Velbon is considered an old friend to many acclaimed photographers today. For decades, Velbon has been helping amateurs make their first steps on their photographic journey, so it is very likely to find one of Velbons' models in a photographer's closet.
The excellent price-to-quality ratio has become a sort of Velbon's mission statement, and even today, its products are the first choice of many demanding photographers. Very few people know that Velbon has a long history and they have been developing its product lines for more than 60 years. And there's more. Many breakthrough patents and solutions used in these products today are the credit of this Japanese manufacturer's engineers.
For example, Velbon was the first manufacturer to use magnesium alloy in its tripods. The universal QRA-635L quick release plate of magnesium alloy remains one of Japan's most popular choices. Velbon was also one of the first to implement carbon-fiber sections manufactured in France for its top-end products. Velbon developed a line of professional tripods under the name CARMAGNE (CARbon + MAGNEsium) from the fusion of both technologies. Since that was difficult to pronounce, it's now known under a friendlier name, Velbon GEO.
Velbon provides top-tier, professional carbon-fiber models and cost-effective designs at prices attractive to every amateur photographer. There is also a very extensive lineup of robust and inexpensive tripods between the two product ranges, bound to satisfy ambitious photographers' demands — without ruining their home budgets. In this article, we'll look at this particular segment.
Your best EX
The Velbon EX series is the most diverse family of tripods. It spans from the minuscule EX-Mini with a weight under 0.5 kg, all the way to the 170 cm tall EX-630, which can easily support up to five kilos!
So, why is this lineup so popular? It seems that Velbon succeeded in finding the perfect middle way between weight, stability, and price. You can get a reliable aluminum tripod for your gear in most use cases for a relatively low cost.
We had the opportunity to look at three (out of ten) models, which vary in implemented functions. The series starts with the small EX-330, followed by the semi-professional bigger brother EX-430, and finally the full-size EX-530, which is a good choice for larger body cameras.
The first model is the most mobile one. With a weight of 830 grams and a mere 50 cm when folded sounds good, but the integrated head is two-way only and features no quick release system. The maximum height is also just 145 cm. Still, this is quite enough for small cameras. The image's composition is more straightforward with a lockable handle grip.
EX-430 provides just about everything you might need. A three-way pan-and-tilt head, a telescopic center column, a level gauge, and a spirit level. Its bigger brother, the EX-530, can be 156 cm tall when fully extended and supports double the weight, which means four kilos in total.
The common feature of all models in the series is the bracing arms connected between the tripod's legs and the center console, which keep the leg angle constant and significantly improve the tripod's stability. This feature is also popular in video camera tripods.
Velbon EX for smartphones
Velbon EX with smartphone holder is a series of lightweight tripods with a flexible design that fit both beginners and advanced photographers.
It is an affordable aluminium tripod for those who value high flexibility. Smooth 360 ° panning, quick-release camera plate and easy to switch to portrait mode are just some of the many features this tripod offers.
Whether you shoot for Instagram Reel, TikTok or live streams, Velbon EX with smartphone holder is a tripod for you!
How about Videomate?
The Videomate series is a budget-friendly alternative, targeted towards video cameras — as you can tell by its name.
The Videomate 638 still sports an advanced fluid head, with 171 cm of maximum height with three leg sections. The bracing function supports the legs for stable shots, has four kilos of load capacity, and is 67 cm long when folded. The whole set weighs less than two kilos. If you prefer a more mobile approach to your filmmaking and don't require a more robust load capacity, this model will likely be the best one for you.
Velbon did not forget about those who work with small mirrorless cameras, do occasional photo sessions, or are making their first steps into filmmaking. Videomate 438 provides excellent balance for the height (153.5 cm maximum), reasonable weight (1.23 kg), strong load capacity (2 kg), and a great price.
How do I choose a tripod?
A higher price doesn't necessarily mean a better tripod. When looking for a specific model, you should first answer a few questions to guide you.
- How often will you use it?
If you need a tripod for occasional use only, it might be a better idea to choose a cheaper one. - Do you need a high load capacity?
If you like small cameras, do not use long lenses, or don't have many camera accessories, you'll most likely be okay with approximately two kilos of load capacity. - How tall should my tripod be?
The primary criteria are your body height. Still, it is a great idea to choose a model that won't require extending the center column too high. Nearly all modern cameras have a tilting display, so you might just as well go with a smaller and lighter tripod. - How heavy is a good tripod?
If you're not buying a carbon-fiber tripod (made of lightweight material), a heavier model will provide better stability. An aluminium tripod with enough durability weighs about 1.5 kg. - Ball-head or three-way, which one should I get?
It depends on what you shoot. If the horizon level is essential to your photography, and you like to fine-tune your composition, you should go with a pan-and-tilt head. The ball head is great for those who want their shots set up and done quickly.
