Getting EX1R. Manfrotto 701RC2+190XB still good?

[Jack Zhang]

Hey everyone,

I am most likely to get a PMW-EX1R soon and I was just wondering if my Manfrotto 190XB legs and 701RC2 head would support the weight of an EX1R and a Nanoflash. The combo is about 3 years old so it's seen a lot of places, it was mostly used with smaller consumer cams like the HC7 and the HV30.

I'm just worried about weight and whether I would get a better plate to secure the camera to the 701RC2 head. I would only change the head as a last resort and not immediately.

It uses the 200PL series of quick release plates I'm guessing, but I lost the pan lock pin. It's also only 1/4'' threading. I'm guessing I should buy the 3/8'' threading plate then, right?

The EX1R will also have a Swit battery for the nanoFlash.

[Les Wilson]

I used a Manfrotto 190cxpro4 and 701HDV with my EX1R on a 25,000 mile trip to 5 countries. It was adequate to lock down the camera/swit battery and wireless receiver. It was portable in that the head was easily removed and packed in a large bag with the legs. It was easy to schlepp around while in-country. It was only barely adequate for panning only because it was the tripod I had. I would never use it around town when other, right sized tripods are available (Sachtler FSB-4 and Cartoni Focus/Bogen 524art).

In my opinion, it's inadequate as a general use tripod unless all you ever do is lock down a shot and aren't frustrated with its flex and drift. I think you'll be happier with a better unit as your skills and efforts advance. YMMV.

[Jack Zhang]

My shooting style is mostly ENG based locked down shots with no real pans. Our instructors that train us for ENG shooting tell us to avoid pans and zooms, so it should work well for ENG applications.

I'm guessing it's fine then, since I re-watched Doug Jensen's EX1R update video and he said 1/4'' threads for the bottom plate on the EX1R.