Manfrotto Hydrostat Ball Heads

[W00DY]

Hi All,

I did a search and no hits came up for Hydrostat, so I'm pressuming not many members have spoken about the Manfrotto Ball Head Hydrostat range.

In any case has any member seen / touched / used the Manfrotto 468MGR Hydrostat ball head?

Cost is about he same as a Markins (If I can remember correctly, possibly the Markins is a little more?) at about $520.00.

Anyway if you know anything about these particular ball heads I'd like to hear your thoughts.

And to all the members that can remember that long ago, YES, I still have not bought one (but will this week, that is why I'm looking at the Manfrotto as I can get one from Vanbar before the weekend).

Cheers,
W00DY

[stubbsy]

Woody

You know what birddog will say!

[birddog114]

Woody

You know what birddog will say!

stubbsy,

I just and won't say anything

[W00DY]

Woody

You know what birddog will say!

Yes, I know what Birddog will say

But I want one for this weekend so looking at getting one from Vanbar. The Hydrostat ones are the Manfrotto top of the line so how bad can they be (I know I'm leaving myself wide open with that comment )

Just FYI the reason I still have not bought one is becouse I have not even taken a photo for about 2 months.... Shameful I know.

But this weekend I get a chance to get out with my camera so very excited.

Cheers,
W00DY

[Glen]

Woody, do they use a standard quick release system like Arca Swiss so you can buy L brackets from anyone? Or do Manfrotto make their own L brackets, or worse still - nothing fits as an L bracket?

[Mj]

G'Day Woody !!!

In answer to Glen's note... these do NOT utilise any of the arca swiss style fittings and this would be a pity doen the track I think.

Would therefore suggest that your best options are to either go for something cheaper for now... e.g. manfrotto 488rc2 or you could buy the Markins and get it pretty quickly (few days delivery seems common), however you'd still be minus a plate, L or otherwise that you would require.

Never an easy answer is it

[W00DY]

In answer to Glen's note... these do NOT utilise any of the arca swiss style fittings and this would be a pity doen the track I think.

I tend to agree but was wondering how long it would take for me to "need" to use thsi system would the normal Manfrotto quick realese plate keep me happy for a while?

Would therefore suggest that your best options are to either go for something cheaper for now... e.g. manfrotto 488rc2 or you could buy the Markins and get it pretty quickly (few days delivery seems common), however you'd still be minus a plate, L or otherwise that you would require.

Buying something cheaper for know and then selling it later might be a good option. Might be able to sell it on e-bay for not to much of a lose (if it is kept in good condition).

I would order a Markins but would need to know it would arrive by Friday and not sure they can guarantee that (with customs etc...)

W00DY

[Mj]

Woody... there are plenty of folk who aren't using the arca swiss setup with perfectly good results... on the other hand, given that the hydrostats are playing in the higher price bracket I think it would be a pity not to have arca swiss fittings cause they clearly provide better quality and flexibility (L bracket etc).

I'm in the same boat pretty much... won't be able to spend on a good head for a while (it's not just the head but all the brackets etc to) so I'll probably get the man 488rc2 or rc4 for the immediate future... better than nothing right now and I'll trade up later. Birdie will always say that you're better off saving, getting good gear, and getting it once... good advice it is too... but not always possible for some  btw... whatever you choose to do... make sure you match your legs and head together.

[Glen]

Woody, if they are playing in the big money (I have no idea of their price), I would get arca swiss as many people make bits to fit that system and you may see s/h pieces (as happened in the last few days) in that system. Just borrow a $50 tripod for the weekend. Patience is a virtue (can't you just tell I am an old bloke )

[Glen]

Just confirmed the price, for that money I agree with Birddy, get the RRS BH55 Pro.

For those who are interested the BH40 is now out.

[birddog114]

For those who are interested the BH40 is now out.

Glen,
RRS is just announced, stock will be at 1st October, No back-order by email or web atm.
I will have one, which they promised they will send to me first for evaluation.

[Mj]

Yep... as I said, the hydrostat is playing at the big end... RRS gear is a better option... but only for the very very patient !!! That's why I suggested looking at cheap end for immediate gratification... and yes... getting a loaner if it's for one weekend is definitely a good idea.

[W00DY]

Woody... there are plenty of folk who aren't using the arca swiss setup with perfectly good results... on the other hand, given that the hydrostats are playing in the higher price bracket I think it would be a pity not to have arca swiss fittings cause they clearly provide better quality and flexibility (L bracket etc).

You would think though that Manfrotto would eventually bring out an L bracket to fit their heads though, especially if they realise that is the reason people are not buying their heads.

so I'll probably get the man 488rc2 or rc4 for the immediate future... better than nothing right now and I'll trade up later. Birdie will always say that you're better off saving, getting good gear, and getting it once... good advice it is too... but not always possible for some

The 488RCs or 4 could be a good option to start with, as you said you can still take a great photo without top of the line equipment

 btw... whatever you choose to do... make sure you match your legs and head together.

I already have the legs (have had for about 3 months, I have Manfrotto Mag Fiber legs.

Thanks for all the replies, seems there is not too much knowledge about the hydrostat heads yet (that is not meant to be a criticism.)

Vanbar are sending one up from Melbourne for me to look at on Thursday so I'll see how I go.

W00DY

[stubbsy]

Keep us posted Woody

[Glen]

Good luck Woody, will be interetsed to hear your findings. Bear in mind that Manfrotto already have about 4 or 5 connection systems, so not sure if they will produce an L bracket. Also check the cost of spare plates as you would probably want one mounted on the camera all the time and anonother for bigger lenses

[sirhc55]

Woody - as far as I know there is not an L plate for the Manfrotto unless you are using the hex plate (Kirk QR-4) or 3275 (Kirk QR-7)

[W00DY]

Woody - as far as I know there is not an L plate for the Manfrotto unless you are using the hex plate (Kirk QR-4) or 3275 (Kirk QR-7)

Yeah I beleive your right Chris about the L plate, but interestingly you seem to think you can get one if you are using the Hex plate, is this true?

The guy from Vanbar was saying that the Hex plate was the best option due to stability, but if you can get an L-Plate for it that is a huge added bonus. Is the L-Plate Manfrotto? I can't seem to see anything on their website.

I was saying that I would be surprised if they didn't bring one out in the future. But as Glen mentioned if they have that many connection tyoes then possibly they won't.

W00DY

[birddog114]

With my understanding the design of Arca Swiss (Dove tails) is trade mark and licensed, RRS, Kirk, Markins paid a license fees to play the game and dedicated to the Pro Photogs, who wish to have the sturdy and flexibility in using their gears with one system, and the system which they invested in will last them for years

Manfrotto and Gitzo won't jump into the same band wagon, they have their own designs and they already have many of their plates in the market for years and years, they won't switch to making L plates, cos L plates need to renew its design every 6 months intervals and L plate can't be used as "unisex", each model of the camera and brand has a difference size and design of L plate, can't be shared with other, therefore they stick with their old fashion QRP and won't go down to that road, same as Markins, Markins makes plates for camera body only, they do not making L plate.

The only two companies which I've known they make the L Plates are RRS and Kirk, perhaps Arca Swiss too but I'm not sue they do.

[sirhc55]

The Kirk QR 4 is a hex plate with a arca swiss style clamp for your camera. You would therefore need to buy both the QR 4 and the L plate

[birddog114]

The Kirk QR 4 is a hex plate with a arca swiss style clamp for your camera. You would therefore need to buy both the QR 4 and the L plate

So both of the QR4 + L bracket from Kirk are US$260.00 + shipping = AU$400.00 + the Manfrotto head is about AU$510.00 = AU$910.00

Why should we go this way? I don't quite understand! That make me shut my mouth

[Glen]

That make me shut my mouth

[sirhc55]

The Kirk QR 4 is a hex plate with a arca swiss style clamp for your camera. You would therefore need to buy both the QR 4 and the L plate

So both of the QR4 + L bracket from Kirk are US$260.00 + shipping = AU$400.00 + the Manfrotto head is about AU$510.00 = AU$910.00

Why should we go this way? I don't quite understand! That make me shut my mouth

Precisely

[Glen]

It's unanimous, we all are keeping our mouth shut.

[Mj]

we all are keeping our mouth shut.

Does someone make a qrp or l-plate for that

As I said earlier... best options are either go cheap and be happy for now and know you may spend more later, or wait and go expensive and be happy that you've got the best and will only spend once.

Applying plate to mouth now

[W00DY]

Well I went into Vanbar today.... Checked out all the Manfrotto range, from the 488, 490, 468 & 468 Hydrastat and walked out with nothing.

1. Becouse I was not really that impressed with any of the heads (I found at least two things I didn't like with every one).

and

2. Becouse the service I got was some of the worst service I have experienced. They really did not want to sell me anything!!!!

After looking , and using, all the heads I would not buy any of the more expensive ones, they just didn't "feel" right

The 488 actually felt pretty good (had the 70 - 300g and SB800 on the D70) but the ball has a grease lining which I imagine would get very gritty, even with cleaning it I don't think you could get it very clean as dirt and dust would get into places you could not clean.

So I guess I am heading down the Markins M20 track now, or wait for october and get the BH40

[robboh]

The 488 actually felt pretty good (had the 70 - 300g and SB800 on the D70) but the ball has a grease lining which I imagine would get very gritty, even with cleaning it I don't think you could get it very clean as dirt and dust would get into places you could not clean.

Hi Woody,

I went the way MJ mentioned a number of months ago.

I brought the 055 NAT3 legs and a 488 RC0 (hex plate head) as I needed a head for the legs, didnt want to wait months and felt that it provided good functionality for a reasonable amount of money.

I dont particularly like the QR plate and feel that its got too much movement due to the surface of the plate and I also feel that the plate flexes in the head a little. However, it is a relatively cheap head and quite serviceable until I can justifty a RRS BH-50 or a Markins.

Ive had some good shots on a 80-200 with 2x TC at slow shutters speeds out of it, but Ive also had some that I have felt could have been better. So am saving for a decent head (which got put on the backburner as I came across a vr70-200 for a good price - who needs a tripod now, monopod will do fine )

Anyway, the grease doesnt seem to attract dust etc (its been out in the sand and lives in my lounge with a moulting malamute).

Rob.

[Glen]

Woody, great to see your opinion of the ballheads, thanks