BUYERS’ GUIDE
LIBEC TH-Z T £396/$349 libec-global.com
NOVO MANTIS MP50 AND MP100 MONOPODS £100/$109 novo-photo.com Two new carbon-fibre monopods fromNovo have just hit themarket, both at a very reasonable £100/$109 each. The MantisMP100 andMP50 use eight-layer carbon fibre to keep weight down to 520g/1.15lb and both take a payload of 20kg/44lb. TheMP100 is a four-sectionmonopod that goes up to 1.8m/70.9in, while themore compact MP50 has six legs and reaches 1.55m/61in. Tomake themevenmore useful for video shooting, Novo is now offering theMVS-02 Professional video stand base for £45/$49. This screws into the base of either monopod – or anymonopod with a standard 3/8in screw. It has amini ball
The Libec TH-Z tripod system includes the TH-Z H fluid head, TH-Z T legs and a case, all at a great price. And although it lacks the most high-end technical features of some rivals, it’s a great performer. The light TH-Z H head features an illuminated LED bubble spirit level and sliding plate equipped with a one-touch quick-release mechanism. The kit has a 75mmhalf-ball/ flat-base fluid head, which supports up to 4.99kg/11lb, but features fixed counterbalance and drag. The tripod legs are relatively light at just 2.4kg/5.3lb, yet offer a payload of 25kg/55lb. The TH-Z tripod is very rigid and avoids twisting, thanks to its leg configuration, and features a built-in telescopic mid-level spreader. The feet of the tripod have solid rubber covers to avoid damage to floors, and the height range for the head and tripod combined is a respectable 71cm/28in up to 161cm/63.5in.
head and can be used as a stand-alonemini tripod.
SIRUI BCT 2203 VIDEO TRIPOD KIT £1270/$1300 mtfservices.com
a second top level on the head and it has metal spiked feet to dig into dirt, covered with rubber platform feet to avoid damage to smooth surfaces. The head has three-step drag adjustment, or friction can be removed for a resistance-free motion. To get the camera balanced correctly, there is a relatively long camera plate and a seven-step adjustable counterbalance. It’s a top-quality performer to rival more well-known brands, but at a lower price point.
The Sirui BCT 2203 carbon-fibre kit is a top-quality carbon fibre tripod with a broadcast-quality head, adjustable counterbalance for even the largest camera, adjustable drag, a spreader for fast set-up and a very smooth pan-and-tilt head. Using Sirui’s 75mm BCH 20 ball head, it comes in a carrying case, has two pan handles and even comes with a mid-level and ground-level spreader. The three-section legs mean set-up is really quick. There is an illuminated sprit level on the base and
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