Sturdy, robust

the locks and the placement of the center column adjustment

I use this tripod mainly for birdwatching with telescopes mounted on it. Thus sturdiness and quick setting up is important. The first is just perfect; however, the lock rings are tedious. It often happens that one can't operate them without using both hands. And when you think they are tightened, they reopen when you work on the next element. A particular bother is the center column. The fact that it must be tightened and losened below the base makes its operation unconfortable and slow. It would deserve 5 stars for its sturdiness, but only 3 for the locking rings.

Similar Products Used:

Manfrotto metal tripods 055 and 290

Very, very stable. Excellent design of collets (leg locks).

Weight. It is a little heavier than the 1228, but the height and stability makes up for it.

This is an excellent tripod. It is a little heavier than the Gitzo 1228 (about a pound) but the legs are 36mm diameter as opposed to 28mm. The max height of the tripod is MUCH higher, it is more stable and better suited to tall users. It is less expensive, seems tougher, the leg locks are much easier to use. I think this is a GREAT value in an amazing product.

Customer Service

Should be non-issue.

Similar Products Used:

Manfrotto

Very light weight. Very stable, even with my EOS3 + EF 500. Easy and smooth adjustment of legs as well as center column. Split column for close-to-ground shooting angles. Foam insulation on all legs gives great grip and warm hands.

Well... No snow shoes included - had to make my own.

I needed a light weight tripod sturdy enough for large telephoto lenses. After some research I decided to get the Velbon Sherpa Pro carbon 6300. I have never since regretted my decision. I consider it to be an engineering marvel.

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

Bogen 055

Best ratio of rigidity to height to weight of any tripod I have yet seen. Very smooth operation. Very versatile.

I have not used this tripod for long so time will tell as to the reliability and ease of repairs.

This is a review of the Carmagne 630, with three section legs and a weight of 1.35 Kg. I am very impressed by this tripod. On paper it appears to give the best height to weight performance of the lightwieght carbon fibre group and in practice it performs extremely well indeed. It is higher and lighter than my trusty Manfrotto 190 ( Bogen 3001 ) a lot lighter than my Manfrotto 055 ( Bogen 3021 ) and almost as tall as the 055. Rigidity with the column down or up is better than either of the aluminium Manfrotto tripods, and these are industry standards for rigidity. Used with a Manfrotto 056 ( Bogen 3025 ) head the Carmagne 630 is a very light, strong, versatile unit. The legs adjust very smoothly and the twist type leg locks need only one quarter turn to operate. Moderate tension holds the legs securely. Leg angle is adjustable to three positions with a simple system which works well. The centre column comes in half by simply unscrewing the upper and lower sections, permitting a very low operating height without fuss.

Customer Service

Not yet tested

Similar Products Used:

Manfrotto 055, Manfrotto 190, many other tripods from Gitzo, Velbon, Slik and others.

Lightweight, Sturdy, Strong, Good Price. The legs alone are only 1.16kg! Options available: Spirit level, stone bag (incl).You can buy a "set" that includes the PH-250 head and the QRA-635, for a special price.

The leg-locks are the screw/turn type. I would have preferred the lift-lever type for faster set-up and pack-up. Carry-bag is extra. Should have been included in the price.

I wanted something light, but sturdy, and I did not want to pay too much. So I have done a lot of research, and found that on paper, the Velbon Carmagne was the best. I got the 530-model, which is the tallest version. It is Carbon Magnesium, considerably lighter (1.16kg!) and cheaper than similar products from the competition: I looked at Gitzo, Manfrotto/Bogen and Slik. Furthermore there are several other advantages, eg the its minimum operating height is lower. Yet this is a quality product - the tripod, the head and the quick release are very solid and sturdy. Definitely good enough for 35mm body plus a long telephoto lens. Ps. I do recommend carry straps - like the ones made by Optech. It saves time.

Customer Service

Not used.

Similar Products Used:

No name brand tripod.

Stable, good damping, light enough that you have no excuse to leave it at home, short folded, versatile with the 3 position legs and reversable centre colum.

No spiked feet... well if you get the new MkIII they fixed that too. The centre colum is Al. Alloy not C/Fibre so don't extend it too high, doesn't damp as well as Carbon

I have the 640 Mk II with the PH-263 Ball Head. Wonderful tripod, stable, good damping, light, short folded, versatile with the 3 position legs and reversable centre colum. No spiked feet...

Customer Service

None

Similar Products Used:

Gitzo, Bogen

1. Excellent stability and vibration dampening. 2. Low weight and relatively short length when folded. 3. Wonderful twist leg locks, superior to the Gitzo's

None that I have found

This is an absolutely wonderful tripod. It is sturdy, solid, lightweight, smooth operating and beautifully made. It is easily a match for the comparable Gitzo tripods that I tested. In fact, the Velbon is lighter and more compact.

Carbon Fiber !!! Great build quality, light, and strong. Everything you could want in a Tripod.

The only thing I don''t care for is the fact that it does not have spiked feet with boots, other than that perfect.

I have the 630 three section Tripod. This is an absolutely fantastic Tripod. It''s as light as anything out there and stronger than almost all. I was thinking of getting a Gitzo in the same price range, but the weight is unbearable compared to the Carbon Fiber models. I think Gitzo makes some great equipment, but it seems nothing can beat Velbon''s Carmagne line in terms of quality and value. It has a magnesium alloy base, three steps variable leg positions with locks, a stone bag, reversable center column which lets you use it only a few inches off the floor if you wish. Great quality and nice twist locks. See my review of the Cup 10 monopod for another great piece of equipment. I also received this tripod as a special deal with a Velbon Velpro 10 Pan head. This head is quite smooth very solid, has bubble level and long pan handle. It is quite heavy though, probably weighs more than half the tripod weight. I really am going to use this with a Ball Head, but hey who am I to complain about getting an $80 head along with a $350 tripod for only $250 :)

Customer Service

Haven''t had to use it and I don''t think I will.

Similar Products Used:

I''ve tried them all and this is the one I decided to buy for myself.

I spent quite a while researching tripods before buying the 640. It came down to the Velbon vs. the Gitzo 1228.
The Velbon is lighter than the Gitzo, shorter when folded, and rated to carry a higher load. The leg joints are also easier to operate than the Gitzo (IMO), and it's much less expensive.

Doesn't have a hook at the bottom of the center column, but I was able to add one (10 minutes of work after buying the right hook at Home Depot).
Doesn't have spiked feet.

At $200 less than the comparable Gitzo and with better specifications, my choice was easy. I have used my Velbon on numerous occasions while hiking and backpacking and could not be happier.

Customer Service

No experience, didn't need it.

Similar Products Used:

Gitzo 1228, 1227 and Bogen CF.

Dampens quickly. My tripod came with a "stone bag" which straps to the three legs for adding weight. This does not compromise use of the center column by adding weight there.

None so far...after 2 1/2 years of use.

Probably the last tripod I will buy unless I drive a tank over it.

Customer Service

No need so far.

Similar Products Used:

Gitzo, Bogen, Linhof, and numerous other "weird" designs.