Velbon cheapie or Manfrotto? Help! (1 Viewer)

[HokkaidoStu]

I'm going to upgrade my tripod (a barely adequete Velbon CX440) soon and am a bit confused about the many options.

My requirements are that it be fairly small when it's closed (under 60cm) so I can lash it to my daypack and fairly light (under 2kg) as I don't drive here in Japan. Manfrotto seems to be a very popular brand so how about a Manfrotto 190 (CLB?) with head 701RC? A Velbon CX586 is a similar size/weight with a fluid head but is 3 times cheaper over here. How much better would the Manfrotto actually be? Also would a 700RC head on the Manfrottobe acceptable or is it much worse than the 701RC?? The other Manfrotto tripods are either too big/heavy or too pricey.

I have Pentax 65mm scope which weighs in at 1200g with an eyepiece. If I add the Pentax digicam adaptor with a compact Pentax camera (I'll buy these later) it'll be about 1500g. I don't carry my scope "in situ" over my shoulder much if at all rather it'll be for seawatching and some occasional digiscoping later. The Velbon CX586 (or C500 as it's called here in Japan) has a max load of 2kg whereas the Manfrotto has 5 kg. Do I need the extra capacity? I read the Manfrotto 701RC doesn't have an extra security lock. Is an extra security lock on the Manfrotto head so important?

I see the Slik D3 mentioned but can't find it on the Slik website. Has it been discontinued? Would an equivalent Slik be superior to a Velbon?

And has anyone used the Kowa TP70 tripod or is it only available in Japan?

Apologies for all the questions. I guess it boils down to is the Velbon a viable option or should I open my wallet and get the Manfrotto?

Thanks in advance..........

 

[Keith Reeder]

Hi Stu,

I've just got the 190CLB to go with the 700rc2 head I've been using for a while on an Opticron tripod.

The difference in stability is blindingly obvious - it's chalk and cheese, and as a result I don't regret the extra that the Manfrotto gear costs (and weighs) at all.

I've a fancy that the Opticron tripod is the equivalent of the better Velbons, and the Manfrotto set up really knocks it into a cocked hat.

The Slik D3 tripod does seem very well regarded (Bill Oddie's favourite, by all accounts!), and if you can get one, I'm sure you'd be OK.

All in all though, with the Manfrotto gear you're getting a proven, known quantity and - excuse the platitude - you really can't go far wrong.

One point to note is that the 190 legs are a fair bit shorter than the 055 alternatives - if you're very tall the 055 might be better.

I'm 5' 8" though, so I barely need to extend the centre column to use my angled Zeiss on the Manfrotto tripod: and when I stick my Canon A95 onto the set-up the tripod doesn't flicker. I've no doubt that when I finally get my Zeiss swing adaptor, the tripod will be happy with that extra weight too.

 

[stevo]

Hi Stu

I had a Velbon tripod once but never again it had a fluid head which cracked straight down the middle,the quick release failed a number of times.The Manfrotto 190 is a great little tripod light weight & you can adjust the angles of the legs(very handy for low level work)the only thing going against the 190 for me was full extended it was to short not to bad if you`re using an angled scoped though.As for the head I`ve never used this head on a manfrotto there is a review on Andy Bright`s www.digiscoped.com.The Slik D3 that I have is kept for birding & I can`t really point to any negatives yes the leg adjusters that you undo to extend the legs can become soiled but come apart & can be cleaned it`s a sturdy enough tripod but heavier than the Manfrotto.Hope this helps.

Cheers Steve.

 

[HokkaidoStu]

Hi Keith-thanks for your reply. I'm kinda leaning towards the Manfrotto option...........how is that 700RC2 head compared to the 701RC2 amd the 128RC? It seems to be a bit lighter. Would you recommmend the 700?

 

[HokkaidoStu]

Hi Stevo-yeah I guessed the Velbon might be a bit rickety (if my current Velbon is anything to go by!). Looks like the manfrotto then.......I have an angled scope so a bit short is ok.

 

[Keith Reeder]

Hi Stu,

I can't compare the 700rc2 with the other heads you mention (no expereince of them), but I will say that I like the head a great deal.

It does have a stiffish action in the horizontal plane, but I like that: I scrapped the original Opticron head because it was so free moving that it was like a weather vane in anything more than a slight breeze, and the 700rc2 is very solid in that respect.

Mine is actually so stiff that you need to hold onto the tripod - Some people might not like that, but I'm fine with it.

I don't know if mine's a one-off, but Scampo on here has commented that he would prefer a less stiff action on the one he has, so I guess it's not unique to mine.

But I can assure you it's not a problem in use - you get used to it very quickly.

The 700rc2 also has the essential additional security locking screw for the scope mounting plate.

All in all I'm very pleased with this head, and I can see me getting years of reliable use out of it.

 

[John Cantelo]

Manfrotto tripods LAST! I only retired my first Manfrotto tripod last year and I must have had it well over 10 years. You can also get hold of spare parts. Accordingly I reckon that, in the long run it's the cheaper option, John

 

[Humboldt Jim]

Manfrotto tripods LAST! I only retired my first Manfrotto tripod last year and I must have had it well over 10 years. You can also get hold of spare parts. Accordingly I reckon that, in the long run it's the cheaper option, John

I just went through tripod selection agony and decided to keep my venerable Flip-Lock. My second choice was a new Manfrotto 190(tracker in US). Nothing else seemed to measure up and offer so much in the way of attachments. I would have spent $150 US on the tracker but instead am having a machinist make a bushing into which I can insert the lug for the Manfrotto head mounting plate The busing will likely cost $90 and it was $20 for the mounting plate. I get to continue to use my handy Flip-Lock tripod with all leg locking controls at the top of each leg. Just unlock the legs while holding the head where you want it. When the legs hit the ground you lock them and you are set!

Sounds like Manfrotto tried something like this but didn't get it right.

Go for the small Manfrotto "Tracker".

Jim