Not bad with minor flaws

After my old Susi stand after nearly 30 years had collapsed, was needed a new one. Of course, on this occasion should be equal to all be improved, what I had always annoyed: slightly higher than the previous 1,45m it should be, so I do not always do so crooked my 1.90. It should be the 2.5 kilograms of my Canon 450D can wear velvet Sigma 120-400mm telephoto loose. It should not be (much) weigh more than 1.7 kg as much brought the old well on the scale. And more than 100, I did not want to spend. In addition, I really had no idea.

The search for a matching device turned out to be a little more difficult than I thought, because on the one hand is precisely the information on the maximum load capacity sometimes absent. Secondly, the tripods are equipped but now very different: with and without head, carrying case / -Handle, spirit level, quick release plate, carbon or aluminum. After a lengthy selection process, I decided for the first 519, the smallest brother of magnesite series of Cullmann.

At first I was quite impressed:
- Very nice feel wrapped by foam rubber legs;
- Adjustable quick-release fasteners for the legs;
- Additional short center column supplied;
- Central column runs usable (for macro applications);
- Acceptable weight (1250g tripod, removable head 430g);
- Maximum height 157cm with head (the camera is a little higher, I do not have me as bend);
- Load capacity 4kg;
- Built-in (simple) level;
- Determination of the center bar by thumbscrew;
- Thoughtful three-way head with auxiliary handle and quick release plate;
- 10-year warranty by Cullmann with online registration (!).

So constructed and tested with the Canon / Sigma combination. Both in the apartment and on the balcony with a light wind, the first perception was not bad, everything made a rather stable, albeit slightly top-heavy impression. Especially the head with a removable side handle (for tilting by 90 degrees), which you can screw on the extension in the main handle, is functional.

Then the joy was somewhat marred. First, the insertion of the short center pole did not work - the rod did not fit into the guide. Then I tried a simple panoramic structure and found that the water level was not balanced on level ground at full extension of the legs. Looking for something I found the reason: one of the three bolts Spike was turned too far in the leg so that the tripod was never completely straight. I asked both Cullman and Amazon, as if I could do something, but both advised me to return.

At first I just wanted to change, because apart from the workmanship I was quite satisfied. However, it turned out that the model 519 was temporarily not available. Since I was still in the 14-day period, I therefore decided to return and immediately ordered the Model 522 with somewhat greater load capacity. This was done within three days (thanks to Amazon for the very good service), and now I am completely satisfied, everything is fine. Although the 522 weighs a little more, but the nominal maximum load of 5 kg, which is achieved by a slightly larger pipe diameters, makes up for this. I can recommend it to anyone, stated maximum loads as possible not to exhaust, but to leave a decent margin of safety.

Conclusion: Up on the smaller processing defects (of which I do not really accept that they are serial problems for which I depart but a point here) is a well thought out, attractive and not too expensive device.