Manfrotto 190XPROB 3 Section Aluminum Pro Tripod
by Manfrotto
|
Our Price: $149.88 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $134.89 (click here) Category: Digital Camera See more product details |
|---|
Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Manfrotto 190XPROB 3 Section Aluminum Pro Tripod
Customer Review: Sturdy tripod for the value-conscious
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had plenty of opportunity to field test my 190XPROB since buying it several weeks ago. It has more than met expectations. Paired with a good ball head (mine is the Bogen-Manfrotto 486RC2 Compact Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect System), it will satisfy most value-conscious serious amateur photographers. My rating reflects this combination of quality and price.
For the record, my dSLR and heaviest lens together weigh about eight or nine pounds.
Stability without center column extended: The 190XPROB easily supports my camera with macro, normal zoom, or mid-telephoto zoom lenses attached. The tripod legs are independently adjustable to four different positions, allowing many different shooting configurations. The tripod has been stable in all of them.
Stability with center column extended vertically: The 190XPROB reliably supports my camera and heaviest lens when the center column is extended to a bit more than half its length. The tripod also provides stable support with the center column fully extended, providing a little extra care is taken when positioning the tripod and vibrations (e.g., from wind or traffic) are minimized.
Stability with center column extended horizontally: Being able to change the center column from vertical to horizontal is one of the outstanding features of the 190XPROB -- very handy for macro work. The tripod is stable in any leg configuration with the center column extended to about two-thirds of its length. With the legs spread in the two or three widest positions, the tripod is stable with the center column fully extended horizontally.
Ease of operation: Simplicity itself. The flip lever leg locks open and close easily, lock securely. The tripod legs slide smoothly. Leg length adjustments during use are painless. The center column raises and lowers easily, rotates smoothly. Attaching a ball head is no problem at all. Very fast set up in the field.
Weight and carrying: At four pounds, the 190XPROB is not the lightest of tripods. Your ball head may add another pound. But this is a very compact tripod when folded and even with the legs extended one section -- it's easy to carry by hand or across a shoulder. I don't really notice the weight at all.
Features & suggestions: Two legs have durable leg warmers, a nice extra once the weather turns cold or rainy. They allow a firm grip on the tripod. There is one bubble level (but I much prefer using a double level attached to the camera's flash hot shoe). The tripod comes with rubber feet that are fine on floors or pavement, but a set of spiked feet (Bogen - Manfrotto Retractable Spiked Feet Adapter Set (3))adds stability on grass or uneven ground outdoors. There is one small hook from which additional weight can be suspended to reduce vibrations, but it is positioned on the side of hub rather than on the under side. This could make it awkward and a little inconvenient to use.
One caution: The 190XPROB is 48 inches tall with the center column closed (57 inches tall with the column fully extended). A ball head may add a couple more inches. As tripods go, this is not very tall, though it suits me fine for several reasons. If you're much above six feet tall, you might want to consider a bigger tripod to avoid spending too much time bent over while looking through the camera viewfinder (this wouldn't be a problem if your camera has a live view LCD function).
Customer Review: Works well - solid and usable
Summary: 4 Stars
I purchased this tripod from Amazon as part of a combo set with a head (which was better value for money).
Over the past week, I've had a chance to really use it extensively, and here are my observations.
1) It fit very nicely into a bag that my fold-able chair came in (the kind you use at fireworks displays or soccer games), with room to spare. This meant I could save on buying an overpriced carry bag.
2) I carried it slung across my back (as you might wear a bandolier) for extended periods of time (off and on for 7 hours a day, over 3 days), and never experienced much discomfort.
This was my biggest concern with a heavier tripod than I'm used to, and I'm happy to say that I was able to take this with me wherever it was needed. Of course, as expected, its weight gradually gets more noticeable as the day wears on, but it never got to the point where I questioned my decision to bring it along.
I would've preferred a lighter tripod, but the price difference didn't work very well with my budget.
3) The leg sections don't drop quite as easily as my cheap tripod - adding a few seconds to tripod setup time. I find I have to actually encourage a couple of the sections to come lose. I'm not sure if that's the norm on high end tripods ... so I'll have to visit a local store to check for myself.
4) The leg locks work very well, and never did I find myself worrying about the stability of the tripod or my equipment. Under windy conditions, it also comes with a hook that allows you to hang a camera bag on it for added stability (which I didn't need).
5) I really enjoyed the hand grips - even when it wasn't cold/raining. Lugging this around (when outside of the carry bag) can get tiring, and having the hand grips was quickly appreciated.
6) The whole unit feels solid and stable.
7) It was a real pleasure to finally get myself in on the family pictures, without having to rely on the kindness (and availability) of strangers.
8) The independently lockable legs were also great on uneven terrain, as I could angle them just right irrespective of how rocky the ground was.
I had a hard time before last week justifying the high price for a tripod, but now that I've used it, its a lot easier to defend ... or rationalize :)
Customer Review: Great tripod, reasonable price - highly recommended
Summary: 5 Stars
I am an enthusiastic amateur photographer who recently upgraded from a cheapie tripod to a professional setup with a Nikon D90, Nikon D90 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) and several lenses, including a huge 150-500 Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 AF APO DG OS HSM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (also highly recommended!). I am using the matched head Manfrotto 322RC2 Horizontal Grip Action Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect Plate (3157N) on this tripod, and the combination is just excellent in every way I can think of. Other reviewers have covered the features very thoroughly, I see no point in repeating what they have said. Suffice to say that it's solid, well-engineered, easy to use, and stable without being too heavy to lug around.
Clever touches abound. The head itself has great tension adjustability and the bubble level is handy and accurate. I like the clever way they implemented the horizontal orientation changeover on the tripod. It's quick and easy, with single-button actuation. I have now taken to leaving the rapid connect plate on my camera full time.
I just used this setup with a wide angle lens to take some indoor photos without flash for an industrial brochure. The results were excellent and confirmed my opinion that this was the right purchase for my needs, and I believe for any serious photographer.
One further note: I recommend getting a wireless remote for your camera to go along with this purchase, so that you can take vibration-free photos easily. The one for my Nikon was extremely cheap and works great - Nikon ML-L3 Wireless Remote Control for Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D80 & D90 Digital SLR Cameras.
Overall, I can't say enough good things about my Manfrotto tripod and head. If you can afford it, go for it.
Customer Review: 190XPROB vs 055XPROB
Summary: 4 Stars
Having tried both the 055XPROB and the 190XPROB, I chose the 190. I liked the lighter weight and shorter height of the 190 and it was sturdy enough for my camera and long lenses (I have a Canon 40D). Here are the differences with the 190 listed first:
Weight: 4 lbs vs 6.4 lbs
Height w/out extension: 48" vs 60"
Max height: 57.5" vs 70"
Max load: 11 lbs vs 15.5 lbs
Everything else is pretty much the same. FWIW, I am 6 ft tall and the 190's max height (center column extended) put the eyepiece just at my eye level. The unextended height of the 055 is just a bit higher; I would have to stand on a brick to use its extended height. The 055 is just too tall for me. Alternatively, it you are taller than 6 ft, you might not be able to use the 190; go for the 055.
So, the 055 is heavier, taller and can carry more weight (camera and lens).
Two negatives with both: First, the center column can go horizontal which is handy in many situations. However it is hard to set in an exactly horizontal axis (it sags). You must have a ball mount to adjust your view to a true horizontal. Secondly, they are not ruggedized. If you use it inside, all's well. But if you go into the woods or the rocks, they will get scratched pretty easily. There also is a lot of plastic that will probably break and the legs have rubber feet (not that useful when you are trying to use it on rocks, cement, etc.)
Definitely go with a ball mount (I have the Manfrotto 488RC2). Unless you shoot in a studio you will be shooting from some very unlevel places. The ball allows you to get a horizontal view in your shot regardless of the configuration of the tripod. The head I use also has a pan lever which allows me to lock the ball into place and then pan along the horizontal axis.
Customer Review: Lovin' it!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've fallen in love with this tripod. I am a beginner and am I am slowly upgrading my photography equipment. Upgraded to this from a Sunpak which was much bigger but much less stable. I have paired it with a Bogen-Manfrotto 322 RC2 Horizontal Grip Action Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect System.
My camera (K10D with battery grid) and heaviest lens together weigh 11 pounds. This tripod is stable in all configurations with the center column used vertically. Even with the center column extended horizontally, by paying attention to which direction the legs are pointed, and adding counterweight to the attached hook, (at the head), this tripod is rock solid.
I love the fact that this tripod has adjustable tension for all its adjustments and comes with the tool needed attached to one of the legs.
I DO have two minor quips, and they are very minor indeed. There is no handle or strap included with this tripod, (I guess they want to sell you ACCESSORIES!), and you must partially open one leg to carry this tripod. My other (tiny) complaint would be adding a hook to the bottom of the center column for using it horizontally. With a hook you would be able to use less wieght to counterbalance your camera/lens. Again the dreaded ACCESSORIES.
This tripod is not light, but not as heavy as others I have shopped. If you really want light, look at carbon, you will be disappointed here. I am sure there are better, lighter tripods on the market, but haven't seen any in this price range.
For the price, this is a fantastic piece of equipment and I look forward to using this for a while.