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The Opteka M3 is a universal folding/adjustable dolly that fits any tripod. It can be easily attached and removed, and folds with carry handle for compact transport. The 3-inch ball bearing rubber/metal wheels with step-on brake locks/unlocks rolling and swivel movement. It has a maximum load of 35 pounds, folds to 24-by-7-inches, and has a circle diameter of 31 inches. Follow the action and keep your horizons true, shot after shot. And, when you move your camera for a different view, you can reset it level in seconds. No more fussing with blurry pictures or tired arms. Opteka's legendary craftsmanship and state-of-the-art engineering creates a unique professional tripod dolly, ideal for today's photographer: whether shooting digital, film or compact video. Fast, light, compact and stable, this Opteka dolly is at its best where the action is.
The Opteka adjustable video camera hands-free shoulder support can be used by both a professional or amateur user. This incredible and sophisticated camcorder support offers stability and control you cannot find in any other hands-free support. Extremely useful product for outdoor and indoor shots. Now you can mount your camcorder and enjoy hands free shooting. This shoulder stand has been designed to hold camcorders up to 15lbs. It is very easy to use. Attach your camcorder to the shoulder support camera platform, put on the shoulder support, attach the strap with the buckle and adjust its length according to your body size.
For camcorders without shoulder support
Shoulder supported camcorders are smoother and require less energy to stabilize. The torso makes for a great pivot. The Opteka kind of makes a shoulder support system for cams that are without. I film cycling races with a Canon XHA1. It's not shoulder supported like the XL1 or 2 models.
Often I'm in tight spots with large crowds and have to maneuver to change lenses, tapes etc. Being able to do so without a dismount was impossible with the Steadybrace (abdomen support model). I don't have anything bad to say about Steadybrace. They have great customer support, and the brace is a good one to use but...my needs changed a bit.
I can operate easier now with the Opteka. The Opteka can- on the fly, be adjusted to aim higher or lower without over doing it with your back or fatiguing your shoulders. I can take both hands off the rig to change a lens or tape without dismounting because the camera rig is snug and secure to my torso. The Opteka is slim and simple. It appears to be made of thick, strong plastic. I don't know about their customer support since I haven't had to contact them. There doesn't appear to be a need for the Varizoom rocker that I had mounted to the Steadybrace as of yet. Since my hands aren't holding the support anymore, I can use both hands to zoom and focus now. I'll probably still use the Steadybrace for some events but I'm excited about using the Opteka for the simple design and not having to take the rig on and off. A big plus is this - I can also use the eyepiece or the LCD viewfinder without strain. Last but not least, cost. The Opteka is extremely affordable for what it does.
Update October:
I took this rig on a shoot. We were filming at some airports around the nation. Of course it wasnt practical in the plane but trying to get it set up once we landed was a task. I ended up just not using it into the second stop. What i did notice was that the device always wanted to lean to the right and cause you some unwanted tilt. Got some back pain from over correcting. Not sure I am going to use this a whole lot.
Great Design, Fatal Flaw...
I tested this thing out with my Sony EX1, which is an ~8 pound camera. The way it balanced my unwieldy rig was amazing. The padding wasn't great but I could wrap it easily enough. I was about to buy a second when I managed to break off the elevating mount (the part directly attaching to the cameras in the picture) with almost zero force. I am very gentle with my gear and this simply should not have happened. The part, as it turns out, was 100% plastic-- the kind of plastic that breaks like hardened clay. And while nothing else has broken, the rest is plastic, too. Should an all-metal version of this mount come out, I'll buy it in a heartbeat-- this one nearly cost me a $6000 camera.
Very Useful, Good for the Price
A very good budget option, this camera supporter is easy to use, a bit difficult to assemble (Since no instructions are included) but is a very useful tool.
By adding a tripod collar to your lens you can achieve better balancing on a tripod. In addition, rotating the camera will now be much easier and faster.
Opteka Tripod Collar Mount
The Collar arrived when promised.
The unit seems to be well constructed, mounted fine on my tripod, and firmly held my Canon 30D camera & Canon EF 70-200 lens. The camera and lens seemed to be pretty well balanced.
The one complaint I have with the collar is that to change camera orientation, i.e. rotate from horizontal to vertical, I have to unscrew the collar screw, pull the collar open a little, rotate the camera/lens, reset & tighten the screw. Reviews I have read of the Canon manufactured unit indicate one need only loosen the collar screw a little to rotate the lens/camera.
Opteka tripod collar - money saving alternative to Canon!
As a Canon shooter, I like to keep my gear as "Canon" as possible. I bought a Canon 70-200mm L lens a while ago & found I needed the tripod mount. I just couldn't see spending over $100 for the Canon brand when I could buy the Opteka for around $50! C'mon, it's a metal ring that holds the lens not optical equipment! The Opteka works well, the quality is fine & it fits the lens perfectly. The color is slightly darker than the lens but big deal, my concern is image quality, not "looking cool" and besides, I saved over $100!
Opteka Tripod Collar Mount
I ordered the Opteka Tripod Collar Mount for the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM to use on the IS version of this lens. As other reviewers noted, the mount is solid cast aluminum and finished with an off-white enamel paint that doesn't quite match the color of the Canon L lens. The mount does fit the lens snugly and seems sturdy, but the item I received differs quite a bit from the one pictured on Amazon.com. Unlike the product photo, the thumb screw is attached to an extension of the upper part of the ring and mates with threads in the base rather than staying stationary in the base when the mount is opened up. The moving part of the ring is therefore much larger than pictured, and the mount clamps very differently than the Canon version. Also, the thumbscrew on mine is covered with an ill-fitting piece of rubber, and is not captive (held in place) so it can easily fall off when the collar is opened up.
The quality of the mount is about what you would expect for the price. Not bad, but not great. I decided to return it because the velvet-like material used to protect the lens is very thin and poorly glued to the mount. It was peeling off in several places right out of the package, particularly near the hinge. Also, the hinge section is not offset from the inner surface of the mount so the metal touches the lens barrel during mounting and already made a small scratch on my lens barrel. I was concerned that use of this mount would mar my lens over time and lower the resale value. Grease from the thumbscrew also got onto the bottom of the lens in several places, and the screw threads in the base seemed soft and easy to strip out with frequent use.
I hate to pay 5 times as much for the Canon OEM tripod mount, but hopefully I can find one used or locate another third-party mount of higher quality.
Follow the action and keep your horizons true, shot after shot. And, when you move your camera for a different view, you can reset it level in seconds. No more fussing with blurry pictures or tired arms. Opteka's legendary craftsmanship and state-of-the-art engineering creates a unique professional monopod, ideal for today's photographer: whether shooting digital, film or compact video. Fast, light, compact and stable, this Opteka monopod is at its best where the action is.
Great lightweight monpod for a digital camera
I tried two other monopods before I settled on this one. I was looking for a lightweight monopod carry when hiking and biking with my Nikon D200 or Canon Pro1. The Pro1's 200mm equivalent zoom often requires support to eliminate camera shake when taking dawn, evening or deep forest (low light) photos. Even the Nikon's 18-200mm (27-300mm equivalent 35mm) VRII lens benefits from using a monopod.
The Pro1 weighs 1.5 pounds and the Nikon D200 3.5 pounds.
Here are the features the Opteka MP100 has that I consider important:
1. it's amazingly light weight
2. it's very rigid (considering the light weight) because the round leg has a locking channel
3. it's sturdy enough to use as a light walking stick
4. the quick action lever leg lock system means it adjusts height quickly which I find very important
5. the carrying case with strap keeps it from banging against another metal object when traveling
6. the 67" length allows me to set the camera at eye level (I'm 6' tall) even if I'm up on a step
7. folded up and attached to the camera, it can be lik a pistol grip
I've been using it for 6 months now and I'm very pleased it. I fold it up but leave it attached to the camera when I'm walking around, so it is always available.
At $13 it is a fantastic buy.
MUCH better than its low price would suggest!
The Optika MP100 Pro Photo Monopod is surprisingly sturdy, functional and well-made. It is supplied with a reasonably decent quality zippered nylon case with carrying strap. No, it is not "professional grade", but it is something every amateur photographer can use for weekend shooting. I've used it both with digital still and camcorder, where it offers respectable improvement in long-distance shots (versus trying to hold the camera still, or propping it up on the roof of the car, a not-nearby-enough fence post, and so on.) Certainly a LOT handier than the old tripod! I bought two, keeping them ready-for-action in the trunk of my cars. Highly recommended!
A great buy
Good quality, particularly for the amazing price. Sturdy, well-made, and even the case is nice. Pops open in a second, collapses just as easily.
Keep in mind that fully collapsed it's wider than a standard backpack, so if you lash it under a backpack it will be awkward. But the strap on the carrying case makes it easy to loop the monopod and carry it vertically.
Opteka's legendary craftsmanship and state-of-the-art engineering creates a unique professional tripod, ideal for todays photographer: whether shooting digital, film or compact video. Follow the action and keep your horizons true, shot after shot. And, when you move your camera for a different view, you can reset it level in seconds. No more fussing with blurry pictures or tired arms. Features - 3-Way Panhead, Quick Release Plate, 90 Degree Vertical Platform, 2 Bubble Levels, Thick 1.13 inch Legs, Gear Operated Center Column, Reinforced Center Brace with Carrying Handle, Lower Bracing System with Locking Feature, Quick release Channel Lock Legs, Non-Slip Rubber Feet, Accessory Hook
Got a winner here
Honestly, I really did not have high expectations when I bought this tripod. I needed something for my camping / hiking trip and I didn't want to beat up my $200 Slik. Anyway, I was very surprised when I received this tripod. It is very sturdy and composed really well. It survived my trip with flying colors and I got great shots. Good price + good product = I'm happy =].
Bought this 8-06 ... (with revise)
I am 6ft tall and this is such a perfect tripod for someone who is a beginning/novice photographer for occasional to moderate use (would be my guess). My forté is post-production, as I am a graphic designer and needed something to use with my new dig camera. I did a lot of research for tripods and this seemed to have what I needed for my usage. The plastic clips concern me somewhat with durability for the long haul, but I would love to be surprised and that is just my nerves and luck talking. How can you beat the price regardless?
I am so happy with this tripod so far. I love how tall it is for me particularly and how easy it is to use. I did so much research online and found this 70" one and said "screw it" I am tired of looking and bought it. I knew I needed something that accomodated for my height and there isn't a whole lot out there for us tall folks that have decent ratings and is in the hundred and below dept. I didn't have the pesos to make another "hundred+" purchase and took a risk here when I rated the cost versus quality (in my head). I feel as though I have won this battle for now.
I like the two "levels" (that i have noticed) to make sure I am squared up on this piece of equipment. Equipment has a smooth pan and I will be using it for my own photo work, video tours for my husband's realtor work and recreation/family photos. I am excited to use this more with my dig Rebel. Legs extend easily. Metal (light weight) body with plastic clips and pieces. Comes with a black bag to hold your tripod also. Easy snap-off piece to remove your digital camera and to attach. In fact I just leave it always on my camera as it expedites the process when I am in a hurry.
Tripod feels quite sturdy with my Rebel attached. I think this is a really good-looking tripod. It is so SO light weight and portable. I love that it is NOT clunky and loud to assemble when pulling it straight out of the trunk/car for quickly assembly.
I would've liked to seen a manual for recommended usage and ways of maximizing longevity of the product, but I am over it and the product is great so far.
(revise 10-09-06) Still LOVE LOVE this tripod. I use it ALL the time. So easy to use and it is SO lightweight and I can just toss it in the trunk. So quick to set up too. Love it ... it ROCKS (from a tall gal).
: )
October 2008: I did lose one of the footings, but found it and snapped back on. Still works fine and I am pretty rough with my tripod. No other parts broken yet. For the price, I am still so glad I have this tripod. The panning is "so-so" for those doing virtual tours now at this point in it's tripod life. Still I make it work. I am not a professional in the sense of photography, but for what I use it for (home photos, virtual tours) it still works and does the job pretty darn well. I don't have experience with other tripods. This is my first one and the only I have had thus far. It doesn't work as well for a panning camcorder and/or flip video. Just too jerky with the plastic pieces and 360 rotation. This tripod lives in my car so I have always ready to go. I am sure to a degree I am lucky I haven't bashed it with kid toys and/or grocery bags, but you get what you pay for, and I have definitely seen my money out of this piece of equipment and then some. Maybe I have gotten lucky, and if so I am glad.
Not Bad ... for the money
This is the seond tripod I've purchased in the last 12 months, the other being a Bogen Manfrotto 728B (cost over $110). The Bogen is very nice because it is truly sturdy and well built (rated to hold several pounds while most tripods are not), and works very smoothly, but it lacks a gear crank on the main tube, does not have the weight hook at the bottom of the central tube and did not come with any bubble levels. My wife and I are both amatuer photographers, and my camera weighs over a pound. Having used both tripods, I still prefer my first one. The Opteka is made of much cheaper materials (obviously), and came out of the box looking used. It had scratches on the legs, the pan head is poorly made of cheap plastic, the central tube had been dented right at the bottom end, and I thought it was missing the weight hook. I found the weight hook in the included carrying bag, and I bent the tube back into a roundish shape so I could shove the weight hook into place. Mind you, the weight hook is plastic, and it's not threaded into the tube (it's ribbed), so it's not going to hold more than a few pounds without getting yanked out. I attached the mounting plate to my camera, and tried out the tripod. The motion (on all parts) is not terribly smooth. The legs do not glide nicely as you extend them, the controls on the pan head are not smooth and gentle, and the crank to raise the tube is not terribly smooth either. They all function just fine, but if you're looking for something that feels substantial and works smoothly, this isn't it. PROS: It's cheap, fairly light, and has a lot of features for a tripod under $40. CONS: The materials are very cheap, and the parts don't always work smoothly together. Overall, it is a great option if you don't want to risk losing or damaging a more expensive tripod, but go to a camera store and try some tripods out to see what really matters to you. Another thing I like about the Manfrotto, the legs are in four sections (the Opteka is just 3 with longer legs, too), so it collapses down to a smaller size. ON 47TH STREET: WHen I initially thought I had been denied the weight hook, I sent an e-mail to two different e-mail addresses I found for them. It took them a week to respond, and the repsonse was "call us". I found that very disappointing.
