Slik Professional Universal Deluxe Tripod with 3-Way Panhead and Panoramic Photo Guide |  | Brand: Slik
Category: Photography
Buy New: $129.95
as of 8/1/2010 02:04 EDT details
New (4) from $129.95
Seller: Gigabargain
Rating:  37 reviews
Media: Electronics
Maximum Weight Recommendation (lbs): 5.5
Shipping Weight (lbs): 7
Dimensions (in): 28 x 6 x 6
Warranty: 1 year warranty
MPN: U-212DX
Model: U-212DX
UPC: 049368700184
EAN: 0049368700184
ASIN: B00006I5SI
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | A heavier-duty tripod designed for flexible use by more serious photographers | | • | The angle for each leg is adjustable for stable support on graded ground | | • | Smooth swivel head with Quick-release camera post | | • | Lens calibrated panorama guide | | • | Extends to a maximum of 63 inches |
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| Accessories:
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
The award winning U 212 DX is world-renowned designing that has carefully evolved for more than 20 years. Designed primarily for light weight 35mm SLR cameras or compact film and digital cameras, it features a number of exciting design concepts that were born with the original U 212 and have been copied into other tripods world-wide.The U212 deluxe was one of the first tripods to feature speed release leg locks on three-section "NON-TWIST" squared legs that will not turn and have retractable rubber leg tips and spikes for sure footing on any surface.The quick release camera post is smaller than most quick release plates and can be left on the camera almost all the time, so the camera is always ready to be mounted on the U-212 DX's ultra-smooth 3-way pan-head. The head has a lens calibrated panorama guide to make 360 &Mac176; panoramas from multiple pictures. A geared center column makes fine height adjustments easy.A threaded mounting post on one leg lets you bring the camera down to just 8 inches (200 mm) from the ground for low angle photos, macro photography in the field, or copy work. The head also includes a bubble level for accurate vertical positioning.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 37
 Strong and Reliable for Outdoor Photography April 2, 2010
Bob J (Kenai, Alaska - USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Very strong for people on the go. We needed a rugged tripod capable of holding large heavy video cameras and DSLR's with a large telephoto lens. Traveling in the back-country of Alaska, the equipment we choose must withstand some uncharacteristically rough environments. This tripod is just what we were looking for.
For the money - GET IT March 26, 2010
jeremy n (Fort Collins, CO)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Nice tripod. I was expecting a little bigger quick release system, but it does the job. Very sturdy for my canon 7d. I use it for video and it's actually small enough to travel with!
Lasted me over 22 years so far and still going strong. March 23, 2010
H. Hatje (UT, USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Over two decades ago I was shown this tripod and recommended to buy it. Having looked at all the kinds out there, I have to admit, I made the right choice getting this one. I bought this tripod with a different head, however. The head I got back then, and still use today, is the Slik Pro Trigger Release Ball Head for Digital SLR Cameras which I have also NEVER regretted purchasing. All in all it was a $200 package and it could do so much more than most regular tripods.
Firstly, tripod has rectangular legs and clips which allow the tripod to extend and raise to about six feet. The legs can also be adjusted so that the tripod is almost on the ground, which allows for low-angle photography. To get even lower, the head can be mounted on the leg and when lowered to the ground, you can get really low-angles for macro and flower photography. An additional mount is on the underside of the mast, allowing the camera to me mounted in an invert manner so to allow for photo "copying" or to allow the mounting of weights to the tripod so as to stabilize it from movement (with additional hardware that is optional).
The Pro Trigger Release Ball Head that I purchases also is great, because it only requires one hand to use, or it can be loosened so that the operator can freely move the camera.
Having lugged this tripod through forests, parks, across national borders, through airports and on long road-trips, I can attest that this tripod is of HIGH quality and worthy for any photographer (pro to amateur) who is willing to afford it. Well worth the $200 I paid for my version. You won't be disappointed.
Great Tripod February 13, 2009
Johnny A. Anderson (Seattle, WA USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I bought this tripod about a year after it hit the camera stores. I have owned a couple of tripods but this is the only one I've kept. It still works as good today as it did over 30 years ago. You can't say that about many products today.
You can get to a few inches of the ground with it for macro or low angle shots. Since the legs adjust independently, it's great on uneven ground or for bracing on rock walls, etc. I haven't found any situation where I couldn't get it braced securely to get my shot. It's still going strong for me!!
 A classic, but could use a couple additions.. January 23, 2009
H. Laser (Left Coast)
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
Back in 1978 I bought a Minolta XG9 SLR, lenses, a ton of accessories, a Cokin Filter system, and a couple years later, the original Slik U-212, the one with the green dial on side, not the later one with the red dial.. The Slik was $80.00 brand new at a local camera store. I spent roughly $1500.00 on that whole system, buying more stuff when I could afford it.. it's way too easy to get addicted to buying photography equipment, and the kiddies who carry around a cheapie digital camera don't know what they missed.. shooting on film was an entirely different experience.. you really had to LEARN a lot because you'd never know how your shots came out until you got your prints or slides back..
So in my mind, there's just something about shooting on film like there is with vinyl LPs versus CDs or digital music files.. there's more hassle involved, more equipment needed..
While a 30 year old turntable can't play CDs.. a 30 year old tripod works fine with a modern digital camera.. the oldest tripod around will never be obsolete, as long as cameras have those universal threaded mounting holes on their bottoms..
In the early 1990s, when hard-up for cash, in a fit of madness, but out of necessity, I sold my entire 35mm system, including the Slik to a friend.. well I just got it all back last week, for free!.. since my friend hadn't used it for years, and had stored it all in his closet..
The Slik was still in its original box!.. it was like seeing an old pal that I'd been without for many years.. now I'm using it again with digital cameras..
Plusses - The U212 is a classic design, around since the late 70s or early 80s.. adjustable in just about every conceivable way.. very thoughtful features like the parking hole for an extra camera mounting post.. huge, fast-action ball-bearing level window instead of a tiny water bubble.. independent legs that aren't linked to the center elevator post means they have an almost infinite range of positions.. Slik's quick release leg extension levers.. rare back then, common nowadays.. the unique "no twist" leg design, big, easy-to-use controls and knobs - you could adjust anything on it while wearing gloves without a problem.. lots more I could say about it, but the build quality is top notch, the materials are excellent, and I just love the thing and can't see why I'd ever have to buy any other brand or model of tripod.. it was a radically new design back then, and a classic one now..
A few minuses - mostly metal, at six pounds, it's a tad on the heavy side.. at this price point, it should come with the carrying bag in the box.. it doesn't.. it should also have a carrying handle on one of the legs somewhere.. it doesn't, so after you crank and fold it back down, it can be a somewhat clumsy to carry.. where, exactly does it want to be held so you don't mash your fingers.. unless you buy the optional bag.. or have some other bag that'll hold it, this is problematic..
After spending many years in its box in a closet, the adhesive holding the rubber pad to the panhead / camera platform gave out and fell off.. I'll just hit that pad's underside with a hot glue gun and that should take care of that..
No product is perfect, and the much cheaper Chinese Vanguard AK2OS I was given as a gift a year or two ago, is far from junk.. it has some thoughtul features (gadget bag hook, beefy, well-centered carrying handle, heavy-duty bag in the box, ability to remove the whole panhead and mount it to a car window).. that I wish I could "graft" onto the Slik U-212..
For some, this may be a minus, for others, maybe not, but it'd be nice to have a gadget bag hook somewhere on the Slik..
But while hardly junk, the Vanguard just feels cheaper to me, although it looks as though its designers studied the Slik U-212.. and learned a few things about how to make a tripod..
The fact that even the first circa 1980 Slik U-212s sell on a certain, well-known auction site for almost the same price as a brand new one, and the fact that Slik is still around making and selling them, and that the latest incarnation has barely changed from its 1980 ancestor, attests to the demand for them.. if there was no demand, they'd sell used for peanuts.. or Slik would've discontinued it.. but they don't.. and they didn't..
Like I said, no product is perfect, so I'll give it four stars simply for the lack of a bag hook, a carrying handle, and no tote bag in the box.. no complaints about the way it operates, its range of, number of, and design of its knobs and levers all makes sense to me..
If I had to give up one of these two tripods, the Vanguard would go, and I'd keep my circa 1980 Slik U-212.. despite those few missing features, it's a classic design that any camera nut should be proud to own, and enjoy using.. I'm glad to have mine back again..
Showing reviews 1-5 of 37
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