Manfrotto 458B Neotec Pro Photo Tripod (Black)

by Manfrotto

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 25 x 4 x 4 inches ; 5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0002TKGZS
• Item model number: 458B
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #18 in Electronics > Camera & Photo > Tripods & Monopods > Tripod Legs
  • #78 in Electronics > Camera & Photo > Tripods & Monopods > Tripod Heads
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

Manufacturer Description

Awesomely fast and easy to use, the Bogen-Manfrotto 458B has the innovative Neotec rapid opening and closing mechanism -- just pull each leg downwards to open and automatically lock it in any position, with no screws, knobs or levers to tighten or loosen. Then to fold it back up again, press the mechanism release button and push the leg closed, it's that simple!

Combined with the 458B's high load capacity, great minimum and maximum height range, full range of professional features and speed, makes it the ideal tripod for location work under pressure. The 458B has a built-in carrying handle; a two section center column for low angle or normal shooting and four leg angle positions.

Features include:

• Center column design allows you to leave the head mounted on the column when switching between low angle and normal shooting.
• Double positioning vertical and horizontal center column.
• Four set leg angle positions for a solid footing at any height.
• Leg lock release button for closing the tripod or shortening each leg for perfect positioning.
• Carrying strap can be used to support a counterweight.
• Waterproof up to 18 inches as the bottom leg section is sealed.

What's in the Box:
Tripod, carrying strap.

Product Description

The Neotec Pro Photo Tripod 458B has the innovative Neotec rapid opening and closing mechanism - just pull each leg downwards to open and automatically lock it in any position, with no screws, knobs or levers to tighten or loosen. Then to fold it back up again, just press the mechanism release button and push the leg closed. Combined with the 458B s high load capacity, great minimum and maximum height range, full range of professional features and speed, makes it an exceptional tripod for location work under pressure. The 458B has a built-in carrying handle a two section center column for low angle or normal shooting and four leg angle positions. Features: New center column design allows you to leave the head mounted on the column when switching between low angle and normal shooting Double positioning vertical and horizontal center column Four set leg angle positions for a solid footing at any height Leg lock release button for closing the tripod or shortening each leg for perfect positioning Carrying strap can be used to support a counterweight Waterproof up to 18 as the bottom leg section is sealed Specifications: Finish: Black/Dark Grey Material: Anodized Aircraft Aluminum Still Photography: Yes Column Type: Rapid Maximum Height with extended center column: 61.4 inches Maximum Height: 51.6 inches Minimum Height: 3.9 inches Closed Length: 25.2 inches Leg Sections: 3 Foot Type: Rubber Maximum Load Capacity: 17.6 lbs Head Mount: 3/8 threaded mount Weight: 5.3 lbs

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Comments and response, maintenance, July 4, 2008

By 

J. Gordon - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Manfrotto 458B Neotec Pro Photo Tripod (Black) (Electronics)

First, a response to the slightly negative review:

First, I agree with the recommendation for the 055XproB. For half the price, you get a great tripod. Neotec is neat, but gimmicky. I can set up a normal tripod (like the above mentioned) in just a few more seconds that it takes to pull out the Neotec's legs. The Neotec collapses in about 2 seconds less time, and adjustment time is equal. So if you've got half the funds, get the 055XproB. If you've got twice the funds, get carbon fiber ;-).

The Neotec is not the most, nor by any means the least stable. It is heavy and solid, but does have a torque/twist that you don't really want. It's not significant for any but the most demanding applications, however. I don't know how the reviewer got "motion blur" using ANY camera on ANY tripod in a room with no wind. Maybe a train was passing by, or the reviewer was walking on a floor plank the tripod was on. This tripod has some play, but it doesn't move of it's own will.

I have had mine for a year and a half, use it every day in a fairly rough way, and it has no discernible scratches. I wouldn't care if it did.

My major gripe is that after a while, the legs get hard to pull out and push in. The manual says to lubricate them, but doesn't say WITH WHAT. I tried a few different lubricants, but they only lasted a day or two. I emailed tech support, and they said that the tripod is not user-serviceable, even for lubrication, and that it must be sent in for repair. I sent a couple emails trying to get them to tell me how to service it myself, but they just kept saying I had to send it in.

So I sent it in, and it was fixed for free and returned promptly. The work order said "lubricated tripod legs". They functioned better, but only for a couple weeks.

I am happy to report that I have found a pretty good procedure for maintaining the legs:

Every couple weeks (more or less, depending on use and conditions), wipe off the legs and then apply a lubricant. I use Goo-Gone to clean the legs, wipe it off completely, then use SILICON lubricant (I use dielectric grease) to lubricate. Just wipe a VERY SMALL amount on, rub it around, and wipe off as much as you can. Wipe it like you don't want any left on there.

Now you're good for a couple weeks.

DO NOT USE WD-40, GRAPHITE, or TEFLON LUBRICANTS!


Also, the bubble level will eventually fall off. I put a tiny drop of Gorilla Glue on the edge, and it won't be coming off any more.

Also, the hex/allen screws at the top of the tripod legs may become loose (one of mine did after a year). Just pay attention to them, because if they fall out and you can't find them, you're probably screwed (they ain't standard screws). You can put some of the milder form of loctite on them, or maybe even hairspray, to keep them in.

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Inovative Design, but need improvement., January 21, 2008

By 

Li Fan (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Manfrotto 458B Neotec Pro Photo Tripod (Black) (Electronics)

I've purchased this tripod because it's got a much quicker locking mechanism over my old Bogen 3021B-Pro tripod (Which is a true workhorse for me for over 7 years, never let me down).

Features same adjustable height design and a unique horizontal shooting pole as the 3021B-pro, the weight is same as the 3021b-pro.

The new Neotec locking mechanism is really great invention, super fast to work with, all you need to do to extend the tripod is just pull it out, and it locks in any position, no knobs to push or turn. It also comes with a free comfortable carrying strap, that is nice.

However, the tripod feels like it's build very cheaply, A design flaw (IMHO) is that the tripod build with it's thinest tube section towards the top and thickest tube at the bottom, this creates a horrible wobble (Bogen claims that this design keeps sand away, heck, I've never had a sand problem with my old 3021bpro, why bother?). I tried to do some 5 sec exposure in a room with no wind and any other disruption that would effect the exposure, and the picture comes out blurry (yes, motion blur). The tripod creates wobble itself because of this design.

Another major flaw? The tripod will scratch so easily that it already got plenty of scratch within a week of purchase! My 3021bpro haven't had a single scratch from heavy-duty usage till 4 or 5 years later and numerous airport rough handling. This is just not acceptable.

Take a look at the re-designed 3021b-pro, now called 055XProB, it is the standard that will last you for years to come.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Neotec is fast and easy to setup, January 11, 2010

By 

Mike (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Manfrotto 458B Neotec Pro Photo Tripod (Black) (Electronics)

I took a class and the instructor had about 20 different stands to borrow. The one I picked up was the 458B Neotec Pro. If you do not understand what everyone is saying about easy and fast to setup, go find someone or a shop that has one and check it out. You literally just pull out on the legs and you are setup. No levers to unlock or lock. You can pull out to any length you want. At the class I was always the first to setup - while everyone else was unlocking, pulling out the legs, then locking them in place, I was ready shooting pictures. I was on a hill side once, pull out the 2 legs full, then pulled out the third leg against the hill until level - ready in just seconds. To close it is just as easy - each leg had a button at the top you push, then push in the leg. I got into the habit to push all three buttons at once, then pushed the tripod down to the ground - it was put away in just seconds. The tripod I used during the class was used and abused, but it still functioned perfectly. If I remember correctly, the bottom of the legs are sealed, so that you could put them in water and not have to worry about water getting up the tube. Due to costs, I did end up purchasing the 055XproB, but still have the 458B on my wish list.