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MANFROTTO 645 FAST TWIN TRIPOD WITH 612 HEAD £1206/$1299 manfrotto.com
Manfrotto has thrown its most exciting technology and exotic materials at this tripod kit. Though it might look like a traditional-style twin-tube video tripod, it is packed full of innovative features like carbon-fibre legs with a speedy, quick-adjust system, and the burly Nitrotech 612 head with nitrogen-charged dampers. And while more exotic brands often charge a significant amount more for their all-singing flagship video tripod kits, the Manfrotto 645 Fast Twin tripod with 612 head costs a relatively affordable £1206/$1299, coming with a spreader and bag. We tested an aluminium version of the 645 Fast Twin legs two years ago and said it was one of the fastest tripods of its type to set up, if a tad heavy. The carbon-fibre version works exactly the same but is slightly lighter. However, that test featured the Nitrotech 608 head; now we have the heavier, more robust 612. It weighs roughly the same as a package, but has a more capable head with a larger payload. The 612 can handle a seriously weighty 18kg/39.7lb payload while the 608 maxes out at 8kg/17.6lb. The beauty of the tripod is still in the speedy set-up of the legs, which have large lever-lock clamps at the very top, just underneath the head. You don’t have to manually undo thumbscrew locks then lock each
SPECIFICATIONS Tripod material: Carbon fibre Head maximum load: 18kg/39.7lb Tripod maximum load: 24.95kg/55lb Working height: 157cm/61.8in Head mount type: 100mm bowl Legs: Three-section twin tube carbon fibre Leg lock: Flip lock Spreader: Low-level Feet: Rubber and dual spiked Closed length: 73cm/28.7in Weight: 2.27kg/5lb head; 3.6kg/7.9lb tripod
leg into position as with conventional tripods – just quickly flip open the Fast clamps at the top. Then, extend the legs to the desired height and clamp them down again. There’s no having to bend down, which can be awkward when you have a heavy camera set-up on the top, and it makes it easier to accidentally change the leg length. Our tripod had a low-level spreader. This can be removed and you can use the three-angle selectors on the legs if you prefer. There is a 100mm bowl fitting, but the kit comes with a 75mm bowl adapter. The head features an easy-to- use nitrogen piston mechanism that allows a continuous and adjustable counterbalance system, enabling control of the camera on top. It comes with a long camera plate, so balancing your kit shouldn’t be a problem. Pan-and-tilt drag is adjustable and offers a smooth action with no bounce-back at the end of the movement. Tilt is altered by a large knob on the side of the head and pan by a large dial at the base. The head has Manfrotto’s 3/8-inch Easy Link connector with anti-rotation pins that allow an arm to be attached to hold a monitor or other device. The legs have spiked feet, with rubber covers to protect floors for use indoors. As usual, Manfrotto build quality shines through in every part of this
HIGH TECH Carbon-fibre legs and Fast adjusters work well with the Nitrotech fluid head (right)
kit. It’s a seriously good pro tripod that works incredibly well even for the heaviest cameras. It doesn’t fold down as small as something like a Sachtler Flowtech, but doesn’t cost anywhere near as much, either. PRO MOVIEMAKER RATING: 9/10 A speedy, high-tech tripod ideal for large cinema cameras Pros: Fast set-up, smooth operation Cons: Bulky to carry
“It’s a pro tripod that works for even the heaviest cameras”
FLIP LOCK Leg adjuster clamps are the key to swift set-up (left)
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