Zomei Z818C Tripod/Monopod Review! A Great 2 In 1 Combo!

Ask any four different photographers what type of tripod they prefer, and you will get four different answers. Ask those four photographers for a specific model recommendation, and you will likely get a mini lesson in their favorite fields or specialties, along with a good half dozen model numbers from each.

I know because I’ve conducted surveys like that before. Very enlightening, actually.

The answers about a photographer’s favorite gear usually revolve around the type of photography they do. A photographer that stays in a studio for product imagery will want different features than a wedding pro, for instance.

An outdoor nature photographer, like one of my passions is, would enjoy using the Zomei Z818C convertible tripod/monopod which I will review here today.

Zomei Z818C Tripod/Monopod At a Glance

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Zomei Z818C Tripod/Monopod Review

Specifications

Weight: 3.66 lbs
Collapsed Height: 22″
Extended Height: 64″
Maximum Load: 30 lbs
Head Type: Ball Head
Materials: Carbon Fiber
Price: Click here to find latest price

Weight

When choosing a tripod for outdoor nature use, weight is one of the major considerations. Leg and column tubes are made of carbon fiber. This offers strength and durability with a very low weight. Together with the tripod head, the Zomei Z818C weighs in at just a tad under 4 pounds.

Hiking around with this tripod was loads of fun. It fit into my backpack straps easily, plus it comes with its own carrying case for transporting it around without hiking and camping gear. It was easy to carry around town too, with a sling I made out of old camera straps.

Urban treks can be just as much fun, and as much of a challenge, as traversing around on foot in a national park. This tripod was easy to carry, but it also works well indoors in a small studio.

Durability

Durability of this tripod was never in question in my mind because I am familiar with the high quality of the Zomei brand. Being made of high quality materials, the Z818C continues to show good craftsmanship in its manufacturing.

Fit and finish of all parts was excellent. That is an important thing, because any product is only as good as the weakest link. The carbon fiber construction of the legs and center column are corrosion resistant in addition to being robust and extremely strong.

The removable leg and part of the column section fit together as a very strong monopod, effectively doubling the usefulness of this well made tripod.

Maximum height

Maximum height of this tripod is about 5 ½ feet, as a monopod it comes in just a little below that initial height.

When using a tripod out in nature or on urban excursions, height is often a little less important than adaptability and adjustability. The Z818C is very adjustable, the legs can be independently set at several different angles, and the center column can be reversed.

This comes in handy for close up and macro photography. I felt comfortable putting this tripod in any position necessary for the image I imagined.

Used as a monopod, the height was more than adequate for most uses I put it through. It doesn’t extend up high enough for me to use standing up without stooping over a little, a posture I have a dislike for in long photoshoots. But for a short period of time, it’s alright.

I noticed too, that I rarely tried to use the monopod set up at full height, but I was more often seated on a handy object or keeling.

Stability

Stability in a tripod is vital for a nature photographer, especially when using long telephotos and macro lenses. I felt the Z818C was very stable, even when used on uneven ground with my largest lens I take out in nature. The strong legs and the secure locking mechanisms contribute to the stability.

Part of stability is how well a tripod dampens vibration as well. After setting up a shot, a quality tripod evens out and stops vibrating quickly, allowing the image to at maximum sharpness. This particular tripod did exactly that. There is also a small hook supplied to hang a sandbag on, but I didn’t use it out in the field.

Used as a monopod, stability was not a major issue. It handled even my heavy equipment well with me as part of the stability equation.

Load capacity

Load capacity of the Zomei Z818C convertible tripod was a generous 30+ pounds, but I think that may be too generous of an estimation. While it handled the heaviest gear I had, I maxed out at about 15 pounds or so.

It was stable and secure at that weight. Going up to 30 pounds, though, I really don’t see how this tripod with the medium ball and socket head could handle that without any drifting.

Tripod Head

The ball and socket tripod head provided with the Z818C is what I would consider medium duty. More than strong enough to handle the weight of many outdoor photographers with DSLRs, but it’s heavy duty enough to hold over 30 pounds, in my estimation. I’m not knocking the head, it’s perfect for the use this tripod is likely to get.

It’s a well made medium duty ball and socket head with separate locking knobs for the ball and for the panning movement. The pan motion is also calibrated with bright, easy to read markings. It was easy to operate, even with leather gloves on, and everything locked securely in place with the weight of the lenses I was using.

The quick release system was definitely up to the task for the uses I put this tripod to. Extra plates are available at additional cost. The quick release let me switch between the camera I had mounted and a camcorder I brought along to document my trek for YouTube. Yeah, I’m a sucker for vlogging now.

Final Thoughts

This tripod was a great fit for most of my needs. I was pleased with the smooth operation and stability. With the ability to convert to a monopod, many serious photographers could find the Zomei Z818C to be their choice for a new or first tripod.

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