Manfrotto 190XB 3 Section Aluminum Tripod with Manfrotto 486RC2

[toneyw]

I found this on Amazon.com. Anyone have any comments on this setup?

http://tinyurl.com/yvekk7

[SkipD]

For many of us, the Manfrotto 190 (same as the 3001) family is a little short and light. Also, the 486RC2 is better used on a monopod.

A better solution for a tripod that will last you a LONG time would be the Manfrotto 055XProB topped off with the Manfrotto 488RC2 ball head. The 488RC2 is larger and sturdier than the 486RC2, and it has a separate release for panning without loosening the main ball - a very handy feature on a tripod.

If you can find one, the 3021BPro may be a slightly better tripod for you if you like to get the center of the tripod flat down to the ground, as it comes with a two-piece center column that can be separated, leaving a 3" section in the tripod. The 3021BPro is the U.S. equivalent of the 055ProB (without the "X" of the current version).

[Elton Balch]

For many of us, the Manfrotto 190 (same as the 3001) family is a little short and light. Also, the 486RC2 is better used on a monopod.

A better solution for a tripod that will last you a LONG time would be the Manfrotto 055XProB topped off with the Manfrotto 488RC2 ball head. The 488RC2 is larger and sturdier than the 486RC2, and it has a separate release for panning without loosening the main ball - a very handy feature on a tripod.

If you can find one, the 3021BPro may be a slightly better tripod for you if you like to get the center of the tripod flat down to the ground, as it comes with a two-piece center column that can be separated, leaving a 3" section in the tripod. The 3021BPro is the U.S. equivalent of the 055ProB (without the "X" of the current version).

Apparently the 055XPROB is the next generation of the 3021BPRO here in the US. Here's the Amazon link.
http://www.amazon.com/Bogen-Manfrotto-055XPROB-Tripod-Black/dp/B000UMX7FI/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1198943236&sr=1-1

[alt4852]

wow, these posts are shocking to me. is the 190XDB really all that inadequate? i was seriously planning on purchasing them since i saw them in-store and they seemed to look great.. but everyone on the forums recommends going after the 055XPro which when i saw in-person.. seemed rather large.

to the people who actually own the tripod, would the 190XDB tripod really not be able to accommodate a xxD body and a 24-70mm f/2.8L lens? I don't think i'm going any larger or heavier, and i wasn't aware how few people actually recommend the 190XDB.

(i'm not sure about toneyw, but the largest lens that i'd ever consider would be the 70-200 f/2.8L and that'd be a few years out. does anyone genuinely think i'll need the 055 for my setup?)

[Elton Balch]

wow, these posts are shocking to me. is the 190XDB really all that inadequate? i was seriously planning on purchasing them since i saw them in-store and they seemed to look great.. but everyone on the forums recommends going after the 055XPro which when i saw in-person.. seemed rather large.

to the people who actually own the tripod, would the 190XDB tripod really not be able to accommodate a xxD body and a 24-70mm f/2.8L lens? I don't think i'm going any larger or heavier, and i wasn't aware how few people actually recommend the 190XDB.

(i'm not sure about toneyw, but the largest lens that i'd ever consider would be the 70-200 f/2.8L and that'd be a few years out. does anyone genuinely think i'll need the 055 for my setup?)
Part of the problem is you haven't been more specific about how you'd use it. If your tripod never leaves the house and gets used in a controlled setting, then almost anything will do. As to size/weight, lets face it--ANY tripod is clumsy to some degree. I find the 3021 (now 055XPRO) meets a multitude of needs. For real portability, I use a Monopod. If the 190XDB meets YOUR needs then that's what you should get, but it really is not THAT much lighter than the 055.

[toneyw]

Thanks for the comments. The largest lens I would use it for would be my 70-200 2.8 IS. I would be using the tripod combo for landscapes, and portrait shooting.

It would be great if someone had this combo and could comment.

[SkipD]

wow, these posts are shocking to me. is the 190XDB really all that inadequate? i was seriously planning on purchasing them since i saw them in-store and they seemed to look great.. but everyone on the forums recommends going after the 055XPro which when i saw in-person.. seemed rather large.

to the people who actually own the tripod, would the 190XDB tripod really not be able to accommodate a xxD body and a 24-70mm f/2.8L lens? I don't think i'm going any larger or heavier, and i wasn't aware how few people actually recommend the 190XDB.

(i'm not sure about toneyw, but the largest lens that i'd ever consider would be the 70-200 f/2.8L and that'd be a few years out. does anyone genuinely think i'll need the 055 for my setup?)The problem that many people experience with the 190 family (also known in the U.S. as the 3001 family) is that it is a bit on the short side. That means that these users would tend to extend the center column to gain the needed height. Extending the center column should be a last-resort way to gain height because doing so makes the camera much more wobbly.

For a short photographer - one who would have the camera at eye level with the 190's center column all the way down - the 190 could be quite suitable with moderate weight camera/lens rigs.

[SkipD]

Thanks for the comments. The largest lens I would use it for would be my 70-200 2.8 IS. I would be using the tripod combo for landscapes, and portrait shooting.

It would be great if someone had this combo and could comment.I would strongly recommend the 3021BPro (or 055XProB) topped with the 488RC2. I use the 70-200 f/2.8L IS in front of my 20D, and would not want any less of a tripod under it.

[alt4852]

well, i'm roughly 5'10 and i put into consideration the fact that the 190 is somewhat short, but i do mostly hand held street photography. i want a tripod because there are a few stop-motion art projects that i want to do, along with my trip to the midwest this upcoming summer where i'll want to take landscapes. aside from dipping my feet into astrophotography sometime later, tripods aren't going to be a major part of my common use of my camera.

despite all this, i really want something that will stand the test of time as being a reliable platform (i have three or four cheap tripods that i've collected over the years, all with bent legs, joints which no longer hold, etc) when i do need to plant my camera down somewhere. i really liked the 190 when i saw it in store since it is small, very solid, and a manfrotto, but if the 055 is really that much better in people's opinions, i might just drop the extra money down and go for one.

(oh, and none of my lenses have IS so i'm guessing the tripod will most certainly help when i need a picture to come out tack sharp.)

[Nick5]

Alt.
I have both combinations.
I like to carry the 190 and the 486 or 488 while walking due to the lighter weight.
The 055 I use more for indoors, more stability.
Whats the famous quote regarding tripods, "The best tripod is the one you take with you."

[toneyw]

I would strongly recommend the 3021BPro (or 055XProB) topped with the 488RC2. I use the 70-200 f/2.8L IS in front of my 20D, and would not want any less of a tripod under it.

Thanks for the comments Skip. Before I purchase, I'll have to find a unit and check it out first.

[xenomorphic]

toneyw, I bought the 055XProB (as its called here in Norway) with 468MGRC2 head after reading up on tripods/heads here on POTN and other places. I have used this tripod on many occasions in different terrain, and I love its rock-solid feel. I used to carry it around in an old Velbon tripod bag, which I thought adequate until I came across Bogen/Manfrottos own range of tripod-bags. I bought the one called MBAG80P and was immediately blown away by it: It allows me to carry the tripod and head mounted together and is amazingly comfortable - almost doesn't feel like I am carrying anything at all when its slung across my back or shoulder.

I second SkipD with regards to the tripod - and suggest you check out one of these bags as well - to me it makes the difference in weight between the 190 and 055XProB a non-issue, and means I never think twice about bringing my tripod.

Oh, and by the way, the 468MG series heads have a separate release for panning without loosening the main ball, just like the 488.

[toneyw]

Thanks Xenomorphic. After the new year, I will go to the store to look at the tripod and bag.