PDA

View Full Version : A Tripod shorter than the 055XPROB?

kevinconaway
16th of February 2009 (Mon), 10:19
I bought the Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod with a 488RC2 ball head. I love them both.

However, the legs are still 24" tall when closed and they don't quite fit in my backpack. Can anyone recommend a tripod that is a bit shorter (say 20") but still offers comparable features to the 055XPROB and that will work with the 488RC2?

Thanks
scot079
16th of February 2009 (Mon), 10:21
hi Kevin and welcome to POTN. If you don't the maximum height being lowered as well as the minimum length, the Manfrotto 190 series tripod are a more compact, shorter version of the 055.
DisrupTer911
16th of February 2009 (Mon), 10:22
the 190XPROB would fit the bill but it's got less holding capacity.
kevinconaway
16th of February 2009 (Mon), 10:56
the 190XPROB would fit the bill but it's got less holding capacity.

Thanks. The specs say that it is still ~22in, I'm not sure thats quite short enough.

What about the 190XB or the 190XWNB? How do those differ (other than weight capacity) from the 055XPROB?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/479931-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_190XB_190XB_Tripod_Legs _Black_.html#specifications

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/502858-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging_190XWNB_190XWNB_Wildern ess_Tripod_Legs.html#specifications
Lowner
16th of February 2009 (Mon), 11:18
Kevin,

I shortened my 055ProB and also made it a touch lighter by removing the centre column completely. A friend machined up a small insert that attaches to the ballhead and sits snugly into the top of the tripod. It can also be quickly removed for safety and to reduce the overall folded length. It comes in at 590mm in that state (a little over 23 inches).

I have never used the centre column so it made sense to dump it.
scot079
16th of February 2009 (Mon), 11:56
Kevin,

I shortened my 055ProB and also made it a touch lighter by removing the centre column completely. A friend machined up a small insert that attaches to the ballhead and sits snugly into the top of the tripod. It can also be quickly removed for safety and to reduce the overall folded length. It comes in at 590mm in that state (a little over 23 inches).

I have never used the centre column so it made sense to dump it.

You get the same thing by buying a 190/055XB. Removable center column to make it lighter/shorter.

OP you may have to look @ something like this (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/569082-REG/Gitzo_GT0531_GT0531_Mountaineer_6X_Carbon.html) if you want compact/light/strong.