Customer Reviews

Manfrotto 718B Digi Tripod with Integrated 3-Way Head and Carrying Bag (Black)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

After five months of intensive use in New Zealand, I'm pretty unimpressed with this item. On paper, it seems to be a great comprimise - light enough for backpacking, but sturdy enough for a decent shot.

Unfortunately, this doesn't stand up to much real use. The tripod clamps seem to have an intrinsic fault that causes the plastic around the clamp arm to snap off under any real use. This has already happened on 2 of my 3 legs, and I haven't used it nearly as much as many would.

Not recommended for any serious use.

I have used this tripod on many vacations, including extensive hiking in Yosemite park. This is a light and durable tripod for travel usage. I have found it to be fantastic, with a few limitations.

1. The tripod is light for travel, but too light for serious photography in windy conditions. Don't put a SLR w/ a large lens on this tripod. The longest focal length I'd go is 200mm.

2. The head will limit your ability to take great shots. It's the typical consumer head that will sometimes move a little between shots. Don't expect miracles.

3. If you're not careful, you can break the plastic things that hold the legs.

Having said that, you'd have to spend way more $ to overcome these limitations. It's a great budget tripod.

After using this tripod to hold up my dSLR camera (Olympus E-500) for almost two years, I am finally ready to relegate it to the use for which it was designed, holding up my point'n'shoot camera (Fujifilm E900). I knew when I made my selection that it was not enough tripod for my intended uses, but it was lightweight and it fit my budget, so I figured I could get along with it for a while. That while is over now, as I finally have another tripod for the dSLR camera. (The new tripod is another Manfrotto rig, a Bogen-Manfrotto 055MF3 3-Section MagFiber Tripod without Head paired with a Bogen-Manfrotto 488RC2 Midi Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect System (3157N), coming in at almost 4x the price of the Digi tripod and almost twice its weight.)

The 718B tripod is a somewhat taller version of the Bogen-Manfrotto 728B Digi Compact Tripod with Integrated 3-Way Head and Carrying Bag (Black), with a slightly different head configuration and a different quick release plate. I appreciate the extra inches of tallth. While nicely constructed, this tripod is lightweight and will not take the same abuse as sturdier models. The enamel on the cast metal parts chips easily (should have been powder coated), and my unit was damaged by a drop of about a foot (while in its storage bag!).

The head is controlled by a single lever for both pan and tilt, with the pan loosening slightly before the tilt. The head motions are viscous damped to smooth out video pans. The center column and the legs are anodized aluminum, with triangular cross sections for added rigidity. The fourth sections of the legs look awfully skinny. I carry a hex key along to keep the leg pivots tight.

One of the things I used the tripod for was taking panorama sequences, to be stitched together in Photoshop. In order to stitch panoramic images easily, one of the requirements is that the camera remains level throughout the pan. After repeated attempts, I have concluded that this is largely impossible using this tripod.

In gusty conditions, this tripod shakes the camera like a leaf. An aspen leaf. There is no hook on the bottom of the column to add stabilizing weights, which would have helped.

For all of that, I am not ready to consign this tripod to Craigslist. I am sure it will be quite satisfactory holding up my digicam, or the odd camcorder for shooting the odd birthday, etc.

This tripod is exactly what I needed! It works very well for both my SLR Nikon D40 and Optura 200 MC Video camera! The dove tail release allows me to continue video taping SMOOTHLY while I release the camera from the tripod to then walk with the camera or vice-versa. I am enjoying the fluid action while panning and it is sturdy built and easy to set up! I would definitely recommend this tripod!

This is a good product. It is quiet light, no trouble while carrying it around. That is well made, nothing to say.
The three cons are:
- the head cannot be separated to mount it on another mono or tripod
- if you have a very heavy SLR camera (I have a D80 with a grip and a 70-300) you will need to be strong on the fixation, otherwise it will move. But then it is difficult to unlock it.
- when you clic the shutter, be careful, cos you may make the tripod move just a bit but enough to have a blurry picture. I am going to take a remote control.
So at the end I am quiet satisfied, but it is not perfect. But much better than the cheaper models which won't support my camera!

I'm very happy with this tripod. All movements are fluid and smooth. The locks are positive and easy to use. Comes with a quick release setup for the camera. Also, comes with a good quality shoulder bag to carry it in.

I do like it.. for a lightweight, easy to carry, quick release tripod used with a fairly lightweight cam & lens I would definitely recommend it.. but do make sure your cam is on securely & don't accidentally push the quick release tab when you didn't mean to :/

I absolutely love this Tri-ppd. It is easy to set up and take down and it has its own carry bag. I loved using it and feel that it is a godsend when I need it. Awesome product.

I had the following requirements for a tripod which Manfrotto 718B Digi meets beautifully
1. Quick release legs
2. Quick release plate
3. Lightweight. Really lightweight. Under 4 pounds.
4. Able to support a digital SLR with 300 zoom lens

Price was not a major part of my selection process, but the fact that this tripod was $100 was a very nice plus.

I have used this tripod for several years now and I am very very pleased with it. It totally lived up to my expectations. I set up in a matter of seconds, all levers operate very smoothly. The only thing I did not expect it becomes very stiff to operate (i.e. change orientation, remove camera from the plate) in very cold temperatures. Doable but the normally smooth operation requires a bit of muscle. The carrying bag is very convenient, I am able to carry the tripod on my back as a sling shot when I don't need it. I also found the extra height this tripod provides very handy in some situation.

Given all the regulation at the airport I was not sure if they would allow the tripod as part of my carry on luggage along with my other photo gear. It turned out to be no problem at all on a number of trips.
I use a carry on bag to store my camera bags and a tripod and the bag did not get any extra examination or questioning.

This is a great tripod and a very reasonable price!

After only light use the clip to lock one of the tripod legs snapped causing the leg to
collapse, and rendering the tripod useless. This was just outside of the warranty period.
The tripod was well treated during its short life, but alas was not up to the task.

Please do a search to see how common an occurrence this is before you decide to buy one
of these Manfrottos.

I am unimpressed by the quality and would advise against spending your money on this
tripod.