The GREATEST tri-pod on earth!

[cwmehring]

I just wanted to throw this out there for anyone who is in the market for a tripod. I have the Manfrotto 055xPROB tripod. I've had it since Christmas and I love it! It is so versatile. I can take pictures 2 inches from the ground or I can take pictures 7 feet from the ground. I love it because I'm an avid macro photographer. Its great for getting real close to something and it has amazing stability.
Just thought I would throw that out there if anyone is in the market. I understand its pretty expensive but as any photographer will tell you a good tripod is everything.
Oh, an for reference, I use a Canon 40D with a variety of lenses. The tripod has no problem with the weight (and the 40D is heavy).

[v35skyline]

i'll be picking mine up on friday. :)

[Jim G]

It's quite a popular tripod... seems to fit many people's needs.

oh, and if you think it's expensive check out some of Gitzo's offerings... combine that with a good head and you could have bought a new body! :p

[Steve Beck]

I tend to think my Gitzo 1327 is pretty dang good.

[Perry Ge]

I use the same tripod, and it's wonderful. I wouldn't call the greatest tripod ever, or even an expensive one.

I'd call it the best bang for the buck. If you want the best tripod you can get for as little money as possible, then this is the one to go for.

[keyx]

i like my gitzo reporter :D

[Anke]

Got mine today, its a beast-and-a-half!

[aridan]

Just bought my 3021PROB here on the forum - should have it on Thursday! I'm psyched! :D

[Jethro790]

Expensive? I thought it was a pretty good budget offering. I love mine.

[pixel_junkie]

Just bought my 3021PROB here on the forum - should have it on Thursday! I'm psyched! :D

I saw that sale. That was a good deal, congrats!

[v35skyline]

Just picked mine up today! Loving it so far!

[tma888]

here's mine..

its the 190XProB though..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v407/tma2000/IMG_4013.jpg

[franklinn]

I actually prefer the 190XPROB myself. I was in a great dilemma trying to decide between the 190XPROB vs 055XPROB - though I haven't purchased one yet, I know for certain that I will be getting the 190XPROB for it's size and weight.

Though, in terms of sturdiness, I bet the 055XPROB wins in that department.

[doidinho]

I had to check out this tripod as I thought mine was the best bang for the buck (Manfrotto 3021 Pro). Turns out the 055XPRO is the replacement for the 3021 Pro. I love mine, it's very versatile.

[kevinmcdade]

This seems to be a pretty popular tripod. I just ordered a 055XPROB and a 488RC2 ball head. I think I'm more excited about getting this tripod than I am about getting my new 70-200 lens. I never knew tripods were this serious. I thought I was doing good with my $40 tripod until it almost fell over with my body and lens attached. I decided to get a Bogen/Manfrotto monopod as well. They appear to make a very quality product for the price.

I'm not sure what I would do without this forum (except have more money:D).

[cwmehring]

I have the same head on mine tma888. How do you like yours?

[patrick835]

how do you guys think about this leg with the markins Q3 ball head? im thinking about it... this one is versatile.... what is the heaviest gear you guys've ever put on it?

[aridan]

I saw that sale. That was a good deal, congrats!

Thanks. It was a good deal indeed! :D

Now time to shop for a 488RC2. :cool:

[debaire]

Just bought the combo. Amazon had the 488RC2 for like $98 or something...

[jcw122]

My Walmart MX2000 works fine. I'm serious too lol

[ofdphoto]

I have a 190PROB which is fine for its price (pretty cheap, like the 055) but to tell you the truth I barely ever use the thing :D

Each to their own I guess. Congrats on the 055 :)

[Tony-S]

I hear this new tripod is something else. I think that's a Noink on top of it. Should be here any day now.

[Hogloff]

If you think the 055xPROB is the greatest thing since sliced bread, try carrying all day on your back as you go up and down 5000 ft of elevation. I have one for photography that I can drive to or maybe a simple 1 hour walk. Anything further and the thing get too heavy. Got myself a Feisol CF tripod with a Markins Q3 head. Now that is a nice setup for hiking.

[Jannie]

I have the 055MF4 tripod with the Acratech ball head. But when I had the 5D with a 2x tele-extender on the 7-200 2.8 out in the wind with the tripod all the way up (not using the column) there was some movement and when I got home I checked it out and there was flex or play or something and I thought maybe I needed something heaver for this lens set up, but really, really like the whole combination so I was a little concerned. Beside, it was my brothers and he gave me a fantastic deal on it in absolutely new condition (I think he really takes good care of his equipment).

Reading this thread I took another look at my tripod, put on the heaviest set up and flexed it a little bit and saw something. If you tighten the center column nut and the domed shaped split thing that clamps onto the column, well if it isn't 90 degrees to the split it really doesn't have much to help it tighten and thats where my play was. I rotated it there and this thing is rock solid with my heavier gear, actually it wasn't the weight but seemed to be the leverage with the lens and extender on there and even though it's mounted in the lens bracket I was easily getting movement but now it's solid. Operator error my dad would have said LOL.

So then thinking about the person who said it's a little heavy to carry over a mile and I took off the bottom of the center column and the strap (it all unscrews off like when you're going to put the center column out at right angles) well it's designed to be removed if you want to and it I weighed what I took off and that saved 12 ounces.

This is a really neat tripod, with out the center column for scenic stuff it's hits a great height (but not high enough for portraiture with taller people) 59 1/4" to the center of the lens.

RE=using the center column stuck out to the side, I've done it a lot, it's a little bit much for macro stuff but works with the 5D with a medium lens but gets a bit tippy so I don't extend it out much but it's fantastic with my little G9. The other thing is when shooting something on the ground I just use the tripod normal with the ball head pointed straight down and it's really fun with either my 24-105 with one 12mm extension tube or with my 70-200 with two 12mm extension tubes.

Great tripod.

[René Damkot]

I like my Gitzo 1325. If I had a truckload of money however, I'd buy a 2541L or 3540XLS in a heartbeat...

[Lowner]

Jannie,

Your comment about the split collar and how you position it before clamping it tight is a good one. Manfrotto do mention it in their instruction leaflet, but to be honest, it's not very clear what on earth they are talking about.

I have removed the centre column, complete with the split collar arrangement. My Markins M10 is now attached directly to the tripod crown, via a machined white metal base that sits where the split collars used to locate. It uses the same thumbscrew to secure. I still carry the removed bits so if I want to use it I can, it's simple enough to switch.

Richard

[Jannie]

Richard did you have the machined metal base custom made?

[ben_r_]

Yep, I love mine!

[argyle]

If you think the 055xPROB is the greatest thing since sliced bread, try carrying all day on your back as you go up and down 5000 ft of elevation. I have one for photography that I can drive to or maybe a simple 1 hour walk. Anything further and the thing get too heavy. Got myself a Feisol CF tripod with a Markins Q3 head. Now that is a nice setup for hiking.

I didn't realize these things were that heavy until I checked the specs...comes in at about 7 pounds with the 488RC2 head, and will support 14 pounds. That's only a 2:1 ratio for capacity-to-weight. Definitely not for long hikes. For short walks or close-to-vehicle shooting, I'm sure that its more than sufficient though.

[adamp88]

I just got a Gitzo 1540 yesterday, to replace a Manfrotto 055MF3 that was my main tripod. One of the leg sections broke on that (the plastic sleeve that kept it from sliding all the way out cracked, now that section comes completely out!), so it had to go. Plus weight savings was pretty minimal over a standard 055x series.

I should've just ponied up and bought the Gitzo first. It's almost 1/2 the weight of the 055MF3, is rated to hold more weight, folds up 4" shorter, is roughly the same height when extended and is significantly faster to set up. Tall and sturdy enough to be my main tripod, and light enough to take with me nearly everywhere. Sweet. :D

The only thing I prefer about the 055MF3 is the leg angle adjustments are faster with just the thumb push. Other than that the Gitzo is light years ahead.

[watchtherocks]

+1 for the 055. It's a heavy beast, but damn solid.
But it fills up with sand and crap if you're shooting on the beach and in extreme examples in the water. I've had to dismantle mine a coupla times.
But I would buy this tripod again. The leg adjustments are just PERFECT for some of the other photography I do.

[adamp88]

+1 for the 055. It's a heavy beast, but damn solid.
But it fills up with sand and crap if you're shooting on the beach and in extreme examples in the water. I've had to dismantle mine a coupla times.

That was the other major annoyance I had with my MF3. The legs sucked up sand like nothing else. And to top it off, the feet liked to slip off in sand & mud, which lead to the last leg section actually sliding all the way inside the other ones when collapsing (didn't notice the foot was loose until I slid the leg in and it came off at the very end). I got in the habit of bringing the little hex wrench with me every time I went out, and sad to say I've had to use it a few times.