Manfrotto MKC3-P01 tripod

So, my trip to Nova Scotia is over and I had a chance to take the Manfrotto MKC3-P01 tripod along.  I have to say I like this tripod a lot.  It is definitely not as sturdy as my Opus tripod but it is hiking-friendly.  I did a number of hikes in a couple of national parks and roamed around towns and cities carrying the tripod on my bag or holding it in my left hand.  I'd give it a good plus for being lightweight.  Because it was light, it was more likely that I would take it along on a long hike and it was worth it.  It got me some pictures I wanted.

The tripod is simple.  It has a ball head and four leg segments.  The ball head was useful to have.  I can make minor correction to the camera angle for composition.  However, I found it hard to adjust the camera for portrait shots.  The camera was heavy and would sag quite a bit after I locked down the tripod.  I would then have to compensate by either adjusting the tripod legs or readjust the camera on the ball head.

Notwithstanding these above issues, I give this tripod two thumbs up!

Tripod for travels

As I'm planning my trip to Nova Scotia, I remembered how I was traveling in Costa Rica with my tripod.  I used my OPUS OT-1104BH tripod perhaps only once back then and it was somewhat big and heavy to lug around.  Because of its size, I had to keep it in my larger backpack (inside its cardboard box for easy retrieval and stow-away.)  The benefit of having a tripod that heavy was diminished by the fact that I did not carry it around on my outings.  I did not mind so much that it was heavy (sturdy).  It was not hiking long distance.  It was that it was too big.

A couple of days ago, I purchased a Manfrotto MKC3-P01 tripod off someone on Craigslist.  The tripod is rated for 1.5kg load capacity, just barely enough for my D7000 and my heaviest lens.

The MKC3-P01 has a ball head.  Once tightened with the knob, it feels quite solid, enough for 1.5kg at least.  One thing I do not like about the ball head however is the quick release plate that is sold with it.  There is no safety locking pin that I see on the OT-1104BH.  I think it is possible to release the plate by accident and see my camera dropping to the ground.  I will have to be careful with the release lever!

Anyways, the specs are as follows (taken from Manfrotto's website):

SPECIFICATIONS

	centre column	rapid
	closed length	40.0 cm
	Color	black color
	column cross section	three-faceted
	column tube diameter	22mm
	front tilt	0° / +90° head tilt
	leg angles	21°
	leg cross section	oval
	leg sections	5 number
	material	aluminum legs and technopolymer
	maximum height	165.0 cm
	maximum height (with centre column down)	136.0 cm
	minimum height	45.5 cm
	panoramic rotation	360 degrees
	plate type	quick release - with 1/4" screw
	quick release	yes
	load capacity	1.5 kg
	weight	1 kg