Manfrotto 190CL and 390RC2 - My new toy

Marcel

Marcel

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Marcel
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Caved in today, and managed to find a local Jessops that still had a Velbon Sherpa 600 in stock. It looked just right for what I wanted. Not too costly, and the right (or most) features in a tripod I was after. £79.99

When I got there and had a little play with it...the legs were quite fiddly (the adjusters), and I just mentioned that I *was* going to plump for the Manfrotto deal, but it was only a 190D and I didn't like the twist clamps on the legs...He said "Nope, it's got quick release clamps", so off he toddled to get one. I looked at it and thought "That'll do for me". A quick check of the weight , fine for me I reckon, and a play about with the Manfrotto and I was sold :thumbs:


Anyway I have a question.....to those with the same tripod and head / Quick Release plate.

If I put the Quick release plate on the camera, the way I'm supposed to (With "LENS" and the arrow pointing the correct way), then the lever is quite stiff to secure the plate (so much so I dont want to apply too much pressure just incase I b****r the spindle or spring on it or something).
If I put it in back to front (with lens pointing towards the photographer), then it slots in neatly and the springy level shuts fully.

Now a quick google has thrown up someone else with a similar query, and the replies to him were mostly of the "It's badly fitting, take it back..." or "Let it wear in", or "Don't put it in back to front, with the smaller side near you....." etc etc.

Anyone else got this combo?
I'll take some pics of what I mean in a short while.
 
Did you get the 190D or 190CL, Marcel?
 
190CL Janice.
Sorry, that was my original misunderstanding. I thought the kit included the 190D, hence my not originally going for it, as I didnt like the actual tripod.

So when he pulled out a 190CL I was happy :)
 
Im looking and cant see the difference between the two.... Im hoping to get a Manfrotto soon... can you tell me the diff between 190D (mini basic) and 190 CL (mini classic) ?
 
One thing that often catches me out with the RC2 is the shallow recess the screw sits in. It is easy to do the screw up tight but with the edge of the screw not in the recess.....then you spend ages trying to fit it into the shoe but the latch won't hold - all because the screw is a hairsbreadth too high. Center it before tightening and all works like a charm.

Don't know if that is your problem. I just slap it onto the shoe and the lever grips on its own :shrug:
 
I have the Manfrotto catalogue here that I picked up from fotosense the other day.

Looking at the stats, the only difference is the 190D is 1.7kg, and the 190CL is 1.9kg.

However, the CL comes with leg warmers on 2 legs (D doesnt come with any), and the D has wing knobs to lock the legs open, whereas the CL has the quick clamps.
Plus the CL has a low angle adapter, which is stored in the centre column. For almost 'on the ground' shooting. Which is handy.
 
RobertP said:
One thing that often catches me out with the RC2 is the shallow recess the screw sits in. It is easy to do the screw up tight but with the edge of the screw not in the recess.....then you spend ages trying to fit it into the shoe but the latch won't hold - all because the screw is a hairsbreadth too high. Center it before tightening and all works like a charm.

Don't know if that is your problem. I just slap it onto the shoe and the lever grips on its own :shrug:
Click to expand...

Yeah I see what you mean...basically once the screw is sat in its recess, it goes into the camera a bit further?

Yeah thats not the problem I'm having. This is also when it's not attached to the camera....(attaching the plate to the tripod on its own).
 
OT, and I'm not trying to scare ya (honest) - but I'm pretty sure this is the head that fell apart on chewyuk when I was out with him :(
 
you just tuck the front of the plate (where the lens arrow points to long edge) into the 'hook' bit of the shoe then press the back edge down onto the brass peg to release the latch lever.

What part of that is the problem?
 
Congrats on the purchase Marcel. :thumbs:
Hope someone comes along to answer your query.

Im looking for a tripod too but, I just dont know a good one from a bad one.
I keep hearing 'buy the best you can afford' but if youre new to the market how do you know if throwing a tonne of money at something means its 'good'?
Tis all very confusing to an airhead numpty like me!
 
Im opting for a Manfrotto 190 pro B, with a ball head. just got to keep saving now!! :D
 
RobertP said:
you just tuck the front of the plate (where the lens arrow points to long edge) into the 'hook' bit of the shoe then press the back edge down onto the brass peg to release the latch lever.

What part of that is the problem?
Click to expand...

Yup, I've just had another play and it seems that if the QR plate is a hairs breadth too high then it has trouble locking (like I suggested).

So it could be you're right Robert, with it the 'correct' way round (as the "LENS" markings suggest it should be) it now isnt as tight as it was, and can be fastened all the way in with less force (although still a good press is required to fasten the lever in all the way).
 
Err I use no force at all on the lever??

001.jpg


002.jpg


003.jpg
 
oh thats my new xmas monopod + head btw :)

Manfrotto 685B + simple swivel head for portrait.
 
Joe T said:
Just be sure that the 190 is tall enough for you. I opted for the 055 for the extra height over the 190.
Click to expand...

Hmmm I thoguht about that, but wondered if the extra bit of weight might prove too much for a mere female......unless I have you to come and carry it for me, Joe !!;)
 
You shouldn't have to touch that securing lever at all Bodders (except for removing the camera). As Robert says ...hook one edge of the plate under the lip and just a gentle press down should cause the securing lever to spring fully home.
 
Yep, thats what I'm doing...but if I was to put the plate in the way the labelling suggests underneath the plate (IE Lens points this way), then the lever doesnt go back 'home' unless pushed in....

Look at the first shot...the lever's back 'home', but the indications point that the plate is in back to front (Blue writing is the writing underneath the plate)

qr1.jpg



Now look at the second shot, this is the way it's 'supposed' to go.
qr2.jpg


Another site mentioned that it *shouldn't* be used like in the first shot, as the recessed area shouldnt be next to the lever....
 
:)

I have 2 RC2 mounts and both are similar. Not seen one like yours. Guess it's just the same but that top frame on yours hides it.

That 'not home but right way round' shot - is the camera screw loose or trapped hard? If it is trapped then I go back to my original theory :)
 
In the second shot, the screw isnt trapped like you describe.

When it is trapped, I can't even close the lever at all. In the second shot above I could have pressed on that lever to close it if I'd wanted, but it still needs a bit of pressure to close it. Maybe it just needs 'wearing in' ?
 
Well No2 is obviously the correct orientation as it puts the lens pointing away and the head controls on the user side of the pod.

Unless there's something obvious fouling the plate Blod I'd suggest it will loosen up with use.

WD40? :D
 
Cheers, that sort of confirms my thoughts. It's just with it being a new toy, I'm being overly cautious, I don't want to apply too much pressure too many times to have it wear in, only to find out that the orientation is printed wrong (or for another tripod or something), and I've just buggered up my tripod / lens / plate or something...lol

Once again, TP to the rescue...

Now I really need to go out and take some photos :D
Next purchase...grip....
(My wife said I couldnt have my tripod until my birthday....yeah right).
 
LOL.

My Manfrotto QR plate was hexagonal but the principal was the much the same - it had the LENS arrow too. I seem to remember it being a bit stiff initially, then wearing in nicely.

The only thing to watch out for Bod is that the plate is secured at the first offering (despite the lever not being pushed home) as that's when the nasty slip is going to be occurring if you're not careful.
 
Daft question, but have you tried this with the plate mounted on the camera? The weight of the camera might make all the difference, and if not you're applying a more even and greater pressure when you're pushing the camera down anyway.
 
Yup, tis pretty much the same.

One thing I've noticed though, is the difference from my Hama.

I know the old saying is buy cheap, buy twice etc, but the Hama did serve me well for a few years. Unfortunately, its time to upgrade.
I can instantly notice the difference in build quality and stability. No wobbles or wiggles at all. Just really sturdy.

I haven't even used it yet, but I'm really glad I paid the extra £20 for this over the Velbon.
 
I have that head/tripod combo

I the plate is used on several other heads and as such the markings probably relate to the first head it was used on.

Mine has never lined up when the plate was fitted with the lens facing either of the directions.

I have a QR head on my monopod which uses the same PL200 plate and thats the same.

If the head is used without the lever all the way home, you run the risk of the camera forcing it open and dropping your pride and joy on the floor :eek:

I want to change the 390 head for a joystick type head, i know that the plate does fit the correct way round on one of those ;)
 
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