Why I stopped buying Manfrotto

bgundu said:
To be fair, they are all for different needs.
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Yes and no. Yes in that they market them for different uses. No in that many of them can be used for most of the different uses.

For all my lighter gear, I've tried to standardize on the Arca-Swiss mount. Sometimes that means adding an Arca-Swiss clamp to a non-Arca-Swiss plate that then sits on a head, but it sure beats having to change plates all the time. I only wish companies would release products with built in arca swiss mounting capability. I really, really want to get the Wooden Camera small dSLR cage for my GH3, but I'm on the fence because I really would like an arca-swiss plate instead of their dovetail plate.

For heavier gear Arca-Swiss won't work because of it's size. But for the light stuff it's perfect.
 
i don't see the problem in offering different options, just pick the one that you like best and stick with it
 
This is not the only problem with manfrotto stuff. Almost any tripod, monopod, lighting support that I bought in the last 7 years got broken after a while.
 
I have gone for the 501/577 system from manfrotto

It fits most of their vid tripods and the 577 plate can go on to most other stuff (slider stabiliser)

With three cameras and four support systems I need seven or more connections

The frotto is $50 per connection so thats about $350 of plates

Arca and the Kessler system is doubtless a little smaller and a little better engineered but to me the price at around $150 per connection or more than $1000 for my 'system' is just too high.

S
 
My 577 connector plate where it locks with the twist broke after a using it a few times. I didn't even twist it hard as there was no camera. Manfrotto gave me a part list and I have to replace it with an assembly instead of the single screw that broke and it cost more than half of a new one. Makes me wonder about the quality.
 
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The 501pl is clumsy on a dslr. The pan lock screw on my 701hdv broke.

I switched to arca swiss, too. Even have a clamp on top of the 701hdv. You can get very good plates for under $10. Excellent Sirui plates for about $20.
 
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Manfrotto was ideal for just starting out - OK quality and not too expensive. But as I've been working, the gear isn't holding up... I've done repairs on my 355 sticks, 503 head , and 701 head - the 701 is just coming apart horribly, and I'm not even that tough on gear. Researching a number of other options and praying I wrangle the work to pay for them.
 
I been using Manfrotto gear (501 head, 501PL plates, 577 quick release, 438 leveling ball, 3221WN legs) for many years now. As a nature videographer my gear gets used in harsh conditions and has held up pretty well. Granted it is entry level equipment but I would continue to consider Manfrotto when it finally is time for replacement.
 
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yeah, I own a Cinevate quick release plate, to be honest, it costs $220 and its even worse than manfrotto, it dropped my slider one time.

Ill never buy anything from Cinevate again
 
Hey Shawn,

We're very sorry to hear that, it is definitely not what we strive for. I would love to learn more about what happened and would greatly appreciate an opportunity to make this right. Please contact me at luke @ cinevate.com.
Regards
 
Hmmmm...... Maybe I should add the new one to the picture in my first post:

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But hey, at least this one is Arca-Swiss compatible.

With the weight thrown around by the Vitec Group (generally a bad thing) maybe it'll at least help bring about more video gear - like cages and support systems - with built in Arca-Swiss support (a good thing).
 
eiker_ir said:
i don't see the problem in offering different options, just pick the one that you like best and stick with it
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Good point. My thought as well. You pick up something that suits your needs, then you stick with it until you find better to replace it.
 
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