The WT-3520 portable tripod is a budget professional-grade tripod by Weifeng, a Chinese company, and it is aimed at small Digital cameras and smartphones. It is also offered in some markets as the T-3520.
I have had my WT-3520 Tripod for a little over a year now, and in that time I have used it to make:
- Youtube videos
- Vlogs
- Interviews
- Timelapse content and much more.
That said, I feel that having had the WT-3520 for over a year, and used it extensively, I can offer my two cents and help you decide if it’s a tripod that works for you.
I am Dennis Ohuru, an internet entrepreneur, YouTuber and cinematographer with 4 plus years of experience creating content on my youtube channel.
The WT-3520 Specifications
| The Brand | Weifeng |
| The Model | WT-3520 |
| Material | Aluminium Alloy |
| Tripod Sections | 3 sections |
| Maximum Load Capacity | 3 KG |
| Weight | 930 Grams |
| Maximum Height | 55 Inches |
Unboxing Of The Weifeng 3520
When you buy the Weifeng 3520 Tripod, these are the things you can expect to find in the box.
- 1 WT-3520 Tripod
- A carrying bag
- A manual
Key Features Of The WT-3520 Tripod
The WT-3520 comes with a tonne of useful features that every cinematographer will appreciate: I Know I have.
They include:
3-Way Fluid Effect Panhead
The Tripod comes with a 3-way fluid effect panhead that allows you to adjust your shooting angle fluidly in three different angles.
- Up
- Down
- Sideways
Vertical Shooting
Sometimes you want to take footage in the 9:16 aspect ratio (Better known as portrait) as opposed to the 16:9 aspect ratio (Widescreen/Landscape)
The WT-3520 has a provision to release the top mounting, allowing it to hold the camera at a 90-degree angle and lock in that position.
This feature is not only useful for shooting portrait videos, I have used it on many occasions to take pictures of myself when I didn’t have anyone to hold the camera for me.
Related: My Review Of The Canon M50
Quick-Release Plate
The Tripod comes with a quick-release mounting plate at the top which allows for quick mounting and de-mounting of the camera, especially on the move.
You don’t have to fuss about the whole tripod to mount your Camera to it, all you have to do is remove the quick-release plate from the tripod. Attach your camera to it, and fix it back and you are good to go.
The only setback to this is you have to be very careful not to lose the quick-release plate because no backups are offered in the box.
The quick-release plate is a small thing, but lose it and the whole Tripod becomes redundant.
Quick-Release Leg Hooks
The WT-3520 is manufactured with quick-release leg hooks that allow for fast deployment and packing of the tripod.
When you want to deploy the tripod, you don’t have to fuff about with screws or anything. Just unclasp the quick-release hooks on the legs and pull it up.
When you are done, unclasp the quick-release leg hooks, push each level back in and close the leg hooks.
The whole thing is very intuitive and easy to use.
Rubber Anti-Skid Footpad
The WT-3520 has non-slip rubber feet that adjust slightly to ground the Tripod and make it stable to use.
In all my time using the tripod, I have never had any issue with slippage even on wet, grassy terrain.
360° Pan
The WT-3520 can pan 360° allowing for stable shots in every direction. A lock can also lock the tripod in place so that it doesn’t turn until the lock is released.
A Side Handle
The WT-3520 comes with a side handle for easing portage when on the move. Handling a tripod and moving it around has never been easier.
Internal Height Extender
The Weifeng WT 3520 comes with an internal height-extending capability allowing the Tripod to achieve its maximum height. When fully extended use the leg hooks.
You use a lever mechanism to pull the centre out and extend its height further as shown in the video.
Pros and Cons Of The Weifeng T-3520
| Pros | Cons |
| The quick-release plate allows for easy mounting and removal of the camera. | If you lose the quick-release plate, the whole tripod becomes unusable. |
| Aluminium alloy used in the manufacture of Tripod makes it light and compact. | Some may feel that the lightness of the tripod and the aluminium feel make it feel and look cheap. |
| The tripod is compact and easy to move around with. | The compactness of the tripod sacrifices load capacity. Loading just 3 KG at the maximum. |
| You can shoot in both vertical and horizontal angles. | If you are using a phone, you have to get an additional phone holder to go on top of the tripod. |
The Price Of The WT-3520
The WT-3520 is a budget Tripod, therefore you can pick it up for USD 30 in camera shops.
The Design Of The Weifeng WT-3520
The Tripod is designed using an aluminium alloy material, it feels light and compact to the touch.
It can feel plasticky and cheap to some but in all my time of using it, I have dropped it a few times and it has survived.
That is not to say that it is equipped for hard use, it is not, take care to not drop it too frequently as there are plastic sections to the tripod that will no doubt break.
Also, be careful not to lose the quick-release plate, I cannot stress this enough, you lose that and you are basically looking at purchasing another tripod because you can’t mount your camera on the tripod without it.
Ease Of Use
The Weifeng WT 3520 is beginner-friendly and doesn’t require a lot of expertise to operate.
You should be up and running in a few minutes after purchase and after a few days, you should have mastered most everything there is to the tripod.
Related: Ulanzi MT-11 Multi-Function Octopus Tripod Review
Conclusion
The Weifeng WT-3520 is a beginner-friendly tripod that works and is priced reasonably. Any beginner or intermediate cinematographer making hobbyist videos or light commercial work should have no problem at all using the tripod.
If you keep your quick-release plate safe and don’t drop it too much, the Weifeng WT 3520 should serve you for years. Thank you for reading.
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