[Alain Riffon]

Hi Brent !

I must say I’m a little deceived by what I received.
Actually, the legs are rather weak and though they say it’s sturdy, I wouldn’t call it that way.
The triangle is a total disaster. Low quality plastic and even the knobs to thighten its stretching is not working well. So with weak legs and a poor triangle, the whole thing depends on what is the use you make of it, because the head, surprisingly seems to work just fine. Smooth pan & tilt, taking for granted you’ve use a video tripod with all the caution it requires when you cam is on it. But with a little practice, you’d do something nice. I plan to do something to reenforce the legs by having something rigid half way in the legs height like another kind of tringle. BTW, the whole thing is very strong if you do not raise the legs.
But who works at 30 some inches from the floor for a whole shoot.
You know what, after purchasing it, I found a lot more interesting things in the used market on eBay. Things that I know, and honestly, what could happen to a Manfrotto leg & head if it didn’t fall from a crashed plane. Actually I plan to sell what I bought for 2/3 of the price and look in the used. A good Manfrotto leg (028B or a 525 if you can afford it) with a good head 503, not the 501, I tried it and it is less stable. Of course it is not the same price, but one thing I learned recently is : Cheap is always too expensive. And the Manfrotto kit, you’d have it for a lifetime. All the best ! I hope this helps you out in your search.
– Alain

[Alain Riffon]

Hi Brent !
Don’t know what a comparable price would be (at a store).
Just won an auction with this item ( EI-737SD ) on eBay.
Should receive it any day now. Won it over a week ago. Sent Paypal payment right away.
So it should be knocking at my door any minute now.
My price was US$260.00 + shipping ($50 for Int’l USPS Priority).

Was shopping for Manfrotto just a few days before.
What I considered comparable was 028B tripod w/503 head. Came up to $650.00 CAN.
(BTW : US VS CAN dollars isn’t significant these days.)
Also 525 tripod w/503 head is wonderful but an extra $2XX.00 more. (A beauty to work).
If you want to keep in Manfrotto line w/o too much money, 028B w/501 is far from bad and would bring cost down around $500.00-$550.00

Now my advice (if you allow me to and if you can sleep on it a few more days), would be to let me receive mine. I’ll try it right away with my HVX200 and let you know for sure.
I’ve tried Manfrotto so will be able to give you a fair comparison.

All the best ! – alain