[Continuous] I ordered this kit for my Sony PMW-EX1R with the Letus35 Ultimate adapter. It balances beautifully with the dial. The drag functions for the pan and tilt are buttery smooth. I waited 5 months to be able to order this tripod and I'm extremely happy with my purchase. Please note: I paid for UPS Worldwide Saver 1-2 days shipping and the duties were $708.00, and had I used B&H's purolator shipping, duties were $600 to Canada.

[Yes] I own an old vision 10 and protouch 10, and this vision blue blows them away!

[Yes] Twist of a knob and it's ready to open, twist again and it's locked solid. Arms also will extend out individually with the press of a button for uneven ground or for shooting in and weird and awkward configuration.

[Fluid Head] It's a tripod. Nothing complicated. It works and the one's I've gotten from Vinten before have kept working. Production folks keep banging them around and they continue to work. That's a good thing.

[Yes] Sure, it's great to have a camera with the bells and whistles, but you need to put it on something that lets your camera shine. The Vision Blue has been in use with our company for 2 years and I'll be buying its the big brother, soon. With an HPX250, C300, or other lighter weight camera, this tripod, if set properly, means smooth pans and tilts and crisp stops wether you're at 18mm or 200mm. We shoot a mix of subjects, but I really appreciate it most when shooting live performance because it allows me to follow the subject and never have to fight the head. I'll never go back to the lower end Manfrotto tripods. As compared to Sachtler, I think it it comes down to preference, and I still like the Vinten better.

[75 mm Half Ball] Professional Videographer. Exceptionally smooth. Exceptionally sturdy. Exceptionally accurate. I've been in this racket for 35 years and never had a better tripod and head,

[+90° to -90°] I bought the tripod without the spreader and used it like that for a couple months. �It works ok like that, but it works much better with the spreader, and it didn't cost that much more. �It's well worth it.

[Continuous] My shooting partner has the Sachtler FSB-6 and carbon fiber leg set. I was VERY jealous of him. But got this instead on a recommendation from B&H. What I like about the Vinten better: * costs less * the legs are MUCH more sturdy * goes higher, goes lower, * spreader goes farther = stability * the head is SOLID and has a larger platform on top * like the large footprint of the rubber feet. Bigger is better. What I like about the Sachtler better: * it is lighter (the specs on the Vinten are off. It weighs 14lbs out of the bag. * the side-load snap plate on the Sachtler head is fantastic and much faster (and fits Manfrotto QR plates) * the legs ARE faster to adjust height since there are only three locks What I don't like about the Vinten: * being British, nearly all the parts are oddball size. The QR plate? Price one. There's nothing else that fits, so you're stuck if you need a second. * the threads out of the half-ballgoodness only knows what they are. I cannot find a bolt to fit them anywhere (needed to put it on a 100mm high HighHat and failed). Even the MFG mechanical specs on it don't match what I actually have. The case is ok. The action on the head is nice, but not much different than the Sachtler counter balance. Do note that as you crank up the counterbalance on the Vinten you DO lose range of motion. A LOT of range at the higher settings. You don't lose that on the Sachtler. I think the low end of the range for perfect balance on the Vinten is about right. You do need at least 3 lbs to get it to sit nice, more is better. So forget a 5D making it balance nicelyit will spring back (but you can always lock it off). Overall, I think it's a great value. Super, super solid legs that are not much heavier than the CF Sachtler ones. The head is nice (but heavy) and works very well.