Manfrotto MK393-PD Photo-Movie Kit QR

Comments about Manfrotto MK393-PD Photo-Movie Kit QR:

I used the Manfrotto 718SHB for years, and it was a great compact tripod: stable, lightweight, never had a problem with it, so when I lost it, i went for a Manfrotto replacement. The 718SHB was discontinued, so i bought this MK393-PD...

Size: ok, fits on my backpack, and reaches good height when extended.

Weight: ok.

Stable: yes; under windy conditions I did not expand the central column for best stability.

Build quality: terrible!
-the Quick Release plate was not perfectly locked, and never locked the camera completely.. always was a little loose, like 1mm.
-one month after arrival, one of the screws that hold the legs to the center disappeared.
-after six months of usage, one of the leg-upper-knobs that rotates to open the legs wider or narrower, got stuck. I could never again open that leg as I wanted.
-and yesterday, after one year of usage, the head´s tilting handle broke!

I would never recommend it to anybody... I don´t understand how could Manfrotto go down from the marvelous 718SHB to this.

Comments about Manfrotto MK393-PD Photo-Movie Kit QR:

Capturing precious moments that will never come back all go to naught with shaky condition ending up in blurred images. And when tripod is the need, this little giant is a must.

Comments about Manfrotto MK393-PD Photo-Movie Kit QR:

I totally LOVE this tripod. It is perfect for non traditional activities. I have taken this thing literally in the ocean, in snow, desert canyons and up large mountains. It also works well for any longer walk to one's destination. You can't beat how compactly it folds up and neatly sits in a backpack holder. It is very lightweight and secure with good footing. It holds my Canon 5D Mark lll and a 2.8 L lens. However when using a longer telephoto, I do use a lens support.

It pans and rotates easily. Set up with the quick release feature goes smoothly and quickly.

I am small and believe me the ease of use, weight and size of this tripod is greatly appreciated at 10,000 feet above sea level. As with any tripod be sure to completely tighten down the adjustment levers.

Comments about Manfrotto MK393-PD Photo-Movie Kit QR:

Looking for a better tripod here at BH after purchasing this from a consumer retailer while on a vacation. After using this I said what is this thing [*]? After looking, the label does read [*]. I do not believe this is where Manfrotto gear comes from originally, they are just using their name to market the cheap stuff. The camera plate only attaches to the head tightly one way. I actually caught $5000 of gear on the way to the concrete. Even when attached correctly the plate that allows you to flip from horizontal to vertical does not tighten down enough to stay in place. We have high end tripods, I just wanted something light and cheap for personal travel photos. This is too cheap to be trusted. We looked at the even cheaper pistol Manfrotto and it might actually be a better attachment system. We went with this one because of the pan feature thinking it may be handy for video now and then, but the panning would not be smooth enough to use anyway. I plan to spend a little more and support my gear with something I can trust even while on vacations. I used great video tripods by these guys years ago, but junk is what their name will mean to me now.

Comments about Manfrotto MK393-PD Photo-Movie Kit QR:

I used the Manfrotto 718SHB for years, and it was a great compact tripod: stable, lightweight, never had a problem with it, so when I lost it, i went for a Manfrotto replacement. The 718SHB was discontinued, so i bought this MK393-PD...

Size: ok, fits on my backpack, and reaches good height when extended.

Weight: ok.

Stable: yes; under windy conditions I did not expand the central column for best stability.

Build quality: terrible!
-the Quick Release plate was not perfectly locked, and never locked the camera completely.. always was a little loose, like 1mm.
-one month after arrival, one of the screws that hold the legs to the center disappeared.
-after six months of usage, one of the leg-upper-knobs that rotates to open the legs wider or narrower, got stuck. I could never again open that leg as I wanted.
-and yesterday, after one year of usage, the head´s tilting handle broke!

I would never recommend it to anybody... I don´t understand how could Manfrotto go down from the marvelous 718SHB to this.

Comments about Manfrotto MK393-PD Photo-Movie Kit QR:

Capturing precious moments that will never come back all go to naught with shaky condition ending up in blurred images. And when tripod is the need, this little giant is a must.

Comments about Manfrotto MK393-PD Photo-Movie Kit QR:

I totally LOVE this tripod. It is perfect for non traditional activities. I have taken this thing literally in the ocean, in snow, desert canyons and up large mountains. It also works well for any longer walk to one's destination. You can't beat how compactly it folds up and neatly sits in a backpack holder. It is very lightweight and secure with good footing. It holds my Canon 5D Mark lll and a 2.8 L lens. However when using a longer telephoto, I do use a lens support.

It pans and rotates easily. Set up with the quick release feature goes smoothly and quickly.

I am small and believe me the ease of use, weight and size of this tripod is greatly appreciated at 10,000 feet above sea level. As with any tripod be sure to completely tighten down the adjustment levers.

Comments about Manfrotto MK393-PD Photo-Movie Kit QR:

Looking for a better tripod here at BH after purchasing this from a consumer retailer while on a vacation. After using this I said what is this thing [*]? After looking, the label does read [*]. I do not believe this is where Manfrotto gear comes from originally, they are just using their name to market the cheap stuff. The camera plate only attaches to the head tightly one way. I actually caught $5000 of gear on the way to the concrete. Even when attached correctly the plate that allows you to flip from horizontal to vertical does not tighten down enough to stay in place. We have high end tripods, I just wanted something light and cheap for personal travel photos. This is too cheap to be trusted. We looked at the even cheaper pistol Manfrotto and it might actually be a better attachment system. We went with this one because of the pan feature thinking it may be handy for video now and then, but the panning would not be smooth enough to use anyway. I plan to spend a little more and support my gear with something I can trust even while on vacations. I used great video tripods by these guys years ago, but junk is what their name will mean to me now.