Author's product rating: 
| Advantages: |
Lightweight and stylish |
| Disadvantages: |
A bit flimsy for the professional photographer |
| Recommend to potential buyers: |
yes |
The Hama 75 is constructed from lightweight aluminium and might be considered as an entry level tripod that is both stylish and durable. I really like the appearance of this tripod. It comes in a kind of metallic tarnished champagne finish with black trimmings. This makes a welcome change from the more common aluminium grey or black.
It is very much on the light side weighing in at 620g. This is a great advantage if you have to carry it around al lot but sometimes a lighter weight tripod can mean a less sturdy. I didn't find this to be much of a problem as far as using an SLR camera is concerned, although in truth it did feel a little flimsy when the legs and central column were fully extended. I wouldn't imagine it to be very sturdy in the windy conditions we've been subjected to recently. With a heavier video camera (although admittedly video and DVD cameras are also getting lighter) it might prove to be a challenge.
I do like the fact that the legs of the tripod can be manoeuvred independently. Some tripods have legs that are interconnected, and these can be quite difficult and frustrating to set up on uneven ground. The legs of the Hama 75 are slender and extend smoothly and the tripod is equipped with a 3-way head and quick release plate. The central column has a continuous and variable height adjustment that is controlled by a wind up handle - another nice feature that is well designed. I also really like the handle on the tripod stem. This is very useful as it allows you to easily carry it around without a case.
The Hama Star range of tripods are the first ones I have seen that have in-built spirit levels. This tripod has two spirit levels: one at the head and one at the base where the three legs join together. So you really gain a good idea if your shot is going to be parallel with the horizon - especially useful when shooting landscapes.
The feet of the Hama Star 75 are made of rubber but there are no spikes. This was a feature on one of my previous tripods and provides that extra grip required if you're taking pictures of crocodiles on a muddy African riverbank or trying to capture some interesting scenery upon the sandy mounds of Copacabana. Another possible drawback is the height. Ideally a tripod should extend fully to your own height; this is not the case with me. I'm 180cm and the Hama Star 75 only extends to a height of about 125cm, so I find myself having to crouch and bend over a lot. On the plus side, the tripod does fold away neatly and is quite compact at a closed length of 42.5cm.
Despite these minor issues the Hama Star 75 Tripod can be purchased at an excellent price online at Amazon for around £11 and for a lightweight tripod I would highly recommend it at this price. However, for me this tripod is best suited for indoor work. If you're planning an adventure over rough terrain you might need something a bit more more robust and sturdy.
Specifications:
Diameter: 19.8 mm
Closed length: 42.5 cm
Fully extended length : 125 m
Weight: 620 g
Incl. bag
This product has not yet been reviewed. 
