Hakuba Branner BR5-SG Photographic/Video Tripod
by Hakuba USA, Inc.
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Our Price: $49.85
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Category: Digital Camera
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: Hakuba USA, Inc.Model: BR5-SG
Product features:
- 3-way pan head with quick release
- Geared center column
- Locking leg brace design
- Braced, 5-section pin-leg design
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Hakuba Branner BR5-SG Photographic/Video Tripod
Customer Review: Lightweight, for good and bad
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought the silver version of this tripod for use while hiking - my goal was really to find the lightest tripod that would support a reasonably heavy camera. This tripod fits the bill: folds to under 15", weighs less than 2 lbs, and has a 4-way pan head with quick release that has a max listed weight of 5 lbs. (And I didn't want to spend the $$ necessary to go carbon fiber.)
The pros: Yes, it is all of the above. I had no problem with a 3-4 lb camera setup (although I note that this is a pretty balanced setup - I don't have a long lens, so I don't know how this tripod functions with an unbalanced load). Set up is pretty easy - pull out the legs, and the center column braces with the tighten of a screw. The top leg section has a flip lock, so it's fairly easy to shorten one or two of the legs to work on uneven surfaces.
The cons: The center column post, when extended to full height, is very shaky. Great if you don't have to touch your camera, but I avoid extending this if at all possible. I'm also not a fan of the pin-lock legs - I couldn't always tell if they were locked or not, and sometimes I just didn't use enough pressure to realize one wasn't quite in place until after I started to take photos. I started twisting the legs after extending them, and that seemed to work (but not 100%).
Minor stuff: The plastic design looks cheap (this is more obvious on the "translucent" color options for this tripod, perhaps), but that's the drawback for being lightweight. Fitting the quick release plate is a tad finicky - it can be hard to fit in the slot correctly. I'd prefer to be able to adjust all the leg sections for use in rough terrain, but didn't have a problem working with just the upper flip lock section.
Why four stars? I got what I wanted - small and light. I don't expect an inexpensive lightweight tripod to be as stable as a heavier one (or a more expensive non-metal one). I'm taking off one star for the pinlock legs that aren't always locked and the pencil-thin extension of the center column (I avoid using it, but that effectively reduces the max. height of the tripod from what is stated in the specs).
Description of Hakuba Branner BR5-SG Photographic/Video Tripod
The ultra-light and versatile tripod has translucent body components, and is available in metallic blue, green and silver. Perfect companion product for digital cameras. Weighing only 28.6 ounces, the tripod's folded length is 14.2 inches, its minimum operational height is 14 inches and its extended height is 48 inches.Complete Tripod Units
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