TR424L ProMediaGear Pro-Stix 77 4-Section Carbon Fiber Long Tripod with Top Plate

I bought this tripod as a possible replacement for a discontinued Feisol that I had used for 10 years. I had recently started doing long-exposure landscape/waterscape shooting, both digital and film. For those shots for which the tripod was set up in either moving water or very strong wind, I was noticing a reduction in sharpness in the long-exposure images and so began to look for a tripod which offered more vibration dampening properties. Because of my very positive experience with RRS ballheads I was ready to buy an RRS tripod but was a bit hesitant given the prices. I had never heard of PMG until watching some Youtube videos comparing RRS with PMG. Although prices were comparable I decided to give the PMG a try. As a very unscientific but very practical test, I set up both tripods to a height that allowed me to view the LCD screen of my Canon 5D IV at eye level. I then mounted a 70-200mm 2.8 L non IS on the camera and alternated between my old Feisol and this new PMG, focusing on a wall target at 200mm to fill about 85% of the viewfinder frame. Once mounted I switched on live-view and observed the wall target as I repeatedly tapped the middle leg section of first one tripod, remounted the camera on the other tripod and tapped again. I thought this method would approximate the effects of having the tripod set up in moving water. Given the difference in age, weight and build quality of the two tripods for which the PMB clearly outclassed the Feisol, I fully expected to see some difference in the amount of vibration transmitted to the camera. What I didn’t expect was the amount of difference I was able to see on those live view images. The wall target seemed to literally dance for several seconds after tapping the Feisol leg. On the PMG there was also noticeable vibration as well but exponentially less than the Feisol and for only a very brief moment. I swapped the camera back and forth several times, repeating this rudimentary experiment and the results were the same each time. Regarding real-world vibration dampening of the PMG as expressed by the sharpness of images obtained, after 15 months of continuous use I have zero complaints with the images produced with this tripod. But if you're looking of a lightweight tripod for hiking or backpacking this may not be it. With a leveling base and ballhead mounted it approaches 9 lbs. Read more

In my opinion there is no better tripod at any cost. I am old enough to have tried way too many tripods. This tripod and their gimbal head allows one to photograph birds is flight with great accuracy. You will not find a better setup for wildlife, it will serve me for the rest of time. I shoot a Nikon Z9 with 600mm glass. It is very heavy and when it is on the gimbal head it rotates on ball bearing and no drag even while I was shooting in Haines Alaska, with rain and snow and 16 degree weather. Perfection is all I can say, Read more

This tripod is a very high quality piece of photography equipment. I have a number of their products and will likely buy more as the need arises primarily due to their quality and reliability. So far, I have not had any bad or accidental experiences with any of my ProMedia Gear equipment. Read more

This thing is awesome!! Read more