Manfrotto 055 or 190?

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I need a new tripod to replace a cheap Hama Star unit, and I've been looking at the Manfrotto 055X and 190X (aluminium versions). Aside from max height, and weight, there seems not much between these two, even on price.

I want something that's easily portable, but given that I need it to double for a video tripod (possibly with the 128RC Micro Fluid Head) I need something stable also.

Then I need a camera head, probably a quick-release ball head.

Any comments from 055/190 users or others with similar solution welcome.
 
First thing to do would be to weigh the heaviest kit you'll be putting on it.

The 055 does have a fair heft to it, but it is considerably sturdier than the 190. The 055 certainly isn't prohibitively heavy for taking out now and again, but I wouldn't want to go on any long hikes with it. The 190 is much smaller overall and could probably be strapped to the side of a bag fairly easily.

Unfortunately, if the weight of your kit or the requirement of added stability for video rules out the 190, you don't have much of a choice but to go for a heavier tripod such as the 055. Unless, of course, you opt for a carbon fibre model, but you'll pay for the privilege.
 
I'm about 6ft and own a 055Xprob. The height is great for me and the tripod has more than enough on it still. It's a rock solid piece of kit and the only downside is the weight. I couldn't take this thing hiking or anything like that. I took it to New York with me earlier this year and bought an OpTech tripod strap for it. I was so glad i did because it completely took a lot of weight off my shoulders.

hth
 
The height was important to me too. I'm about 6ft2, so the 190 would have involved no small degree of stooping.

With that said, if I were to go on any lengthy outings I might prefer to take a lighter, shorter tripod such as the 190 and put up with the height, or lack thereof.
 
Got the 190 wish I had the 055. Really need something more substantial.
 
Comments more or less as I expected, I'm leaning towards the 055. The carbon is out of reach, unfortunately. 90% of the time I'd have the car, and not be hauling it far, so...

Not sure what happened with prices (Euro rates?) but the 055 was 80 odd notes until recently, then seemed to shoot up to around 120.00.
 
I've got both, the 055 is great, sturdy and stable, but a pain to lug about, which is why I bought the 190. It's lighter and easier to carry about, but nowhere near as robust (my first one broke after falling over) and doesn't support much weight.
 
If you're only going to have one, I'd urge you to go for the 055 - it's a far sturdier beast than the 190. If you just had the 190 you'll probably end up wishing you went for the 055 in the first place.
 
I've got the 055 and the heavier 075. I live on the coast and always carry the 055 with me in the motor and use it most of the time. I have been out in storms with gale force winds taking pictures and more than a couple of times I have wished I had the 075 instead. The moral here is to get the heaviest you can carry, go for the 055.
 
MN055 Tripod + MN115 Head

at ffordes for £59

but dont know if the MN115 is suitable for your video
 
18%grey said:
I've got the 055 and the heavier 075. I live on the coast and always carry the 055 with me in the motor and use it most of the time. I have been out in storms with gale force winds taking pictures and more than a couple of times I have wished I had the 075 instead. The moral here is to get the heaviest you can carry, go for the 055.
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I was in town yesterday looking around camera shops in Westminster (prices suprisingly competitive). The 190 is too light, and its the 055 I need. The weight of the legs alone is not too bad, but add a head and its getting cumbersome. So I'm toying with the idea to spend the money and get a carbon version. But I'm wonder if that would be stable enough for pan/tilt with a video head (admittedly only a 'Handycam-sized HDV video camera)?

The upside with the carbon version is I'd take it with me more often, hence get more sharper shots. If its not up to video, I might just settle for the alu. version. Probably, I'd be using it for 50% HDV video/50% DSLR.

One other factor in the equation is, I do travel overseas occasionally, and a carbon version would be viable to stash in a suitcase, a kilo saved there is well worthwhile.
 
Vide andc camera use generally requires different tripods but if the 055 can't do video then you'll need a video tripod - The 055 is well built and the carbon version is better.

I suggest you buy a still tripod AND a video tripod. probably requires two different heads too....

Really depends how seriously you take your video.
 
EOS_JD said:
Vide andc camera use generally requires different tripods but if the 055 can't do video then you'll need a video tripod - The 055 is well built and the carbon version is better.

I suggest you buy a still tripod AND a video tripod. probably requires two different heads too....

Really depends how seriously you take your video.
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Well, the video is home movie, and some work for Website video, and occasional DVD. I was looking at the Velbon DV-7000 (a budget video tripod) but then realized, most of the time, it would be difficult to carry two tripods, especially overseas. Hence the desire for a good set of legs, and two heads.
 
Gitzo 5541LS ... I know it's the wrong end of £600 but you really will never look for another tripod ... Ever ... Unless you break it, which I doubt you will.

Beautiful thick carbon legs ... 3 of them ... wibble :-)

I've a got an 055 gathering dust since I bought the Gitzo. I could have saved myself £100 by going straight for the G as I have no use for the 055 anymore, but then we could talk ballheads and paying £300 on postage and import duty for an order from Really Right Stuff after my plane was cancelled due to Icelandic ash also added to what I thought it would cost to get a BH-55 plus a few bits !!!
 
what kit do you use a 190 will be dead stable with light gear, my 055 holds medium format kit or 1d reguarly, it also has the grunt for when/if I get a cross bar and use it for camera+lappy tethered :D

needs a good head for stability though. I have a 460mg and its way less stable than the legs (055xprob)
 
david1701 said:
what kit do you use a 190 will be dead stable with light gear, my 055 holds medium format kit or 1d reguarly,
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+1. 190 Alu can take 2kg set up easily without any obvious strain. 1Ds2 + 24-70mm lens (that is way over 2kg in massive body) only has minor stability issues in portrait orientation - nothing mirror lock-up can't fix. Carbon fibre ones are lighter but less stable. Mine had to be Alu for that reason.

What is your video kit? If it is under 2kg then it doesn't need anything super fancy, only a proper head.
 
I recently bought the carbon fibre version of th 055 for stills and video. I believe on both alu and carbon versions you can remove the centre column and use a short adapter so saving a bit of weight if carrying.

For video use the 701HDV Fluid head which will fit straight on to the 3/8 top plate. For stills either ball or 3 way head depending on preference.

pete

ps the bbc use the video version of the 055 (less centre column + 501 head for their Sony Z1's.
 
Peter said:
I recently bought the carbon fibre version of th 055 for stills and video. I believe on both alu and carbon versions you can remove the centre column and use a short adapter so saving a bit of weight if carrying.

For video use the 701HDV Fluid head which will fit straight on to the 3/8 top plate. For stills either ball or 3 way head depending on preference.

pete

ps the bbc use the video version of the 055 (less centre column + 501 head for their Sony Z1's.
Click to expand...

Is the 701 head any good for use with a handheld camcorder (e.g. Panasonic HDC TM350)? Sometimes I use the TM350 (NTSC) and HDC HDR3 (PAL) side-by-side on an aluminium cross bar. I was looking at the micro fluid head, but some reviews have pointed out issues with it.
 
I have the 055 as well, so another vote for it..

Realspeed
 
I've decided on the 055CF, and the 701 video head.

A ball-head is most appealing, but not much help for panoramas, or finer adjustments, e.g. on wide angle shots. Is there any 3-way head, or similar, that is quick and easy to operate, as well as compact... and 'cheap'?
 
Another vote for the 055. Really sturdy. There are slightly different versions, the one with the quick releases for the leg extensions is best !
 
Has any owner of the CF version (190 or 055) found a way to attach a hook below the central column (to hang a weight, e.g. a camera bag)? I was thinking to drill a hole in the bottom, so I could attach a quick-release mountaineering style fastener... for windy days.
 
PS, I'm thinking to go for the 3-section 055CF (stability, faster setup, etc.). I know the 4-section folds down smaller - any strong recommendations?
 
I have the 3 section Carbon Fibre which although doesn't fold quite so small has a slightly thicker bottom leg section which I prefer.

My tripod has a hook just underneath the head mounting flange. Somewhere elsewehere has suggested hooking some bungee cord through this and stretching it around you foot (at ground level of course). Haven't tried it myself.

On the Manfrotto web site you can find parts diagrams for the various tripods which might give you some ideas. Here is the link

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/spareparts/spare_parts_db_detail/site/manfrotto

Can vouch for the 701HDV head as I've used it with a PD170

Cheers

pete
 
One tip is to remove the plastic spanner thing that it comes with and put it somewhere safe. It's clipped to one of the legs and I lost mine the first day I took the tripod out.

I got the 4 section one BTW. IIRC the bottom leg section on the 055CX4 is the same thickness as the bottom section on the 190CX3
 
Almost there! I'm thinking to get the 496RC2 ball head. Its around fifty notes.

I was concerned about panorama, but found this comment by an Amazon customer:

"it has a indent on one of the sides so that your camera can be put in to any angle you desire. Want to make a portrait landscape panorama no problem...."

Can anyone verify that? I'll make do if it can do panorama, and get a 3-way head later when I get my superwide.
 
amnesia said:
How about the RSH-12 from Redsnapper ?

It's got a 360o panning base.

http://www.redsnapperuk.com/tripod-RSH-ballhead.html
Click to expand...

Sounds interesting - seen a lot of comments in favour of same. And that would be cheaper than Manfrotto. Guess I could still use the 701 video head on RS legs. Can't seem to get onto the RS Website atm.

Incidentally, what do you think of that Raynox lens? Looking for a WA for my, ahem, P******** video camera. I realize it will be different, but wonder what's your general opinion of Raynox?
 
For £40 the Raynox macro lens is awesome.... probably not as good as the dedicated Panasonic mft macro lens, but then it's 1/20th the price.

Had some pretty good results with it and it's easy to use. I can't vouch for the WA, but they seem well built.

More info here if you're interested.

Daniel.
 
Looking at the Red Snapper RS-234 Carbon - its around 200.00 so not far off the 055CF.

Is it in any way better?

Also, I can see from the Website photo only, what looks like foam on the legs.

Personally, I like discreet logos (though that would not be a showstopper).

I doubt any Gitzo weight saving over the RS/Manfrotto CF would matter to me.
ANd how much sturdier can it be? CF is very rigid - though the head design
might differ...
 
The 055 I have has the thread not in use clipped in the bottom of the center column. Get a hook welded to a nut and screw it on the unused thread to hang your bag on. I've usually got a telescope on my tripod and use a Scopac to carry it. It turns the tripod into a sort of rucksack. You don't have to remove the tripod from the Scopac to use it, just slip it off your shoulders. You obviously can't have a rucksack on your back as well. Delta make them as well.
 
Just about to pull the trigger on this, and purchase the carbon version.

WRT ball-heads, is there any point getting the Manfrotto 494 vs 496? Max load would be something like a D90, 18-200, and flash unit. Well under 4kg. Any merit to having excess capacity? Only other consideration, maybe in future wanting to use a monopod/ball-head. Could I use a 496/494 ?
 
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