I want to pledge my love for Manfrotto

[ThePresence]

I have one of their cheaper model tripods (725b), but this thing is far better than any other tripod I've ever used. In the past I've used el-cheapo crappy WalMart quality plastic-head tripods. This thing seriously kicks ass. Solid as a rock, not to heavy to carry, awesome ball-type head. I love this thing. I can only imagine how great their more expensive models are.

 

[Sunny Side]

Do you have you photo gallery available on-line?

 

[troytime]

i have the same tripod and LOVE it

i'm a cheapskate, and was a little skeptical of buying a tripod for 110, while there are other brands that sell for 15

but, the salesguy promised it'd be a good investment, and i didn't want to put a thousand dollar camera on a 15 dollar tripod

he was absolutely right!

have you found a way to hang your camera bag from the center post?
I found out that if you pop out that rubber cap, there's 2 holes at the bottom of the center piece - but i haven't figured out a nice way to hang my bag there yet (for extra stability)

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: Sunny Side
Do you have you photo gallery available on-line?

No.

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: troytime
i have the same tripod and LOVE it

i'm a cheapskate, and was a little skeptical of buying a tripod for 110, while there are other brands that sell for 15

but, the salesguy promised it'd be a good investment, and i didn't want to put a thousand dollar camera on a 15 dollar tripod

he was absolutely right!

have you found a way to hang your camera bag from the center post?
I found out that if you pop out that rubber cap, there's 2 holes at the bottom of the center piece - but i haven't figured out a nice way to hang my bag there yet (for extra stability)

The manual describes how to do it, but I haven't even tried yet.

 

[randomlinh]

I love them too.. have a 3001BN I think w/ a 486RC2 ball head. I want to get a monopod eventually. I got a generic light stand though, only just learning that.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Manfrotto's definitely good. While I wouldn't say I love it, I will admit that they're good. A good tripod is just so important.

I have a Feisol carbon fiber tripod that I bought for $200 and a Manfrotto 486RC2 ballhead which is just ok. For longer, heavier lenses, the 486RC2 just doesn't cut it. Hoping to one day move to a Kirk or Arca Swiss. I also have a Manfrotto monopod that "converts" into something of an emergency tripod: http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia...07|117&lsf=117&child=2

It's, uh, interesting.

 

[virtuamike]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
Manfrotto's definitely good. While I wouldn't say I love it, I will admit that they're good. A good tripod is just so important.

I have a Feisol carbon fiber tripod that I bought for $200 and a Manfrotto 486RC2 ballhead which is just ok. For longer, heavier lenses, the 486RC2 just doesn't cut it. Hoping to one day move to a Kirk or Arca Swiss. I also have a Manfrotto monopod that "converts" into something of an emergency tripod: http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia...07|117&lsf=117&child=2

It's, uh, interesting.

When you make the move to an Arca compatible system, you won't look back I'm using an Acratech with RRS brackets, very sweet setup.

Manfrotto makes some decent tripods - solid build, sturdy, and great value. I was looking at the 3021 before I ended up with the Gitzo 2220 (liked the Gitzo implementation of the center column better). For the budget tripods, I definitely like Manfrotto better than Slik, Velbon, and Giottos.

 

[Jawo]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
Manfrotto's definitely good. While I wouldn't say I love it, I will admit that they're good. A good tripod is just so important.

I have a Feisol carbon fiber tripod that I bought for $200 and a Manfrotto 486RC2 ballhead which is just ok. For longer, heavier lenses, the 486RC2 just doesn't cut it. Hoping to one day move to a Kirk or Arca Swiss. I also have a Manfrotto monopod that "converts" into something of an emergency tripod: http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia...07|117&lsf=117&child=2

It's, uh, interesting.

How does the 682B monopod work? Is is feasible to use it as a tripod? I have been thinking about getting that (or the 679B with optional base) so I dont have to take the tripod out.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: Jawo

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
Manfrotto's definitely good. While I wouldn't say I love it, I will admit that they're good. A good tripod is just so important.

I have a Feisol carbon fiber tripod that I bought for $200 and a Manfrotto 486RC2 ballhead which is just ok. For longer, heavier lenses, the 486RC2 just doesn't cut it. Hoping to one day move to a Kirk or Arca Swiss. I also have a Manfrotto monopod that "converts" into something of an emergency tripod: http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia...07|117&lsf=117&child=2

It's, uh, interesting.

How does the 682B monopod work? Is is feasible to use it as a tripod? I have been thinking about getting that (or the 679B with optional base) so I dont have to take the tripod out.

Basically the tip of the monopod screws off and those three legs fan outwards. Then you screw the tip back in with the legs fanned out and you've got yourself a self-standing monopod.

Things that I don't like:

Heavier than I expected. But I'm coming from a carbon fiber tripod. If they made this thing out of CF it'd be better.

The metal legs when stored in the body of the monopod clang together and make noise when you use the monopod or walk with it or move it.

The whole setup isn't stiff enough. With the legs out the whole setup will vibrate forever when you have a long lens on it. Think "tuning fork." With a short lens it's quite usable.

Legs are only good for perfectly flat surfaces.

It will not stay still with a wind blowing it. Think tuning fork again.

I just really don't like the leg design. There's nothing elegant about it and it shows that Manfrotto designers weren't really thinking too hard about it when they made it. I'm pretty sure I can think of at least a couple more designs that would have been better than this such as lighter, quieter, and sturdier. For now it's very much a product that can't even begin to replace a tripod in anything but ideal shooting conditions with a short lens.

 

[Jawo]

Thanks, FBB. Thats what I was afraid of, it looks like a great idea, but poorly executed.

 

[40Hands]

You meant the 725B I'm guessing from the link it goes to.

This tripod is the one I have been considering for quite a few days now. You have convinced me to buy it. You also now owe me $115!

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: 40Hands
You meant the 725B I'm guessing from the link it goes to.

This tripod is the one I have been considering for quite a few days now. You have convinced me to buy it. You also now owe me $115!

Yes, that's the one. Typo.
It's $112 @ B&H. So deduct $3 off my bill.

 

[40Hands]

Originally posted by: ThePresence

Originally posted by: 40Hands
You meant the 725B I'm guessing from the link it goes to.

This tripod is the one I have been considering for quite a few days now. You have convinced me to buy it. You also now owe me $115!

Yes, that's the one. Typo.
It's $112 @ B&H. So deduct $3 off my bill.

Well I got it for $113 at Amazon with free shipping but I figured there should be some kind of fee in there for something...

 

[troytime]

Originally posted by: ThePresence

Originally posted by: troytime
i have the same tripod and LOVE it

i'm a cheapskate, and was a little skeptical of buying a tripod for 110, while there are other brands that sell for 15

but, the salesguy promised it'd be a good investment, and i didn't want to put a thousand dollar camera on a 15 dollar tripod

he was absolutely right!

have you found a way to hang your camera bag from the center post?
I found out that if you pop out that rubber cap, there's 2 holes at the bottom of the center piece - but i haven't figured out a nice way to hang my bag there yet (for extra stability)

The manual describes how to do it, but I haven't even tried yet.

can you (or someone else) post it or scan it?
I can't find my manual

 

[ThePresence]

I'll try to scan it tommorow.
I don't have a scanner at home or the manual at work.

 

[gsellis]

I love my Bogen Manfrottos. I do wish they spent a little more time at the gym though. My 501 head could lose a few pounds

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
Manfrotto's definitely good. While I wouldn't say I love it, I will admit that they're good. A good tripod is just so important.

I have a Feisol carbon fiber tripod that I bought for $200 and a Manfrotto 486RC2 ballhead which is just ok. For longer, heavier lenses, the 486RC2 just doesn't cut it. Hoping to one day move to a Kirk or Arca Swiss. I also have a Manfrotto monopod that "converts" into something of an emergency tripod: http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia...07|117&lsf=117&child=2

It's, uh, interesting.

I told you to get the 488RC2.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: foghorn67

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
Manfrotto's definitely good. While I wouldn't say I love it, I will admit that they're good. A good tripod is just so important.

I have a Feisol carbon fiber tripod that I bought for $200 and a Manfrotto 486RC2 ballhead which is just ok. For longer, heavier lenses, the 486RC2 just doesn't cut it. Hoping to one day move to a Kirk or Arca Swiss. I also have a Manfrotto monopod that "converts" into something of an emergency tripod: http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia...07|117&lsf=117&child=2

It's, uh, interesting.

I told you to get the 488RC2.

I've had the 486RC2 for a while now. I'm pretty sure before I joined AT

It was all I could afford at the time.

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
I've had the 486RC2 for a while now. I'm pretty sure before I joined AT

It was all I could afford at the time.

damn, I got to stop getting people mixed up.