Hama Traveller Compact Pro Tripod

I don't do many reviews of stuff I've bought but I've got one of these and so has a friend at my camera club and - in complete contrast to the original reviewer - we've both been extremely pleased with them so I feel I need to do it justice.

I've used it with my Canon EOS450D with lenses up to 300mm length and my friend has used it with his Nikon D90, he even tried it with a hefty medium format camera and was very impressed that it was able to handle that combination steadily. I've used it indoors at camera club nights and outdoors on long walks its light weight made a huge difference compared to the other tripod I used to lug about. No more aching arms or shoulders !

I even used it on the streets of London at night without it getting in anyone's way, the quick release was really useful when doing this. The only problem I found was a vibration when exposed to a strong wind but I dropped the legs a bit and hung my camera bag from the hook, hey presto a 6-second exposure of the buildings near the Thames at night came out nice and sharp with the flow of the water appearing just as it should - I've uploaded a crop of that to the user pictures.

I really appreciate the ability to vary the angle of the legs because I often find myself in a confined space (at the side of a waterfall or on rocks at the seaside for example) where I can't get the legs of a standard tripod to spread wide enough to be stable. I used to have to lug a heavy "profesional" tripod around to do that before. There's a subtle feature I like too, the locking clamps for the legs have been arranged so that all clamps can be locked or unlocked from the closed leg position at the same time with just one hand, makes setting up and taking down the tripod loads quicker and easier !

At this price I can only give it full marks as its great value for money.

Hama produce a range of budget accessories for photographers and video shooters. Their range of tripods are very popular as they are well built for the price and have all the basic functions expected of any tripod. The sort of features that appear on the Giottis and Manfrottos, which professionals insist upon, are often absent on budget equipment or the budget version is a pale reflection. This is where the Traveller Compact Pro is different.

Constructed from lightweight but robust materials the Traveller Compact Pro looks and feels like a very good piece of engineering. It is more compact than the budget tripods by some measure due to the additional leg section. The leg adjusters are robust and tight fitting. The telescopic leg sections slide out easily. The legs are fitted with retractable spikes and rubber feet at one end and alloy leg positioners at the other, designed to allow for a normal or splayed leg position. The QR Ball head is a high quality item suitable for loads up to 3 Kg (DSLR with Battery Grip & budget 300mm Zoom).

The removable central pillar is slid into position manually and has a detachable hooked section, which enables the pillar to be inverted allowing birds eye shots of close up subjects. This is one of the tripods best features as it opens up a world of possibilities when shooting macro. The replaceable steel hook is sturdy enough to hold a sizeable camera bag (tested to 5Kg), to produce a very sturdy platform, for all but gale force conditions. I wouldn't go any larger than a 5Kg bag when at full height, especially on a smooth or slippery surface as the thin lower leg sections may not take the weight. Reducing the leg length by a section would create a stronger leg and therefore heavier ballasts would be possible for extreme conditions. It is a matter of using a bit of good sense when applying loads to the hook but the design is well engineered and highly specc'ed to withstand all but the most abusive demands. The central pillar is also adjustable in length as it is in two sections. The lower section can be removed completely and the hook refitted to the upper section. This allows for the tripod to be stabilised with ballast in low level positions say with just 1 or 2 legs sections extended.

The ball head is well designed and unlike one reviewer I find the ball tension to be highly adjustable. Certainly not a simple tight or loose function. The test I used to judge this was to twist the ball whilst tightening the lever until the whole head & central pillar turned in the tripod. I made sure the pillar was tightened to a point where it would be difficult to turn the head without holding the tripod steady. When I did this I could adjust the ball tension very finely. As with any mechanical device there are always limits. If one mounts a camera and heavy lens whilst adjusting the head then more care is needed. Ideally, one should remove the camera, make the adjustment, then refit said camera. The QR adaptor is of excellent quality and has a brass safety lever to prevent accidental release. So if one does leave the camera on the head when adjusting position and the ball slips loose, the camera will not fall to the ground. Th QR platform also has a circular spirit level, which works just as well in the inverted position but is difficult to read in this position without lying down beneath it.

The general finish in a tough gun metal grey paint with warm touch soft rubber grips is very nice indeed. Not sure how long the logos on the rubber grips will last but as it may be stored in it's own heavy duty water resistant zippered carry bag they should last a good while. All nuts and bolts are black chromed hexagonal fasteners, and is a sign of high quality in my view. Even the hidden small cross head screw used to hold the hook in place is black chrome. That speaks volumes about the quality. I can assure you that if there were corners to be cut then that is where it would be made.

Overall an excellent item, which at [...] is at the upper end of the budget alloy tripods but is still well worth it. At [...] it is an absolute bargain and if it didn't have the feel that it will last for many years without damage I would have bought 2.

As soon as I saw and felt this tripod, I knew it was good so bought one straight away. My dad wanted to keep it when I showed it to him, so I had to buy myself another, then my dads friend wanted one, so again I was left without one for a while. Everybody who has seen it wants one, and that in itself is testement to how good it is.

As expected it is small and lightweight and comes complete with a suitable carry bag. It is solidly built and comfortable to carry due to the padding on the upper legs. The head is a ball and socket type which allows for very flexible movement, and the single locking screw tightens it up very well. The quick release mechanism has been really well thought out with a small locking lever to ensure you do not accidentally release the plate.

The legs can be used normally, or by turning a simple device at the top of each leg can be spread much wider for very low angle, and extra stability. The central column can be split and half removed to accomodate that low angle, and can also be inverted so that the camera hangs below the legs.

I use it mainly indoors photographing models that I have made and painted, and for this purpose it is more practical than the larger, heavier tripods which don't always allow for such a low viewpoint. It is very good as a lightweight travel tripod, but I still prefer to use a much heavier duty one if I am shooting with long exposure times or in windy conditions, but that of course depends on the practicalities of taking a heavy or light tripod to a location. Where space and weight needs to be taken into account, this is perfect.