great product and is a good buy.
3044103
First words when I opened the box: Oh wow, that's a lot bigger than I expected. I was looking for a bag to carry my Nikon D3300 with an 18-55 lens and a 55-200 lens. If it had extra pockets for doo-dads, cool, but I was not looking for something huge because I don't even like carrying a purse when out and about. For reference, my 55-200 lens is about 4 inches long. It fits upright in the bag and has about 5 inches of open space above it. I've taken out the second partition and my camera fits down in the remainder 2/3 of the bag with plenty of space to fit the attached camera strap without having to practice the art of origami with it to get it in there. Although there's not really a way to attach the partition horizontally, I've hidden the cords that came with the camera underneath the second partition since they aren't something I would need quick access to. The camera then sits on top of that and there's still 3 inches of unused space between the end of the attached 18-55 lens and the top of the bag. (I like to have my camera rest on it's back, not on the lens as the listing pics illustrate.) The bag is deep (top to bottom) and long (left to right), but not all that wide (front to back). [Insert dirty joke here]

I don't have an iPad so it was a crap shoot whether my Toshiba tablet would fit. As luck would have it, it does. The tablet is 10 3/8 long and 7 1/8 wide. It fits longways, but just barely. There are several inches of open space at the top, so if your tablet is wider that 7 1/8 it should still fit fine. With the tablet inserted, it is a snugger fit for my camera because, top to bottom, the body is about 4 inches. It seems to catch on the velcro sides as well, when it wasn't a noticeable issue without the tablet inserted.

The side mesh pockets appear to be rather useless for any of my purposes. A standard sized water bottle will definitely NOT fit. I can't think of anything else I might carry that I would feel okay about having in open pockets like that unless it's where I stash the lens cap or something. Time will tell on those things.

The top zipper is rather awkward because the flap is all one piece. You unbuckle at the front, then have to hold the flap up while you unzip it. I don't foresee ever having it zipped unless in transit or stored away.

The top handle seems like it would be better placed if it were centered on the top of the bag. As it is, it's attached at the back, so the weight distribution is rather odd. The attached shoulder strap is long enough to wear the bag cross-body style on a larger framed person. Its shoulder pad is probably the best I've seen on a bag. (Granted, I don't inspect a lot of bags. It's just the best I've encountered thus far.) It's attached in such a way that you won't be fumbling to smooth it out or unfold the ends. The padding is such that it actually serves it's purpose of being a shoulder pad. It feels nice and comfy.

The construction itself is impeccable. All in all, it's a great looking bag. While it may be a little too large for what I was wanting, and the zipper top will be something I may curse in the future, I will keep it.
332921
I'm am amateur photographer and basically needed a bag for my SLR camera, lens, and an extra slot for a future lens or flash. This bag was fine for my needs. However, I must point out that I was disappointed by the dividers inside the bag. The pictures here give the impression that the "walls" inside the bag are of a sturdy material, when in fact they are sponge-like and attach to the sides and bottom of the bag with very strong Velcro. I've had some trouble moving them around, in fact, because the Velcro on the sides catches before I get the bottom in and vice versa.  Overall, if you only have a few pieces of equipment, this is a good bag. It's light, its made of a durable material, the dividers do adjust to accommodate the size of your camera/lens/flash, there are several pockets of various sizes, and there is both a small handle on the top of the bag and a wide shoulder strap.
4746615
Last summer I sold all my Nikon gear on Eb*y and switched to Canon. This after over a decade of using only Nikon film and then digital SLRs. I bought the 17-40f/4.0L at the same time and consequently found very little use for this lens. I use my digital SLR primarily for travel photography. On my first trip I used this lens less than 5% of the time, preferring the wide zoom even if it was necessary to increase the digital ASA. Still, it's good to have it just in case especialy at this very reasonable price. Construction quality is slightly below that of L lens, with plasticky feel and some wobble in the focus mechanism.
1813327
The Tamrac wallet works well and cleverly for what it was designed for -- carrying extra batteries and memory cards and allowing the user to know which have been used -- and that should be enough for most people. Me, I bought it to carry four CompactFlash memory cards (in their cases), and that's it. However, I can't give it 5 stars if it doesn't suit my particular needs.

I like traveling with as little volume as possible, and find that the wallet is too bulky to fit well in my camera bag alongside my Olympus camera body, lenses, spare batteries, and other photography odds and ends. Getting a larger camera bag would defy the purpose of trimming volume (and would make no sense, since this wallet is the one item that always ends up getting shuffled around in it), so I tried two very compact Hakuba cases for two CF cards each, which I acquired in Adorama. These are working far better, as they are small enough to fit anywhere in the camera bag and I can clip them to the camera strap or belt strap.

If you don't have a space issue, this Tamrac wallet should work well for you. If you do, I suggest looking for other solutions.