Request for info on Slik Pro 500DX tripod

Hi,

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I have been looking for a tripod and am very impressed with Bogen 3401 legset with 3410 pan-and-tilt head. However, I am concerned about its weight (8.5 lbs). The criteria that are important to me:

1. Price no more than $200

2. Weight no more than 6 lbs

3. Maximum height no less than 55 inches without center column extension

4. Minimum height should be no more than 15 inches for low-level shots

5. Most important thing: must adequately support my longest and heaviest lens (Nikkor 80-200/f2.8 AFD) with an 1.4x teleconverter and N70 body. I am interested primarily in landscape photography

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Bogen 3001 with 3410 head falls short on maximum height (#2 above). Also, I do not like the leg segment locks of 3001. Slik 300DX which some people like a lot for its low weight falls short on height too. I would not consider Slik Pro 700DX, because for its weight (7 lbs), I would rather get the much praised Bogen 3401+3410.

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One tripod that could possibly satisfy all of the above criteria is Slik Pro 500DX (sold in only few stores, including B&H). However, I have failed to get detailed information on this tripod even after contacting Tocad, the US distributor of Slik.

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I would appreciate the following information on Slik 500DX: its weight, weight bearing capacity, maximum height without center column extension and color. Also, does the pan-and-tilt head come with 2 spirit levels? Is the quick release plate small enough to not intrude during handheld shots? Can an optional short center column be used with it as with Slik 300DX and 700DX? If so, what is the minimum height (leg+head)? How sturdy is it? What is your overall assessment of this tripod?

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Thank you in advance.

I received one as a gift and like you trying to get information on it

is not too easy. No one seems to know much about the Slik 500DX model

and it's not even listed in the Slik website. It is a strong sturdy

tripod and it's made out of that tri-titanium strength alloy

(compound of aluminium,magnesium and titanium), the same material as

the 700DX. The color is like the 700DX, a dull greyish matte finish

look. I don't really know how much it weighs...less than six pounds

I'm sure...sorry don't know about the weight bearing capacity but it

more than adequately support my Nikon f100 with the 80-200(first

generation)attached on a kirk bracket. It does not have a spirit

level and the quick release plate is small enough not to intrude

during handheld shots. An optional center column can be used. I'm

very happy with this tripod but I can't tell you how it is compare to

the other tripods as I wasn't even dreaming of owning a decent tripod

for a while yet when I got this as a gift! Hope this helps!

Ok, had to check my files after work, but I did find some info for

you.

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I have a Master Classic, and Slik isn't too generous with info on any

of their tripods/accessories. In attempting to locate the tripod

strap that's listed on my owner's documentation and in their website's

accessory list, I requested a catalog. Within the catalog wasa a

one-sheet addendum, which lists the Pro 700DX/500DX, Pro Pod 600, and

the 504QF II (which has made it to their website, go figure).

Anyway:

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SPECIFICATIONS Pro 700DX Pro 500DX

Length Folded 760mm 695mm

Max Operatin Height 1900mm 1625mm

Max Center Col Extension 380mm 265mm

Weight 3.2kg 2.45kg

Number Leg Sections 3 3

Min Operating Height 620mm 470mm

W/Optional Short Center Col 400mm 350mm

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Hope this helps. If you need more, I can scan and post the datasheet

for you...

Damn code didn't work. I'll try to scan and post this tonight for

you...

in europe, slik is more forthcoming about the alloy used in the 500dx and 700dx. it is in fact only 0.15% titanium, but they call it tri-titanium as it sounds good in marketing-speak.

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in fact, the alloy is AL/JIS 5183, which is mostly aluminum, around 6% mangesium and 1% manganese, with small amounts of other metals. this is in fact standard welding wire filler used for hi-strength welds of aluminum alloys and was invented in 1957 according to the standard.

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still, it is a good choice as it does have a better strenght/weight ratio than the aluminum used in bogen and gitzo metal tripods. the lack of titanium is good news as well as it means there is no problem taking a hacksaw to the center column.