Ted's Manfrotto 290 Kit (MT293A3 + 494RC2) $124.95

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• 

  SomeGuyOnOzB on 30/12/2011 - 22:52

  +2

  I got one of these instead, since I use a compact camera.

  http://www.teds.com.au/manfrotto-mkc3h01-tripod

  Very, very nice design. Definitely feels sturdy and really well made. It's also cheaper and supports less weight than the one nominated above

  • 

    medium_tight on 30/12/2011 - 23:50

    +1

    Many thanks for both of you, the MKC3 H01 looks like a slim version compare to 322 RC2

  • 

    monk00 on 31/12/2011 - 00:17

    +1

    I tried that one as well in store, although it is lighter but feels awesome too. Its head allows user to lock in a fast way with one hand only by scrolling the center wheel.

  • 

    illusionarybreeze on 31/12/2011 - 01:18

    Is it heavy enough for, say, taking photos at the beach?

    • 

      SomeGuyOnOzB on 31/12/2011 - 16:12

      Feels really good. If you can get into a store which stocks one, try it for yourself. :)

• 

  dan76n on 31/12/2011 - 11:57

  So whats the difference between this tripod and the
  Cheap ass ones I have at home?
  I just got myself my first DSLR and no doubt will plan to use one of our tripods at home that has always
  Done the job with a compact digital but then again I have only used them a few times.

  • 

    hippocrit on 31/12/2011 - 12:17

    height, ease of use, sturdiness (3 section leg vs 4 section), and durability

    The only worry is the ball head…any comments so far, OP?

    • 

      MynyMouqe on 01/01/2012 - 10:17

      You won't have any problems with Manfrotto ballheads, they know what they're doing! I like how the ball head has a movement clamp, as well as a friction setting, so you can make it stiffer to move around even when you're fully unclamped.

    • 

      monk00 on 01/01/2012 - 19:01

      The 494RC2 is pretty small compared to the 496RC, and this limit the load rating to 4kg, but they are the same in terms of build quality. The head movement is smooth and they got user-customized friction control as Baker said.

  • 

    SomeGuyOnOzB on 31/12/2011 - 16:16

    Height is a big difference. This one lets you get up to 1.7m or more, fully expanded (even higher if you don't fully expand the legs) Most cheap ones only go to around 1.4m, for some reason. As I'm closer to 1.7m in height, the Manfrotto (well the one I got) can take photos like I see things. Cheaper ones distort the way people look in ways I'm not expecting. (Different proportions if the camera is at a different height)

    The construction of the Manfrotto I got is much, much better than the cheap ones I've gotten in the past. Where the cheap ones tended to wobble a bit with minimal pressure on the tripod, the Manfrotto feels nice and stable (on flat surfaces … or others if I adjust to compensate).

    Everything about the Manfrotto seems nicer, sturdier, better designed and more durable :)

    I haven't had problems with the ball head but I'm also just a casual photographer so I don't know if I'd know what problems to look for.

• 

  ILoveOZB on 31/12/2011 - 17:18

  just want to clarify, did you buy this EXACT set up Foundit or another manfrotto? and what camera do you have?

  I've got a canon 60d with 15-85 lens so am contemplating using this set up if its sturdy enough

  • 

    MynyMouqe on 01/01/2012 - 10:16

    I picked one up yesterday - it's more than stable enough for what you want. I'm currently running a 350D with battery grip, 28-135IS lens and 430EX flash on it and it's perfect, no movement at all.

  • 

    SomeGuyOnOzB on 01/01/2012 - 11:10

    I picked up the one I specified in the first comment. I did not get the one that the OP got.

    I only use a compact camera and sometimes an old analog video camera.

    I do not have an SLR with lens.

• 

  MynyMouqe on 01/01/2012 - 10:20

  I picked up one of these yesterday - top tripod, lovely and stable. I was able to get the 293A4 which is a 4 section as opposed to the 3 section - the 4 section goes up ~10cm higher, and is just as stable (played with both in store). The old 3-vs-4 section stuff is a myth, particularly with Manfrotto. 4 section also compresses smaller for transport.

  This will easily do pretty much all of the cameras out there - it'll hold ~4kg, and my setup with my 350D, battery grip, 430EX flash, and heavy 28-135IS lens is only ~2kg. With say a 18-55 lens, or a nifty fifty, the camera weighs significantly less.

  Top post OP!

• 

  andy19363 on 01/01/2012 - 11:06

  +2

  Looks like the MKC3 H01 is eligible for free extended warranty…

  http://www.manfrotto.com/Service/Warranty+Information/Genera…

  Photo Products - 2 year warranty (eligible for 3 year extension)
  The following Manfrotto Photo products MK393-H, MK393-PD, MK393S-H, MK393S-PD, MK394-H, MK394-PD, MK394-PQ, MKC3-H01, MKC3-H02, MKC3-P01, MKC3-P02, MM394, MMC3-01, MMC3-02, MP1-C01, MP1-C02, MP3-D01, MP3-D02, MTT2-P02, 732CY, 732CY,494RC2, 732CY-A3RC1 are covered by a Standard 2 Year Limited Warranty and eligible to a free 3 year Limited Conventional Warranty Extension upon Online Product Registration

  making 5 years overall….

  • 

    MynyMouqe on 01/01/2012 - 11:12

    +1

    The info in the packet for the 293A4/494RC2 I picked up said that it's got a 10 year warranty!

    • 

      andy19363 on 01/01/2012 - 11:12

      even better :)