( 16 reviews )
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Posted: Aug 1 2009
This tripod is great if you want to take still photos. It's light but sturdy and fairly easy to set up. But if you want to take videos where you are following some action (nature, sports, etc.) I would not recommend it. It is impossible to get smooth movements of the camera, especially panning. The movements are very jerky. If you try to pan, it will resist moving until you push hard enough, then it will suddenly jerk, often further than you wanted to move. But for still photography it's a very good tripod for the price.
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Posted: May 31 2009
I bought this tripod because my other tripod was very unsteady and the legs kept collapsing. Sunpak 8001UT is more than steady, it is solid. In fact, it is more heavy duty than I need for my tiny camcorders and cameras. And it's lots bigger than my other tripod. I can't just put it in my purse or backpack. I have to lug it around. Still, when I need a tripod, this one is the reliable one. The quick-release mounting plate means I can pick up my camcorder quickly when needed. There's a second mounting plate included, so I can quickly mount a second unit. Very easy to use. The bubble levels are useful for getting the camcorder or cameras straight. Nice to have something like that included. There are an infinite number of adjustments I can make to get my camera just so, from the height of the legs to the tilt and swivel of the camera. The center column will also extend to give a very nice height. I'm 5'5" and I don't need to bend over when the tripod is extended. This is a terrific tripod. For its size, it is lightweight. I guess it really isn't that big for a professional photographer. For a person who owns tiny camcorders and cameras who just wants something steady and reliable, I wish it were smaller; but then it may not work so beautifully.
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Posted: May 20 2009
I'm happy with Sunpak products in general, and this tripod is no exception. It appears to be suprisingly sturdy and durable for the price. It also has features that I would normally expect to find only on much more expensive tripods, including two quick-release camera mounting plates with integral bubble levels, a bubble level for the tripod itself, and retractable spiked feet which are very useful on any terrain on which a tripod lacking this feature might slip. It has a smooth cranked elevator lift and the usual pan and tilt functions and can be used with either a video camera or a still camera or both. I bought a ripstop nylon Sunpak carrying bag for it from another company through Amazon.com. Taller tripods can be obtained but I didn't feel that I needed one. I checked 299 tripods on Amazon.com before selecting this one and I feel that I made a good choice.
