Sony VCT-R640 Lightweight Tripod for DSCV1/P41/W1/P93/P73/P92/P100/P150/F88/F828 Digital Cameras

Excellent tripod. Great quality. It fits perfectly in my Sony DVD650 camcorder and my Kodak digital camera.

My husband gave me a video-recorder for Xmas a few years ago, but my arms get so tired when I'm filming the plays my son is in. So, he got me this for this past Xmas. It is very functional. It was easy to set up. It is easy to extend its height. There are two extensions, in addition to the one shown. My camcorder fits perfectly. There is a nice lever/handle so you can turn/rotate the camera up and down or side to side without "bouncing." There is a level indicator, so you can level the stand on uneven ground.

Last weekend, my 9-year-old took a class at the science museum during which he made a telescope. His telescope fits on this tripod (although, technically, you'd want a taller tripod for a telescope. He's only 9, so he was VERY excited to be able to take it outside and view the night sky with the tripod. This is a perfectly functional well-priced tripod, for average, everyday, family use. So this tripod is versatile, as well.

My wife bought this tripod for me after an older one broke when I forced a retaining clip that was supposed to secure a telescoping leg segment in place, but did not hold well. The newer breed of tripods, this Sony tripod included, have a revised design for the retaining clips. Whether the new design will prove to be more robust than the previous generation is an empirical question; only time will tell. However, after looking at many models, both professional and moderately priced like this Sony, it appeared to me that all had the same retaining clip design. One can only hope that the clips will hold the extended leg segments securely in place and will be less fragile than the previous design.

The retaining clips aside, this Sony tripod has little to distinguish itself from the competition. The tilt/pan head does not distinguish itself for smooth movement, but it is adequate for the casual use to which I would put it. The black color is a nice touch, compared to the pewter color of many other tripods, but that is a matter of personal taste. I doubt that Sony is the manufacturer of such a pedestrian product, and my guess is that they are an OEM reseller that inflates the price by marketing it under their own brand name. Other tripods in this price range come with carrying cases. This does not, though the case from my broken tripod fits it. Some tripods have a hook at the bottom of the center tube from which stabilizing weights can be suspended. This model does not. And, it is mostly plastic except for the leg tubes and the tilt/pan handle. That is not necessarily bad, but, again, whether or not it will stand up under use is an empirical question.

Botom line: it works, but it is by no means outstanding, and it does not appear to be any better, nor any worse, for that matter, than the competition in the same price range. Perhaps the main distinguishing feature is the black color.

I like this tripod. I just use it for basic picture taking. It took me a while to figure out how to release the nob so it will take a vertical picture. Other than that, it does the job. Definitely can't beat the price.

I shopped around and priced the sony tripod and yours was more cost effective. I ordered and it seems like I got it the next day lol. That was fast. . . .
All the negative remarks made me think twice. But, I see that you can not believe all the negative remarks made about vendor products. For my part, I received a great product at a great price and good customer service. This has made my day lol.