Manfrotto 443 , 700RC and opricron ES100

[MarkHows]

Would a Manfrotto 443 with a 700RC head be a good combination for an opricron ES100 scope

Any Thoughts about other combinations welcome

Stability is the name of the game

Thanks


Mark

[scampo]

If you're tall, the 055 is solid and a good height. I have the 700RC head which is a delight with my Zeiss 85.

[kabsetz]

Honestly, no, it would not be solid enough. I have tested the ES 100 and had it on a couple of different tripods. The 443 might be barely stable enough, but the 700 RC is not designed for such a heavy load, and does not have adjustable drag, just open or close. You also need a head which has lengthwise adjustment in the mounting for balancing, since he ES 100 is very front-heavy. Gitzo 2380 is the best head for it, and Manfrotto 501 should work as well. Berlebach 3042, Gitzo 1320 or better, or Manfrotto 028 and heavier will work okay, anything less stable will leave you cursing. In my view, if you do not invest in stability in the tripod, it is better to get a lighter and less high-power scope.

Kimmo

[scampo]

Well, I did think that the Opticron might be rather too heavy, as the Zeiss / 700RC combination is, I suspect, approaching the limit of the 700RC's ability. But the friction of the pan mechanism seems absolutley fine for me. The ES100 is a particularly heavy scope, though.

[kabsetz]

Yes, the pan action in the 700 RC is pretty good, but with the ES 100 being so heavy (and front-heavy, to boot) you really need tilt drag adjustment, which the 700 RC lacks. The material dimensioning in the bearings and axes of the 700 RC are also such that a sharp knock might snap the head into bits if there is a heavy load on it - another reason to go for something substantial. The various heads come with maximum load recommendations, and these should be taken seriously.

Kimmo

[marek_walford]

Have you considered the new 701RC2 head? It has a sliding plate allowing you to adjust the centre of gravity. Review on http://www.digiscoped.com/

[scampo]

Yes, the pan action in the 700 RC is pretty good, but with the ES 100 being so heavy (and front-heavy, to boot) you really need tilt drag adjustment, which the 700 RC lacks. The material dimensioning in the bearings and axes of the 700 RC are also such that a sharp knock might snap the head into bits if there is a heavy load on it - another reason to go for something substantial. The various heads come with maximum load recommendations, and these should be taken seriously.

KimmoThe loading for the RC700 is stated as 2.5kg - well above the weight of any current birding scope. Aren't the heads tested well above their stated capacity as even slight pressure from a user on top of the scope would massively increase the load at least for a short time? I would hope that the bearings of the RC700 could cope. If not... it'll be winging its way back to the shop pronto.

What I am finding surprising and a little worrying for the long term usefulness of the RC700 is the mechanics of its horizontal panning friction control. There is an adjustment screw, hidden away under a removable plastic cover but it allows hardly any worthwhile adjustment - the screw needs to be all but worryingly loose for the panning friction to be low enough for the head to be useful; even minimal tightening results in unusable friction occuring. I have been meaning to write to Manfrotto about this...

[Grousemore]

What I am finding surprising and a little worrying for the long term usefulness of the RC700 is the mechanics of its horizontal panning friction control. There is an adjustment screw, hidden away under a removable plastic cover but it allows hardly any worthwhile adjustment - the screw needs to be all but worryingly loose for the panning friction to be low enough for the head to be useful; even minimal tightening results in unusable friction occuring. I have been meaning to write to Manfrotto about this...

I lost that screw you refer to, some time ago and have been using the head without it ever since.Doesn't seem to make any difference to the head action.

[scampo]

I lost that screw you refer to, some time ago and have been using the head without it ever since.Doesn't seem to make any difference to the head action.I wondered myself - like me, then, Trevor, you must be an inveterate fiddler and twiddler of things mechanical? I found my head's friction was too high and that made me delve, but all I could do was loosen it completely. It's a bit worrying.

[scampo]

Have you considered the new 701RC2 head? It has a sliding plate allowing you to adjust the centre of gravity. Review on http://www.digiscoped.com/
Typical... as soon as I choose, a better one comes out. Story of my life. That said, so far at least, the 700RC is proving a delight to use.

[Grousemore]

I wondered myself - like me, then, Trevor, you must be an inveterate fiddler and twiddler of things mechanical? I found my head's friction was too high and that made me delve, but all I could do was loosen it completely. It's a bit worrying.

Never been a fiddler/twiddler, prefer mechanical things to be as simple as possible.Once the screw had gone, it was one less thing to worry about!

On my recent visit to the IOM, CJW kindly lent me a tripod with the 128RC head on it. I found that far better to use than the 700RC2, although it is twice as heavy to carry.

[scampo]

Never been a fiddler/twiddler, prefer mechanical things to be as simple as possible.Once the screw had gone, it was one less thing to worry about!

On my recent visit to the IOM, CJW kindly lent me a tripod with the 128RC head on it. I found that far better to use than the 700RC2, although it is twice as heavy to carry.
I had a 128RC for a time as the shop accidentally ordered the wrong one. You're right - but the weight is off putting.

[marek_walford]

The 701RC2 is in between the 700 and 128 in terms of weight and stability. It seems to be a very good compromise. I've ordered one, haven't got it yet but will let you know how it performs.

[Grousemore]

The 701RC2 is in between the 700 and 128 in terms of weight and stability. It seems to be a very good compromise. I've ordered one, haven't got it yet but will let you know how it performs.

Will be very interested in your findings in due course.

[MarkHows]

OK I am sold on the 701 RC-2 Head, but still none the wiser on the tripod.
The Gitzo's are a bit on the pricy side for me, so what tripods are slightly down the price scale but are suitable.

Thanks

Mark

[Jasonbirder]

I use the 128RC on my tripod and its a dream to use - a bit heavy I guess - but if you`ve got the ES100 I guess that performance is more important than portability - if thats the case I would whole heartedly reccomend it.

[scampo]

The 701RC2 is in between the 700 and 128 in terms of weight and stability. It seems to be a very good compromise. I've ordered one, haven't got it yet but will let you know how it performs.
Yes - I'm sure it is what the 700RC2 was supposed to have been all along. As I say, I always find myself buying the model they put out too soon just to recoup some of the development costs...

[iporali]

OK I am sold on the 701 RC-2 Head, but still none the wiser on the tripod.
The Gitzo's are a bit on the pricy side for me, so what tripods are slightly down the price scale but are suitable.
Any version of the Manfrotto 055 series.

Ilkka

[Swissboy]

Yes, the pan action in the 700 RC is pretty good, but with the ES 100 being so heavy (and front-heavy, to boot) you really need tilt drag adjustment, which the 700 RC lacks. The material dimensioning in the bearings and axes of the 700 RC are also such that a sharp knock might snap the head into bits if there is a heavy load on it - another reason to go for something substantial. The various heads come with maximum load recommendations, and these should be taken seriously.

Kimmo

The Novoflex DinO head is about the same weight as the Manfrotto 700, but it is considerably sturdier, I think. However it is also considerably more expensive, and it, too, has no tilt drag adjustment. Or, rather, the adjustment is not really sufficient for a heavy scope. At least, the adjustment screw is conveniently placed. Thus, one can losen and tighten it while using the scope. Of course, that is not ideal, but there are always compromises to be made.

Robert

[Swissboy]

Any version of the Manfrotto 055 series.

Ilkka

Unfortunately, these are rather heavy. You need at least some padding for your shoulders. But, combined with the 128 head, it's probably as sturdy as you'll ever need for a spotting scope.

Robert

[scampo]

Unfortunately, these are rather heavy. You need at least some padding for your shoulders. But, combined with the 128 head, it's probably as sturdy as you'll ever need for a spotting scope.

RobertMy 055 isn't overly heavy, Robert, at least with the 700RC2. What are you comparing it with?