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Fluid head for 2.5 kg scope (1 Viewer)

B

Boogieshrew

Well-known member
Hi,
I’m looking cf tripod and I think I’m decided on https benro-mach3-tma27c legs but I am wondering if a Benro S2 video head or a Manfrotto Befree Live Fluid Head which are both very lightweight are up to the job of handling a 2.5kg Nikon EDG 85mm scope.

What do you think?

Any other suggestions at around 2kgs for the set up and about £300?

Thanks
 
Looking at the spec the BeFree supports 8.8 lbs and costs about $99 in the US. I went a couple of steps up and got the MHV500AH which supports 11 lbs. Cost was an extra $30. My 500 specs at 2 lbs weight, the BeFree weighs in at 0.8 lbs, so a 1.2 lb difference. I honestly do not notice the weight. My 500 is very smooth in all movements,but have never tried a BeFree so cannot make a comparison.
 
Hi,

the S2 will be quite overloaded at 2.5kg. The Beefree Live is specced for 4kg max load, so it might actually work, but I would still recommend the 500AH because it has a counterbalance for 2.5kg and can be set up so your scope will stay put in every position but can still be moved smoothly with very little force.

Joachim
 
Hi Joachim, I suspect your right about the S2. But as for the Befree Live , I checked them both out in a shop yesterday and the S2 was way more sturdy than the Befree. I’m was not at all convinced by the 4kg claim.
I’ll see if I can see the AH500 in the flesh next weekend.
The search continues. ��

I should have a look at the S4 because I thought the S2 is well built but probable not big enough for my EDG.
 
Last edited:
Boogieshrew said:
I’ll see if I can see the AH500 in the flesh next weekend.
The search continues. ��
I should have a look at the S4 because I thought the S2 is well built but probable not big enough for my EDG.
Click to expand...

Hi Martin ..... I highly recommend the MVH500AH Manfrotto. I use it with my Nikon EDG 65 with the Manfrotto MPMXPROA3US(3 section) monopod. I know the 500AH is a little over kill for the EDG 65 but it’s large mounting plate is the perfect fit for the long base of the Nikon EDG 65/85 scopes. It’s operation of use is easy/quick and provides a very large/stable base. .....gwen
 
gcole said:
Hi Martin ..... I highly recommend the MVH500AH Manfrotto. I use it with my Nikon EDG 65 with the Manfrotto MPMXPROA3US(3 section) monopod. I know the 500AH is a little over kill for the EDG 65 but it’s large mounting plate is the perfect fit for the long base of the Nikon EDG 65/85 scopes. It’s operation of use is easy/quick and provides a very large/stable base. .....gwen
Click to expand...

Hi Gwen,

Thanks for the advice. I am persuaded. The 500AH it is.

There’s no getting round the fact that a heavy scope needs heavy support.

Thanks everyone for the advice. Much appreciated.

Just need some funds from the for sale forum now! 😀
 
gcole said:
Hi Martin ..... I highly recommend the MVH500AH Manfrotto. I use it with my Nikon EDG 65 with the Manfrotto MPMXPROA3US(3 section) monopod. I know the 500AH is a little over kill for the EDG 65 but it’s large mounting plate is the perfect fit for the long base of the Nikon EDG 65/85 scopes. It’s operation of use is easy/quick and provides a very large/stable base. .....gwen
Click to expand...

The long plate/500AH Manfrotto
 

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Boogieshrew said:
Oh yes. I can see photo 1 shows how the whole foot of the scope is supported.
Click to expand...

This set up is perfect for my needs, I do not spend a lot of time with it at any one spot. It’s easily laid down if needed and no messing around with multiple legs. I can easily keep it steady.
 

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I am using a Kowa TSN 82SV scope on my Manfrotto 500ah head, mounted on a Manfrotto 190 carbon fiber tripod. It's all very stable, and the tension adjustments keep the scope where I point it. As soon as the weather cools off here a bit, we are pushing 100 F now, i plan on trying some Digiscoping using my iPhone 7, but it's just too hot to get out now.

I actually made a spacer and mounted a Manfrotto 323 adapter plate on the 500p plate. That way i use the smaller Manfrotto plates across my mounting accessories. I have a couple of special scope stands that clamp onto a bench for my target shooting, where a tripod would be in the way. I also put a smaller plate on my camera, which is much handier than if i had to have one of the larger plates. So far it seems to be working well.
 
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Good to know. I am still half considering the Manfrotto 190 CX pro. I think that and the 500AH will be about 2.5kg.

jkingrph said:
I am using a Kowa TSN 82SV scope on my Manfrotto 500ah head, mounted on a Manfrotto 190 carbon fiber tripod. It's all very stable, and the tension adjustments keep the scope where I point it. As soon as the weather cools off here a bit, we are pushing 100 F now, i plan on trying some Digiscoping using my iPhone 7, but it's just too hot to get out now.

I actually made a spacer and mounted a Manfrotto 323 adapter plate on the 500p plate. That way i use the smaller Manfrotto plates across my mounting accessories. I have a couple of special scope stands that clamp onto a bench for my target shooting, where a tripod would be in the way. I also put a smaller plate on my camera, which is much handier than if i had to have one of the larger plates. So far it seems to be working well.
Click to expand...
 
Boogieshrew said:
Good to know. I am still half considering the Manfrotto 190 CX pro. I think that and the 500AH will be about 2.5kg.
Click to expand...

I went with the 190 Go m series, carbon fiber. Twist lock legs which I like , basically because it was the type on my first tripod 47 years ago. According to Manfrotto specs, my combo weighs in at 2.25KG
 
jring said:
A scopac or similar is highly recommended and you won't notice the weight.

Joachim
Click to expand...

Yes I have a mule pack which is the same but I don’t like the top heavy weight of having the scope at head height.
I am going to see if I can make some sort of backpack strap arrangement with the scope at the base. With the closed tripod upside down and the scope forming an inverted T shape.
Until now I have always carried my scope by a single strap on one shoulder.
 
jkinh said:
I went with the 190 Go m series, carbon fiber. Twist lock legs which I like , basically because it was the type on my first tripod 47 years ago. According to Manfrotto specs, my combo weighs in at 2.25KG
Click to expand...

Hi, I decided against the Go tripods because I want 3 section legs. More stable, thicker section at the foot and quicker to put up and take down.

I could go for the Manfrotto 190 Carbon Fibre 3-Section Tripod perhaps.
 
Hi,

Boogieshrew said:
Yes I have a mule pack which is the same but I don’t like the top heavy weight of having the scope at head height.
Click to expand...

well, I got used to it... but I never really tried it differently, so no comparison.

Boogieshrew said:
Hi, I decided against the Go tripods because I want 3 section legs. More stable, thicker section at the foot and quicker to put up and take down.
Click to expand...

That is a wise decision!

Joachim
 
I also have a 057 carbon fiber 4 section leg with geared centered column. It's massive and extremely stable, the downside being weight. It will be used around the house and property or out of the back of my truck. It weighs 8.2 lbs without a head so not much carrying on this baby. I can tell the difference in stiffness when touching my scope. I do like the geared column to make easy adjustments for viewing height. I like the weight reduction of carbon fiber over aluminum, but it seems to me as weight goes up stiffness and stability improves.
 
Wow that’s a beast of a tripod! That’s got to be noticeably more stable than my 4.5 lb one.

I agree, there’s no denying that stability equates to weight.

I have never tried the trick of hanging a bag under the tripod.

How effective is that I wonder?
 
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