Manfrotto tripod advice please.

brianjbox

brianjbox

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Brian
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Hi All

My Son is 14 and loves coming out with me when I go on my bird picture taking adventures, we have him mostly kitted out now with a D40x, Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 + 2x converter. Connor [Son] has just purchased a Manfrotto MN393 gimbal head and already owns the Manfrotto carrying strap, we just don't know what tripod to get him.

My tripod is huge/heavy and would really restrict how far we could go from the car if he had similar, I know that lighter often means less stable so what's a good compromise?

We haven't got loads to spend and he's spent all his so would think it'll have to be second hand off ebay:( but at least he'll be mobile and happy;)

The MN393 is quite heavy in it's own right and that added to everything else we take really means I need to get the correct tripod.

Help/advice really appreciated as I get no sense of scale from those little ebay picture's.

Thanks
Brian & Connor
 
If you go to the Manfrotto site (http://www.manfrotto.com) their product list has the stats for all their tripods.

Figure out the max weight of gear you'll stick on the tripod (head, camera, lens), that will give you an idea of which models are up to the job.

Then it's just a case of deciding the right combination of cost, weight, size, etc that meets your needs.

As the previous poster mentioned, you can also look at the redsnapper versions - they are well regarded here, and TP members can get a 10% discount I believe.
 
Hi Guys

Firstly thanks for the replies.

Granty_ I was looking at Manfrotto tripods as the 393 head and his carrying strap were both made by this company so assumed it would all fit together ok. I didn't know if tripod heads were interchangeable between manufacturers or not so was just playing safe, if you can mix and match that will give us a lot more choices:)

Thanks for the link Faldrax, will check it out now. I didn't go to their web site as we don't have new money left and most of what we could afford on ebay will be a few years old [we don't mind old;)], probably not a current model number meaning no stat's:(
 
I believe they are interchangeable I'm not 100% on it like but I have a Benro C357 M8 with a Manfrotto 410 Junior Geared Head so as far as they go yes they are interchangeable. If the tripod has some form of carrying hook the strap should fit.

I think you get a nice carrycase with the redsnappers though, so even better!
 
Granty_ said:
I believe they are interchangeable
Click to expand...

Yes, they are -- tripods and heads are interchangeable, though the plates that attach cameras and lenses to the heads are often different.

I have some Manfrotto kit and recently got a Redsnapper tripod, monopod and a couple of heads to try.

The Redsnapper kit is cheaper and, while perhaps a little behind Manfrotto in terms of smoothness in operation, the difference is not as much as the price difference would suggest. RS are certainly worth a look, especially as they've recently expanded their range.
 
brianjbox said:
We haven't got loads to spend and he's spent all his so would think it'll have to be second hand off ebay:( but at least he'll be mobile and happy;)
Brian & Connor
Click to expand...

give ffordes a call -- they have quality used - I got this Manfrotto MN290 for £39 boxed with carry case.......:thumbs:
..
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the head was extra
 
I use that very same head on a Redsnapper tripod most of the time.Works perfectly.....:thumbs:
 
brianjbox said:
Hi All

My Son is 14 and loves coming out with me when I go on my bird picture taking adventures, we have him mostly kitted out now with a D40x, Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 + 2x converter. Connor [Son] has just purchased a Manfrotto MN393 gimbal head and already owns the Manfrotto carrying strap, we just don't know what tripod to get him.

My tripod is huge/heavy and would really restrict how far we could go from the car if he had similar, I know that lighter often means less stable so what's a good compromise?

We haven't got loads to spend and he's spent all his so would think it'll have to be second hand off ebay:( but at least he'll be mobile and happy;)

The MN393 is quite heavy in it's own right and that added to everything else we take really means I need to get the correct tripod.

Help/advice really appreciated as I get no sense of scale from those little ebay picture's.

Thanks
Brian & Connor
Click to expand...
Would a monopod be a consideration? The Manfrotto Ultra Light GM2541 is only 380g for about £150, it's compatible with the Gimble head of course. Red Snapper still better priced though.
 
Cheers for the replies guys :D

Who's Ffordes? sorry I don't know the name:shrug:

Hi LJR

We have monpods, the tripod is wanted for our secrete hide;)

Hi Fracster

Been trying to get hold of Redsnapper buy email and then on his trade post but no luck yet:shake:
 
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