Got a Manfrotto 393 <http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/non-nikon_articles/manfrotto_393/39 3_1.html> yesterday :-)
I have been very busy, so I haven't had opportunity to test it properly yet. But from the little experience I've got, every word in the test above is true. It is steady, it is smooth, and my DS/Tamron 300/2,8+1,7AF balances very well. The thing is aka "poor mans Wimberley". I have roughly tested Josteins Sidekick, and based on that experience I'd say the 393 does the same job. The only downside compared to the Sidekick is that the 393 is not able to lock the setup in a steady position. This means that you need a good regular head too. On the other hand, the Manfrotto setup is significantly lighter, and a bit more straight forward to use. My conclusion so far is that it is very good for what it is intended for. In the Manfrotto catalog it is listed as "Heavy Tele Lens Support for Monopod", not as a gimbal mount for tripods. The marketing people don't seem to see the potential of the item. So it is one Manfrottos best kept secret. Birds, here I come ;-) I'm really looking forward to use the thing in fieldwork. Tim Mostly harmless (just plain Norwegian) Never underestimate the power of stupidity in large crowds (Very freely after Arthur C. Clarke, or some other clever guy) -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
