Large, Strong and stable build, bubble levels, Carrying bag, price.

None, a really well thought out and good quality unit especially for the cost.

I read alot of rebiews about this tripod on amazon.com. they were all great. I decided to go to Adorama camera and see the unit for myself and also compare it to other tripods.
I had the Slik Able 300 and liked the build quality of it, so I was confident in the Slik name to give me a quality tripod. Having bought a new and heavier DSLR and also planning to use a Nodalninja Panorama head on it, I needed something more robust than the Able 300.
After opening it up and setting it up in the store, I was amazed at how huge this thing is. It is not all that bulky closed, but open it up all the way and it's a monster. I'm not certain of the specks, but fully extended with center column all the way up I believe the camera would be 7ft off the ground. I need a step stool to see through the view finder. the build and quality is sound and steady. Excellent quality, for any price. I had the salesman send up several different tripods for comparison, and nothing even close to this price range could compare. I looked at a few Bogens, Davis/ Sanford, and adoramas own brand of Carbon fiber tripods.
A Bogen 3021 was not a bad tripod, but it's size was limited. Center column would have to be fully extended to achieve eye level (I'm 5' 11") and set up like that is not very stable. Good for it's size but even a bit more money than the Slik.
Adoramas own brand seemed very good, but in the same price range there were only small tripods available. You would have to pay more than twice the amount for a similiar size system.
I went with the Slik 700DX. No regrets. The tripod is so tall that i never have to extened the center column giving me a very stable support for the camera. But if I needed the extra height, it's there. quick release levers make setting up and taking down a quick and simple chore. The sturdy pan head has two bubble levels. The legs spread out independantly and fully spread out brings the tripod very low, to the point that only the center column keeps it from getting lower. No problem or need to get a shorter column. The center column unscrew quickly to half it's size thus allowing the tripod to get down to about 15" off the ground with camera on top. Simple, and effective. This tripod also uses a new quick plate release system by Slik that is a round disk. The camer can be mounted onto the head at any position and locked in place. I was woried that the camera could possibly slip and twist in the portrait position, but it seems to hold very secure once locked in.
There is a heavy duty Ball head that would match this tripod pefectly and also uses the same quick release system. I think it is called the Pro 800, an excellent option for someone not liking a pan head on this unit.
This tripod also comes with a carrying bag.

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None needed

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Slik Able 300

I bought this 3 years ago for $99.99 less my 10% Pro Discount at Penn Camera (I just pulled the receipt to check). It is now $159.on their website. At either price this tripod is a bargain.
It is rock solid. Those of you who are my age remember the old Bogen ads...well if it had the points on the feet (which is how Bogen kept his tripod legs from spreading under his weight) this baby could hold Mr Bogen, though I can't imagine he would be too comfortable.
It is actually light for its size.They say 7 pounds, but I cut down my center column (see weaknesses) and changed the head so mine is closer to 6 pounds. You can reverse the center column and bring the head right down to the floor. A clever rubber stopper prevents you from accidentally pulling out the center column.
It does not have metal points on the feet which is very good because I never found a place where I could use them and many buildings will not let you use such a tripod even if the points are retracted (I have had problems with my Gitzo and Bogen).
Legs can be set to three angles which is great for shooting on uneven surfaces and stairs. The joints are rock solid, even after 3 years of use.
It is a snap to set up and tear down (you will not loose the skin on your hand as you do with Gitzos screw collars. I have literally missed shots setting up my Gitzo especially in cold weather.
The head did not interest me, it was a fluid head, the one they show on it now is a 3 way head but does not look so solid. I sold the fluid head on e-bay (therefore I am not really qualified to comment).
I use it mostly for DSLR, it is rock solid even with my 70-200 2.8 L IS and I have used it with my Sinar 4 x 5 and 8 x 10 with a Lumpp head, it does not move!
As far as sturdiness, I have been forced on several occasions to check it on airplanes, I have put a return address tag on it and checked it through unprotected and it has always come out on arrival without damage (if it had been a Gitzo it probably would never have even come out!).

I have posted bellow the description from Penn Camera's website:
Using Tri-Titanium™, a new, super strength alloy comprised of aluminum, magnesium and titanium, the SLIK Pro 700DX Tripod has a strength-to-weight ratio more than 40% greater than comparable tripods in its class. The distinctive color from this unique alloy formula, further adds to the professional appearance and capabilities the Pro 700DX Tripod has to offer.
Weighing only 7 lb. (3.2 kg.) the Pro 700DX is equally at home indoors or on the road, providing solid support for equipment weighing up to 15 lb. (7 kg.) and to its maximum operating height of 74.8" (1900mm). Individual leg angle adjustments, permit three distinctive settings for unusual terrain or low angle camera use. Minimum operating height is a mere 24.4" (620mm) with the standard center column, or a ground hugging 15.8" (400mm) when the optional short center column is employed.
The 3-way pan head of the SLIK Pro 700DX, features individual locking controls for pan and tilt, as well as 360 degree rotation of its Quick Release Platform. The cylindrical shaped Quick Release Platform, permits fast camera mounting, removal or action panning. The flat base design of the platform also permits setting equipment down without concern of its accidentally tipping over. The platform is secured in place with a dual locking system that permits either full camera rotation or quick removal from the tripod head. Supplied with the Pro 700DX pan head, is a standard, 1/4x20 thread Quick Release Platform. Also available, as an optional accessory, is a 3/8's European size version. Both Quick Release Platforms are the same as those for SLIK's new Pro Ball Head 800, eliminating the need to remove the platform when transferring equipment from one SLIK Pro tripod product to another.

You probably do not want to use the head that comes with it. But you can get beer money for it on E-bay (think of it as a ten percent discount)! A ball head would probably cost them less to produce. I currently use a Bogen 486RC2 which looks like it was made for it.

The center column can still slide a bit with huge weight (we are talking about large L series lenses or an 8 x 10, but I solved that by adding a strip of masking tape down the length of the column. You will not have a problem with less than 20 pounds on top of the head.

The center column is a bit too long. So I cut mine down. It lets me get down low without having to reverse the center column. I am 5'11" and never need the full length of the center column. You can also evidently buy a short center column.

Dark silverish finish on legs reflects light (about equal to Gitzo). Most of the light that might show up in an image is reflected by the uppermost section of the legs, so mine is wrapped in black electrical tape. The tape also is a tad bit less uncomfortable to handle in extreme cold.

you will love this tripod!

Rock Solid, even after 3 years of heavy use! bought it because I was sick of my Gitzo's screw tight collars and my Bogen is not sturdy enough for large format.

Customer Service

Trust me, with this tripod you won't need customer service!

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There are lots of tripods out there, so there might be something similar. I am not a gear junkike I find the thing that works and modify it to make it perfect for me and stick with it. Probably why I still shoot 4 x 5 and 8 x 10!

*Price *Features are logical, easy to operate and very reliable so far. *Limbs are solid as seasoned oak but not overly-heavy. *For the stability it provides, it's reasonably light and compact. *Ideal for taller photographers and for shooting subjects in trees, cliffs, tall buildings and other high angles. *Extremely stable even when extended for a lanky photographer. If you are 5'10" (172 cm) or taller and have limited funds, get this model and use the savings for better glass, and some quality filters, something like that. This will get it done. Thank you Slik--money well earned.

Not the most useful model for shorter photographers. In fact, I advise against buying this unit unless you're of above-average height. A visiting professor of graphic arts is 5'4" (162 cm) and she finds it annoying to use, while conceding it is very stable.

I teach at a state university. One photography textbook after another says that with tripods, "You get what you pay for." Much though I despise that vacuous cliche, it is mostly true with tripods. The stable, reliable and rugged ones cost somewhere north of $300 in most cases. This tripod is a glaring exception. It is everything I've looked for in a tripod and cheaper. I initially bought it only because I'm a taller person (6'2") and my part-time employee is taller yet, roughly 6'6" (about 200 cm). But this tripod has proven to be more than merely big--in fact, it's the best overall value of my entire stock of photography gear. And I see from other reviews they haven't raised the price in several years, for which we should be grateful.

Customer Service

Can't imagine I'll ever need it--I'll probably leave it in my will.

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Gitzo G1228 and Velbon 544, the former excellent in almost every way but overpriced (I sold it for what I thought was an excessive sum--it must have cache among gear geeks), the latter cheap but not stable nor reliable (my kids like it, though).

Inexpensive, Pro-Quality build, Adaptable, Well engineered.

None

What an incredible find for a guy like me on limited means. I shoot used Pentax 645 gear on the street. Needed something inexpensive, sturdy and adaptable to someone one the move. This tripod fits my needs well, Thanks SLIK.

Customer Service

None needed

strong and easy

to cheap

wauw what i tripod,Built like a chevy 57,or Rolex watch..its a very overseen tripod and a shame its not more aprreciated! I use Two as a pro work partner and find them very very strong and good. The best in the branch and up or better to any competitor !! BUY IT!

Customer Service

nope..its a dx 700!!

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many from manfrottos gitzos bogen slik

Well built, rugged, sturdy with quick release legs and camera mount, 4 way pan/tilt head, great height options and two bubble levels.

Not the most compact, but it's worth the extra weight for the sturdiness offered. Have used a Velbon tripod for backpacking these past 14 years, and this tripod will certainly outlast the Velbon. The optional Slik tripod pack is worth the investment.

This tripod can't be beat at twice the price, just an exceptional piece of equipment at a really affordable price.

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NA

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Gitzo, Velbon

Leg releases are sturdy but firm, pan/tilt head is well damped, quick mount mechanism is sturdy and works very well, lightweight but good overall height at maximum extension, all controls seem well-made and hold firmly.

Center column movement could be a bit smoother but that's mostly nitpicking.

What a bargain. I actually prefer this tripod to much more expensive Gitzos, Tiltalls, etc. that I've owned. Leg releases are sturdy. Lots of good, practical design thinking clearly went into this. I use it with a Canon 10D and 1Ds and it's a good match for either.

Customer Service

Never used.

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Leitz Tiltall, various Gitzo, various heads

Very sturdy and not too heavy, 4-way pan/tilt head, priced reasonably well, great for travelling (with a small tripod bag), easy flip-and-release leg locks, reversable center column for copy work, accepts two kinds/sizes of sockets, quick -release top plate, and my favorite...two bubble levels. This tripod will probably last me a lifetime if I treat it well. It's a quality product, and was money well spent.

None I can see.

The perfect 35mm tripod (for me, anyway). Here's why....

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N/A

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N/A

Solid construction Very stable

None for purposes intended

Since purchasing this product a couple of months ago, I have shot near 100% of my outdoor photos with it. Very stable, at all angles, with Elan 7, 75-300 zoom, and 420 EX flash. Pictures extremely sharp up to 10 x 15 inches (haven't made any larger than 10x15 thus far). Love this tripod.

Customer Service

not needed

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none

Tall Light Great performance, low price. Latch locks (not twist) Great quick release. Multi-angle Legs

None that I can think of. We don't get ice or snow in the winter, so the lack of ice points is not a weakness to me.

This tripod is an excellent bargain. Bogen and Gitzo equivalents are twice as much. It's a very sturdy and tall tripod. There's really no need to use the extension unless you need a high angle. Plus, it's rather light for it's size. The leg's can be set to three different angles, which is useful. And I personally like the Pan/Tilt head, although a ball head would be more to my liking. I do plan on purchasing one soon. The quick release plate is great.