Manfrotto 290NAT

[mickporter]

does anyone know if this tripod is suitable for digiscoping??

It looks nice and is in a sexy green colour. Will it be any good with a Zeiss scope and camera??

[Geoff Brown]

I have the very similar (as regards weight) 055 and although mine is an excellent tripod I would not want to carry it too far for too long as it weighs 2.8 kgs or about 6lbs. mine starts to feel very heavy after a few hundred yards but if you don't plan on carrying it for a long distance it is a very stable solid tripod ideal for digiscoping and an excellent telescope platform. Why not order a Manfrotto catalogue and compare all their tripods. After using the 055 a few times I then went onto a Manfrotto Mdeve 754 carbon fibre model with a built in levelling ball, and added a 128 head. To me this latter tripod is the "bees knees". Hope this helps

[scampo]

It's the head that matters - I just bought the 055 (which suits my 6'4") with 700RC head and that will, I am sure, be perfect for digiscoping.

[scampo]

I see. The 055 has a centre column that can be reversed. I think the 190 is the same, as you say - but its legs are quite short.

[mickporter]

I tried the 290 and found I hated it. It is really small, compact and light. It is a really good colour and has foam rubber grips around the legs. The problem with it is that the head is not removable, and the one it comes with is not really good for the scope.

It has a short handle which you twist to lock it. This is also covered in a foam material, and because of this its really difficult to get pressure on it. I found the weight of the scope pulling the head down making it impossible to get pictures without holding onto it and therefore introducing camera shake.

I have swapped it for the 055pro with a 128rc head in black. A really good combination except for the weight. The tripod with head weighs in the region of around 10Kg. Add to this an adaptor and maybe a hide clamp, and you will either have long arms or a bad back at the end of a days birding........

[scampo]

10 Kg? My 055A+700RC weighs well under 3 kg, Mick and is no problem to carry with a bungee type strap - with the scope it adds another 2kg inc. case. With the 128RC, the weight should be only 1/2kg more.

[mickporter]

Your right maybe that was a little exagerated. On checking the figures the tripod weighs in at 2.4Kg, the head 1.4Kg. The scope another 1Kg, plus an adaptor and hide clamp which will make it just over 6kg....... feels like a ton though in comparison with the featherweight 290.

[scampo]

That's a weighty head - the 700RC weighs just 1/2kg. I used to leave my hide clamp on the centre column of my Velbon, but don't on the Manfrotto owing to weight.

[mickporter]

That's a weighty head - the 700RC weighs just 1/2kg. I used to leave my hide clamp on the centre column of my Velbon, but don't on the Manfrotto owing to weight.I don't know the 700 head so can't comment there. But the 128 head is rock steady. The panning and raising and lowering movements are really smooth. Once a bird is found in the scope I can let go of the scope and it stays more or less put. On the 290 the kickback caused most of my problems. I keep the adjusters fairly tight but it moves very smoothly indeed. Still a little flickup but quite manageable.

Photographing ducks by panning is now quite easy. Previously the lightweight of the 290 caused any handshake to be transfered to the camera. Even using a remote, but holding the tripod handle would cause camerashake. With the 055 and its more substantial steadyness this doesn't appear to be as much of a problem, at least while panning. I don't suppose I could use the camera without a remote, but I can move the head with the handle without causing much vibration, and my pictures are vastly improved.

Like everything else in life, compromise is key. If you wanted a tripod which you can easily carry on your back long distances. (It folds down to just unter 2 foot, and has a carrying bag, and can take the threaded ring of the Manfrotto sling. ) Or if you want to use a smallish lightweight scope without camera, then the Manfrotto 290 is a brilliant tripod. Like all Manfrotto tripods it is extremely well made and will last a lifetime. It is titled the 'Trekker' . But for digiscoping in my view it is not substantial or positive enough. Go for something heavier which will take the added inbalance of scope and camera combined. But which will bend your back!!

[jebir]

My scope+camera are quite heavy so I am worried that the 700 will be too weak.
I know that everyone likes their own 128 and 700 heads but is there anyone who have had the chance to try both of them?

I have tested other birders' 128 a couple of times last week and I must say that they (a couple of years old) showed some bad sides: 1) The vertical lock screw was hard to tighten so that even a slight unbalance of the scope made it constantly slide. 2) When the horizontal screw was not tightened very much, the head became wiggy in that axis.

Are these problems common after some years?

Cheers, Jens.

[scampo]

I had the 128RC for a very short time as it was sent in error. It's a heavy, utilitarian-looking, somewhat clunky design, I feel, but it is clearly very strong.

The 700RC is obviously a new design and its specification claims it will hold a maximum weight of 2.5kg., which is more than enough for my scope + camera.

It's difficult to imagine what would happen if more weight than 2.5kg were applied - it could hardly collapse, as it's a very substantial piece of metal. I imagine the friction bearings would struggle, perhaps?

[marco]

B (: In my experience, although the 700rc2 has a 2.5kg weight capacity, the problem is really the positioning of the centre of gravity over the head and the effect it has on the head movement, in particular the tilt. By adding the camera onto the scope the unit is very back heavy, but by adding the Manfrotto 357 sliding plate adapter you can move the centre of gravity forwards back over the head and tripod - it has a serious effect on improving the head performance.
The 501 and 503 are the ultimate units for digiscoping but are a little heavier than most people would prefer to carry about.

[bobwoodcock]

I,ve been using the 190+128rc and a home made alloy plate to move the COG when digiscoping for some time now,I,ve found it to be an ideal sturdy setup with no problems at all.

[cthomas]

B (: In my experience, although the 700rc2 has a 2.5kg weight capacity, the problem is really the positioning of the centre of gravity over the head and the effect it has on the head movement, in particular the tilt. By adding the camera onto the scope the unit is very back heavy, but by adding the Manfrotto 357 sliding plate adapter you can move the centre of gravity forwards back over the head and tripod - it has a serious effect on improving the head performance.
The 501 and 503 are the ultimate units for digiscoping but are a little heavier than most people would prefer to carry about.


Is there another number or name for the Manfrotto 357 sliding plate adapter? I have been looking for it here http://www.bogenimaging.us/ but canot find it.

[marco]

B (: Having looked on the Bogen site, the US coded item would appear to be 3273. You could also use item 577, but there wil not be so much slide adjustment. Is there another number or name for the Manfrotto 357 sliding plate adapter? I have been looking for it here http://www.bogenimaging.us/ but canot find it.

[postcardcv]

I know that everyone likes their own 128 and 700 heads but is there anyone who have had the chance to try both of them?


I have had both a 128 and a 200 (the one the 700 has replaced - I think) head and have used a 700. I have used all three with a Leica scope (which are on the heavy side) and all of them were fine. I liked the smaller deisgn of the 200 head over the heavier chunkier 128 - so ended up selling my 128 and just using the 200. The 700 is also fine but personally I'd recommend looking at the 200.

[jebir]

I have had both a 128 and a 200 (the one the 700 has replaced - I think) head and have used a 700. I have used all three with a Leica scope (which are on the heavy side) and all of them were fine. I liked the smaller deisgn of the 200 head over the heavier chunkier 128 - so ended up selling my 128 and just using the 200. The 700 is also fine but personally I'd recommend looking at the 200.

Actually, I ended up with a 128LP (Bogen 3126) which does not have any quick release plate. Instead it has a 55 mm long slit which allows for perfect balancing of any scope. However, I think it isn't long enough for balancing some scopes with digital cameras mounted.

Jens

[cthomas]

B (: Having looked on the Bogen site, the US coded item would appear to be 3273. You could also use item 577, but there wil not be so much slide adjustment.

I'm useing the 700RC2NAT head with a Swarovski scope. The problem I ran into is the scope will move side to side. Does anybody know if the 200SW1 mounting plate and the 3273 Universal Sliding Plate will work on the 700RC2NAT head?

Carl

[christineredgate]

On the suject of Manfrotto tripods and scopes,can I just ask a question please.I have just changed to a Manfrotto 444 and a 128rc head.Used this set up for the first time yesterday and found it really confusing.The set up I was previously using was a Velbon Sherpa,where one turned the long handle to move the head from side to side.On the 128rc does one loosen the turning knob on the left,to move from side to side.It appears to be the same one which loosens the centre column,ie if one wishes to higher or lower the same.The head does move from side to side by just moving the handle,but perhaps one is not supposed to do this.I missed some really good shots,as by the time I had moved from the knob on the left to move from side to side and then the knob on the right to higher and lower,and I just found it really awkward.If it is the same screw for both the centre column and highering and lowering the head,is it okay to keep it loose all the time.
I do hope this makes sense.
Thankyou

[marco]

On the suject of Manfrotto tripods and scopes,can I just ask a question please.I have just changed to a Manfrotto 444 and a 128rc head.Used this set up for the first time yesterday and found it really confusing.The set up I was previously using was a Velbon Sherpa,where one turned the long handle to move the head from side to side.On the 128rc does one loosen the turning knob on the left,to move from side to side.It appears to be the same one which loosens the centre column,ie if one wishes to higher or lower the same.The head does move from side to side by just moving the handle,but perhaps one is not supposed to do this.I missed some really good shots,as by the time I had moved from the knob on the left to move from side to side and then the knob on the right to higher and lower,and I just found it really awkward.If it is the same screw for both the centre column and highering and lowering the head,is it okay to keep it loose all the time.
I do hope this makes sense.
Thankyou
B (: There are 3 'star' shaped knobs on the 128rc head. One is mounted on the vertical surface (left of right hand side depending which way round the head is), this is the lock for the tilt movement. The second is mounted horizontally in the gap under the scope mounting plate, this is the lock for the pan (side to side) movement. The third knob is mounted upside down and is the locking knob that locks the pan and tilt arm in place.
I think you have been getting the centre column lock on the tripod, which allows you to raise or lower the centre column.
The pan lock on the head can be left unlocked, but it will prevent unwanted movement if you can lock it off as much as possible.
I hope I make sense
marco

[christineredgate]

Thanks,Marco,I have printed off your info,and will have another try.obviously I have been using the wrong knob for the side to side.Is that what is known as pan and tilt?.

[jebir]

I have been using the wrong knob for the side to side.Is that what is known as pan and tilt?.

side-to-side = pan

Jens

[christineredgate]

Thanks,Jebir,Brian has just sent me an illustration of the head,and yes,I was using the centre column instead of the pan.Thankyou everyone for your help.
I think I have it sorted now.

[christineredgate]

Brian,just thought I would say thankyou for the illustration,yes ,used the tripod today,nice and smooth,no tipping forward with the scope.
Perfect,thankyou again.