Manfrotto 7302YB Review

[klassenl]

I've been desiring a tripod for a while now and I decided if I didn't buy now I never would. So, today we went to Henry's here in Winnipeg and bought a 7302YB from Manfrotto. You'll have to excuse the somewhat soft and some maybe oof pics.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v302/klassenl/Tripod/IMG_3060.jpg

I was deciding between a 190xprob with a 486 head and this one. I went the the 7302 because it was on sale and the 190 was way out of my budget. I payed 139 plus tax.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v302/klassenl/Tripod/IMG_3068.jpg

It comes with a nice little bag.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v302/klassenl/Tripod/IMG_3069.jpg

It has 4 section legs. The section of the leg that is lowest to the ground seems a little thin, but if you treat your gear somewhat carefully I don't think they will bend or break. Fully extended it measures 57 inches to the top of the QR plate. I'm 5-11 and I have to duck a little the look through the viewfinder.

Cont.

[klassenl]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v302/klassenl/Tripod/IMG_3073.jpg

You can set the legs at 2 different angles.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v302/klassenl/Tripod/IMG_3071.jpg

You have to turn the little grey things to change the stop angles. It's quite a good setup.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v302/klassenl/Tripod/IMG_3082.jpg

Everything is made of aluminum including the QR plate. It's small enough that when it's screwed to the bottom of my XS you can still change the battery. Everything feels solid and well made. My only gripe so far it the QR latch. If it's not fully closed the plate stays loose.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v302/klassenl/Tripod/IMG_3080.jpg

The little brass coloured thing is the QR safety. The previous picture is in the open position. This is of course the the closed, or safe position.

[klassenl]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v302/klassenl/Tripod/IMG_3089.jpg

Last, the column can be inverted once you have taken the little rubber stop off.


Other notes-

For those that care, the ball head is permanently fixed to the column but looking at the 190 column in the store, I think it's the same one. So you could put on a different head if you wanted to.

If you have questions I would be glad to answer them. If you would like other pictures I'll do my best.

LK

[curiousgeorge]

Thanks for this.

Have you had any problems with it, and what camera/lens do you use with it?

[328iGuy]

Thanks for this review.

I almost bought this same one as well, but ended up deciding on the 7301YB. The 7301YB had the panning head instead of the ball head. It is much easier with a panning head to do video as well as photo.

I am sure you won't be disappointed though. :cool:

[JLai81]

I have this same tripod and I'm pleased with my purchase as well. Great value for the money.

[swartz]

I have the same tripod. The 190 center column does not fit and the head does not come off. So your stuck how it is. But it is a very nice tripod I have the cf version

[curiousgeorge]

Mine just arrived.

The ball head seems to be able to cope well with the weight of my 40D and 17-55. Time will tell if this remains solid.

I got it mainly for the quick release plate, which has almost the same feel as that of more expensive Manfrottos.

As expected, it doesn't have the build quality of the heavier, more solid Manfrottos, and I wouldn't like to trust in windy conditions and on uneven ground, but it's seems like good value.