I can more-or-less remember when the Manfrotto range first came to
Australia -- early 1980s I think. Apart from their good design and huge
variety of system accessories (some catering more to the cashed-up
amateur than the pro market) what set them apart was their
manufacturing: they were one of the first to use precision die casting.
This removed the need for costly machining and gave them a distinct
price advantage, an advantage that they (initially) used to break into
the market in a big way.
I agree that Manfrotto are good value. However in terms of absolute
quality there are a few others out there -- like Foba (I think that's
the name) and Gitzo, whom Manfrotto bought a few years ago -- that are
better. But they're also much more expensive. For the price, Manfrottos
are almost disposable.
One thing I like about Gitzo is that spare parts are readily available,
so a damaged tripod can be rebuilt. Dunno about the others.
Vaughan.
PS regarding the Manfrotto/Bogen thing, I dunno why US distributors
insist on re-labelling imported products. Perhaps they fear the
"foriegn" sounding name will scare away customers. A lot of 1950s
Japanese SLR cameras were sold under other names: Canon was sold by
Honeywell I think.
--
> Date: Mon, 19 Mar 2001 23:43:47 EST
> From: Doggre@xxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: [OM] [OT] Manfrotto 055 = Bogen 3021
>
> In a message dated 3/19/01 8:11:33 PM Pacific Standard Time,
> JamesBCouch@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
>
> > The Manfrotto 055 series equate with the 3021 Bogen tripods here in the
> states.
>
> Thanks, Jim. Tom S. is not the only one who'd like to know (nor am I the
> only other, I'm sure). I am on the verge of upgrading from cheap import
> tripod to Manfrotto/Bogen (the Italians know how to design, don't they?!). I
> was just recently fondling them in the Camera Store there in Tacoma (nope --
> no OM stuff to get excited about, other than a decent looking OM2000). They
> (the tripods) are beautifully made, and the variety of heads, and
> accessories.... good gosh!
>
>
> But first I have to pay for this Winder 2, see.... oh, uh, and another
> 50mm/1.4... no, don't notify Chris O'Neill. I'm O.K., really! (twitch,
> blink)
>
> Rich
< This message was delivered via the Olympus Mailing List >
< For questions, mailto:owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >
< Web Page: http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright/olympuslist.html >
|