I had no idea tripods could be so expensive, but I guess this is one of those items that really says you get what you pay for! A cheap camera tripod we just bought a few years ago recently broke so we decided to invest in a sturdy professional tripod. One that would be durable enough to last us for years to come and would be able to hold our camcorder and would also be compatible with our mirrorless camera and a DSLR camera in case we decide to get one in the future. We wanted to get a reliable tripod in time to capture images to see Comet Neowise which only orbits the sun every 7,000 years, so it's a once in a lifetime experience. Unfortunately, it was too foggy and there were too many clouds the two times we went into the mountains, but this tripod held up like a champ in cold 50 degrees Fahrenheit and windy conditions. The instructions say not to use it in temperatures below minus 40 degrees or above 100 degrees. The tripod is made of sturdy aluminum alloy tubes. The KF-28 metal ball head has a maximum load capacity of 22 pounds and can be rotated 360 degrees, which can easily hold a heavy DSLR camera and provide excellent panoramic shooting. Make sure not to exceed the specified maximum load. This tripod is easy to set up by simply flipping the legs the opposite way and using the clamps to secure it in place. There are four (4) leg sections and the knob allows you to adjust the height. The height with the two (2) center column sections can be extended to 93.8 inches, which is tall enough to take large group shots from a bird's eye view. The height without the column reaches 67.7 inches. There is also a lightweight and detachable monopod that can extend up to 98.4 inches for your various photography needs. For panoramic shots, the center column moves from 0 to 180 degrees and can be rotated 360 degrees horizontally. This also comes with a nice, durable carrying case to protect your tripod and make it portable for travel. The case also has a strap that you can use to carry over your shoulder for convenience. My only complaint is the weight. As it is heavy duty it weighs just over six (6) pounds which is heavier than most tripods but it is definitely the best looking tripod we have owned and you can tell by the high quality and details. When my husband uses it for filming with our camcorder it is very stable and I'm sure it will last us for many years! As it is heavy duty it weighs just over six (6) pounds which is heavier than most tripods but it is definitely the best looking tripod we have owned and you can tell by the high quality and details. When my husband uses it for filming with our camcorder it is very stable and I'm sure it will last us for many years! As it is heavy duty it weighs just over six (6) pounds which is heavier than most tripods but it is definitely the best looking tripod we have owned and you can tell by the high quality and details. When my husband uses it for filming with our camcorder it is very stable and I'm sure it will last us for many years!