Manfrotto 785B Modo tripod and Manfrotto customer services

[tbm]

I've had one of these cracking little tripods for 18 months or so and was a bit disappointed recently when several of the locking catches on the legs failed, rendering it well and truly knackered.

After a bit of an "I know it's out of warranty but this isn't really good enough" email to Bogen UK they offered to replace it; I sent it back last week and my nice shiny replacement arrived today.

I'm certainly impressed with their customer service, although it would have been nice had it not happened at all, and there's nothing to suggest that it won't happen again in another 18 months.

Has anyone else had any similar problems with this tripod or can I live in hope that mine was an isolated case? Let’s hope this one lives longer than its predecessor

 

[SuperCNJ]

I've not had any problems with mine but if you're worried you may as well sell it as it is now - in new condition and get yourself a better one?

 

[fracster]

Had mine a while now with no problems at all. I find it ideal for holiday weekends are when I need to travel light.For the price I think they are very good,as you do......

But then I don`t expect it to hold 5 kgs worth of gear,as some people obviously do.

 

[tbm]

Hmm.. flogging it is food for thought; hadn't really considered that.
I need it for a few days abroad in a week or so, so it'll probably be kept. I must admit I'm quite tempted by a 719 though..

It is a great little tripod when seeking to travel light, and a right bargain at £30 as well when you see the alternatives from Velbon etc. I must admit though I am guilty of overloading it a little (worst it gets is 40D and 17-55 which is about 1.5kg).

Failure was around the hinges on the latches so an issue with design/material spec and fatigue through repeated latch operation, rather than overloading, I think.

Cheers for the replies