Camera Labs

Hi all,

I have the chance to get a MANFROTTO 718 B for €22,50 extra along with a subscription to a rather nice dutch photomagazine. Now, it is manfrotto, so thats probably a good thing, but it is also one of the lighter models. Should I get it or should i reconsider buying a somewhat sturdier model?

I'll be using it for wildlife/landscape photography and probably to start getting into night photography and macro as well.

My camera setup as of now is in my signature,
the body weight 535g including battery pack and my telezoom lens weighs
620g for a total of 1155g. That is without external flash yet though and other attributes may be added later. Any advice would be much appreciated

Cheers,

Paul

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flickr
Canon 5D + 17-40 F4L + 50 F1.4 + 70-200 F2.8L
Velbon Sherpa 200R

Hmm, I couldn't find a 718 on Manfrottos web-site.
The major Q is: what does it carry: A tripod limited to 2kgs is certainly so flimsy you will topple it over easily. That would be too bad for your camera

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

Here you are, Thomas.

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

That's sort of the point, it carries only up yo 2,5 kg.
My camera is lighter than that, but Ii think I might get better stability if I get one that carries up to 10 kgs for instance?

_________________
flickr
Canon 5D + 17-40 F4L + 50 F1.4 + 70-200 F2.8L
Velbon Sherpa 200R

That's funny Bob! How did you find it? The search on that side does not lead to that page
I'd suggest going for one with 5kg load at least. Then you're on the safe side Paukl...

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

Hi Paukl,

I've been trying to do a bit of research with a view to finding the "perfect" hiking tripod but, of course, there's no such animal.

One article I found more useful than most was written by Thom Hogan and can be found here. Hope it helps.

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Did this Google search and then immediately clicked on the Did you mean: MANFROTTO 718B and looked down the search results for the first item from the URL http://www.manfrotto.com.

With hindsight, I could have searched using the string "MANFROTTO 718B" site:www.manfrotto.com but, as they say, hindsight is 20:20.

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

So (again) Google search is better than the search on the site
Looking at the Manfrotto site again and again, it does not seem to be the best organized site in the world...

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

I find the Manfrotto site quite challenging!

Thank you Gordon, and I thought it was due to my eyes

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

It's like Dell's websites - why split us into home or business users when all you want is to find is a spec or price on a 21in monitor.

It takes me ages to find anything on Manfrotto's site...

Heh. I know what you're saying about the Manfrotto site...

That Thom Hogan article though... I'm sure he's right that the best support I can get is gonna be expensive, but I just can't spend hundreds on a tripod...
The other thing is that i want it to be lightweight, my total other camera-equipment fits in a backpack (the sinking barge by crumpler) and I don't wanna end up leaving it at home all the time...

_________________
flickr
Canon 5D + 17-40 F4L + 50 F1.4 + 70-200 F2.8L
Velbon Sherpa 200R

I'm totally with you there and that's why I started the thread Tripod/Ballhead for Hiking. Even with a generous budget I haven't received any better suggestions than the Gitzo GT1540T/Markins Q3 but I am still unwilling to commit because I have a suspicion that the GT1540T is a step too far down the portability route but it's almost impossible to know. Even if I was in New York I don't think I could pop down to my local Gitzo shop and try out the various models and here in rural England I'd be lucky to find a store with more than a few tripods of any description.

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Have you considered a monopod?
Benefits:
- stable
- cheap (even from Manfrotto)
- lightweight
Disadvantages:
- Only 2-4 stops stabilization
- No head for portrait orientation (unless you buy one)

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

...just a small addendum there Thomas:

With a monopod you have to have remote shutter release - you can't use the timer to do the shots..except if you've used it as a javelin and stuck it into the ground..lol.

For night-shots in uneven terrain it can be nice to have auto-levelling on a tripod. I have only seen that in advertisements and never seen or played with one live. However it sounds like a very handy feature - if it works.

Cheers