A tripod doesn’t have to be heavy, or need all the bells and whistles for it to be useful. I recently checked out the Oben AC-1321 Aluminum tripod with BA-106A ball head and here are my thoughts…
Design
The Oben AC-1321 is sleek in design. It’s very lightweight, compact, and comes in a sturdy canvas carry bag with heavy-duty zippers.
It is constructed with aluminum and plastic and makes for a very light carry when you have to walk some distance for a shoot.
The legs are adjustable in several configurations that allow you to film or shoot from a very low angle. The manufacturers say the AC-1321 can take over six pounds of weight and extends to a maximum height of 57.5 inches. I haven’t needed to test the Oben to its limits, yet. It works well with my camera and doesn’t show any signs of the stress I put it through while traveling.
The center column can be reversed so you can mount your camera on the underside of the tripod. I tried it out and found that it was a quick and easy process to do, and that’s a big plus.
Performance
The quick-release lever was easy to push when I attached my camera to the mounting plate. If you’ve ever struggled with a quick-release lever, you’ll know how important that is.
If you are looking for a tripod that can get super low to the ground, the Oben AC-1321 is the tripod for you. Its lightweight portability makes it a sure winner for long shoots where you’re moving around a lot.
Shooting outdoors with this tripod is as easy as it gets. Setting up your camera on the ball head is easy with the quick-release plate. The ball head pans smoothly. You can easily shoot in a portrait orientation with the 90-degree notch of the head.
There’s a spring-loaded hook at the bottom of the central column for additional system stability.
Knocks
It’s a bit too lightweight for windy conditions but perfect for studio conditions and decent weather.
Final thoughts
At the price, I think it’s a good value. If you’re looking for an affordable, lightweight, portable tripod that you can carry on location, I say go for it. Considering the ball head, travel bag and strap come with your purchase, this is a great buy.
