Manfrotto 393 Heavy Duty Gimbal Type Telephoto Lens Support
The most economical option among Gimbal heads, the Manfrotto 393 Heavy Duty Telephoto Lens Support puts the tilt axis (up/down) in line with the midpoint of the lens' weight. This makes movement with a large telephoto lens easy enough to be done with one finger. Point the rig where you want, let go and it stays where you left it. Height of the lens is adjustable and there is a built-in pan base.
The built-in 357 quick release assembly allows fore/aft movement within the mount for perfect 50/50 weight distribution. The 357PL quick release plate includes two 1/4"-20 screws (many large tripod collared lenses have two sockets in their collars) and one 3/8"-16 screw. The 393 is appropriate for all telephoto lenses with a tripod collar.
Replaces old part number 3421.
| Tripod Attachment | 3/8" thread |
| Weight | 3.5 lbs (1.6kg) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 57 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Stable (42)
- Attaches firmly (39)
- Large range of motion (38)
- Strong clamp (36)
- Easy to use (12)
Cons
- Heavy (23)
- Heavy / bulky (7)
Best Uses
- Wildlife (46)
- Sports/action (31)
- Landscape/scenery (16)
- Night shots (16)
- Travel (5)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Photo enthusiast (24), Semi-pro photographer (20), Pro photographer (8)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (38)
Most Liked Positive Review
Driven to Nature
I am a semi-professional photographer by trade, but my Heart is Captured by nature photography. In performing my business I purchase the best in order to deliver the best to my customers, they are...Read complete review
I am a semi-professional photographer by trade, but my Heart is Captured by nature photography. In performing my business I purchase the best in order to deliver the best to my customers, they are my existence. But delivering to my customers and delivering to my hearts desire are two different things. When rendered a choice between buying an expensive lens or perhaps camera body, because I'll better serve my customers, there is no debate; but when providing a better lens mount (gimbal) for my hearts desire I look for the best performance at a reasonable cost. Enter the Manfrotto 393 lens mount (gimbal)... Would I like to use one of the high priced gimbals (a "W"), yes, but where is the return in it. To pay two to three even four times the price for a gimbal for the name is ludicrous and, that in my mind, doesn't deliver much more then a Manfrotto 393. After test driving the 393 I knew I had made the best decision. For my 300mm 2.8f AFS Nikon lens with a 2x tele-converter (yielding 600mm 5.6f) it was a dream come true. The 393 has a integral lens plate safety devise coupled with a clamp that holds tight with reasonable amount of force applied for a fantastic feeling of security. Rotational axis's were very stable with great range of motion. For a simple design, that doesn't break the bank and then add to that provides fantastic performance what more do I need. Oh, I could have purchased a "W" but at $654.00 now I have investment left over to help buy that 25-70mm I have been needing.Captured by Nature.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Works OK, but note caveats!
This is often called the "Poor man's Wimberley". That's a good moniker, because it hints that the only reason to purchase this instead of the Wimberley is budget. I bought the Manfr...Read complete review
This is often called the "Poor man's Wimberley". That's a good moniker, because it hints that the only reason to purchase this instead of the Wimberley is budget. I bought the Manfrotto about a year ago, and thus have a lot of experience with it, but I just upgraded to the Wimberley. Here are my reasons:
1) On the 393, the yoke wraps around the lens, which obscures all the controls on the lens. When you need to touch up focus or flip one of the switches on the side of your lens, you'll find that your hand encounters the yoke, instead of the lens. It is very awkward to manually focus with this mount (at least with the Canon 500mm f4 IS, which is the primary lens I used with it.)
2) The RC3 mounting plate is huge. Although it mounts just fine on the Canon 500 foot, if you try mounting one on your camera body to capture some scenics with a normal lens, it will be ridiculously in the way, and you'll take it off immediately after getting your shot. I don't like putting tripod plates on and off each time I change lenses. There is only one plate available for this support, unlike the Wimberley for which the entire line of Swiss-Arca line plates are available, some of which are appropriate to semi-permanent body mounting. Also, Really Right Stuff makes replacement lens feet with an Arca-Swiss mount built right into them, so there is no plate at all! I once got several hundred miles from home before realizing I had not packed the RC3 mounting plate for my Canon 500 lens, so I was dead in the water for shooting.
3) There is no lock for the pan direction on this head - it floats freely always. That's OK for moving subjects, not so OK for any other use. The Wimberley locks on both axes.
On the plus side, the RC3 plate and mount are very secure, and less worry to mount and unmount than the Wimberley, with which there is a real fear of dropping the camera. With the Manfrotto, you slide it in just a little, hear a satisfying "click", and know that whatever you do now, you can't lose the camera. A quarter turn of a nicely shaped lever locks it in place. When you go to remove the camera/lens, you release the lever, then push a little button that allows the whole thing to slide out. This became very natural and automatic after a few uses for me - rather like putting the car in "Park" and stepping on the emergency brake. The Wimberley with it's Arca-Swiss clamp takes longer to mount, and I'm concerned about dropping the camera while doing it. Maybe I'll get better at it (I've only had the Wimberley a few days), but it doesn't seem like it will ever match the Manfrotto in mount/dismount security and convenience.
If you can live with the limitations of the Manfrotto 393, and budget is an important consideration, you'll be happy with it. It has an immense advantage over a conventional ball head for shooting moving subjects.
By the way, the B&H photo shows the inner yoke above the camera and lens. It can be used this way, but I know few who do, as it makes it even more difficult to get at the controls. The normal orientation is to orient both the inner and outer yokes like the letter "U".
Reviewed by 57 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Sports/Action
- Travel
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 393 Heavy Duty Gimbal Type Telephoto Lens Support:
I'm a keen sports and bird photographer and recently purchased my first super zoom lens, the Canon 300mm 2.8ii. I had been looking for a portable support to use with a monopod and discovered the 393. I have found it to be an absolute godsend when shooting for extended lengths of time and something I can not live without!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by Rosie Ruffles
Keeping it steady is easy!
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Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 393 Heavy Duty Gimbal Type Telephoto Lens Support:
I use 393 Heavy Duty Gimbal Type Telephoto Lens Support for my Canon EF 600mmf/4L IS lens with EOS 5D Mark II camera to shot pictures of wild life. It really supports great this heavy combination, and allows me to follow moving objects with fluidity and precision.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Simple
- Stable
- Sturdy
Cons
- Bulky
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 393 Heavy Duty Gimbal Type Telephoto Lens Support:
Simple and functional gimbal tripod head supplied with quick release plate.
May not be the coolest looking device, but supports my Canon 600 mm lens perfectly allowing easy movement, both planning and tilting and a simultaneous combination of both.
Works for me.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Sports/Action
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 393 Heavy Duty Gimbal Type Telephoto Lens Support:
Works great for flying birds and all other wildlife. Very stable and solid built. Demonstrated it to a friend and he's really liked it. Said he was definitely going to buy one.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Shots
- Sports/Action
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 393 Heavy Duty Gimbal Type Telephoto Lens Support:
The Manfrotto 393 lives up to its reputation of being a rock steady mount. The foot is easy to attach and has a very functional safety lock that prevents it from slipping out of the mount accidentally. Once your lens/scope is balanced, the mount system holds it in whatever position you want, allowing for hands off shutter release. Currently I use it with a Nikon D300/Sigma 150-500 combo, for which it is more than sufficient
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
Comments about Manfrotto 393 Heavy Duty Gimbal Type Telephoto Lens Support:
I use a Nikon 2.8/300mm with an extender sometimes. My camera is a Nikon D80.I was using a Giottos MH1300 ball head and was not very happy with it, especially when shooting up or down at an angle.It was hard to get it to stop at the point that I wanted. I had to aim above my target and try to guess how far it would shift.With the 393 it stays right where I want it and if my target moves it's very easy to follow.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Easy to control
- Landscape/Scenery
- Movment is vary smooth
- Sports/Action
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 393 Heavy Duty Gimbal Type Telephoto Lens Support:
I was looking for a fast action gimbal head. After review of the other more expensive heads and the cheep knockoffs from over seas. Chose the Manfrotto 393. Yes its built like a tank. Adjustments are easy to use. Ballences my 400mm Tamron with ease. This lens can not be handheld by me. Been able to follow F104's in flyby with ease. I also use it with 70-300mm. This does the job and does it very well. This is a vary robust head that looks and feels like it will last for years.
Two things to note are you will need a tripod that is vary sturdy no plactic ones here. And it mounts with a 3/8 16 thread. So if you are using a 1/4 20 mount you will need
an adaptor. Way to go Manfrotto.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Sports/Action
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 393 Heavy Duty Gimbal Type Telephoto Lens Support:
Got this for my Nikon 600mm f4 lens and coupled it to my heavy Bogen tripod. What a smooth platform!!! It cradles the lens just perfectly.
Why did I wait so long!!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
Cons
Best Uses
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 393 Heavy Duty Gimbal Type Telephoto Lens Support:
Big enough to support all the lenses I own and all the lenses I wish I owned
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by pax
Titmouse at brief rest
Was this review helpful? Yes / No
- You may also flag this review
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 393 Heavy Duty Gimbal Type Telephoto Lens Support:
This is my second one. Why spend so much on the other brand when you can get like 3 for the price of one. Very strong and heavy and sturdy.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
- Very smooth operation
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Sports/Action
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 393 Heavy Duty Gimbal Type Telephoto Lens Support:
Very smooth operation and very stable
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Sports/Action
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 393 Heavy Duty Gimbal Type Telephoto Lens Support:
Simple, solid construction. Motion is smooth, friction locks are easy to use.
Make sure you have a good tripod, between it and your camera+lens+flash rig, you are looking at significant weight.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
Cons
- None so far
Best Uses
- Sports/Action
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 393 Heavy Duty Gimbal Type Telephoto Lens Support:
First off I will tell you that I am not a professional photographer. I bought a 393 gimbal to use with my Nikon D7000 and Nikkor 300 F4 lens. I needed something for following birds in flight and thought I would try this. Although I haven't had a chance to use it on birds yet I did have a chance to use it taking photos of a helicopter spraying a soybean field. I was quite impressed how smoothly the gimbal allowed me to follow the helicopter through the fields and I got some real nice photos.
This gimbal is very well built and could support a much larger and heavier lens and camera than what I am using but I am tickled with how well this thing works. I was somewhat leery of buying it as it did not look that impressive in the pictures of it but it is a very solid unit. I am using it on my tripod and it seems very solid and smooth. I am very happy with this purchase and consider it a bargain.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 393 Heavy Duty Gimbal Type Telephoto Lens Support:
I use this head primarily to carry my Nikon 400 on a Manfrotto monopod. I found it practicle,easy to use and an economicle alternative to the Wimberley. I haven't used the head on my tripod as yet but I can see no reason why it should't function just as well. It's a very solid unit.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Some sports shots
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 393 Heavy Duty Gimbal Type Telephoto Lens Support:
The first tink is that the 300 mm is more stable nad I will certainly use it with the 200mm because so friendly to use, stable and sturdy.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
Best Uses
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 393 Heavy Duty Gimbal Type Telephoto Lens Support:
This mount has surpassed all of my expectations. It's easy to use and built as solid as a rock. I am extremely pleased with all of its functions and workmanship.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 393 Heavy Duty Gimbal Type Telephoto Lens Support:
Purchased this item to provide support for my Sigma 150-500 lens while trying to photograph birds. It does the job, very easy to use both sideways and up and down. Would recommend you get a plate for each lens/camera. Changing lenses/cameras is then swift.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Sports/Action
Comments about Manfrotto 393 Heavy Duty Gimbal Type Telephoto Lens Support:
To take surf photos
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Sports/Action
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 393 Heavy Duty Gimbal Type Telephoto Lens Support:
Holds big lenses allowing steady shots and panning without image stabilization. Excellent for 400 to 600mm. Great for bird photography.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Attaches Firmly
- Good Stability
- Large Range of Motion
- Strong Clamp
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Travel
- Wildlife
Comments about Manfrotto 393 Heavy Duty Gimbal Type Telephoto Lens Support:
Although I was advised by a good friend (a professional wildlife photographer) that this item was not useful on a zoom lens (I own a Sigma 120-500) because of shifting balance (change of focal length changes center of gravity), I went ahead and bought it. Took the lens, tripod and item described to the field this last weekend and it worked perfectly!!! Minimum adjustment on the sliding plate was required when changing focal length and it was done effortlessly. When tracking fast moving wading birds (flying), I was amazed by the ease of movement of this jig. Should have bought it a long time ago...
- Was this a gift?:
- No
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