Manfrotto Tripod but which one

siejones

siejones

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I need to replace my little velbon tripod with something a little more sturdy and quick and easy to use.

I have been looking at the Manfrotto range and have decided on a head. The 488Rc2 seems to be perfect for my purposes. I just can't decide on the legs.

I NEED it to be as light as possible. Light is the most important so that's a big preference. Also would like a spirit level on it to get the base level. Also I would like it to retract as small as possible. Oh and I would like to do some macro stuff with it so I would want it to be able to go loooooooooooow.

A tall order to get all that together it seems.

I have been looking at the 190 and 055 range but the 055's seem heavier so it's gonna be in the 190's. The 190MF4 compacts up smaller than the rest but I aint to keen on 4 section legs and the 2 carbon fibre models don't seem to gain enough weight back to justify the expence difference.

The rest of the 190's don't seem to have much between them looking on the Manfrotto site. I have also seen 190 models on here https://secure.ffordes.com/index.htm that don't even seem to be listed on the manufacturer's site but dirt cheap to buy.

Would rather not spend more than I need of coarse ;)

Lost in the jungle of tripods....anyone got a map?
 
Spirit level on the legs is a bit useless tbh if you have a ball head.
Whats the point having the legs perfectly level if the ball head can be anywhere? :) Youd only benefit from having one on the camera to see if it was straight.
 
I would say the 190 Pro would fulfill all your requirements. Its a rock solid 'pod, has a spirit level (although I agree with Janice, it's pointless with a ball head), will go very low and it ain't too heavy. The only thing it doesn't do from your list is collapse very small, although it depend on how small you mean by small I guess :shrug: It's a damn fine tripod though!
 
Janice said:
Spirit level on the legs is a bit useless tbh if you have a ball head.
Whats the point having the legs perfectly level if the ball head can be anywhere? :) Youd only benefit from having one on the camera to see if it was straight.
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I thought this and was looking a the 3 ways but the 488RC2 can be locked to spin on one axis apparently. So you can pan accurately.
 
How tall are you? The 190 only extends to 140ish cm and when I use a friends I have to bend down to use it, which after a while can be uncomfortable, Im just under 6 foot. The 055 extends to 170cm which is a much more workable height. Hope this helps :) .
 
Wile E. coyote said:
How tall are you? The 190 only extends to 140ish cm and when I use a friends I have to bend down to use it, which after a while can be uncomfortable, Im just under 6 foot. The 055 extends to 170cm which is a much more workable height. Hope this helps :) .
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I am 5ft 10 or 11 or somewhere in between :)

The weight difference is the most important for me. I lug my camera equipment up mountains and my pack already weighs a ton. I will gladly bend down a little rather than have the extra weight to be honest.
 
siejones said:
I am 5ft 10 or 11 or somewhere in between :)

The weight difference is the most important for me. I lug my camera equipment up mountains and my pack already weighs a ton. I will gladly bend down a little rather than have the extra weight to be honest.
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No problem just thought i'd share my experience. I can see why weight will be the most important factor if you are up and down mountains with it. However the 190 is a real sturdy tripod carn't go wrong with it.
 
Wile E. coyote said:
No problem just thought i'd share my experience. I can see why weight will be the most important factor if you are up and down mountains with it. However the 190 is a real sturdy tripod carn't go wrong with it.
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Thanks for your reply. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Really looking wantingly at the 190MF3 but that price is a killer :(
 
siejones said:
I thought this and was looking a the 3 ways but the 488RC2 can be locked to spin on one axis apparently. So you can pan accurately.
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Correct. I bought myself a 488RC2 and 055PROB the other week. Quite simply, it is outstanding. Rock solid and very versatile with each leg being able to move independently. I would recommend this to anyone who isn't so worried about it being a little heavier than a few other on the market.

Woodsy
 
Woodsy2k said:
I bought myself a 488RC2 and 055PROB the other week. Quite simply, it is outstanding. Woodsy
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That's exactly the combo I bought a couple of weeks ago and I'm very happy with it. The ability to remove the centre column and use it horizontally and go very low is great for macro work. The weight hasn't been a problem when out and about.

Ray
 
I have the RC4 quick release plate on my 488. It also has a spirit level to ensure your camera is level.

the 055 is a heavy beast and not great for long trecks. 190 is similar but a little smaller and lighter...... Carbon Fibre tripods are the way to go though (if you can afford them!)
 
Woodsy2k said:
Correct. I bought myself a 488RC2 and 055PROB the other week. Quite simply, it is outstanding. Rock solid and very versatile with each leg being able to move independently. I would recommend this to anyone who isn't so worried about it being a little heavier than a few other on the market.

Woodsy
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Thats the combo I'm looking to get, photography is an expensive game :eek:
 
I have the 190MF4 for the very reasons you stated but with 322 head and having the spirit level on the base for that reason was a bit pointless. I'm about the same height as you and the height isn't an issue for landscape.

It's a super tripod though and very light and small when close, very quick to set up. Don't forget to factor in the cost of a bag as well if you want one. I live in Milton Keynes, if you live nearby, I'm happy you borrow it over a weekend to try if you like.

Now we're heading for springtime, it will give me a chance to use more outdoors. I bought it to go to Cambodia with over Xmas / New Year and was very very useful. But because it's so light, you can hang your camera bag onto it for extra weight on the central stem.
Jas
 
Jas said:
I have the 190MF4 for the very reasons you stated but with 322 head and having the spirit level on the base for that reason was a bit pointless. I'm about the same height as you and the height isn't an issue for landscape.

It's a super tripod though and very light and small when close, very quick to set up. Don't forget to factor in the cost of a bag as well if you want one. I live in Milton Keynes, if you live nearby, I'm happy you borrow it over a weekend to try if you like.

Now we're heading for springtime, it will give me a chance to use more outdoors. I bought it to go to Cambodia with over Xmas / New Year and was very very useful. But because it's so light, you can hang your camera bag onto it for extra weight on the central stem.
Jas
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My reason for the base spirit level is to get the base level for pano's. The ball head I chose has a locking mechanism that allows you to spin on one axis. So it's best for both worlds :)

I was worried the 4 sections would be a pain in the bum rather than 3 sections. I thought unduing and locking the extra 4 grips would get tedious. I take it you dont find this an issue.

Hmmm more thinking to be done :)
 
Just got an 055DB, very sturdy, light and solid. You can get a spirit level to fit the hotshoe of your camera, if it has one.

Hope this helps.

King.
 
To be fair SJ, once i've got two bodies, 4 lenses and other assorted junk in my tamrac a few gramms here or there on a tripod makes little difference. I look like a tortoise tho :lol:
 
Jonnyreb said:
To be fair SJ, once i've got two bodies, 4 lenses and other assorted junk in my tamrac a few gramms here or there on a tripod makes little difference. I look like a tortoise tho :lol:
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lol yeah :)

I couldn't begin to imagine taking that much equipment up. My 350D and the 3 lenses and the filters and tripod I do take along side litres of water,food,extra clothing and emergency and navagational equipment already make it too heavy for the amount ascent you do on a mountain walk.

I spent twice the price on a fleece that was a few grammes lighter than it's cheaper counterpart as do most hill walkers and now I am counter acting the multiple times with my camera equipment :)
 
King_Boru said:
Just got an 055DB, very sturdy, light and solid. You can get a spirit level to fit the hotshoe of your camera, if it has one.

Hope this helps.

King.
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THere's not many would describe the 055 light :)

After a small hike it becomes pretty heavy....... more so with a bag full of heavy lenses.
 
I'm a recent purchaser of an 055Pro with a 410 Geared Head.All beatifully made, but does seem a touch heavy to be lugging up mountains (along with the rest of your gear).

The geared head is a delight to use, though obviously not as fast as a ball head (but does have quick release in all movement axis)

Mr Perceptive
 
Sadly if you visit Manfrotto's website you may get more confused than educated about each and every gear they manufacture but I recently bought a 055MF4 and I was chuffed both by its quality & usability. I was able to touch the camera's lens (with lens cap on DUH!!) to the floor by inverting the centre column and when compeletely flattened out on it's 3 legs it does go very low for all that macro stuff you would like to capture in your back garden. I paid around £193 + p & P (http://www.t4cameras.co.uk/) and I was happy to pay almost 20 quids cheaper then elsewhere.

Alternatively 190 PROB (73 quids + shipping) is a great tripod too but it's aluminum instead but I am told that weight wise there's not much difference between 055MF4 & 190 ProB.

The main problem I came across when selecting a tripod was none of these high street camera shops have popular brands on display so one ends up with a bit of guess work or forum help such as this.

If you live close to Hounslow, Jessops @ Hounslow's Treaty Centre has 190Prob on display where you can actually see the tripod in flesh & blood before comitting to buy it.
 
Nice link chouglez :thumbs: I'm after a 055pro and they are the cheapest new ones I've seen
 
chouglez said:
Sadly if you visit Manfrotto's website you may get more confused than educated about each and every gear they manufacture but I recently bought a 055MF4 and I was chuffed both by its quality & usability. I was able to touch the camera's lens (with lens cap on DUH!!) to the floor by inverting the centre column and when compeletely flattened out on it's 3 legs it does go very low for all that macro stuff you would like to capture in your back garden. I paid around £193 + p & P (http://www.t4cameras.co.uk/) and I was happy to pay almost 20 quids cheaper then elsewhere.

Alternatively 190 PROB (73 quids + shipping) is a great tripod too but it's aluminum instead but I am told that weight wise there's not much difference between 055MF4 & 190 ProB.

The main problem I came across when selecting a tripod was none of these high street camera shops have popular brands on display so one ends up with a bit of guess work or forum help such as this.

If you live close to Hounslow, Jessops @ Hounslow's Treaty Centre has 190Prob on display where you can actually see the tripod in flesh & blood before comitting to buy it.
Click to expand...

Thanks chouglez

The ability to get real low like that sounds great and I think it's a feature of both the 190 and 055 range.

That link is the cheapest I have seen. May well end up buying from here. I wonder if they will deliver to my works address?

My local jessops only has 190C with a cheap head attached to it so I can't have a good look at it :(
 
The centre column can be used horizontally for the MF3/4 as well although I have only used it once for that, also gets very low.

Bought mine from Cameraking for around £180 and they always seem to have a fair stock and speedy delivery.

Good luck with whatever you decide.
Jas
 
The new 190XPROB is looks a very strong contender....same price as the PROB and a little lighter along with new concept on the horizontal column feature and other redesigns

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/off/pid/13145?livid=68|69&idx=71
 
;) Yeh not bad at all for £95:thumbs:
 
I got my manfrotto from T4, very good service
 
Not sure if they will deliver to your work address but you may check with T4. Nowadays with so many frauds, dealers are reluctant to sell anything but to the billing address of your payment card.

T4, I found their service great though tbh I have only bought from them once. I usually buy from WarehouseExpress but they are way too steep and do not want to match internet prices.

Good luck with whatever you buy and happy snapping.
 
That's a good price with the head I will say.
 
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