Test Bench: Manfrotto 754 MDeVe Carbon Fiber Tripod and 501 Fluid Head (page 2)
Together
Clearly, you're going to need to upgrade to a decent tripod at some point and it is going to cost you some money. Fortunately, a good tripod is an investment that should last forever. The 754 Carbon Fiber tripod legs are somewhat pricey. Granted, you could spend a lot more on tripod legs, but what you are paying for here is the lightweight and carbon fiber chic. Bogen makes a perfectly fine set of aluminum tripod legs (756B) that are only a few inches shorter and weigh only a half a pound more, for about a third of the price of the 754s. If Bali Ha'i is calling, weight is critical and cost is not really an issue, go for the 754 carbon fiber legs. In any case, the most important part of the tripod is the head, and, with a street price of around $150, the Bogen 501 Pro Video Head is a basic model that is well worth the reasonable price.
D. Eric Franks is Videomaker's Technical Editor.
TECH SPECS
754 Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs
Load Capacity: 9.8 lbs.
Leveling Bubble: yes
Leg Sections: 2
Minimum Height: 23 inches
Maximum Height: 56 inches; w/ center column extended: 64 inches
Mount: male, 3/8-inch
Folded Length: 30 inches
Weight: 4.2 lbs.
501 (3433) Pro Video Head
Load Capacity: 13.3 lbs.
Balance Plate: sliding
Leveling Bubble: yes
Mount: female, 3/8-inch
Height: 4.2 inches
Weight: 3.4 lbs.
$1,061
Bogen Imaging Inc.
565 E. Crescent Ave.
Ramsey, NJ 07446
(201) 818-9500
www.bogenimaging.us
