In concept this is a brilliantly versatile camera stand with an amazing choice of camera angles and heights. Not only is the centre column reversible, allowing the camera to be mounted between the legs, but the legs can also be adjusted to three different angles of tilt. A side boom further enhances versatility, although fully extended it struggles to cope with a heavy camera and long lens. One leg is removable for use as a monopod.However, it is not without serious flaws. The worst is the quick release mount which is incapable of tightening sufficiently to hold my Nikon D600 straight, meaning that every few minutes I have to remove the camera to re-tighten the screw. This is incredible frustrating and for such a basic function not to work properly makes a mockery of the good points of this tripod. I also doubt the sturdiness of the tripod, finding at full height and/or extension the need to use a remote trigger. This shouldn't be necessary.Another negative is that I find the screw tighteners for the ball mount etc. to be too small and all in an awkward position, making them difficult to use quickly and efficiently.Other niggles are perhaps my own fault of choice: the monopod is too short to be able to hold the padded handle when using as a walking stick. I should have bought the 72" version but I am not that tall and the trade off would be even less sturdiness on a taller tripod.I will probably buy a new quick release plate or complete new head assembly and persevere.