Camera Labs

Hello All,

After reading most of the posts, I still have a question before buying my tripod. I'm 180cms tall and would like to know if the 190CXPRO3 is tall enough for me or not (I wouldn't like to bend over every time a take a picture)? If not, I would like to hear some feedback between the 055CXPRO3 vs. 055CXPRO4 (I like small size of the PRO4 when folded, but I'm afraid it will not be firm enough)?

Thanks,

_________________
Santiago.
Canon 7D. EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS.

Have you read these?

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Manfrotto_055CXPRO3_tripod/

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Manfrotto_190CXPRO3_tripod/

_________________
Canon EOS 400D, EF-S 18-55mm, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, EF 50mm f/1.8 MK I, EF-S 10-22mm, EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM, EF 28mm f/1.8, EF 85mm f/1.8
Canon 430EX II, Manfrotto 055CXPRO3, Arca Swiss P0
Panasonic GF3, Panasonic 20mm f/1.7, Olympus 45mm f/1.8

MY FLICKR!

I did read Gordon's reviews (which are great by the way...), but wanted to hear some comments about people that use the 055 vs 190. I see you are using a 055CXPRO3, how tall are you? Would you recommend that one for my height (180cms)? Have you travelled with that tripod, how easy is it to carry with in a backpack?

Thanks a lot!!

_________________
Santiago.
Canon 7D. EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS.

The 055CXPro3 is a big tripod but very light. I got it because of my height and not wanting to bend to see through the viewfinder (I am 177cm tall). The 190 was quite a bit smaller and I don't like to raise the center column too much so that ruled it out.

If hiking was my main priority I would probably have gone for the 190CX3 and stooped a little or the 055CX4 keep the size down.

I think that the Gitzo that Bob (moderator) should be investigated for hiking but it does cost a lot.

_________________
Canon EOS 400D, EF-S 18-55mm, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, EF 50mm f/1.8 MK I, EF-S 10-22mm, EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM, EF 28mm f/1.8, EF 85mm f/1.8
Canon 430EX II, Manfrotto 055CXPRO3, Arca Swiss P0
Panasonic GF3, Panasonic 20mm f/1.7, Olympus 45mm f/1.8

MY FLICKR!

Hi Santiago, I'm shorter than you and have to extend the centre column on the 190 to view without bending. The 055 allows me to look straight through without extending the column.

A lot depends on whether you want to avoid extending the central column or not. If you don't want to extend it (for maximum stability), then forget the 190.

If you're happy to extend the centre column, then it will come close to your height, but I still think you'll need to bend a bit. If you don't want to bend at all, or minimise the centre column extension, then get the 055.

PS - mirageii is referring to the Gitzo 1541T, a model I also own. It's a fantastic travel tripod, although no taller than a 190, and frighteningly expensive!

See: http://www.cameralabs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=16340

Thanks a lot Gordon and Mirageii. I'll go with the 055CXPRO3 for now, and then see if I still need a lighter one later (for travelling/hiking).

_________________
Santiago.
Canon 7D. EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS.

Good choice Santiago, and the 055CXPRO3 is actually a lot lighter than it looks, especially when coupled with a light head like the 460MG.

You should love the 055 size, and being carbon, weight is very reasonable. I purchased the 055CX non-PRO, and it is plenty tall enough for me. I am six feet tall, and will need to check my cycling tool kit for a measuring tape that shows both centimeters and English units of measure.

I realized that I probably could have bought the 190CX, instead, and been happy with the height, as I use Manfrotto joystick-style heads, which add height. One thing I noticed is that regardless of MY height, often the subject requires me to adjust the 055CX tripod to a lower height than maximum. The 055CX is, of course, stiffer than the 190CX, and I might be better-served by the additional stiffness, anyway.

_________________
Canon 7D/5D/40D/1D2N; Nikon F6, FM3A, & Coolpix A; Canon 40mm Pancake, 135L, 50L, 35L, pre-II 50mm 1.8, 100mm 2.8L Macro, 10-22mm EF-S, 28-135 EF, 400mm 5.6L; Nikkor 50mm 1.2 AI-S, 50mm 1.4G, 50mm 1.8D, 16mm 2.8D Fisheye, 180mm 2.8D, 100-300mm 5.6 AI-S; Tokina 17mm & 100mm 2.8 Macro

Gordon & RexGig,
Have you had any experience with the hydrostatic heads (Manfrotto 468MGRC2)? I'm looking between 498RC2 (ball) and 468MGRC2 (hydrostatic ball), any comments/feedback is appreciated!

Thanks,

_________________
Santiago.
Canon 7D. EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS.

Sorry, not tested either!

Hi there everyone. I've been planning on a new Manfrotto carbon fibre tripod and I've narrowed down to either the 055CXPRO3 or 190CXPRO3 and a 498RC2 ball head.

My rig is a Nikon D700 and my height is 164mm; which of the two tripod would most likely be of a suitable working height for me with the centre column down? I am leaning towards the 190CXPRO3 for the height, but will it hold up my gears since it's rated for 5kg and the ball head is rated at 8kg?

055CXPRO3 (centre column down 1400mm/load 8kg)
498RC2 ball head (124.96mm/600g)
Nikon D700 (166mm height with battery grip/1085g with internal battery and CF)
Nikon MB-D10 battery grip (450g)
Nikon 16-35mm f/4 VR (680g)
Nissin flash Di622 MARK II (315g without 4 AA batteries)
Total height/weight: 1690.96mm/3.13kg

190CXPRO3 (centre column down 1220mm/load 5kg)
498RC2 ball head (124.96mm/600g)
Nikon D700 (166mm height with battery grip/1085g with internal battery and CF)
Nikon MB-D10 battery grip (450g)
Nikon 16-35mm f/4 VR (680g)
Nissin flash Di622 MARK II (315g without 4 AA batteries)
Total height/weight: 1510.96/3.13kg