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4.0 Inches | Home » » » Zeikos ZE-TR101A 72-Inch Photo / Video Tripod includes Deluxe Carrying Case for Use with Camcorders and Digital Cameras | | | | | | | Description: | | The Zeikos 72-Inch Photo and Video tripod features a special carrying handle as well as a professional foam grip. It has self leveling rubber leg tips as well as built-in bubble levels. It has a 3-way pan head and 3 section legs. It includes a deluxe carrying case and has a 10 year limited warranty. | | | Features: | |
• Extends to 72-Inch
• Non slip foam for an easy grip
• 3 way pan head
• Mid level bracing system
• Bubble level
| | | Product Details: | | | Product Length:
| 4.75 inches | | Product Width:
| 4.75 inches | | Product Height:
| 28.0 inches | | Product Weight:
| 4.75 pounds | | Package Length:
| 28.0 inches | | Package Width:
| 5.0 inches | | Package Height:
| 5.0 inches | | Package Weight:
| 5.15 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 38 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 38 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
55 of 59 found the following review helpful:
 A cheapo tripod with heightApr 22, 2010
By A. Lohr
First off, I would have given the tripod a 2 1/2 star rating if possible, but opted for 2 over 3 to balance against what I deem to be excessively positive reviews.
When I started shopping for a tripod, my main concern was to find something affordable that had enough height that I would rarely have to raise the center column (this seriously compromises stability) and would allow me to take vertical photos which my Velbon 607 Videmate does not (if you're shopping for a tripod for video, the 607 is an amazing tripod for the money). By the description and reviews, this tripod appeared to fit the bill.
When it arrived I was initially impressed by the apparent quality of the tripod. While the legs aren't heavy duty or more expensive material, the same money at Best Buy won't get you something as sturdy or tall, and the padding, carrying handle and functional dual bubble levels seemed like icing on the cake.
The main problem, however, lies in the quick release plate. For those who don't know, this is the component you attach to the bottom of your camera that allows it to latch onto the tripod. The issue is that it simply isn't very secure on the camera itself. I bought this tripod mainly so I can shoot vertical (portrait) photos, but if I put my old, 80-200 telephoto lens on this thing and turn it for a vertical shot, it simply spins and points downward. The camera and lens together weigh between 2-2.5 pounds.
I tried tightening the screw on the plate as tight as I could, but the small plastic knob is impossible to get a firm grip around. It does have a shallow notch with which you can use a nickel to tighten it further, but after two uses I can already see the plastic stripping away. And after tightening as far as it would go, the camera would still spin loose with the lightest touch.
It does, however, seem to work ok when using a very light lens like the stock 18-55, so maybe it won't be so bad when I get my new, lighter telephoto lens, but I'm not terribly optimistic.
The second issue I have also deals with the tripod head. When you tilt the head for a vertical shot, the thing goes about 10 degrees past vertical, which means you need to manually align the camera by pushing it left and right on a sticky, plastic hinge, and neither bubble level is designed to help you in this regard. You'll just have to eye it up.
Third and finally, while the leg clamps do keep the legs from slipping, a few of them pop loose with hardly any force. Just brushing against it with the seam of your jeans is enough to pop it loose and cause a leg segment to suddenly collapse.
So ultimately, if you need a cheap but tall tripod (I'm 5'11" and don't need to extend the center column on this thing), and either don't really need vertical photos or are using a very light camera, this isn't that bad. However, for my DSLR I'm wishing I spent a bit more and got something with a better quality head. Also, if you're looking for something for video, I'd recommend going with the Velbon 607 if you have any intention of panning while filming as this thing is far too sticky.
24 of 26 found the following review helpful:
 Great For The PriceFeb 09, 2009
By Scott Hildenbrand
"Re@ctance"
Its easy to give this product five stars because it performs amazingly and the price it outstanding. I've used this tripod for all sorts of projects from photography to time lapse work and night work using infrared cameras. Every camera it has held well and sturdy and has performed without any flaws. It has great height to get low to high shots which for me makes overview work easy.
14 of 16 found the following review helpful:
it's ok I guessOct 02, 2009
By drderek
I recently bought this tripod for a family trip to the beach. I am relatively new to slr photography and this is my first tripod.
When the tripod first arrived the knob for setting the head for portrait shots would not stay on. However I called customer service and they did send me replacement knob for the one that turned out to be stripped.
Even so, that function of the head is more or less useless since the swivel is not strong enough to really stay where you set it and the weight of the camera pulls it down. Fortunately I figured out that you can take portrait shots anyway simply by putting the camera on sideways and using the tilt.
Since I was at the beach, naturally I attempted some sunrise/sunset landscape shots. This is how i found out that the bubble level is pretty much useless. I figure either the bubble is wrong, or it levels the legs beautifully and the poorly-made head doesn't sit level on them, or the ocean itself is off level. I did notice that even after everything was leveled, panning would throw it off again which makes me think its the head and not the un-level ocean. Either way it was a hassle to have to look through the viewfinder whilst leveling the legs every time you wanted to pan or move the tripod.
Overall, I guess it did what its supposed to, although I will definitely be looking for a better tripod that won't be such a pain in the neck to set up each shot. I guess I should have listened to what other people have posted on the net about bargain tripods, but I guess you have to try everything for yourself before you can fully understand.
6 of 6 found the following review helpful:
Can't pan smooth, too jerkyAug 19, 2011
By TomzeAsmara
I bought this item for my cam corder. But it will not pan smooth, each time I want to pan to the sides or up-down, it will jerk and make a cracking sound. Worse the cracking sound is recorded and when watching the video I recorded, there is this cracking sound and jerky move. I hate this tripod. i should have spend a couple of bucks and bought better ones at the higher end. If you are planning to make a professional looking video, don't buy this tripod. only buy it if you are going to use it for camera photoshots. I hope this review helps to people who are looking for a tripod with a smooth panning.
9 of 11 found the following review helpful:
Zeikos AE-TRI101A reviewJul 20, 2009
By Newell Roundy
I recently returned from a photographic trip for my company taking over 1400 pictures and used the Zeikos tripod extensively. I am very pleased with it's performance. My product test usually is; "would I buy another one?". Absolutely!
See all 38 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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