I am off to Prague next month and Hong Kong the next, will let you know !
Yup, I got the kit version, £194 ball head included.
As a bonus, I measured it from ground to top of the plate, it's 108cm. So it was a little higher than the 100cm I was expecting.
Not a whole lot of difference, it only raises about 15cm or so.
Hi,
I am posting this because I saw Ray's blog post and this made me think that I have been long overdue to get a 2nd tripod. I come from a very similar story as Rays.
I own a 5D Mark III along with some F1.2 primes so my gear is heavy. I use the first Manfrotto 055PROB with a range of heads, RC322 pistol grip, 405 Geared. Whilst I don't do much traveling abroad, I do shoot landscapes locally and try to capture infrared work which requires me to use a tripod. The 055PROB is 1, far to large as a compacted footprint to hang off the bag. 2, its weight is far from light. Me being 6ft tall the model Ray has gone for unfortunately is no good to me due to its maximum extended height. I have opted for a TSC-427 from Amazon for £271. This extended out is roughly 20cm shy of what my 055PROB can do. I hardly ever use my 055 at that extended range anyway so I think the TSC-427 is a good choice to go for. I'll be keeping my 055 anyway as that thing is a tank when it comes to using it submerged in water. Its also 9 years old this year so its deffo time for a change. I also like the fact this one can be easily reconfigured as a mono pod. I do have a Manfrotto monopod but I have only ever used it once. Still, the option is nice.
Couple of brief details on the one I went for
Carbon Travel Kit + RNB-2n Ball Head
Material:CarbonExtended:159.0 cm
62.60 inch
Monopod:168.0 cm
66.14 inch
Box Dimensions ( L ) 52.5 x (W) 13.0 x (H) 13.0 cm
(L) 20.7 x (W) 5.1 x (H) 5.1 inch
Weight:1.60 Kg
3.53 lbs
Max load:11.0 Kg
24.25 lbs
Folded:48.0 cm
18.90 inch
Height:133.0 cm
52.36 inch
Being delivered tomorrow.
Johnny
Because I don't travel by car I have to say my 055PRO has seen better days. Nothing more than cosmetic though. 9 years and the locks are still good. I'm looking forward to the 427. I can see myself being very happy with it.The 427 seem really good alternative, the 055pro is only out when I have my car, there is no chance of me taking it on a backpack. In fact, when I pack the car, I carry that separately, it's how heavy that is.
That said, can't fault it for stability and durability. It's my oldest piece of equipment it still looks new.
Because I don't travel by car I have to say my 055PRO has seen better days. Nothing more than cosmetic though. 9 years and the locks are still good. I'm looking forward to the 427. I can see myself being very happy with it.
Yeah the 427 sure is small but I would opt for much smaller to travel abroad with. Hence Rays choice.
Alex, may I ask where you purchased the BeFree from please?!
Kindest regards,
Azi
And it is a monopod - and it's only 30cm when folded (oh and it's sexy Carbon Fibre and comes with a quality Neoprene bag LOL)I'm still looking for one for me.
I think I will go for either redged 522 or mefoto backpacker (or road trip )
525 is only 100cm high fully extended, 522 goes to 136cm and backpacker 130 cm.
Road trip over 180 cm.
Road trip is heaviest 1.6kg while all other are 1.2kg.
Only advantage of 525 is that it can take up to 8kg of equipment on it.
ended up with ALU Redged 522KAnd it is a monopod - and it's only 30cm when folded (oh and it's sexy Carbon Fibre and comes with a quality Neoprene bag LOL)