I just got it in and I think you are absolutely right about the tripod Trog. It's dark out and temps are dropping fast here today so I'm not sure when I'll get this outdoors to try but snapping shots around the house I find it really hunts for focus on autofocus and that any camera shake on full zoom is very noticeable. Still, for the price..this is going to be fun to play with. I can see that my days of leaving my monopod and tripod at home on my walks will have to end though. Pity, I hate carrying too much.