| Author: | | New Member Registered: November, 2019 Posts: 1 | | Review Date: March 17, 2023 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Good solid build for it's size. Manfrotto quality and spares back-up | | Cons: | | |
Bought used, here in England, for approx. $45.00 without a head. It has proved excellent for my purposes. I use it fitted with a Manfrotto 141 RC pan and tilt head ( bought used, seperately, for approx.$40.00).
Gets used mainly with my 35mm SLRs, Pentax K-3, and medium format TLRs, Minolta Autocord, Yashica 124G etc. when out and about. I know it's rated for a heavier max. load, but it feels a little slender when mounted with a K-1 plus battery grip, a 645D, or a 67.
Heightwise, fitted with the 141RC head, it's fine, and I'm 6ft.2in. tall.
A lot of people describe it as heavy, but I've never found it so. Mind you, I used to hump around a brutish Manfrotto 075, 029 head and Pentax 67 at one time........:
| | | | | | | Junior Member Registered: December, 2012 Posts: 36
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 10, 2013 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | solid build | | Cons: | short, heavy | |
This is an excellent tripod:
- Solid and typical great Manfrotto build quality.
- Flip-lever leg locks - fast and reliable.
- Independent leg angle adjustment.
- Center column can be removed easily and inserted in a horizontal orientation. This is necessary because the column is rather long and won't allow you to get low enough for ground level shots unless you re-orient the column. It is solidly held once there but you need to use a timer to reduce vibration of the cantilevered equipment.
Note that this tripod is only 48" tall without the column elevated. I thought this might be an issue since I am 5'-8" tall and don't like to bend. However, I use it with a Nodal Ninja EZ Leveler II and a Manfrotto 410 Junior Geared Panhead. When you add a K10/K5IIS with battery grip and L-bracket on top of all that the viewfinder is nearly at my eye level. With my Markins ballhead instead of the 410 it is nearly the same height.
Despite its weight, this is my landscape tripod and I carry this thing all over the place. It is not as solid or heavy as my 055XProB but it is more than enough for my gear, especially when I hang my camera bag on it as ballast.
Personally, I think this is one of the best bang for the buck tripods on the market. Relatively cheap, very well made, solid, and versatile. It handles all my lenses, including my battleship Kiron 90-180 macro lens extended all the way out on the end of a macro rail, without any problem.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: January, 2013 Location: Alameda Island, CA Posts: 98
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 24, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $149.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Build quality, versatility, features,ease of use | | Cons: | none | |
I was going to order a Vanguard tripod from B & H. Went out locally yesterday to "Precision Camera" here in Austin. Asked if they sold Vanguard, they said no, but we have something similar. Looked at the different models until I found one that had the features of the Vanguard I was interested in: Namely, the ability to pull the center stem out of its socket and use at an angle, as well as the ability to flatten the entire tripod out onto the ground while the center stem is at an angle. When I picked up the Manfrotto, the quality of the build was evident from the get-go. Loved the solid feel of the leg-adjusting tabs. I knew I wanted the "flip tabs" rather than those twist-legs. Flipped the tabs, legs drop instantly. Solid. Nice. The infinite adjustability of this thing, as well as the ease of use made me say "OK...I want this one." One of the other features of the Vanguard was a "pistol grip" ball head. They showed me the Manfrotto 222. That was it. Sold. So I bought the tripod and head, the woman at the shop gave me $20 off the tripod, and $10 off the price of the head, I also bought a killer bag that will hold both tripod and head IN THEIR ORIGINAL BOXES, so I am set for taking this with me on my big road trip this fall. Couldn't be happier with my choice, after just one day of having it. I love it. That "joystick" head is superb, and the tripod is solid. I would recommend this combination to ANYONE looking for a quality tripod/head setup. Well worth the money. And a special "happy news" bonus: there has NEVER been a local Pentax dealer in Austin that I've known of. In March, Precision Camera is moving to a new location, and they are going to become a PENTAX DEALER! The woman assured me they would stock ALL the lenses, all the bodies. Hallelujah! I'm gonna have a local Pentax store!
| | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: March, 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Posts: 23,920
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 19, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sturdy, relatively lightweight, versatile | | Cons: | None | |
An excellent aluminium-based tripod.
Quite stable even in moderate wind.
Easy to use - setup and packup is simple and quick.
It is built to last.
| | | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: July, 2008 Location: Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Posts: 3,948 | | Review Date: May 10, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $145.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sturdy, very good value | | Cons: | Not light | |
Not a hiker's tripod, this aluminum tripod is a very sturdy and versatile piece of quality equipment. The Manfrotto universal joint is excellent for getting perspective stability, and the legs have very good reach and sturdiness. With 11 lbs/5kg maximum weight (don't forget the ballhead) this unit can support all but the heaviest 2.8 long lenses and bodies. (If you're tracking birds in flight using a Bigam, you will want something sturdier). In fact, for the non-FF Pentax line, this tripod is ideal. Made in Italy, it's a solid piece of design and function. Mine is paired with the 496RC2 ballhead.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: February, 2007 Location: Freehold, NJ Posts: 856 | | Review Date: March 26, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $150.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Easy to use, extend, and mount | | Cons: | heavy | |
I love this tripod! The center column easily moves into a vertical position, which has helped with some recent work I've had shooting food dishes. I use it with two heads: the Manfrotto 303 Plus and the Manfrotto 804RC2 head (I use a grip with the three way head). I can switch heads quickly and they do not turn on the axis of the tripod. I wish it was a little lighter, but for the money, it is easy to use, sturdy and well balanced, even with the center column fully extended horizontally.
| | |
