Hi Craig!
The Velbon UT-63D is fully adjustable at any length, and extends from just 13.5 inches to 5 feet! So when the legs are completed collapsed, there’s a decent amount of weight in the base which has made me feel totally relaxed when walking away from my Theta V for an exterior shoot on a breezy day.
The price was steep, but I bought the tripod on a trip last year when I didn’t want to carry my tall Manfrotto tripod. But I’m glad I did as the Velbon UT-63D with the Bushman monopod has been the perfect combination I’ve been looking for.
I emailed both Bushman and Velbon and explained to them that this combination is something they should consider marketing as there’s a demand for it, but no response yet.
Would I buy the Velbon UT-63D if I knew it was the complete solution for my needs? The painful answer is yes as it works, and it works well for both shooting 360 and regular real estate shooting too.
The Velbon base is heavy enough to allow placement on rocky terrain, stairwells, and in breezy conditions (and a few Velcro wrist weights added if required). And I also now find myself using the Velbon more than my Manfrotto for regular real estate shoots, as the small form factor allows me to place the camera in tight places like on a bathroom or kitchen sink countertops, which permits me to take some great shots of smaller bathrooms or kitchens.
I’ll post some images of the Velbon/Bushman later today so folks can see it being used in actual situations.
Best!
Frank