Manfrotto 393 Telephoto Support Replaces
I got this tripod head along with a Manfrotto 055XPROB to use with a Vortex Razor spotting scope. I intend the use to be mostly for birding and digiscoping. The 393 head is exactly what I hoped. Solid, sturdy and well constructed. No problem with the foot/slide mount, the head assembled just as it should have and the balance with the scope or scope/camera is adjustable and just right (I did have to turn the scope around on the head when I attached the camera but the head is made for this and it was extremely easy. Just slide it out, turn it around and slide it back in). For me the weight is not an issue, I find it kind of comforting and the entire combo is pretty impressive to look at when assembled. I use the 393 withthe inner "U" in the down position and can achieve nearly vertical viewing (my Razor has the angled eyepiece). I like this much more than my pan/tilt head and while I have not used one of the more expensive Gimbal heads, I don't feel any need to. Very happy.
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I got this tripod head along with a Manfrotto 055XPROB to use with a Vortex Razor spotting scope. I intend the use to be mostly for birding and digiscoping. The 393 head is exactly what I hoped. Solid, sturdy and well constructed. No problem with the foot/slide mount, the head assembled just as it should have and the balance with the scope or scope/camera is adjustable and just right (I did have to turn the scope around on the head when I attached the camera but the head is made for this and it was extremely easy. Just slide it out, turn it around and slide it back in). For me the weight is not an issue, I find it kind of comforting and the entire combo is pretty impressive to look at when assembled. I use the 393 withthe inner "U" in the down position and can achieve nearly vertical viewing (my Razor has the angled eyepiece). I like this much more than my pan/tilt head and while I have not used one of the more expensive Gimbal heads, I don't feel any need to. Very happy.
BalasHapusExcellent support - secure and steady. This offers smooth pan / tilt and rock solid support when stopped.
BalasHapusI use this for up to 600mm focal length. Must be on a stable tripod to appreciate how robust this is. On a manfrotto 055xprob, tripod flex produces vibration at the lens - but the head is practically rigid. On a gitzo series 3, steady and solid.
Some complain about weight, but it is only marginally heavier than alternatives. Some claim that access to lens controls is a problem, but I have not had any problems.
I have complete faith that this head will securely hold long lenses with the tripod slung over the shoulder. That is very important.
BalasHapusI purchased this to use with a Canon T1i and a Sigma 150-500 zoom lens attached to a Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod. I have read some reviews that suggested that this wasn't a good combination for use with a heavy lens like this. I was concerned, but given the price, I decided to give it a try. I have taken several photos of the moon with it and it seems to be very sturdy so far. Whatever position I put it in it stays in place yet is very easy to reposition. I believe it will work very well for my purposes.
BalasHapusThis unit has helped a great deal. I use it with a Monfrotto Monopod and it's made our job much easier. A strong recommend!
BalasHapusI used this head for a 400mm 2.8 lens and it was magnificent. I used it with a Manfrotto 682B tripod and it worked like a charm. It's solid construction, and therefore heavy but to hold big lenses you need solid construction.
BalasHapusThis is an effective mount to use to track and photograph moving subjects. I am able to mount heavy 400mm f 2.8, 600mm f 4.5, 170-500mm f 4-5.6 telephoto lenses as well lighter 70-200mm f 2.8 and 100-400mm f 4-5.6 telephoto lenses with heavy DSLRS as well as even micro 4:3s cameras. Each lens and camera has to be balanced individually but this is easy to do within seconds. I bought an extra quick release lens to mount, plate so I could switch a camera and lens system within 30 seconds, whereas without a plate, it would take two to three minutes. Although I could use this on a monopod, I prefer to use it on a heavy tripod for more stability, which is much safer for my expensive lenses and cameras. It is almost as effective as the much more expensive gimbal mounts.
BalasHapusReally loving this poor man's gimbal head. So far I only have the Canon EF 100-400mm lens on it, but it is rock steady and great for tracking birds in flight. This unit is really well made and strong so I expect no trouble when I can upgrade to the Canon EF 500mm prime lens. I don't think it will support anything beyond that weight wise, but if I can afford any of those lenses I can afford a true gimbal head for sure. All in all, I cannot say enough about this product. It is everything I hoped for when I ordered it.
BalasHapusI had been tryiing to use a standard ball head on my carbon fiber manfrotto tripod with my sigma 150-500mm lens to shoot raptors with not much luck. I was having great difficulty framing the bald eagles ive been shooting since the ball head did not facilitate ease of use for panning or tilting the caamera and lens with a moving subject.
BalasHapusWhen i started looking for the right head, my jaw almost dropped at the cost of another well designed gimbal head that was almost half the cost of the lens i would mount on it at 550.00. Since i am about as cheap as jack benny the wimberly was way out of my price range but the manfrotto was a reasonable option i thought.
The head is sturdy in its construction and allows me to pan and tilt the nikon d300s with the sigma 150-500mm without any problems. It provides great support for the heavy lens and camera combo and is about 1/3 the cost of the wimberly competitor's product. For those who dont want to shell out alot of cash this one so far has been a great and functional option for this cheapskate
For my wildlife photography tours, this is one of the cheapest and best alternative to the often expensive gimbal setups. I even prefer this to gimbal head due to the additional protection it brings of having two metal brackets surrounding the lens. Very easy to setup on a monopod or tripod and has worked for me on multiple models of tripods/monopods.
BalasHapus