[Joe T]

Just ordered:

Manfrotto 322RC2 HEAVY DUTY GRIP BALL HEAD (see here £90

Manfrotto 055MF4 055 MAG FIBER TRIPOD 4 SCT (see here ) £220

Manfrotto MBAG 80P - £45 (for a padded bag - woah!)

Looking forward ot getting it! It had better be good, for this kind of money! My current tripod is a "Boots" brand one from the late 70s or early 80s.

[Venomator]

Nice stuff - I've been toying with the Manfrotto range Joe T - what in particular made you go for this set up ?

Hope it lives up to expectations !

[Joe T]

I wanted an 055 PRO model as its the best they make - it has all the functions I could want, and its tall enough for me. I went for the CF to save a bit of weight, and the four section so that it folds up small enough.

I was temepted by getting a set of Gitzo legs (of similar size, weight etc) from HK for aroudn the same price, but I really couldnt see how they would be better. Plus they have those annoying twist locks.

The head looks like it should make changing position a breeze. Ive read lots fo good things about it. With a heavy lens on it, I'd like to be able to alter position with just one had. You can even use it left handed, whilst leaving your right hand free for the shutter - this means you can even get panning shots on it.

[Venomator]

You didn't consider the Neotec 458B ?

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/cache/offonce/pid/2280?livid=68|69&idx=72

Although I can see it is only three section and not quite so compact when closed up !

[minimeeze]

£310 for a tripod...wow

[Joe T]

Originally Posted by Venomator

You didn't consider the Neotec 458B ?

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/cache/offonce/pid/2280?livid=68|69&idx

Although I can see it is only three section and not quite so compact when closed up !

Yeah, its 64cm when closed. Its also 2.4kg instead of 2kg.

I havent any experience of the Neotec system, so I dont knwo how easy I would find it.

Its also another £30, and I thought I'd spent enough!

[Joe T]

Originally Posted by minimeeze

£310 for a tripod...wow

I only want to buy once, if you know what I mean!

[digitalfailure]

Not jealous at all

The ball grip is supposed to be a great bit of kit.

I have to slum it with a Manfrotto 190 alloy tripod and a 390rc2 pan and tilt head.



Only kidding about the slumming it.....it was a christmas present and so far it's been great and far excedes the level of support offered by my previous Velbon lightweight shakeapod

The Build Quality of the Manfrotto kit is 1st class.

[Venomator]

Originally Posted by Joe T

Yeah, its 64cm when closed. Its also 2.4kg instead of 2kg.

I havent any experience of the Neotec system, so I dont knwo how easy I would find it.

Its also another £30, and I thought I'd spent enough!

All reasons enough then ! It is light and compact I would go for so your choice is probably getting there.

Not sure about the head though - think I might need to play with that one first.

Let us know how you go with it when it arrives ...

[P-E]

Be interested in how you find the tripod Joe........

I have the 055PRO (not MF) and find it wee bit heavy to cart around.......so I am looking for something lighter if possible.

[Joe T]

Originally Posted by P-E

Be interested in how you find the tripod Joe........

I have the 055PRO (not MF) and find it wee bit heavy to cart around.......so I am looking for something lighter if possible.

Will do. The CF version is 2kg as opposed to 2.4 so its light but not really by much.

[P-E]

Originally Posted by Joe T

Will do. The CF version is 2kg as opposed to 2.4 so its light but not really by much.

Yes .4 not much difference I know but yours is more compact yes?

[Joe T]

Originally Posted by P-E

Yes .4 not much difference I know but yours is more compact yes?

Yeah I went for the 4 section which is £10 more than the 3 section. Its around 10cm smaller when folded. Both are 2kg.

I think the CF ones extend a bit less than the others; but 165cm plus head plus camera is enough for me I reckon.

[P-E]

Yes think I would have rather got a more compact one

Like you said.........you only "want to buy once"

[CT]

Good choices there Joe - both with the legs and the head.

[RobertP]

Did you consider the Feisol that I have ?

Link to frame page so no menus

I've got used to it now but at first i did not like the twist lock action to extend the legs. Having had some practice now I can do about as quick as the flip locks on my old tripod.

Very strong and light + about half price of the Manfrotto. (I bought a Manfrotto head for it though and that weighs as much as the tripod!)

[Mark Grant]

The 322RC2 head is fantastic once you get used to it

They are delivered set up the wrong way round I think,

I swapped mine round (with the allen key provided) so the grip is operated with left hand, leaving right hand for camera controls, much easier to use

Mark.

[mfwild13]

Originally Posted by Joe T

Just ordered:
Manfrotto 322RC2 HEAVY DUTY GRIP BALL HEAD, Manfrotto 055MF4 055 MAG FIBER TRIPOD 4 SCT, Manfrotto MBAG 80P

Good choices. I have the 322RC2 and the 055PRO and am pretty happy with them although the 322 does take a bit of getting used to. I am considering the proper remote release for it but not sure if I will make enough use of it yet.

Like Mark Grant, I swapped mine over to the left hand when I first got it but have now reverted back to the right hand as I find it easier when using the long lens.

You might want to get yourself another plate (200 PL-14) so you can leave one on that Sigma of yours and one on the body to save messing about and also minimise wear/damage from regularly swapping over (about £10 IIRC). I found that I had to take a bit of care making sure I got a really good fit on the tripod collar for the 400mm F5.6 so now leave a plate permanently attached.

Mark

[Dave]

Sounds good. I'm lucky...I can't stand tripods, so it saves some money

[Arkady]

Bloomin' carbon Gitzos we have issued are £500 each - then you buy a centre-column and head for them!!!

[dazzajl]

I use the 322RC2 head on the Neotec legs for the EOS kit and it's all pretty good. Not what I would call really solid support as the head does creep a bit with the 70-200 f4 on but for the size and weight it's excellent.

It does depend on what you're used to I guess and my main tripod weighs more than my EOS kit does and has more in common with an engine hoist than the Neotec jobbie.

The first thing I did with the head was to change to left handed grip as well and I found that works a treat.

[Chez]

Originally Posted by Arkady

Bloomin' carbon Gitzos we have issued are £500 each - then you buy a centre-column and head for them!!!

That's because they're overpriced in this country (like most photo equipment!).

I got mine in HK and paid under £200!

[Joe T]

Just drove most of the way to the City Link depot to pick it up (there was no-one at home today or yesterday to take the delivery). I had to turn back as the traffic was too heavy (bad accident at roundabout of M40 and A404 I think) and the depot was about to close. Hour and half wasted.

[Venomator]

Desperate m8 !

Hope you have better luck with it soon ? Cannot wait to hear your immediate impressions and then how you go with it !

[P-E]

Sickner

Pick it tomorrow though yes?

[Joe T]

Yes, I will try to pick it up tonight.

[Venomator]

Originally Posted by Joe T

Yes, I will try to pick it up tonight.

Well ... ???

[Joe T]

Well I finally got it! First impressions are really good. This is quite a bit of kit!

I will post a more comprehensive review, but right now here's some gratuitous pics:

[Joe T]

[Mark Grant]

Looks nice

Have you tried the handle on the other side, so your shutter finger is free to take pictures when following something ?

Mark.