Manfrotto Tripod

Kryptix

Kryptix

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I'm really considering buying this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200285115876

Why is it so much cheaper than other Manfrotto tripods on eBay? It looks superb with so many levels of adjustment and pretty much exactly what I want but I'm worried that it's a cheap fake or something. Has anyone ever used something like this and do you have any views on them? I imagine the handle and ball head would be superb and I can't think of a better design. Any comments on it?

What's the point of being able to switch from photo to video? I can't see how it makes any difference. Can anyone explain?

If you had to choose between the above tripod and the following tripod, which would you choose and why?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360109449717

I've only ever had a cheap £10 tripod so I'm pretty new to all this. The ball head design looks amazing but it may not be very practical.

I've just found the Manfrotto tripod online for £30 -- that seems like a bargain?
 
I just got one of these for £9.99! From currys, very impressed with it for the price and is very steady with my d40 ontop :)
 
How did you get it for that price?
 
Asked if they had any of last years stock in back, manager came out with it :) thought it was a bargain as the ebay china tripods are £15 delivered, even has a bag with it :)
 
When was this? Reckon it's worth me asking before I buy online?

There's a few people saying it's very fragile and very easy to snap lugs (etc). True or not? How stable is it with a D-SLR (450D)?
 
Just be aware the max load advised is 2.2 lbs (1kg) It's a Manfrotto so I don't doubt the build quality is good for what it is, but it's not a serious alternative to a solid tripod, and is a useful table top and very occasional use tripod with very light loading.
 
This was friday in stoke on trent currys, in the potteries center, as i said its solid enough with my d40 and seems to me better built and more solid than the £50 one from jessops
 
Maybe not the one to go for then. :(

Any suggestions for under £50? Ideally I'd like a carry case with it.
 
After looking around local camera shops and argos etc i doubt you will get anything better for under £50 , not new anyway
 
Kryptix said:
What's everyone's opinion on this?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360109449717

I can get it for £50 delivered (with the case).
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I've never heard of the make. It looks a better bet, although I can't see any max advised load. That head looks plastic to me although it's hard to tell from the photos - in which case it's not going to be as rigid as a proper metal head, particularly in portrait orientation.

A tripod is the last thing people want to spend money on until they finally realise it's one of the most important bits of kit they'll ever buy, and a good one will last a lifetime. I'd say think about looking for a good 2nd hand one, but looking on ebay the few decent ones on offer are already attracting lots of bidders. Good gear retains it's value. :shrug:
 
The 785 is a very small and compact tripod, the load bearing capacity should tell you all you need to know.It is ideal for weekends away or shoving in your pocket to travel light.It certainly will not hold a D3 with a 600 F4 on it, but it was not designed to do so,It does hold a D200/grip and 17-55 though,albeit not at full extent,I consider it to be a "holiday" tripod and nothing else.
 
I got one of these with a view to overseas travel for the occasions where I just could not take my regular tripod and having something like this would be better than nothing. I used it for the first time last weekend. Well, it is better than nothing. But I agree with everything said in the mag review linked above. I actually used it with my 5D and a 12-24. I didn't extend the smallest final legs so I had to bend down a bit and I'm only 5' 7". It served its purpose well. A cable release would have been useful.

The niggle I had with it, as mentioned in the review, was the fact that the ball head did not lock well enough. It only takes the slightest pressure on the locking trigger to allow the camera to flop over. It never happened whilst in a picture taking position - only when carrying it. Also the camera base plate is not held securely enough. Although the legs are firm enough (for the size) the camera can be wobbled around on the head. More seriously, the camera can be pulled off backwards as the so-called locking catch is just pushed aside. There is the potential for a disaster here.

I shall continue to use it, with care. Probably moreso with my compact. I shall also look around for a way to replace the head with something a bit more substantial. Then again I might find something just as light and more suitable.
 
I originally had a cheap generic one from Jessops, which I found to be flimsy to say the least. I think it cost around £12. Onto the Modo, I looked at that recently and found it to be little better than the generic one. Indeed the review states:

But of course there has to be a downside and here it is. The Modo 785B is (surprise surprise) a bit flimsy. If you avoid extending the legs too far, and keep the centre column down, it does the job its built for pretty well. But at full extension, or outside on a windy day, I wouldn't recommend using overly long exposures, or pushing it beyond its comfort zone by using it with a mid-size DSLR or a long zoom lens.
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Considering what your going to pay for this, with a little patience, you can get a very good Manfrotto off the bay for a similar amount of money, used of course, but that shouldnt worry you.

From what I understand, the 190 legs are most suitable for hiking etc, and the 055's etc, particulalry the ally one, whilst not being back breaking, would become somewhat of a burden on a long or uphill trek.
 
sorry for my replies :(

been away a couple of days and been using my iphone, got home and checked the model number mine is actually a 718B, so i have been commenting on the wrong tripod - i'm a tool!

http://www.fotosense.co.uk/manfrott...-blk-limited-offer-price-49-95-rrp-79-95.html

it seems to have a difrent head on it to the one you posted, its still light and probably not best to use every day but no where near as flimsy looking as the one you posted up in the first post (now i can see the bpics in better quality)
 
I have one, its , how can i put this, not particularly good, the head moves around after a few weeks use( and not very much,at that) alright with a compact, but anything heavier and its a waste of time
 
as-i-said said:
I have one, its , how can i put this, not particularly good, the head moves around after a few weeks use( and not very much,at that) alright with a compact, but anything heavier and its a waste of time
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But thats because it was really only designed for lightweight cameras/camcorders - not big DSLRs! However having said that, it works very well with the starter DSLRs and stock lenses.

I've modified mine a little to improve the grip of the ball head, so it managed to just hold my 18-200 VR lens on the D40X. Its not a bad tripod at all, small, light and relatively sturdy. But now I've got the 190CX-PRO4 I don't use it anymore. Anyone interested in it let me know! ;)
 
MisterE said:
What did you do?
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Theres a little shim plate inside the head which is used to apply pressure against the ball. I thickened this plate a little to get a bit more leverage so the button sticks up more and hence I could press it down a bit more to get a better grip.

It only improved it marginally, nothing to write home about really.
 
SuperCNJ said:
Theres a little shim plate inside the head which is used to apply pressure against the ball. I thickened this plate a little to get a bit more leverage so the button sticks up more and hence I could press it down a bit more to get a better grip.

It only improved it marginally, nothing to write home about really.
Click to expand...

Thanks S. I'll have a look at mine.
 
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