After the Rollei C5I bought almost a year ago here at Amazon, the expectations were quite high, because the C5I is worth more than it costs. Those who are interested may like to read my review it. But for macro shots and close to the ground I wanted to have a mini tripod because the C5I it simply has not the right size. After the good experience so I did not think twice, which stand for ground shots it should be. For precisely this purpose the M4 Mini is also absolutely fine because it is robust, easy to use, extremely small and the weight is negligible. It is, like its big brother, processed fairly decent and the practical effect is very high, as you can easily have it always with you. Simply make the bag on the belt firmly and it is ready for use with a handle, because of her super. A carrying strap is also supplied with, I find it on your belt but practical. What I find very sad is that the M4 Mini definitely not a bubble level on the adapter plate has, but it is touted in the product description here at Amazon so. OK, in the product photo is also to recognize and for macros on the floor I also need not necessarily have a, but I do not find that Amazon okay. It is misleading and if the M4 Mini is so different in the point of the M5 Mini, it should also get its own and detailed product description. Annoying, but here the problem lies with Amazon and I will not hold against the tripod. The biggest advantage for me compared to the M5 Mini are the telescopic legs that can be adapted very well to uneven ground and allow different heights. The biggest drawback is the ball head and the adapter plate that have really disappointed me. The non-existent level I had and I stay just in the adapter plate that is exactly like their recording made of very thin precision casting and does not make very valued and robust. The snap mechanism of the locking area is very practical, but not really stable and it I would have placed more value. The ball head itself is for shots on the ground in order, but otherwise also rather sobering. Starting with the Friction control, because that is not really there. Either open or closed, there is not much in between. What I find really inconvenient is that the 'friction screw' simultaneously the ball, as well as the panoramic axis triggers or jammed. That makes no sense, because if I wanted to make a panorama, I change immediately and the tilt of the camera and that makes the whole thing useless. Here lacks a separate locking screw for the panoramic axis, that could have been so may omit. The ball runs a little rough. It's not serious, but it is immediately noticeable when you had the C5I times in his hand. The center column allows a stroke of 4 cm and it can turn around, which makes for a tripod in this size in my eyes but also little sense also. If they but turns times, you should take good care of the stop at the bottom of the center column. It is a plastic plug which is screwed by means of a fine thread in the column. Will he wrong reinstated, the thread is on the plug over and he can no longer be used as a stop. By contrast, the telescopic legs are extremely practical, allowing a total height of 45cm top adapter plate. The locking screws of the legs need only a quarter turn to open or terminals and the legs can be pushed clean without any effort. The lowest position is 18cm, which is the center column can no longer completely retract, otherwise it touches the ground. With all her legs spread and in the center position, the M4 mini is very stable, even if the legs are fully extended. In the past you have to catch the other hand, something to watch. One leg should be better, the same orientation as the camera lens have, because it can easily tip otherwise. Especially vertical shooting should be treated with folded all the way down legs with caution, since the camera is no longer sitting in the center of the stand and the stand space is very small. With light lenses, it is still possible. All in all, I find the tripod very useful and practical, though the bullet head does not match the quality that I'm used to from C5I. And here I am then also the price torn. On the one hand you have the M4 mini through the telescopic legs, a very flexible and universal mini tripod, but must accept the inferior ball capita in purchasing. Or you decide on the M5 with a great ball head (according to customer photo) and must renounce the telescopic legs. The M4 Mini deserved with other head in my eyes the five stars. Because the Panorama function but can not be used basically and the adapter plate only for lighter cameras (APS-C camera with moderate lens) is good, plus the rather high price, I will forgive only three stars. Not bad, but could be with a little extra effort just as perfect as its big brother. And if I set the price of the mini tripod with the C5I into consideration, could have been here can quietly offer a better ball head.
