This heavy and sturdy, 3-segment Slik tripod is my new tripod after my light, cheap beginner tripod couldn’t keep up with me (I broke it’s head). With this metal tripod, I could whack it on a mugger’s face and it’ll keep on smiling. Of course, the head can be replaced with these professional tripods. The tripod’s legs can also be spread wide open to bring down the platform to 350mm, as shown in this photo. And the center shaft can also be removed and inverted (putting your camera under and between the legs).