Customer Reviews

Manfrotto 458B Neotec Pro Photo Tripod (Black)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I bought my neotech thinking I would have a tripod with years of service. I spent nearly $500, for me a high price for a tripod. I am not an adventure photographer, fording rivers and shooting in the middle of rivers. Minimal use since I am a hobbyist.

A leg recently failed to hold, collapsing the tripod and damaging my equipment.Manfrotto 458B Neotec Pro Photo Tripod (Black)

I then shipped to Manfrotto. They were the absolute worse sevice department I have dealt with in photoraphy.

I sent it in and did not hear from them for two weeks. I left numerous messages and no call returns. When I finally chased them down, they said they had no address or phone #. I enclosed an envelope with details on problem as well as all my contact info.

What transpired next was unexpected. Since it cannot be repaired, they said it was totaled. I finally got a hold of the service dept, 1st time I did successfully.

They offered me 30% off list price on a new tripod. I felt taken advantage of and violated.

I will never buy a manfrotto product again. They cannot be trusted to back their products.

My recommendation-do not buy!!!

This is a pricey little tripod, but worth it. I like the versatility and ease of use. Simply pulling down on the legs extends them which is very efficient when you need quick setup. I also especially like the removable column, which can be inserted horizontally into the ball assembly, giving you a copy stand. This is great for copying documents or as a Product Photography support (what I use it for).

I don't feel it's heavy enough for outdoor use and one of the larger SLRs. I use it's big brother for that, as I'm usually working in cold, windy situations and I need something I can operate with gloves that will remain stable in a 25mph gust. I didn't feel this was up to that task, but it's great in the studio.

I've used this tripod now for about 6 months, and it is a solid performer. I've taken this everywhere. The beach, the woods, the city, on top of my roof, in my back yard, etc.. It's performed flawlessly. People are amazed how quickly I set up and wrap up my shooting. (within seconds). The 322RC2 grip head is a must with this tripod.

If you do field photography there is no better tripod. My favorite work is nature macrophotography and this tripod has been able to get me extremely quickly setup before the spider, wasp, or any other little critters run away. Then I pick up in a matter of seconds and move on to the next location. The legs can extend out individually at almost any angle, so it is a very versatile tripod. One time I needed to prop the leg up against the window, brick wall, and soil to capture a shot of a spider building his web in the corner of the flower bed outside my front door. I would not have been able to do this my other tripods.

The only thing I can think of that could be better is the weight. Unfortunately there's always a trade off there between stability and weight. In this case, it would have been helpful if the tripod was lighter, but given the design, it probably means sacrificing stability. Given that the legs are independent of one another, it was probably a necessary trade off. Any and all high-end tripods are weighty, and this one is no different.

Drop by your Samy's camera shop and check it out, it would be surprising if you're not impressed by the innovative design of the auto-locking legs, solid construction, and versatility.

I just returned the 2nd Neotec Pro Tripod to Amazon within a week. Two of the three legs of the first tripod wouldn't lock into place. I figured it was a fluke so I exchanged it for another one and sure enough the 2nd tripod had a bad leg as well that wouldn't lock into place. Very frustrating! I called Manfrotto and, unlike other reviews I've read, their service department was quick to respond and very helpful. They said they would replace the leg for me under warranty and provide a fedex label. But after consideration I decided to return the tripod to Amazon and buy a different tripod. I really liked the idea of easily adjusting/leveling the tripod by pushing a single button on each leg but unfortunately I lost confidence in the design. I searched all over the net looking for others who've had a similar experience but to no avail. Perhaps this is an isolated incident but I'll feel more comfortable with lockable tripod legs.

The good thing about this tripod is the ease of setting it up quickly, great for when you have to set it up NOW to get that shot! The only down side is the weight. I'd love if they could develop same technology with carbon fiber legs.

before buying, check out the NGET1 National Geographic Expedition NeoTec Tripod. The NGET1 is the exact same tripod, also made by Manfrotto, but much cheaper, and includes more options. Read my full review on the NGET1 page for a list of all the differences.

The legs pull out with a firm tug. You can collapse them even easier. The oil is a nuisance on the #1 and #2 leg sections, as you will forget and grab those pieces by mistake. The head support is plastic (boo!), so you should take care not to overtighten the screws on the base plate. Taking apart the center column is very slow and retarded (a design flaw). The total height of the tripod is perfect for my height - exactly eye level without extending the center column. I found that adjusting camera settings at the full height required taking the camera off, but that's something that I will live with. Using the center column involves turning a clamping screw (WtH? Why no magic button?), but the column itself is very stable. It's shocking how low this tripod will go, and the horizontal feature is nice, even if it is a pain to use. I like the four set leg adjustments, and setting the length really is super fast/easy. My last tripod was the Manfrotto 190XPro - lighter by a pound, with built in leg warmers. This tripod is more solid, significantly taller and really looks like a pro tool. The hanger strap is a nice feature. The strap has a clip at the bottom, not velcro, so it will hold up to regular use. Given the manfrotto 410 (junior geared head)that I'm using, the whole rig is rather beefy.