| Brand: | Manfrotto | ||
| Average Rating |
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supports digital cameras and camcorders weighing up to 2.2 lbs.,height adjusts from 6-15/16 to 59-1/4,ball head and joystick-style grip for positioning camera more info
Manfrotto 785 Modo Maxi Photo Video Grip Head
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{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Mine cracked at the clamps with a few months used.
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
I bought this Manfrotto affer reading raved reviews here but much to my disappointment. My Manfrotto 785B showed its flaws just after a few months usage. The clamps that tighten the extend legs show plastic fatigue and a few of these clamps develop cracks showing the bronze yellow pin inside it. These clamps no longer clamp properly as the bronz pin jugged out. I had used it carefully and yet this happened. I don’t know if others had noticed this too. Or I am the only one that got a lemon. Perhaps you would be kind enough to checked yours and tell me if I am the only one that has such problem. I think Manfrotto should not use plastic clamps here. Metal clamps should be used instead. I feel this is a design flaw. I had sent it in for a warranty repair since it is under a 3 years warranty. I hope they can do something. At such I wouldn’t recommend this tripod. If my expensive camera falls- Manfrotto will have to be responsible due to thjs manufacturing over sight.
nice, light tripod
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I got this tripod to use with my Nikon D40 when I travel. Even though it’s recommended for use with a point-and-shoot or video camera, it’s also perfect for use with a small DSLR. It’s very portable, lightweight (as long as you’re not using an extremely large telephoto lens), and can be set up quickly. With the legs fully extended the height almost equals that of a heavier tripod. It also can be adjusted so that the legs flatten allowing the camera to be within inches of the ground. This is great for macro or tabletop shots.
The ball head works very well for adjusting the camera to just the right angle and locks in place securely. However, when using the camera in a vertical format you really have to make sure the grip is firmly locked or it can slip slightly.
One suggestion–go ahead and get a travel bag for the tripod when you order it. Unless you already have one, you’ll want one, especially if you plan to take it when you travel.
Best travel tripod… even for my 7d/grip.
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
A must get for location photographers. I even used my 7d/batt. grip/30mm f1.4 Sigma lens on it. I never left it by itself for too long, but it did it’s job. I do agree that the ball head needs better construction.
Fantastic travel tripod even for an SLR
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I travel a lot and quite often, I just don’t have the room for my large, heavy duty tripod. But more importantly, I often don’t want to advertise that I am carrying a SLR by strapping a tripod to my bag or carrying it in my hand. I was looking for a small, lightweight tripod that could be easily stowed in a small backpack. I have found that the Manfrotto 785 works really well for my needs.
I use a Canon 40D, typically with a 28-105 lens on the front. This camera and lens combination is absolutely much heavier than the point and shoots for which this tripod was intended, but the tripod has never let me down. I keep my camera strap around my neck, just in case the ball head released or the tripod fell, but this has never happened.
The long legs allow you to get a wide stance with this tripod. I am 6’2” tall and I can get the camera mounted up to eye level so that I don’t have to stoop. The quick release on the ball head is a bonus feature that is really convenient so that you can set up and break down the tripod quickly.
The downside, however is that the ball head is inconvenient for shooting vertical photographs. There seems to be a notch in the ball head that allows the camera to be tilted at a right angle for vertical shots. You just have to move the ball head around until you can get it into the correct position. However, the range of motion for vertical shots is limited. I also find that the clamp for the ball head relaxes a bit so that you have to play with it a few times to ensure that your camera is pointing exactly at what you want to photograph.
However, even with these problems, I would certainly recommend this tripod if you travel with your SLR camera with the caveat to be sure to keep the camera strap around your neck, just in case. It is small, lightweight and convenient to use and to stash away when you are done.
Manfrotto
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Have used this tripod several times now and not only is it the lightest, but is very sturdy. Since I have to walk distances to where I shoot, lightest is important.
great travel tripod
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
This is a very light tripod that easily fits into a travel on suitcase and on the outside of my day pack. While it’s good for horizontal landscape photos, it doesn’t have the strength to hold up an SLR + lens in the verticle position for a portrait vs. landscape view.
Fantastic – light, strong and versatile.
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Although it’s only rated for compact digicams, it can hold my Canon XTi SLR and 17-50 f/2.8 lens in place without much trouble. Very light, so it’s easy to carry around when out and about, yet still extends to almost 6′ high.
Light, Steady, Hard to Pan
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
This tripod is great for small digital cameras or even fair sized SLR digitals like the Canon Rebel. I can carry it around because it is light, where the heavy pods end up staying at home.
However, it is not great for video use, and if you want a tripod to use for video you should consider a model with a head really designed for video.
Problems with using it for video:
1.lack of smooth / fluid type head — it is hard to pan smoothly.
2.the small handle, which has the lock in it, is hard to hold once you mount a camera.
3.the handle lock requires a bit of force to release (or lock), causing the camera to shake.
Nothing better
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This is the most versitile, strongest and lightest tripod out there. I searched everywhere and used many tripods before the Manfrotto 785. Look no more!Perfect.
nice tripod
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
it’s a nice tripod and I don’t find any problems with it. If I have to mention one problem, that is you need to put some effort on panning smoothly. But overall is awesome.
Impressively designed consumer tripod.
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I am very impressed with the quality of this tripod, as well as with how well it is designed. I use it for the small HD camcorders the JVC Everio and the Samsung H104, and for a Panasonic Lumix FZ28 digital camera. These cameras are under the weight limit for the 785 tripod and the tripod is perfect for use for these cameras.
The tripod is lightweight but sturdy, and feels much more solid and sturdier than I anticipated, even when fully extended. I’m 6 feet tall and when the tripod is fully extended the height is perfect for me.
I purchased an extra quick release plate for it so that I don’t have to bother with unscrewing the plate from one camera and screwing it onto another – a task that is even more time consuming when switching between camcorders and regular cameras for the simple reason that the red locating pin (used with camcorders) has to be popped out and pushed back in depending on which type of camera is in use. So having an extra plate is nice (and the plates are listed and sold at Amazon as Manfrotto 785PL Quick Release Plate for Modo 785B, 785SHB/ DIGI 718B and 718SHB Models).
The ball head, though plastic, is good quality for the money (the overall price of the tripod as a whole unit) and is easy to use. I own a Manfrotto monopod (model 790B) and the quality of that is so good for the money that I was inspired to purchase the tripod, and I’m glad I did.
I own a Velbon tripod (an older model, model 7000), and while it’s a good, sturdy tripod (strong enough to hold steady a huge binocular), it does not have a ball head and is just not as relatively effortless to use as the Manfrotto 785B. I find the 785B ideal for the camera and camcorders I use it with (it’s not meant for heavier cameras and camcorders), for use both in the field and in the studio (in my case, the living room and den, etc.). Well worth the sixty bucks, in my opinion. Recommended for the non-professional user who plans to use it with a camera(s) and/or camcorder(s) under the manufacturer’s recommended maximum weight limit of 2.2 lbs.
The packaging it comes in is very nice, by the way. It says high tech and quality and makes a good impression as its design as as smart as the tripod’s, and I think the 785B would make an excellent gift for an amateur photographer/videographer (assuming you know that their equipment is under the maximum weight limit and that they don’t already own a tripod).
Decent little tripod.
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This is a decent little tripod for the money. There is obviously not a smooth head operation for pans and tilts, but is well (again, for the money) compensated with a built in hand tension clamp in the handle. This adjustable tension clamp can help smooth out panning operations just a little in lieu of a more expensive head. Adjust the tension clamp to the desired resistance in order to smooth out your panning.
Besides the hand tension clamp, there is also a lock-down clamp right below the head axis: both serve as added stability when employed.
I purchased the tripod for a small Sony video camera I have, and as an experiment, I attached my Panasonic DBX 100B on the tripod just to see if remained stable after locking it down…and it did. I would not normally place the DVX 100 on such a tripod, but I thought if I ever were in a limited height situation whereby I couldn’t used my heavy-duty tripod due to height constraints, I could get away with using this tripod and its smaller collaspability for a needed static shot. Of course I would definitely still maintain a good grip on the camera and tripod while shooting, but this tripod would do the trick if needed.
All and all a good little tripod for the money.
I love this tripod
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Just too good tripod. Though its handle would shake with heavy camera or lens but I can work around that. Highly recommended. Very compact.
Lightweight, but cheap tripod
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
Manfrotto (usually) is a leader in tripods — this tripod, however, does not meet with the typical Manfrotto standards. After one photo shoot trip, one of the leg clamps broke off, which now prevents me from locking the leg in the fully extended position. Two other clamps are cracked (cheap plastic) and will quickly fall victim to the same fate if I were to use this tripod again.
My attempts to get mine repaired or replaced from the manufacturer have not been successful. My tripod lasted for one photo shoot. This was initially a great tripod to carry rather than lugging around my larger, heavier unit — but consider this a disposable tripod and not for long-term use.
Summary: you get what you pay for.
Probably very good for a Point and Shoot, but DO NOT USE WITH DSLR
Rating:3 out of 5 stars
I own a Canon XTi DSLR. Although this tripod was made for point and shoots, I read other 5-star reviews that mentioned this is perfectly fine for a DSLR. I decided to bite the bullet and try it out for myself.
When Manfrotto says it is only for POINT AND SHOOTS, TAKE THEIR WORD FOR IT AND DO NOT TRY IT WITH A DSLR.
Now my XTi didnt fall off the tripod or anything, but the pictures I took on the tripod on lowlight situations did not work out. Super blurry. This tripod simply is not sturdy enough to keep my XTi steady for long exposure shots.
So if you are a DSLR user like me, stay away from this one.
Nice Tripod
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
There seems to be a huge gap between cheap tripods and expensive ones. The Manfrotto 785B fills that gap. It combines the tripod and head in a relatively light weight and very versatile set that holds a somewhat heavy DSLR securely. It fit in my camera backpack (after some rearranging) making it a standard part of my gear. I’m a happy camper!
Excellent for What It Is
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
This is not a professional tripod for small cameras. It is a good, cheap, light weight tripod for small cameras.
It is stable, but not rock solid. It is VERY light and portable! It is surprisingly versatile and well built for the price.
The rubber feet are made of a rubber that is a bit too hard and slips on hardwood floors. I added 3M bumpons to the bottoms of the feet to fix this, and it seems to work.
The third axis lock has a lot of give in the third axis even when locked and a sticky pan, so I’m not clear why they advertise it for video.
I keep the smallest leg sections closed unless I need the extra height, and this eliminates vibration with 1 to 2 pound cameras.
I sometimes “drop” the camera by releasing the handle when the trigger lock is not locked. This lets the camera flop over. With just the weight of the camera, it flops a short distance toward me and hits a rubbery stop. I wouldn’t use this tripod with a telephoto lens, until I get used to the trigger lock and stop doing that. I wish the trigger lock had a spring to apply a little pressure if it is released but not locked. Something about the shape gives me a reflexive expectation that it will lock when I take my hand off the trigger.
Good enough for me.
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
As others have mentioned, its not the most sturdy tripod, and the tightening mechanism is not absolute, but surprisingly it can handle my Nikon D80 to my satisfaction. I had to have something light and small, and while it is not intended for DSLR cameras, it holds mine just fine. With my lens, its a little over the 1Kg “maximum load.” I have used it for night exposures without problems. Also note, there is a simple leveling bubble on the head. If you want small and light and you have simple needs, this is probably the best bang for your buck available. Five Stars.
Great for travel
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
The tripod packs up quite nice and small. I took it to Europe with me and it was really great. I was worried about the weight limits with a DSLR, but it worked out mostly fine. I used a Canon digital rebel with a 28-200 lens on it and the only time I had an issue was when I had the camera turned on it’s side for a vertical shot. It would start to drift slowly downward with the weight of the lens. Standard horizontal pictures were not a problem, even with the lens fully extended.
lightweight
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I needed a good and lightweight tripod and this fits. I use it for traveling most of the time and its compact and lightweight is great. From the instructions on the box, this tripod is made for point and shoot, but it works out fine for a DSLR. when the tripod’s leg is fully extended, it is kinda flimsy, but that is what you get for going lightweight.
is this tripod good for dlsr..?
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
hey folks…
m jus newbie in photography….jus got canon rebel xsi camera…and thinking of getting decent tripod to start with…i want to get my feet wet in using tripods…so is this tripod good choice for my camera…currently it has 18-55 lens and m planning to get more eventually….will this hold other light lenses….?
any input is appreciated…!
thnx…
Sweet tripod for SMALL P&S cameras.
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This tripod is awesome for small point and shoot cameras. I made the mistake of not researching the weight limit and my Nikon D80 with the battery grip just about fell over. 3.5lbs isn’t a lot of weight but when you attach it to this tripod it becomes very sketchy. Don’t risk your $1500 DSLR on a $60 tripod, spend the money and get one that is sturdy enough to hold the weight. But if you are using a little guy like a CoolPix or Powershot, this tripod is great; buy it.
Portable, light, small footprint and does what it promises!
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
Why I bought this
I received a new 25$ coupon from my Amazon card (LUV it) and decided it would use it towards a light / small tripod that I would take with me on my casual field trips to the local Indiana Dunes state park and other outdoor locations where I wanted a tripod yet needed to pack lightly with my camera backpack.
After reading up in various sites I decided to use this with my Nikon D50 with zoomlens. It clips onto my Microtrekker 100 camera backpack with velcro and weighs near nothing. Furthermore, the collapsed footprint is so small it does not get in the way.
Is it any good?
Yes, if you use it for what it is intended. I see people on here state that this is only for consumer DSLR’s…. uhmmmm yes. I cannot impagine a pro purist walking around with a low cost consumer grade tiny tripod that does not provide the pro stability and features they need. Why even bring that up.
For a pro-sumer like myself that has 2 DSLR’s, one a D90 with a big toot 18-200MM VR lens and a smaller older D50 this is fine.
I do have a 500$ heavyweight carbon fiber tripod with pro ballhead but ONLY use that for serious portrait work and when I go out to ONLY shoot and to places where I can reach my location without a massive tricky haul.
For all those other times I use this one now. It doesn’t bother me to carry and frequently I have found myself pleasantly surprised I had this with me as it enabled some cool shots that I could not have taken by hand.
Conclusions
The tripod is ofcourse not super stable. Especially when fully extended then lowest leg pieces are so thin that that can wobble of you push against the tripod with a D50 or similar camera one. That is OK as you should not bump it and trigger it with your timer or remote.
It has plastic clips that, if handled roughly, could break.
The tripod itself looks finely crafted but do not forget it is a budget item.
I do not use it fully extended most of the time and only with my remote and recommend that. I recommend it to the budget conscious that want to pack lightly without missing a tripod. This is geat as a second, light tpod.
The head is fine holding the D50 and the tension knob does work but again, it is not a pro grip ballhead.
I do think the grip ball head would be bad for video shooting is the tension grip makes it hard to control is you needed to tilt smoothly while shooting. Shell out for something better if that is what you do. But for photoshooting: it does what it promises: cheap, light and sufficient. And nice looking for 50 bucks.
Minus 1 star for the wobble when fully extended.
Very nice light and compact tripod!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I suddenly needed a tripod for an upcoming out of town trip. I was initially considering Dolica620B but is currently out of stock so i had to go to my local camera store to get one. I wanted something light and compact for travel and then use for occasional group/family pictures so nothing really fancy. When i was looking around i happen to see this small tripod. I checked it out and got me really interested with the size and immediately thought this will be perfect fit for my backpack camera bag (Lowepro Flipside 300). I saw that it was rated only for 2.2 lbs and just curiously asked the sales guy if the tripod can handle my D90 with 18-105 kit lens and he said it should be fine and even mentioned that he tried to put a D3 on it with no problems. But he did mention it’s not for longer heavier lenses. Learning that the price was only $59 I bit the bullet and bought it. I was thinking worst case is i can still use it for my HD camcorder. I immediately tested it at home, put on my camera and SB-600 external flash and it held it pretty well. I even tried mounting my 70-300VR lens and i was surprised it can still hold the whole thing. But when i fully extended the lens that’s when it started to creep down. It is also nice that you can spread the legs with 3 different angles, there is a photo and video switch which locks the head for nice pans and would not tilt sideways, the column can still extend upwards which is perfect for my height (5’8″). I even tried to shoot portrait and to me the tripod and head was able to handle the weight of the camera. This is definitely better than the cheaper tripods and the small compact size makes it perfect for travelling. Another plus for me was that it attaches perfectly on my Flipside 300 with the bag’s top latch perfectly resting in between the tripod and head so it is secure and does not come off easily. I’d definitely get a more serious tripod later on but for my current use, budget and urgency i think this should work out fine for now.
Perfect tripod for hiking
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
We got this tripod for a hiking trip to Ricketts Glen State Park in Pennsylvania. The Falls Trail has 22 waterfalls (we made it to 18). This tripod was easy to carry up and down the steep rocky trails. It fit easily in our backpack and my husband hardly noticed it was there when he was carrying it. I used it with my Canon Rebel XT and my 50mm 1.8 lens (the “plastic fantastic.”) I don’t think it would have held as well with my Sigma 24-60mm 2.8, which is significantly heavier, but it worked great with the light prime. I used this tripod with my camera’s timer and got no camera shake at all with up to 1 sec exposures. The setup is really quick. If a light, compact tripod for a camera and lens weighing less that 2 lbs. is your priority, then this is the one. Do not expect it to be rugged and heavy-duty, or to hold your 5D with a 24-70mm L lens–that’s not what it’s for.