I would like to buy a Manfrotto tripod with a pistol grip for my US Optics spotting scope. The only thing is that there are so many that I don't know where to start. Can some one suggest a model? Thanks.
Emilio
Emilio
Manfrotto tripod
- Thread starter Emilio
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Re: Manfrotto tripod
We use them for shooting support. I use the 55 with the vertical pistol grip. My partner has the same, though he wants the horizontal pistol grip for a shorter profile.
We use them for shooting support. I use the 55 with the vertical pistol grip. My partner has the same, though he wants the horizontal pistol grip for a shorter profile.
Re: Manfrotto tripod
I have the 055XPROB and I love it. It has the horizontal center column that rotates out which you may or may not want/need. The only real differences between the 190 and the 55 are the weight they'll support. The 190 will hold around 11lbs (don't forget to add the weight of whatever the head you decide to install on the tripod when calculating how big a tripod you need) while the 55 will support around 15.5lbs.
As for the grip tripod head...take a look at the Bogen/Manfrotto 322RC2 head.
I have the 055XPROB and I love it. It has the horizontal center column that rotates out which you may or may not want/need. The only real differences between the 190 and the 55 are the weight they'll support. The 190 will hold around 11lbs (don't forget to add the weight of whatever the head you decide to install on the tripod when calculating how big a tripod you need) while the 55 will support around 15.5lbs.
As for the grip tripod head...take a look at the Bogen/Manfrotto 322RC2 head.
Re: Manfrotto tripod
Had a 55 it was too big IMO for packing around but it was great for just setting up at the range which was not what I wanted it for.
I would opt for the 190 and get the version with the convertable center colum vice using the low angle adapters.
Had a 55 it was too big IMO for packing around but it was great for just setting up at the range which was not what I wanted it for.
I would opt for the 190 and get the version with the convertable center colum vice using the low angle adapters.
Re: Manfrotto tripod
I don't know if anyone here sells them but I have the 190 pro bought it from B&H photo warehouse great service good prices. Their sales people are photographers mostly but know their stuff. I love my 190 pro use it for my camera and spotting scope. The carbon is nice to carry but I a friend that has one hates it because it is to light. He has to carry weights to reduce wind movement. Kind of defeats the purpose and saves over 100.00 bucks. BTW not selling the 190 I would love to have it or the 55 but the pro has the horizontal/vertical center post that works great for a camera never used it for my spotter.
JMHO
Rad
I don't know if anyone here sells them but I have the 190 pro bought it from B&H photo warehouse great service good prices. Their sales people are photographers mostly but know their stuff. I love my 190 pro use it for my camera and spotting scope. The carbon is nice to carry but I a friend that has one hates it because it is to light. He has to carry weights to reduce wind movement. Kind of defeats the purpose and saves over 100.00 bucks. BTW not selling the 190 I would love to have it or the 55 but the pro has the horizontal/vertical center post that works great for a camera never used it for my spotter.
JMHO
Rad
Re: Manfrotto tripod
I have the 055XPROB and though it is heavy you will appreciate it on a windy day. I have no regrets and handles my Nikon Field scope without a problem. I also opted for the Ball head because it was better built and stronger than the pistol grip. Makes it real easy to manuever the scope around. I recommend you go to a camera exchange place and have the sales personnel demonstrate it to you. My guys here were awesome. The whole setup will go close to $400.
I have the 055XPROB and though it is heavy you will appreciate it on a windy day. I have no regrets and handles my Nikon Field scope without a problem. I also opted for the Ball head because it was better built and stronger than the pistol grip. Makes it real easy to manuever the scope around. I recommend you go to a camera exchange place and have the sales personnel demonstrate it to you. My guys here were awesome. The whole setup will go close to $400.
Re: Manfrotto tripod
Here is a link to B&H Photo where I bought mine, along with the 322 Grip head:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/62..._Tripod_w_.html
I don't have a pic of mine or of the tripod with the horizontal center column extended, but if you run a goggle images search, you should get a ton of hits.
Here is a link to B&H Photo where I bought mine, along with the 322 Grip head:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/62..._Tripod_w_.html
I don't have a pic of mine or of the tripod with the horizontal center column extended, but if you run a goggle images search, you should get a ton of hits.
Re: Manfrotto tripod
Can't go wrong with a 055 or 190 . You only need the PRO version if you want to have the ability to swing the vertical column to horizontal. I personally use this for photography but don't find it necessary for a spotter
You may want to try the pistol grip ball with a spotting scope before you buy it. I personally don't like it. I much prefer using a geared head. This way you can pan and tilt with much greater control. This is the cats ass if you want to pan across a row of target stands downrange. This is very handy when you have the magnification cranked up. You can quick release any axis INDEPENDENT of the others, so you are not frantically turning the knobs. The knobs are for fine tune. The only time I use a pistol grip ball is for a camera with a light lense. Once you go geared head its tough to use anything else
Can't go wrong with a 055 or 190 . You only need the PRO version if you want to have the ability to swing the vertical column to horizontal. I personally use this for photography but don't find it necessary for a spotter
You may want to try the pistol grip ball with a spotting scope before you buy it. I personally don't like it. I much prefer using a geared head. This way you can pan and tilt with much greater control. This is the cats ass if you want to pan across a row of target stands downrange. This is very handy when you have the magnification cranked up. You can quick release any axis INDEPENDENT of the others, so you are not frantically turning the knobs. The knobs are for fine tune. The only time I use a pistol grip ball is for a camera with a light lense. Once you go geared head its tough to use anything else
Re: Manfrotto tripod
I'll add this - make sure you get something that will go high enough for you, if you're planning on using it standing a lot.
The 190 tripod maxes out at 57.5" . Using it with a 322rc2 head, combined with the straight style eyepiece on the USO, it's ends up being just a couple inches short of being comfortable for a 6'+ person, when standing.
Going to either a 055 series tripod or a 3265 verticle style head would resolve the issue for me. With an angled eyepiece scope, the 190 series with the 322rc2 head is perfectly fine.
I'll add this - make sure you get something that will go high enough for you, if you're planning on using it standing a lot.
The 190 tripod maxes out at 57.5" . Using it with a 322rc2 head, combined with the straight style eyepiece on the USO, it's ends up being just a couple inches short of being comfortable for a 6'+ person, when standing.
Going to either a 055 series tripod or a 3265 verticle style head would resolve the issue for me. With an angled eyepiece scope, the 190 series with the 322rc2 head is perfectly fine.
