Manfrotto 785B. Any good?

dandruff · 16th February 2008

Hi guys i accidentally came across a Manfrotto 785B today. wow it was super light! comes with a ball head and qr and spirit level and all for only $110.

has anyone tried it before? will it support a slr with grip? or would you recommend any other good and light tripod for <$200?

thanks!

Ah Pao · 16th February 2008

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/...d/4006/lang/en

I don't have this tripod but the above link shows the specs of the tripod. Basically it's a travelling tripod and the load is only 1 kg. Probably not enough for a SLR setup with a fast lens.

CS TAN · 19th February 2008

Originally Posted by dandruff

Hi guys i accidentally came across a Manfrotto 785B today. wow it was super light! comes with a ball head and qr and spirit level and all for only $110.

has anyone tried it before? will it support a slr with grip? or would you recommend any other good and light tripod for <$200?

thanks!

I think it will barely support an entry level DSLR such as Canon 350D/400D with standard lens. I use this tripod with my Canon PowerShot S5 IS and I was pushing it with a 430 EX Speedlite on top already. Having said that, it is relatively light and good for travel use for just my S5 IS.

chengsing · 19th February 2008

had this b4 and sold it after using once.
yup its good for lightweight travel but not really suitable for dslr. on top of that you can't change the ballhead..

for less than 200 there are quite a few to choose from
eg
slik sprint pro gm
PPCP (under mo forum)
Benro (under mo forum)

maybe a details of your setup and usage would be better for the folks here to advise you..

just my 0.02c

Gengh · 19th February 2008

I have it. It's great for bringing around, since it's so small and light. However, after some months of use, the ballhead has become looser than it used to be. If I have my Sigma 18-200 zoomed to 200, I can't safely point the camera at a downward angle without the ballhead giving way. Worse if I have my flash on... It's also not stable enough to stop the camera from shaking when you press the shutter, so you'll have to use the 2sec timer for those night scenes.

That said, I'm still alright using it, since I do value the portability, and I do not have any big and heavy lenses. But I can foresee buying a replacement when I can justify it...

Oh and I think I got it from CP for $99, supposed to be some offer at that time.

andrewtansj · 19th February 2008

i had this tripod, great for travelling as it is very light weight and extends up to almost eye level, versatile leg positions. used a d80 with kit lens with not much prob, but think it won't be able to take anything heavier then that especially in portrait position. tried using it with a d200 plus 18-200 vr, barely able to hold it in certain position...

dandruff · 22nd February 2008

Originally Posted by chengsing

maybe a details of your setup and usage would be better for the folks here to advise you..

Thanks for all the feedback guys.

I am using a Canon 350D with batt grip and usually with a sigma 18-200 and a 430ex.

can the ppcp tripod handle this?

flipfreak · 22nd February 2008

Originally Posted by dandruff

Thanks for all the feedback guys.

I am using a Canon 350D with batt grip and usually with a sigma 18-200 and a 430ex.

can the ppcp tripod handle this?

your setup without the grip and flash is easily 800g already. i won't recommend doing it if u are ever gonna tilt your camera in any direction. in fact, i think a buffer of 500g to 1kg is a safer bet for any tripod setup and your gear's total weight.

dandruff · 26th February 2008

thanks!

averynkh · 19th April 2008

****!! i bought it at $150 today at lucky plaza!!!
the boss said it cost $200+ actually and said can sell me at $150
and i took it!!

am i been cheated?

ArcticFox · 19th April 2008

I think you are leh. Sold you for 40$ more.

davee78 · 19th April 2008

Originally Posted by averynkh

****!! i bought it at $150 today at lucky plaza!!!
the boss said it cost $200+ actually and said can sell me at $150
and i took it!!

am i been cheated?

Dun dwell into it...let it go and move on..

I once bought an Hoya IR Fliter 72 for $150...

..nearly fainted when I found out , nah after a while...life goes on...dun let the "narrow minded and bad merchants" affect us..just listen to some "quando quando quando" and continue to take photos

...oh ya, I bought it at Chinatown...guess that's the last place Singaporeans should go shop

averynkh · 19th April 2008

i din kow.. at first the boss said this tripod costs about $200... then he reduced to $170... but i was still feel it is a bit ex then i wanna leave, and he said $150... then.. i bought it...

averynkh · 19th April 2008

Originally Posted by davee78

Dun dwell into it...let it go and move on.. I once bought an Hoya IR Fliter 72 for $150... ..nearly fainted when I found out , nah after a while...life goes on...dun let the "narrow minded and bad merchants" affect us..just listen to some "quando quando quando" and continue to take photos...oh ya, I bought it at Chinatown...guess that's the last place Singaporeans should go shop

so did u mean chinatown can get a reasonable price?

davee78 · 19th April 2008

Originally Posted by averynkh

so did u mean chinatown can get a reasonable price?

I mean " no Singaporean in his sane mind, would go Chinatown to buy camera"

Guess I was insane on that day when I bought it there

I remember the boss telling me he sold a UV filter to angmoh for $200...

peekarwe · 2nd June 2008

bought at $95 from MS Colour. :P

averynkh · 4th June 2008

sorry ya.. ask smt... but i hope u guys will understand my poor eng.. hehe

the tripod right, that piece which plug to bottom of the camera that one
that time when i first time to use it, i found that on that piece, it has hole at side, and that hole got another red color small thing in it, as long as with that red color thing in that hole, that piece unable to plug to camera, so i just removed it... wat is that red color thing and purpose? later on i try to post a pic... thanks︿︿

peekarwe · 4th June 2008

The red plug is for mounting cameras or lens with a pilot hole in front of the screw mount. It's to ensure that the camera is indeed aligned and facing forward.

averynkh · 5th June 2008

thanks for replied.. but i dun understand

ist possible to take a pic to show me?

peekarwe · 6th June 2008

errr... I have have a camera or lens now that has that forward mount. But basically, if you can't see where it goes, you dun need it.

16th February 2008	#1
dandruff New Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 35	Manfrotto 785B. Any good? Hi guys i accidentally came across a Manfrotto 785B today. wow it was super light! comes with a ball head and qr and spirit level and all for only $110. has anyone tried it before? will it support a slr with grip? or would you recommend any other good and light tripod for <$200? thanks!

16th February 2008	#2
Ah Pao Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,578	Re: Manfrotto 785B. Any good? http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/...d/4006/lang/en I don't have this tripod but the above link shows the specs of the tripod. Basically it's a travelling tripod and the load is only 1 kg. Probably not enough for a SLR setup with a fast lens.

19th February 2008	#4
chengsing Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 419	Re: Manfrotto 785B. Any good? had this b4 and sold it after using once. yup its good for lightweight travel but not really suitable for dslr. on top of that you can't change the ballhead.. for less than 200 there are quite a few to choose from eg slik sprint pro gm PPCP (under mo forum) Benro (under mo forum) maybe a details of your setup and usage would be better for the folks here to advise you.. just my 0.02c

19th February 2008	#5
Gengh Contributor Join Date: May 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 1,158	Re: Manfrotto 785B. Any good? I have it. It's great for bringing around, since it's so small and light. However, after some months of use, the ballhead has become looser than it used to be. If I have my Sigma 18-200 zoomed to 200, I can't safely point the camera at a downward angle without the ballhead giving way. Worse if I have my flash on... It's also not stable enough to stop the camera from shaking when you press the shutter, so you'll have to use the 2sec timer for those night scenes. That said, I'm still alright using it, since I do value the portability, and I do not have any big and heavy lenses. But I can foresee buying a replacement when I can justify it... Oh and I think I got it from CP for $99, supposed to be some offer at that time.

19th February 2008	#6
andrewtansj Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 2,442	Re: Manfrotto 785B. Any good? i had this tripod, great for travelling as it is very light weight and extends up to almost eye level, versatile leg positions. used a d80 with kit lens with not much prob, but think it won't be able to take anything heavier then that especially in portrait position. tried using it with a d200 plus 18-200 vr, barely able to hold it in certain position... __________________ [andrewtansj] A Photo A Day 2009 Flickr

26th February 2008	#9
dandruff New Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 35	Re: Manfrotto 785B. Any good? thanks!

19th April 2008	#10
averynkh Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: singapore Posts: 264	Re: Manfrotto 785B. Any good? ****!! i bought it at $150 today at lucky plaza!!! the boss said it cost $200+ actually and said can sell me at $150 and i took it!! am i been cheated? __________________ my website: http://www.sadhuism.com/ \| gallery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sadhuism ]

19th April 2008	#11
ArcticFox Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: 1°25'10.16"N 103°50'11.01"E Posts: 618	Re: Manfrotto 785B. Any good? I think you are leh. Sold you for 40$ more. __________________ 400D 18-55 50 430EX "Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst" -Henri Cartier-Bresson

19th April 2008	#13
averynkh Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: singapore Posts: 264	Re: Manfrotto 785B. Any good? i din kow.. at first the boss said this tripod costs about $200... then he reduced to $170... but i was still feel it is a bit ex then i wanna leave, and he said $150... then.. i bought it... __________________ my website: http://www.sadhuism.com/ \| gallery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sadhuism ]

2nd June 2008	#16
peekarwe Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 522	Re: Manfrotto 785B. Any good? bought at $95 from MS Colour. :P

4th June 2008	#17
averynkh Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: singapore Posts: 264	Re: Manfrotto 785B. Any good? sorry ya.. ask smt... but i hope u guys will understand my poor eng.. hehe the tripod right, that piece which plug to bottom of the camera that one that time when i first time to use it, i found that on that piece, it has hole at side, and that hole got another red color small thing in it, as long as with that red color thing in that hole, that piece unable to plug to camera, so i just removed it... wat is that red color thing and purpose? later on i try to post a pic... thanks︿︿ __________________ my website: http://www.sadhuism.com/ \| gallery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sadhuism ]

4th June 2008	#18
peekarwe Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 522	Re: Manfrotto 785B. Any good? The red plug is for mounting cameras or lens with a pilot hole in front of the screw mount. It's to ensure that the camera is indeed aligned and facing forward.

5th June 2008	#19
averynkh Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: singapore Posts: 264	Re: Manfrotto 785B. Any good? thanks for replied.. but i dun understand ist possible to take a pic to show me? __________________ my website: http://www.sadhuism.com/ \| gallery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sadhuism ]

6th June 2008	#20
peekarwe Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 522	Re: Manfrotto 785B. Any good? errr... I have have a camera or lens now that has that forward mount. But basically, if you can't see where it goes, you dun need it.