Manfrotto 393 Long Lens Monopod Bracket (#3421), Supports 44.09 lbs (20 kg)

2020-09-17T11:04:50

Good balance and adjustability. Seems very strong so I can go to even heavier lenses if needed. The images I shot with it are excellent. The stability is so good I could slow my shutter speeds and lower my ISO giving me more vivid images. Its so much better than trying to fight a ball adjustment. The extra weight on the tripod should be manageable in lugging it around. This was a good buy.

ROBERT S.

2019-03-07T13:56:28

It’s big and pretty heavy, but it really helped me stabilize a 500mm on a D800.

Paul S.

2018-09-24T05:24:50

Works great on my monopod with a D500 + 150-600 lens. This unit is heavy, so added with a camera + telephoto I occasionally find the weight pushing down on the monopod extensions - so be sure to really tighten them down if you don't want the legs to slowly collapse. Good value.

MICHAEL O.

2018-02-14T02:51:57

Very solid, worth paying what I paid for, I feel my 200-500 Nikon Lens is safe! I will recommended to anyone

dory p.

2018-01-30T07:14:44

I used a Wembley Gimbal once for a few minutes, which was awesome, but I think this Mandrotto unit works at least 95% as well at one third the price if you are not dead set on using Arca Swiss plates. Only other significant difference for me is a little more weight and bulk, but otherwise smooth, sturdy, fun, and effective. It’s adequately finished but somewhat industrial and utilitarian looking compared to the highly engineered and elegant design of higher priced alternatives in case that matters to you.

John M.

2017-10-09T01:29:16

mounted on a monopod, it makes it effortless to manage a large camera and lens. when balanced, action is fluid, unrestricted, quick; easy to manage. it is heavy, but I didn't want to hang several thousands of dollars on a flimsy platform. recommended!

Andrew D.

2017-06-24T14:37:37

This would be a good head if you have a thirty pound lens or a BIG video camera. Way too big and heavy for me.

Ken H.

2016-11-23T11:27:54

i got the 393 and mounted it on a manfrotto 55xprob tripod. It handls my Canon 500 f/4 with 7D just fine, It takes only a couple of seconds to find and lock in the balance point. from that point on it is rock solid. Improvements suggested: reduce the weight secure the little lock down for the removable plate as mine vibrated out while transporting it with no plate in place.

ALLEN A.

2014-03-17T21:00:00

I got this heavy gimbal head to use with my Induro AT413 tripod legs (which weigh a ton, too) when going birding with my Sigma 150-500 mm lens (which is pretty much the lightest thing in the setup.) Long lenses are hard to use -- the field of view is quite narrow and, even with OS, finding and tracking your target takes skill and patience. A stable tripod with a good gimbal head really improves the usability of a long lens -- assuming you don't have to lug the setup very far first. The Manfrotto is about as smooth and easy to use as any gimbal head out there, and costs a lot less than the top-of-the-line J-posts. There are a couple of down-sides to the Manfrotto, though. First, the only way to switch to portrait orientation is if your lens' tripod collar rotates. Mine does, but it takes a bit of time and fiddling to accomplish that act. Some of the lighter J-arms are designed to attach to a ball head and can be dropped into portrait orientation using the ball head, which is very convenient if you are using a smaller lens. I wouldn't want to try it with my Sigma, but if you're using a smaller lens you might want to consider how you'll be switching between landscape and portrait orientation. The Manfrotto presents a problem for people who use flash with their gimbal head -- it can take a flash in landscape orientation, but on-camera flash is not supported by the U-arm configuration in portrait orientation. If you are happy to use off-camera flash with the setup, there's no problem. But, again, if you use flash in portrait orientation, you should give thought to how you will accomplish that with this unit. Finaly, the thing that I found most irritating was the tension adjustment for panning. The up-and-down motion is easy to adjust the tension with the knobs on the sides of the U-arm. But panning tension requires removing the knurled rubber around the tension knob on the bottom, getting a 2.5mm Hex wrench (not included) to loosen the locking screw, and then twisting the adjusting knob. Unfortunately, when you retighten the locking screw, it also tightens up the panning tension a bit more than it had been (at least on my unit.) So it is tricky to get the tension you want on the panning because you need to tighten it a bit less than you want it to be, tighten the set screw, and see if the result is what you want. I had to iterate about a half-dozen times to get the tension I was looking for -- not a deal-breaker, but something that took a bit of the blush off the rose for an otherwise impressive gimbal head.

TOM C.

2013-09-09T21:00:00

I was frustrated at first. There's a set screw in the pan friction knob that was all the way tight, making it impossible to turn the knob. Once I loosened it it worked great though. A lot of people complain about the symmetrical design and how it interferes with your left hand operating the lens but I think the interference is minimal and certainly acceptable. They also complain about the lack of a pan lock, but I've been able to get the knob plenty tight. Maybe they haven't found the set screw or something. They also complain about the bracket not accepting Swiss-Arca plates, but the Manfrotto clamp is removeable. I don't see why someone couldn't make this thing compatible with whatever kind of plates they wanted. With a drill and a tap, anything could fit, and that's certainly a lot cheaper than the Wimberly Gimbal.

Andrew B.

2013-09-09T21:00:00

This is the first piece of Manfrotto gear that I don't like 100% Pan and tilt is great, but the knob for pan friction is nearly impossible to turn without channel locks (for me anyway). And when the pan knob is loose, the whole bracket wobbles vertically side to side too. Aside from the knob I like it. Works great during actual use.

Bohan

2013-04-02T21:00:00

I have been looking for a solid support for my Tamron 200-500 lens and just could not justify the Wimberly or Jobu Heads. This fit the bill for me.Very solid and smooth,is excellent on my Manfroto Tripod.For me a great find and value for the money.

PETER D.

2013-01-16T19:00:00

Simple to use, good quality

Preston R.

2013-01-02T19:00:00

I am an older photographer and not so adept as I once was at hand holding long lenses for action photography. The 393 works remarkably well for auto, motorcycle racing, air shows and really very well for birding. I use a 70-200 with a 1.4 extender with good results. Once you have your lens/camera balanced it becomes a one finger proposition to move point of focus wherever you want it, once you move your focus point you can take your hands off of the camera or lens and it will remain exactly where you set it. I use a remote (hard wired) shutter release to avoid moving the camera or inputting old guy shakes...this head is as steady as any tripod head that I have used in the past. If you are looking for a gimbal head, don't be put off by the low price of this one. It is very well engineered without some of the high dollar casting and machined parts of the very expensive gimbal heads that are available. I have been unable to find a compelling reason to pay $500 or more additional when this head works so well. I plan to use that money towards a new canon L supertelephoto that will certainly function well with the 393.

gunner

2012-07-29T21:00:00

I just received the head this past weekend. Everything was complete in the package. Nothing really to assemble, just attached to the tripod and attached the included bracket to the lens mount. It arrived in time for my four-day excursion to the mountains. When the unit is all put together, it has a bit of a learning curve for moving from place to place. But after a couple of hours in the field, I have adapted to the extra bulk of the double sided mount arms. They are acually handy for holding on to the camera when spending prolonged periods of time in my portable body blind. I have attached a few photos I took with the new setup, and hope to be taking many more in in the future. It makes a big difference when tracking moving subjects.

DAVID B.

2012-05-23T21:00:00

I mostly use it for photographing birds, or, any other wildlife available. I use a manfrotto tripod, so the fit is perfect. It is easy to use, has smooth action, handles heavy lenses easily and is adjustable for proper balance. It is a very sturdy, stable, and rugged bracket. In my opinion, it is the best long lens bracket for the money! If it has a fault, I haven't found it.

marie15

2012-01-22T19:00:00

This is a solidly built, well engineered bracket (as are most Manfrotto items). It performs quite well...However, where it fails is in size & weight! It is VERY bulky & heavy! It is NOT well suited to travel where size & weight will be restrictive (hiking, plane travel, etc)...but if your location is accessible by car with only short hiking distances, then this is a less expensive alternative to other 'gimbal' styled brackets.

OMAR F.

2012-01-01T19:00:00

I use this with my 055cxpro3 tripod for bird and wildlife photography. The other gimbal heads were too expensive and this works very well. Before with a ball head I had trouble keeping up with the action but now I just follow the action.The only negative with the product is the rubber cushion on the base keeps falling off.

Bruce

2011-12-04T19:00:00

I bought this as my first gimbal head. It serves it purpose well but it ads a lot of weight to your already heavy long lens set-up. Also, the little bearings and washers corroded very easily. Don't use this anywhere near saltwater. I bought a Wimberly sidekick instead

capttcb

2011-11-20T19:00:00

I was hoping that this head would not be too bulky on my monopod, and it was perfect! I took it out the second night I had it to shoot some Hockey-in a nutshell, this unit did exactly what I was hoping for! It was excellent. I cannot wait to take it out in the field to shoot some wildlife-it is solid and not as bulky as I expected. Main use was for my Canon 300mm 2.8 just to give some extra support-it worked very well. I would recommend to a friend in a heartbeat!

Mike A.

2011-10-30T21:00:00

Very sturdy, I have used on a monopod and tripod. By far the most sturdy support you can get for the money. Only con is that it doesn't allow access to the left side of the lens (on smaller lenses this can block the focus/zoom rings).

Eric

2011-10-12T21:00:00

A very good fit on my Manfrotto 694CX monopod. Provides very good stabilization when using my Canon 500 MM F4 lens. Works well for sporting events and wildlife photography.

BRIAN L.

2009-03-29T21:00:00

Very solid and stable... Best product available or the money. Nothing wrong with a Wimberly mount, but this does the same job at 1/3 the price.

GREG S.

2008-09-03T21:00:00

This is the most cost effective solution to large tele lens support. The downside is a little more vibration. The flat bar material used in it's construction does not prevent/dampen vibration as effectively as the more expensive tubular designs, but hey - it's costs one third as much!

Mozarkid

2007-03-28T21:00:00

I needed a head to support my big glass 500mm f/4 and did not want to break the bank, this head works as well installed on a tripod (thats how I use it) as it does on a monopod, it's not flashy, not stylish, just practical and fully functional at what it does. I would buy it again. I gave it a 4 because I have not used it for very long. I will give it a few months in the field and will update this review.

Tim

2007-02-04T19:00:00

I first saw this head holding a Canon camera and Sigma 300-800mm zoom. The owner said it functioned perfectly, so I tried it out with my Sigma 50-500, Canon 100-400, and finally Canon 500mm F4.For about 25% of the cost, you get 95% of the functionality of the Wimberley [...]. The Manfrotto gimbal head is marketed as a monopod head, but it is perfect as a tripod head for long lenses. The safety latch is superior to Wimberly's, and it has places where you can mount a flash shoe for off-camera flash (the Wimberly flash bracket costs more than the whole Manfrotto gimbal head!)Only drawback is that the left side of the head is not open like on the Wimberly, and I'm not sure that matters, since some pros recommend turning the Wimberly around for improved control--like you get from the Manfrotto already.I highly recommend this gimbal head. I give it four stars for functionality plus one for value!

William B.