SmallRig AD-100 FreeBlazer Heavy-Duty Carbon Fiber Tripod System, 78" Video Tripod with One-Step Locking System, 360° Fluid Head and Dual-Mode Quick-Release Plate, Max Load 22 lbs for Camera -3989

Super-impressed with the build quality and overall sturdiness of this tripod. I have been using a $120 tripod prior to this, and that one now looks and feels like a toy. (I had experienced a lot of shake in video footage, now completely cured.) And the fluid head is great for smooth panning footage — the panning head is another very high quality piece of this kit. And the 75mm bowl with levelling option is just great, superior in every way to what I had previously.I decided to spring a little (lot?) extra for a tripod that could do both DSLR video work as well as serve as a tripod for a 1300mm focal length telescope, and I think I've chosen well. With the spreader at maximum and the tripod at minimum height I think this is as good as any dedicated entry-level telescope tripod available.Cons (not really cons, just things to consider): Despite the carbon fiber materials, this thing weighs a bit, especially with a camera rig or telescope on board (though it's probably ‘light-weight’ for what it does). And it comes with a good-quality carrying bag, but size-wise you might be mistaken for someone lugging a sniper rifle — WAY bigger than my previous folding tripod. And then there's the cost ...All in all, I'm very happy with my purchase, and would recommend this unit to anyone in the market for a ultra-sturdy and high quality tripod.

This is a big upgrade for me compared to my older Ulanzi video tripod. I used to have a few older tripods from the 90s and 00’s used for photography but I got this tripod for my fx3 I use for YouTube. Compared to my old photography tripods, this feels insanely professional in terms of quality. I think it’s even built better and has better features than an older $500 ifootage tripod. I looked at tons of tripods while shopping equipment for my studio and this seems, by far, the absolute best for the money. I don’t plan on taking it out of the studio but this is amazingly lightweight for it’s large size and would work phenomenally well for semiprofessional videographers who need something sturdy but lightweight enough to take with them on shoots.

This is my best tripod to date. The ease of adjusting the height, the quick release, and the quality is awesome for the price.

exceeded my expectations for sure

There's so many amazing videos and reviews of this tripod so I'll keep it short from a "How has it helped my video business" perspective.I was using an 15 year old Manfrotto tripod photo legs with a fluid head mounted on top. This upgrade wasn't because it was needed, but more a curiousity of what a proper video tripod would bring (the video company I contract for doesn't need the latest tripods as 50%+ of our work is Gimbals). The SmallRig Freeblazer looked to be a great upgrade because of functionality and price. After buying it and testing it out for several months, the Freeblazer has pretty much it's been the perfect storm in every possible upgrade a tripod user would want. But instead of a cat 5 hurricane in price like some video tripods, it's a been a cat 1 that packs a really hearty punch.I enjoy everything about this tripod. The material its made of, the fluidity, the small controls to tune things, and also the fact I can take my camera off the gimbal and put it right on this. There's a lot of small quality of life stuff that makes this tripod work very well. If there's anything to knock a few points off, it's the plastic used for the locking mechanism, it feels a little cheap/weak in comparison to the rest of the tripod. I'm sure this is one of the ways SmallRig can lower the price, but it feels like it's a problem for future me when it either breaks, or loosens. Though it's such a high composite material there's a chance there will be no issues.It's one of those Cliche "I wish I done it sooner" moments, but the reality is it wasn't really possible. This is a newer product, more recently released, and most of the issues have been resolved. It feels like waiting actually paid off because now we get a tripod that does what $1500 tripod does at 20% the cost.This thing has been amazing, and I'm super happy it's been purchased. It's been a killer business purchase and has already done over 30 events without hitch or issues.