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Anyone using camera tripod for f class spotting scope?

atkins08

Silver $$ Contributor
Is anyone out there using a camera set up like the monfretto 055 for fclass spotting scope mounts? If so how do they compare to a pole type tripod mount? Also is there any other brands other then the monfretto that does the same adjustment?
 
Is anyone out there using a camera set up like the monfretto 055 for fclass spotting scope mounts? If so how do they compare to a pole type tripod mount? Also is there any other brands other then the monfretto that does the same adjustment?

Yes. I have used both. I started with a Ray Vin F-stand, I am not sure if they are still being sold.

I went to a Vanguard Alta Pro which is identical to a Manfrotto minus the price tag. The wide profile requires a generous shooting lane. If it is just You set up on the firing line then there is no problem, but in F-Class we usually have two shooters set up at on the same firing position to save time during relays and help the shooter that's on deck set up quicker.

This may or may not pose a problem depending once again on the width of the shooting lane.

If your spotting scope is heavy then a single rod style stand may have stability issues. The F-stand is not a normal "tripod" so the Creedmoor or Freeland may be more stable.

The camera stand offers more adjustability. Especially if you get the right ball head or a pistol grip style. You can make quick adjustments one handed during your string of fire. Because of this and the generally lower profile of the camera stands I feel they are superior.
 
About how big is the footprint on the vanguard alta pro?



Yes. I have used both. I started with a Ray Vin F-stand, I am not sure if they are still being sold.

I went to a Vanguard Alta Pro which is identical to a Manfrotto minus the price tag. The wide profile requires a generous shooting lane. If it is just You set up on the firing line then there is no problem, but in F-Class we usually have two shooters set up at on the same firing position to save time during relays and help the shooter that's on deck set up quicker.

This may or may not pose a problem depending once again on the width of the shooting lane.

If your spotting scope is heavy then a single rod style stand may have stability issues. The F-stand is not a normal "tripod" so the Creedmoor or Freeland may be more stable.

The camera stand offers more adjustability. Especially if you get the right ball head or a pistol grip style. You can make quick adjustments one handed during your string of fire. Because of this and the generally lower profile of the camera stands I feel they are superior.
 
Manfrotto has carbon fiber and aluminum tripod legs, in 3 and 4 leg sections, models 055 and 190. I have the Manfrotto MT190CXPRO4. I chose it over the 055 because it was shorter by a couple inches and thus when splayed out on the line, it would take up less room. I chose the 4 leg sections instead of the 3 sections of the PRO3, again, because it was shorter, albeit more expensive. It has carbon fiber legs and a magnesium plate. I wanted carbon fiber for durability, lightweight and strength.

The Vanguard is NOT identical to a Manfrotto; it's heavier, has longer legs, doesn't get anywhere near as close to the ground and is only made of aluminum. But yes, it is much cheaper.

I've had the 190 for a few years now and tried a couple of heads on it before settling on the Manfrotto 327RC2 pistol grip head, which works very well. It is made of magnesium and the central ball is a hollow stainless steel design. The grip locks on very solidly. The tripod and the pistol grip head support my Kowa 82SV very nicely and it is very easy to adjust from position.
 
What is the footprint t on the tripod when it is spread out? I'm trying to decide of I have enough room to get it where I shoot.



Manfrotto has carbon fiber and aluminum tripod legs, in 3 and 4 leg sections, models 055 and 190. I have the Manfrotto MT190CXPRO4. I chose it over the 055 because it was shorter by a couple inches and thus when splayed out on the line, it would take up less room. I chose the 4 leg sections instead of the 3 sections of the PRO3, again, because it was shorter, albeit more expensive. It has carbon fiber legs and a magnesium plate. I wanted carbon fiber for durability, lightweight and strength.

The Vanguard is NOT identical to a Manfrotto; it's heavier, has longer legs, doesn't get anywhere near as close to the ground and is only made of aluminum. But yes, it is much cheaper.

I've had the 190 for a few years now and tried a couple of heads on it before settling on the Manfrotto 327RC2 pistol grip head, which works very well. It is made of magnesium and the central ball is a hollow stainless steel design. The grip locks on very solidly. The tripod and the pistol grip head support my Kowa 82SV very nicely and it is very easy to adjust from position.
 
No idea as to the foot print; never got out a tape measure and checked. It's not exactly friendly for use when pair firing two or three to a mound.

The particulars: its a Manfrotto 055-XPROB with a Manfrotto 322RC2 pistol-grip ball head, carrying a Kowa 821M scope. Here's a link to an earlier thread, that has a further link to a Dropbox folder with some pics of the 190 vs 055.

FWIW... my 190 with the 4 section legs is down and out. It has the twist/collet leg locks... and one pulled apart, and will not go back together. I much prefer the big heavy-duty clamping locks on the 055. The 055 has been drug all over hell and back, and still works just fine. The head where the column comes thru has came apart a time or two as things have gotten worn... it took a bit of fiddling to get it back together... but its still going strong.
 
No idea as to the foot print; never got out a tape measure and checked. It's not exactly friendly for use when pair firing two or three to a mound.

The particulars: its a Manfrotto 055-XPROB with a Manfrotto 322RC2 pistol-grip ball head, carrying a Kowa 821M scope. Here's a link to an earlier thread, that has a further link to a Dropbox folder with some pics of the 190 vs 055.

FWIW... my 190 with the 4 section legs is down and out. It has the twist/collet leg locks... and one pulled apart, and will not go back together. I much prefer the big heavy-duty clamping locks on the 055. The 055 has been drug all over hell and back, and still works just fine. The head where the column comes thru has came apart a time or two as things have gotten worn... it took a bit of fiddling to get it back together... but its still going strong.
I'm so glad you gave the link to that older thread because you had this old man baffled when you talked about the leg locks of your 190. You see, on my 190, the locks are the exact same QPL design as on your 055. In fact, the owner's manual (sheet, really) is on and the same for the 190 and the 055 and it talks about how to adjust the tension on the QPLs as desired.

Your 190 is the 190GO model, as you explained in the older thread, whereas mine is the 190CXPRO4. The pictures of your 055 next to your 190GO really show how big that 055 is. My 190CXPRO4 is midway between your 190GO and you 055, and maybe a bit closer to the 190GO. The folded length of the 190GO is listed at 18.1 inch, my 190CXPRO4 at 20.7 and your 055 at 24.8.

I have other Manfrotto tripods and monopods; my oldest Manfrotto is a huge aluminum monster that has the same types of leg locks you 190GO has and that is the only thing I ever hated about that tripod. When I was shopping for a newer model, I wanted to be sure it did not have those dreaded locks.

I will also mention that in photography circles, it is well known and recognized that carbon fiber tripods are steadier and do not vibrate like the aluminum models do. It's not so critical for our F-class use, but in photography, it's quite important.

Also, about your pistol grip head; you call it a ball head, yet the Manfrotto site specifically calls it an "other" type, not ball. For the 327RC2, the pistol grip head, I have, they refer to it as a ball head and they even described the hollow stainless steel ball used, whereas they are vague on the 322. When comparing both at their site, they have the exact same specs except for the ball. Weird. The 327 is $20 more at Manfrotto, but they are the same price at BHphotovideo.com and Amazon. Go figure.

Are you going to Ottawa?
 
Yes like that. What size is the foot print when it's folded out and low like that? What setup is that in the picture?
Thanks,
Anthony

My buddy happened to bring his Manfrotto 055 to the range yesterday. So I took out the tape measure and snapped some pictures. Both are 3 section tripods. Both were aluminum. Here are my observations.

Manfrotto 055 profile measured at 3ft 2inches.

Alta Pro 263AT profile was 3ft on the nose. Negligible

I believe both could have gone one click lower and been maxed out, but they were low enough for how I would set up on the range.

Manfrotto build quality a little better. The legs were thicker. Removing the head to it's 90 degree position was tricky for me, but my buddy did it quickly. I later watched him struggle to put the main shaft back in there's a ball swivel. The Manfrotto was noticeably heavier. I didn't bring a scale out. The leg locks were metal and heavy duty, but a little hard to depress to me.

They have basically the same profile in terms of lowness.

The Alta Pro had more much more adjustment when you cam the main shaft over. They market from 0-180 degrees vs Manfrottos 90 degree. As far as camming, you have to release a QD style lever, and then depress a small brass button then run the shaft up to a marked point before locking the QD lever. It's a two hand process. It's akin to locking an umbrella, it's not rocket science. The leg locks were plastic but more intuitive and easier to use for me.

I can't speak to which goes lower. I'll defer to the above posters and say the Mafrotto does, but really from a practical standpoint it doesn't matter. You wont need the spotting scope that low, your firing position will be above it.

I'll argue the Manfrotto did seem more heavy duty. If you plan on field use (hunting or tactical shooting) I'd get the Manfrotto despite the extra weight. For the precision sports where you're not planning on shooting off the tripod or slamming it around I'd get the Alta Pro. I fully expect for how I use it the Alta Pro will last me 20+ years.

They have basically the same profile in terms of lowness. They do basically the same thing. One has a much lower price tag. But No they aren't Identical. YMMV.

Manfrotto 055


Alta Pro 263AT

(Note that this is not the lowest setting on the legs. Going lower would slightly increase the profile overall length.)

Alta on top Manfrotto on bottom
 
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I was at the range yesterday.

Manfrotto 055 was 3ft 4"

Alta Pro was 3ft

Manfrotto build quality better, but was Significantly HEAVIER. Also slightly thicker.

They have basically the same profile in terms of lowness.
 

Sorry I meant to post these for you yesterday, but I was extremely busy.

3ft is basically what you're looking at either way you go. The Manfrotto is infinitely more popular but they both accomplish the same objective so pick what you feel you can budget for.

I think it's important to invest money in the Head. I would even get the cheaper legs if it meant you could upgrade. The Pistol grip is probably the best way to go since it allows one hand adjustments while you're looking through the scope and will lock with you release it. I did a lot of research before making a decision as I always do and decided what I thought would work best for me.

I would have liked the 4 section and carbon fiber legs for size and weight savings but couldn't justify the cost. I didn't feel the Manfrotto added enough value as I was going on a stretch to mount a spotting scope and had already invested several hundred in a different option I didn't like.

Feel free to defer to the above posters. Milanuk's article is what put me on the path of a camming tripod.

I knew there was a better way. I'm not convinced that the camming tripod is the best method due to the large profile, but it's where I'm at right now.
 
Yeah that helps alot. I've basically been stuck trying to decide between this style and a pole style. It seems this would be easier to adjust but where I shoot they lay between concrete benches on a concrete firing line so I wasn't sure there would be room for this style of tripod plus everything else.
Thanks for the help



Sorry I meant to post these for you yesterday, but I was extremely busy.

3ft is basically what you're looking at either way you go. The Manfrotto is infinitely more popular but they both accomplish the same objective so pick what you feel you can budget for.

I think it's important to invest money in the Head. I would even get the cheaper legs if it meant you could upgrade. The Pistol grip is probably the best way to go since it allows one hand adjustments while you're looking through the scope and will lock with you release it. I did a lot of research before making a decision as I always do and decided what I thought would work best for me.

I would have liked the 4 section and carbon fiber legs for size and weight savings but couldn't justify the cost. I didn't feel the Manfrotto added enough value as I was going on a stretch to mount a spotting scope and had already invested several hundred in a different option I didn't like.

Feel free to defer to the above posters. Milanuk's article is what put me on the path of a camming tripod.

I knew there was a better way. I'm not convinced that the camming tripod is the best method due to the large profile, but it's where I'm at right now.
 
I have other Manfrotto tripods and monopods; my oldest Manfrotto is a huge aluminum monster that has the same types of leg locks you 190GO has and that is the only thing I ever hated about that tripod. When I was shopping for a newer model, I wanted to be sure it did not have those dreaded locks.

Yes. Those things suck. If I get another 190, it will not have those locks on there.

Are you going to Ottawa?

What do you think? ;)
 
What is the footprint t on the tripod when it is spread out? I'm trying to decide of I have enough room to get it where I shoot.

The 190 4 section is 2 foot 8 inches (32 inches) spread out. As I said, the reason I chose it over the 055 or even the 190 3-section is because it is smaller. That 055 is a monster compared to the 190, yet the 190 has the same QPL latches as the 055. I chose the CF version because of its lightweight and the fact it dampens vibrations when I use it with a camera and a long telephoto lens, and CF is much more durable than aluminum.
 
The Manfrotto 055 is very stable... but as been mentioned, the foot print when using it on the ground is pretty large. On many ranges, where you have 8+ feet between firing points, its not an issue - during string fire. When you start going to ranges (like Deep Creek) that have narrow firing points, or other kinds of matches like International Fullbore Prone/F-class... that huge stable foot print becomes a bit of a liability when you have 2 or even 3 people trying to fit in that same 8 feet instead of just one - the person next to you is probably going to object, and you'll end up not having a scope on the line to watch the mirage with.

There's a very good chance I'll pull my old Ray-Vin F-stand out of retirement for the upcoming DCRA FCNC / ICFRA FCWC @ Connaught... back in the day, it was a god-send for a big guy to not have the scope stand so close that it was impossible to not bump it during a string. Now for F-class... its not quite as stable as my 055, but its a heckuva lot more compact on the line for that match format.
 
Monte, the good thing about the 055 is that you can reach out further and whack the person next to you if he or she objects to your use of the bipod, without breaking position. I have to roll over to get closer in order to defend my use of the tripod, smacking that person with my dainty 190.

Good point about bringing an older style scope stand to Connaught. It's now on my equipment list (if I can find it,) of the stuff to pack in my Outback.
 

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