[64,000] This tripod is fantastic! It's easy to set up and break down, very sturdy, and most importantly, the head is incredibly smooth. The illuminating bubble leveler is a great addition. The mid-level spreader adds stability but a little tricky to use at first. The only issue I have had is that mine arrived with a crack in the ball mount clamp. This led to it being shattered the first time the head was removed and placed on a crane. I spoke with customer service at Vinten though and they were very easy to deal with and sent a replacement part immediately and I was able to begin using the tripod again quickly. I highly recommend this tripod, but definitely check all the parts to make sure everything is good before getting rid of your old tripod and using this in the field.

[64,000] Fast & sturdy,fluid non stick movement all for a fairly cheap price...Save a few thousand dollars until you really need it.

[8] I work for a video production company that uses the heavier duty Vinten sticks and heads and this thing has all of the bells and whistles of the big guys in a smaller package. Well worth every penny and then some. Super great value and quality.

[8] Head - Heavy, sturdy, smooth, professional quality. No whip-back on pans. Reliable partner in shooting where you have no attention on the tripod because you know it will always perform for you. Trustworthy. Variable pan and tilt drag by wheels, easy to find by touch and can be effortlessly adjusted while shooting. No clicks or steps on drag controls, infinitely variable in the slightest increments. Blue LED on level bubble, auto turns off in 20 sec. Runs on miniature 12 v battery. Looks cool. Functions perfectly. Exquisite manufacturing, beautiful design. Legs - Pozilock locks are very tight and positive. A little stiff now, but that's ok as I think they will loosen up a bit with more use. Very sturdy. Easy to drop legs on set up. Tripod opens up for very low position for ground-level shots. Very sturdy. When camera is in full zoom at 22x, tripod head and legs hold it steady so virtually no movement on image. Using Panny 160A, loaded (with battery, LED, 7 monitor with its battery, shot gun, cables, shoe adapters, articulating arm and wireless receiver.) Holds all steady. Spreader - Mid-level spreader has markings along the top of arms so you can see to what degree each extension is opened to match all three to the same length. Adjustable with locking wheels on each arm. Again, very well constructed, easy to use and adjust. Bag - Bag is beautiful and fits the system well, not too big, not too tight. Two inside pockets. One easily fits pan handle. Smaller pocket holds accessories. Zippers are heavy duty. Large outside clear plastic document sleeve holds paperwork, manual, if you want. (I'm currently not using it.) Love this system. Will be using it for a long time. A keeper.

[8] 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.

[8] 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.

[8] Fantastic tripod system, I've owned Sachtler 20 & 30's and for the buck this is by far the best deal out there, very smooth head, great design and a fantastic deal from B & H

[8] Once it is dialed in for your camera, it has a solid feel and smooth tilts and pans. I really like the quarter-turn click locks on the tripod legs. Excellent carry bag too.

[8] THis tripod is unbelievably smooth. No drag-back, no jerky starts, even at the highest drag setting. If you want smooth pans, to the point of not even being noticed, then this is for you. However lighter camcorders like my Canon XF100 are too light for the balance settings; hopefully this will be addressed by Vinten with a heavier mounting plate or something. Other than that, and being a tad heavy, this tripod is perfect.

[64,000] 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.