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12/25/2003 04:59:28 PM · #1 |
Product: Manfrotto 714SHB Compact Digi Tripod w/Ball Head
Manufacturer: Bogen/Manfrotto
Street Price: $95
Santa came through on this request this year :) I wanted a compact tripod and I had chosen this one. I wanted something that was small and light weight with some amount of strength and durability as well. Most of the cheap compact tripods that I have used in the past were garbage. They had no durability and I found myself breaking components on them accidentally and rendering them useless.
The Manfrotto 714SHB has a rigid aluminum construction and feels very solid compared to others in this class. It weighs in at 2.2lbs (1kg) and folds to a very compact 14 inches in length. It reaches to a maximum height of 47" fully extended.
The ball head on this tripod will lock firmly into position by twisting a knob on the bottom of the center column. The tripod boasts support of 5.5lbs of equipment, so I tested it by mounting my Canon 10D with the 75-300 lens and the 420EX flash on this tripod. The tripod was remarkably steady with this amount of equipment on it, and this is much more equipment that I would normally mount on this tripod. The tripod does become a bit top-heavy with this much equipment mounted on it.
The center column on this tripod will also reverse for suspending the camera underneath. This is a feature that is practically non-existent on tripods this size.
Advantages of this tripod:
* Lightweight and easy to transport
* Very rigid for a tripod of its size
* Durable
* Comes with a nylon drawstring carry case with shoulder straps
Disadvantages:
* It will not support a lot of weight without becoming too top-heavy
* The camera mounts directly to the tripod without a quick release
* Not tall enough for some applications
Suggestions:
For the serious photographer, I don't think this would make a good primary tripod. However, I think it is probably one of the best secondary tripods I have seen for quick and simple portable applications. I think this tripod is strong and stable enough to hold all consumer grade digital cameras and the point and shoot 35mm models as well. It will hold a digital/film SLR camera, but caution should be taken when using this tripod for that type of equipment. It does become a bit top heavy, so make sure the footing is solid.
Why I wanted this tripod:
I needed something that I could fit into the saddlebags on my motorcycle and something that was easy to carry into the mountains while hiking. My Bogen 3221/3047 is a bit too heavy and bulky for long trips on foot and it's not small enough to pack on my motorcycle. My camera bag also has straps on the bottom where I can connect the tripod to carry on the bag.
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12/25/2003 05:54:58 PM · #2 |
Thanks for the excellent review, John.
Could you provide a couple of more stats ( curious, because of your statement about the tripod becoming "top-heavy" )?
1) What is the maximum distance between feet at maximum spread?
2) What is the maximum working height at maximum spread?
Thanks so much.
Ron |
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12/25/2003 06:00:41 PM · #3 |
| I've been looking around for a lightweight. This one looks great! My Bogen and head weighs 40+ pounds which makes is impractical for hiking or quick trips around town. Thanks for the review. |
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12/25/2003 06:28:13 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by RonB:
Thanks for the excellent review, John.
Could you provide a couple of more stats ( curious, because of your statement about the tripod becoming "top-heavy" )?
1) What is the maximum distance between feet at maximum spread?
2) What is the maximum working height at maximum spread?
Thanks so much.
Ron |
The maximum spread is pretty tight. The legs don't spread out very far. Each leg point is about 2' from the adjacent leg. The max working height with the legs fully spread and extended is about 47".
The top heavy part comes from putting more weight on the ball head than the tripod weighs itself. It would not be incredibly stable with a large camera equipment on it. You would have to pay attention to it... Tilting the camera to a vertical orientation would make this more of a problem if the camera is heavy.
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12/25/2003 07:32:57 PM · #5 |
| I've been looking for a tripod that I can put into my backpack to take on trips and this might be the one for me, as well. When I went to the Bogen website, I also saw the 718SHB. What are the main differences between these two? From what I can tell, the major difference is the quick-release. I shouldn't have a problem with weight since use a Sony F717. BTW, the 718SHB is $119 at bhphotovideo //www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=1&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=SearchBar&A=search&Q=*&shs=718SHB&image.x=0&image.y=0 |
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12/25/2003 07:53:20 PM · #6 |
Looks like the 718 is just a deluxe model of the 714. It does have the quick release and a pan head handle...
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12/25/2003 08:30:11 PM · #7 |
I have the 719B (now replaced by the 724B) with bag and shoulder strap, slightly heavier and taller when extended. I got a quick release for it as an xmas present yesterday.
Love this tripod for the same reasons John listed below, especially for portability and height, since I'm tall. |
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11/28/2008 06:38:44 AM · #8 |
| this is a great idea ,its small and light and the ball head is ok ...I have had mine for a year now and the second quick snap lever has broken ...the rep asked me if the unit has been droped or used for other purposes ? , No I take care of my equipment and it doesent get so much use as it should do . but both the times it has let me down was in the mountains and very cold temps ... so you say the plastic may be to brittle and the snap action caused it to break ? yes I think so too ? my digtal camera works and it comes straight out of camera bag ..unheated ,tripod was in bag on my back so should be a bit warmer ..so now I feel I can write ,it is a good tripod for indoor use or on a sunny warm day (usualy when you dont need a tripod ) but the travel side of it I think should state ...needs to be wraped in cotton wool , or look at the monopod 276 from manfrotto which I have taken all over the planet and never had a problem with (slick compact ball head works really good with this unit ) or go the 190 screw clamps with a small head set up on it . That is my post without sounding to negitive ...its a great tripod ...costs alot ...looks nice ... but HAS BAD POINTS TOO . |
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