Tripods Tripods Tripods ........ should I?

Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD

09/04/2006 05:18:53 PM · #1

I already have a small collection of pods

Giotto MM570 monopod
Manfrotto 714B (getting dusty)
Manfrotto 144B
Manfrotto 128RC tilt/swivel head
Manfrotto 410 Geared head

I'm thinking of upgrading the 144B as whilst its a good solid tripod it can get a little heavy on longer hikes. The replacement needs to be a Manfrotto (or able to take my heads) and easily support the 1D and 300/2.8 (albeit the lightweight Sigma). Can anybody talk me out of the Manfrotto Neotec? As well as using it around the garden and indoors I don't drive so tend to go on extended hikes and need the robustness of the 144B hopefully with the weight of the 714B.

Oh, and I've not purchased any photographic equipment for months so feel I'm due a little outlay ;)

MadMan2k

Sony Alpha a6400

09/04/2006 05:45:30 PM · #2

Maybe something carbon fiber?

Although, if you bring a 300 2.8 in the field I guess a couple extra pounds for an aluminum tripod won't hurt :p

Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD

09/04/2006 07:34:31 PM · #3

Thanks for the reply Jon, yes, am am sure it will be carbon fibre and am really drawn to the neotec and its 'single pull' to adjust a leg rather than the current adjustment of 2 screws.

MadMan2k

Sony Alpha a6400

09/04/2006 07:54:09 PM · #4

That does sound cool, but I wonder how durable it is...

The clamps on my 724B complete have started to wear a little in the 9 months I've had it, they still clamp fine but the legs don't slide out as smoothly as they used to. It kind of seems like more complicated parts in there might not help any, but I could be wrong, and there's a big difference in quality there.

I think I'll get this set, when I have the money:
Gitzo G-2220
Gitzo G-1375M

Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD

09/06/2006 06:38:50 PM · #5

Originally posted by MadMan2k:

That does sound cool, but I wonder how durable it is...

I had a long talk yesterday with someone from MorrisPhoto and after dealing with Manfrotto for 11 years have never had a customer complaint regards tripods (I'm pretty sure they have had returns). Yes, your right, its a new feature and as its got no history something might go wrong with the mechanism but even if it happens outside of the (free) extended warranty it can always be repaired.

I think I came across badly on the phone to start when a young lady answered and asked if she could help. Thinking it was a switchboard I asked to speak to their tripod expert, "is there anything specific you want to ask sir, I have quite a good knowledge of tripods" Quite good? after a few minutes I started going through most of the manfrotto range trying to trip her up (she even new what the old models had been succeeded by). I was most impressed and after about 10 minutes put the phone down and went over the advice (pros and cons of each model) I had been given.

I arrived home from work today to find a rather large box with manfrotto written all over it and eagerly unwrapped my new Manfrotto 458B Neotec Pro. This might sound silly but I need to practice opening and closing the legs as the first couple of times I did it I ended up with oily hands. I know this is a little luxury when I already have a serviceable 144B and I may never lower the tripod to 4 inches (the 410 head is higher than the tripod at its lowest height)but just grabbing onto the legs and pulling them down to open (no buttons/locks or anything) is fantastic. OK, so you have to press a button to retract the legs but it really is a pleasure to use.

I'd heard MorrisPhoto are a good company but never used them until now and would have no problem recommending them to any other UK person. Knowledgable staff, full stocks, keenly priced and free signed for next day delivery on orders over 25 pounds.

MadMan2k

Sony Alpha a6400

09/06/2006 07:02:14 PM · #6

Congrats, and thanks for posting the review. Do the legs lock at different angles also, and is that covered by the release switch?