If you want a carbon-fiber tripod that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, one of these two models from Dolica might be what you need. Each one comes with a ball head so you get the complete setup for your equipment. Let’s look at them both and see which one is right for you.
Dolica ZX600B103 Professional 60-Inch ZX Series Carbon Fiber Tripod with Ball Head and Carry Bag (Black)
Why is carbon fiber important? It dampens vibration and resists twisting better than aluminum. It’s also lighter in weight. Pros tend to have carbon fiber tripods for those very reasons. They want the best shot every time and no one wants to haul around a lot of weight.
This tripod and head together weigh 3.9 pounds. The four-section legs are easy to manage. One hand can twist each leg’s three locks open all at once. The tripod and center column extend to 60 inches so it reaches a comfortable height for people around 6 feet tall. Each leg articulates to three different angles to handle uneven terrain, and the leg sections twist-lock into place for stability. The feet are non-skid rubber and they are not removable. The foam grips are a nice touch, especially when it’s cold weather.
The ZX600B103 tripod also works well for macro photography. Although the minimum open height is 22 inches, the center column can be removed and reversed so the camera can get very close to the ground. The bottom of the column has a hook for hanging a weight or a camera bag. Some users have said this comes in handy because the tripod is light and doesn’t stay stable in windy conditions when the legs are fully extended.
The aluminum-alloy ball head is basic. It has 360-degree pan with degree markings and it has 90-degree tilt. There are separate control knobs for each function. The quick-release plate has a flip-lock screw and a safety button so the user can’t accidentally remove their camera.
More features of the Dolica ZX600B103 Tripod with Ball Head
- Bubble level and compass located on the tripod
- Supports cameras and lenses up to 14 pounds
- Folded length is 23 inches
- Dolica includes a nylon carrying bag with shoulder strap
- 5-year warranty
Dolica ZX600B300 Proline ZX Series 60-Inch Carbon Fiber Tripod with Ball Head
The ZX600B300 is the same tripod as above but with a different ball head. This ball head, the B300, is a step up in design. It’s similar to Gitzo brand heads, with a much more open ball, and it is better for shooting video than the B103.
The head is made of 3/8” aluminum alloy. It has fluid pan and more degrees of tilt than the B103 has. Both pan and tilt are controlled by knobs, with the tilt lock on the side. The quick-release plate has a safety button so the user doesn’t disconnect their camera by accident. The screw is 1/4-inch.
The ball head and tripod together weigh only 3.9 pounds because the tripod is made of carbon fiber. It has 4-section legs that end in non-skid rubber feet. The feet are not removable. The legs have twist-locks to keep them stable. Each leg’s three twist-locks can be opened all at once with one hand. Each leg can be moved independently and there are three angle locks to hold them steady. The tripod also has a small compass and bubble level. If conditions get windy, there is a hook underneath to hang a weight.
The maximum extended height is 60 inches, which works well for photographers who are around 6 feet tall. The minimum open height is 22 inches. The center column can be removed and reversed for macro photography or low shots.
More features of the Dolica ZX600B300 Tripod with Ball Head
- Total supported weight for cameras and lenses is up to 14 pounds
- Folded length is 23 inches
- Foam grips on the legs
- Dolica includes a nylon carrying bag with shoulder strap
- 5-year warranty
Recommendation
If you plan to do mostly still shots, both tripods are a bargain. Beginner photographers can delight in having a lightweight carbon fiber tripod with a ball head ready to use. Landscape and studio photographers seem to love the ZX600B103.
If you would like to shoot video, the ZX600B300 isn’t an ideal videographer’s setup, but it has more tilt angles and better fluid pan than the head on the ZX600B103.
Click here to purchase Dolica ZX600B103 on Amazon!
Click here to purchase Dolica ZX600B300 on Amazon!