I've used this tripod for about 3mos now and this is my experience with it.PROS:-strong-tall-quick angle adjustments-rubber feet-pan/tilt motion is goodCONS:-not a quick-release system, turning the knobs to adjust the legs is a SLOW task and quickly becomes annoying-the shoe lock/release mechanism uses so much pressure when locked, you have to use a gross amount of force to unlock it and have to be careful not to knock your camera out if you accidently slip in the process-no geared center column-no bubble-heavySuffice to say, I'm looking for a new tripod to replace this one.