TR344 Carbon Fiber Tripod | 4 sections 59" height

I have had many top brand tripods over the years and they have given me many years of service. Recently I wanted to add a tripod that I could use with my technical camera and mirrorless cameras. I wanted one that would could go low to the ground and also high above me head and fold up very short. Weight was a consideration.

I do a lot of landscape pano photography and architectural photography so one feature that stood out was the large level on the base of the tripod. Getting your tripod level is a must for pano shots.
Most of my work involves shooting to an iPod for review. This tripod comes with a 3/8" accessory thread on one of the three sides and a 1/4-20 accessory thread on the other. This means I can attach an articulating arm to hold an iPad. And a holder to an external battery for when I am composing with live-view which can drain the camera battery quickly.
The hook under the base to hold a sand bag or your camera bag for stabilization is a great feature. I carry an empty sandbag that I can fill with rocks when needed.

The legs are light and easy to adjust with the adjustment collars and the metal spikes can be used instead of the rubber feet if necessary.
I may never use the 75mm ball feature but it is nice to have.

The ProMediaGear BH1 ball heads are fantastic. Just one large knob for complete movement and one smaller knob for rotation. Easy to reach and do with gloves.

Overall this 59" four section tripod has all the features you would ever need or want. Can't wait go get out and shoot some photos.

Excellent support if you ever need parts or servicing.

This is my second PMG tripod (or third, if counting my TR01) and yet again, I'm thoroughly impressed. My TR343L was my first and perhaps primary tripod, used with a PMG BH1 ball head. I usually prefer fewer leg locks to fiddle around with. However, there are situations where the TR343L is just a tad too long when collapsed. The TR344 is the same max height as the TR343L, but approx. 4.25" shorter when collapsed. This may not seem like much, but it's significant to me. Both tripods came with the modular apex, which is wonderfully versatile (not to mention, beautiful). I use the modular apex on my TR343L, along with PMG's 75mm leveling head and bowl. The "penalty" with the modular apex is that it adds a fair bit to the overall diameter of the tripod when folded. I purchased and swapped in the TRS01 compact apex onto the TR344 which significantly reduces the diameter, making it still more compact. Exactly what I was looking for. The modularity of PMG tripods is truly my favorite feature.

Just a few more details of the TR344 that I love: 1) Leg locks that easy to grab with gloves, require very little rotation to loosen/tighten and they stay SOLIDLY locked. 2) The leg angle position locks are simple and intuitive to use. 3) Included/integrated spiked feet.

This tripod is very light yet rock solid, of course. There seem to be a few nice updates on my TR344 vs. TR343L: 1) The PMG logo is proudly on each aluminum leg "pivot", as it should be. 2) The carbon fiber has a striking large triangular pattern. My TR343L has a smaller "chevron" shaped pattern, which looks great, but the new TR344 legs are stunning. I'm no expert on carbon fiber patterns, but wow PMG... keep it up! Function should follow form, but PMG nails both.

So far, I am impressed. It replaced my 12 year old Gitzo LS3542which had served me well, but was becoming finicky to keep in shape. The PMG TR 344 has been a worthy successor in every way so far. Very sturdy. No flex that I have noticed either in deflection under load or with the "twist the legs" test. Operation has been silky smooth despite a fair amount of abuse. The design is smart, with lots of thoughtful touches. I have had to tighten the legs a couple of times, which is annoying, but that seems endemic to all tripods I have used. Or maybe I just have an extra aversion to floppy leg syndrome. No Gitzo hickies, either, which is nice. I love that it is from a small USA shop, which I am happy to pay a little extra for, especially since I am getting top-level quality. The final grade would depend on (1) whether this tripod holds up to continued abuse, and (2) how PMG's customer service responds when I need replacement parts. But A+ so far.

Excellent, Sturdy tripod. Well balanced. I used it in harsh weather and on sandy beaches- No problem. No tweaky noise noted when retracting and folding the tripod.

I like doing long exposures and panoramas, and I wanted a tripod that provides a stable platform and reduces vibrations, and this does. It's extremely well built, easy to deploy, and very sturdy, and definitely worth the money I spend & highly recommended.