I've had my new tripod for a few days now and have had it out to the wildlife preserve twice. My early impressions are mostly good. It is very stable as long as I don't have the center post extended up too far. This hasn't been a problem so far because with me being a hair over 5'10" it is almost the perfect height for me with the legs fully extended. At most I have had the center post up a few inches on a couple of shots taken on a hill with the legs adjusted to level the camera. The few cons that I have noticed are minor, and in one case hopefully temporary. The levers for spreading the legs are VERY stiff. Stiff enough that my stepdaughter cannot operate them. I have read in several reviews that they will loosen up a bit with use. We shall see. In an case, I can operate them with a bit of effort. The other thing I have figured out, almost learning a very expensive lesson, is that you have to pay attention to the orientation of the legs relative to your camera when you use the 90 degree function of the center post. Especially with a heavy camera like my D500! It will tip over without warning and if you are not holding onto it as I was, it could get ugly fast! It is fine if I position the legs properly, and when I can't due to terrain, I use the counter balance hook on the tripod which keeps everything stable. So far, after a small sample, I love it. It is such a Huge improvement over the Walmart Velbon that I have been using that It doesn't even really compare.
The other part of the purchase was the XPro Ball Head. This is my first Ball Head, so I have nothing to compare it to. It is fairly easy to use and I have only had a few issues with it. Mostly missing bird shots while fiddling with the controls, trying to get it adjusted. I will need some more practice with it before I can decide if I like it or if I want to try something else.
The other part of the purchase was the XPro Ball Head. This is my first Ball Head, so I have nothing to compare it to. It is fairly easy to use and I have only had a few issues with it. Mostly missing bird shots while fiddling with the controls, trying to get it adjusted. I will need some more practice with it before I can decide if I like it or if I want to try something else.
