Manfrotto Digi Compact 725B Tripod
£124.50
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This Manfrotto 725B is a relatively lightweight yet versatile aluminum tripod with an established quick-release ball head. There’s a large locking lever to hold the centre column firmly in place and it comes with a Manfrotto carry bag for all-round protection.
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The Manfrotto 725B comes in a neat matt finish and has a reasonable weight of 1.54g - perfect for those who want to travel light. The load capacity of this model is 3.5kg and it will support both standard compacts and a D-SLR with standard lenses. It comes fitted with leg clasps, rather than screw locks, that enable a fast and easy outlay on location and when it’s unleashed to its maximum height this model reaches166cm. There is, however, no wide-leg release and you’ll find the lowest working height stands at 49cm.
This 725B gave a sturdy performance with the legs set at both minimum and maximum heights. The large red locking lever that holds the centre column in the desired position was effective and gave a positive click as it locked into place. The traditional ball head that comes fitted with the 725B offers a +90_ / -90_ for portrait orientation and the quick-release that has proved so popular with Manfrotto products is still extremely useful when you need to remove the camera with speed. Unfortunately there is no spirit level on either the tripod or the head and you’ll be left judging the angles for yourself, so watch out when trying to achieve perfectly straight horizons.
On the whole this is an easy to use and traveller-friendly tripod suitable for most suitcases and provides a sturdy performance on location with a price of just under £125. But if you’re a D-SLR user using heavy telephoto zoom lenses, it’s worth looking for an alternative that can bear an even higher load capacity.
Specification
Maximum Height: 166cm
Lowest Working Height: 49cm
Length Closed: 52cm
Weight: 1.54kg
Maximum Load: 3.5kg
Panoramic rotation: 360degrees
Quick release: Yes
Attachment: 1/4" Screw
No of leg Sections: 4
Legs tube diameter: 24,8 , 20,4 , 16 , 11,6 mm
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I obviously got a bargain - mine cost under £70! All in all, a nice, high-quality, tripod (but only for small and/or lightweight cameras - the tiny ball head can't handle a mid-range SLR with battery grip and mid-weight lens (photographer's droop..), but the build quality and finish are very high (camera plate and lever the same as the expensive tripods, I think). Only has one leg-spread setting - pretty narrow - so, again, not particularly stable with a heavier camera. Value rating based on what I paid (i.e. about £70-00!)
(Written by: CHEKKITOUT)
29 December 2009 21:53