Benro S6 on Manfrotto 055 legs

Nick Fotis · March 27th, 2015, 09:07 AM

Hello there,

I read about the Benro S6 head reviews, and it seems an adequate head for my needs (feel free to correct me, if you wish :-) ).

Since I have an old Manfrotto 055CB tripod, I thought it would be a good idea to combine these.
I have removed the centre column, according to this video

- that improved stability considerably.

Video equipment I use ranges from a small camcorder (Sony CX-330) to a dSLR and lenses, to a Canon C100+70-200/2.8L IS.

With the C100+70-200/2.8 lens on this tripod http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1046967-REG/e_image_eg03a2_e_image_two_stage_aluminum.html , I found the combination sensitive when I was trying to manually focus while I was shooting - me touching the lens would be seen in the image.
Will the S6 + 055 be stable enough for this kind of load? Or should I go for the S8 and another tripod?

N.F.

Johnson Liv · March 31st, 2015, 03:32 PM

For the 70-200mm in general, I'd say a heavier tripod is the way to go. That 055 is probably adequate for stills, but I don't have experience with it. I use a Manfrotto 352mvb and 055xprob and I can see micro jitters on the 055xprob sometimes.

Nick Fotis · March 31st, 2015, 05:10 PM

Which lens are you using that gives you these 'jitters'? The 70-200/2.8L?

I am thinking about getting the Benro S6 alone. *IF* that proves adequate with the 055, that's fine!
Else, we search for a better/bigger tripod.
Or should I go for the S8 directly?

Decisions, decisions...

N.F.

Johnson Liv · April 1st, 2015, 12:09 AM

Im using a Nikon 80-200mm F2.8 with dummy adapters.

From my understanding, S6 would be equivalent to Manfrotto 502hd and S8 to the 504hd head. I never owned either of those as well, but I had an owner who owned both Manfrotto versions put them up for sale as he replaced it with the S8. Hope that helps.

March 27th, 2015, 09:07 AM	#1
Nick Fotis Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 85	Benro S6 on Manfrotto 055 legs - a good idea? Hello there, I read about the Benro S6 head reviews, and it seems an adequate head for my needs (feel free to correct me, if you wish :-) ). Since I have an old Manfrotto 055CB tripod, I thought it would be a good idea to combine these. I have removed the centre column, according to this video Manfrotto 055C Tripod solid base modification - YouTube - that improved stability considerably. Video equipment I use ranges from a small camcorder (Sony CX-330) to a dSLR and lenses, to a Canon C100+70-200/2.8L IS. With the C100+70-200/2.8 lens on this tripod http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1046967-REG/e_image_eg03a2_e_image_two_stage_aluminum.html , I found the combination sensitive when I was trying to manually focus while I was shooting - me touching the lens would be seen in the image. Will the S6 + 055 be stable enough for this kind of load? Or should I go for the S8 and another tripod? N.F.

March 31st, 2015, 03:32 PM	#2
Johnson Liv New Boot Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 10	Re: Benro S6 on Manfrotto 055 legs - a good idea? For the 70-200mm in general, I'd say a heavier tripod is the way to go. That 055 is probably adequate for stills, but I don't have experience with it. I use a Manfrotto 352mvb and 055xprob and I can see micro jitters on the 055xprob sometimes.

March 31st, 2015, 05:10 PM	#3
Nick Fotis Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 85	Re: Benro S6 on Manfrotto 055 legs - a good idea? Which lens are you using that gives you these 'jitters'? The 70-200/2.8L? I am thinking about getting the Benro S6 alone. IF that proves adequate with the 055, that's fine! Else, we search for a better/bigger tripod. Or should I go for the S8 directly? Decisions, decisions... N.F.

April 1st, 2015, 12:09 AM	#4
Johnson Liv New Boot Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 10	Re: Benro S6 on Manfrotto 055 legs - a good idea? Im using a Nikon 80-200mm F2.8 with dummy adapters. From my understanding, S6 would be equivalent to Manfrotto 502hd and S8 to the 504hd head. I never owned either of those as well, but I had an owner who owned both Manfrotto versions put them up for sale as he replaced it with the S8. Hope that helps.