Slik PRO 400DX

The all-metal construction and beefy legs on the Slik PRO 400DX make for a substantial and impressive build.

The solid construction of the Slik PRO 400DX does add a little extra weight and while this doesn’t look significant on paper, it may start to grind after lugging the tripod around all day. The legs are padded with leg warmers, making it more comfortable to carry in the cold, as well as preventing damage if you bash it.
Performance-wise the flip-locks and leg sections are a little stiff, which slowed the set up time to around 20secs. The centre column is also tight and even with the collar fully loosened we struggled to get it up and down easily – although no doubt a drop of WD40 would help. The centre column can be shortened or reversed, and the legs can be angled for low down shooting.
The 400DX comes supplied with a three-way head, which is removable and attaches via a 1/4in thread. There are no spirit levels but one of the handles can be unscrewed and cleverly screwed into the other, making the tripod easier to pack away, and meaning you shouldn’t lose it when you’re out.