This tripod is amazing. It is pretty much 99% metal, so you know that it won't break easily. I bought this tripod so that I could mount my DSLR (Nikon D3300) onto it and mainly take macro shots with my 75-300mm lens. In the past I had been disappointed by a cheaper tripod that couldn't handle the weight of the camera combined with the heft of a long lens. This tripod is the complete opposite. The mounting hardware is all metal and once you secure it to the platform, it's not going anywhere. I was also rather skeptical of the ballhead component of the tripod at first, but after using it I have fallen in love with it. It makes it much easier to rotate the camera for a perfect shot and a knob on the side can be turned to lock the ball in place. I haven't had the tripod for a long time yet, but I'm sure that the ability to invert the axis will make for great macro shots in the future. If you need a tripod that can actually support your DSLR and give you the ability and maneuverability to take game changing pictures or videos, you should definitely give this tripod a try. You will not be disappointed.