The tricky job of searching for tripods (1 Viewer)

[Malcolm Stewart]

I'm largely satisfied with my tripods now, but some years ago I was in "search mode", and soon spotted that many tripods didn't survive being "demo'd" at an exhibition or in a camera shop. I wasn't checking out Gitzo price tripods but more at the Manfrotto end of the spectrum. I frequently found clamps that no longer worked, and worse still, no one on the exhibitor's stand had a clue as to how they could be fixed. In the end, after I found a really lightweight carbon fibre Manfrotto tripod, (i.e. 732CY tripod & MH293A3-RC1 head, new in packaging), and I bought that and was impressed by how well it did what I wanted. Being lightweight I limit its use to a 20x telescope. In my usage, it's been reliable over several years, and encouraged me to buy a used 190CXPRO3, and that has also served me well (apart from the head becoming stuck, as reported here a few days ago). I mainly use that for video or to support a much larger birding telescope.

I also have and use a Benbo One with a gimbal and Canon big white, when portability isn't important, but sheer ruggedness is. The weight of the Benbo One necessitates use of a trolley.
For flexible positioning, I have a UniLoc System tripod, and that can get places others can't.

 

[Tero]

Best bet is to find a store to try them out. I’m usually unhappy with the plate that attaches to the scope. The Manfrotto one has not fallen apart yet, but I have two just in case, plates.

 

[Choc59]

I'm largely satisfied with my tripods now, but some years ago I was in "search mode", and soon spotted that many tripods didn't survive being "demo'd" at an exhibition or in a camera shop. I wasn't checking out Gitzo price tripods but more at the Manfrotto end of the spectrum. I frequently found clamps that no longer worked, and worse still, no one on the exhibitor's stand had a clue as to how they could be fixed. In the end, after I found a really lightweight carbon fibre Manfrotto tripod, (i.e. 732CY tripod & MH293A3-RC1 head, new in packaging), and I bought that and was impressed by how well it did what I wanted. Being lightweight I limit its use to a 20x telescope. In my usage, it's been reliable over several years, and encouraged me to buy a used 190CXPRO3, and that has also served me well (apart from the head becoming stuck, as reported here a few days ago). I mainly use that for video or to support a much larger birding telescope.

I also have and use a Benbo One with a gimbal and Canon big white, when portability isn't important, but sheer ruggedness is. The weight of the Benbo One necessitates use of a trolley.
For flexible positioning, I have a UniLoc System tripod, and that can get places others can't.

Hi Malcolm, I am precisely in that exact moment you are describing, and now have to choose between the Manfrotto 732CY Carbon and the Benro TSL08CN00 Carbon legs for my Opticron 60mm scope (1kg / 2,2lb). I would be placing a Manfrotto light Be Free Live video head on both of them. On paper, I'd prefer the Manfrotto for the reputation of the brand , the flip lock system (instead of twist lock on the Benro), the fact that it would be easier to sell (because of the brand's reputation over Benro). But I am scared of the bottom leg of the 732CY being 5mm thick on the carbon version. What weight have you put on yours and were you happy with it ?
Choc59