Manfrotto 785 Modo Maxi Photo Video Grip Head Tripod

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).

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 (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.

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.

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.