Did I get good stuff?

[Menelaus]

Received a tripod and ball head for Christmas from my parents...I was planning on getting one eventually, but hadn't started doing any research yet. Mom's always dabbled in photography, and tends to do her research pretty thoroughly (she personally has a rock solid Bogen she bought many moons ago).

Anyways, she got the 055XPROB tripod with the 486RC2 head. I looked at reviews, and they both seem to be decent pieces...took the tripod out to test it on some dramatic slopes and loose gravel surfaces, and it performed like a champ.

Can you guys give me any sort of expectations or caveats to expect with this combo?

[jeromego]

That's a good combo...although the 488RC2 ballhead would have been better.

[irishman]

A great combo. If you do much hiking you might want something lighter, like the 190XPROB and if you get the 70-200 you'll need the 488, but for right now with your stuff its aces.

[Stealthy Ninja]

The only glass I got was a wine glass.

I got a wallet too... to put money in to save for camera stuff I suppose. :lol:

[themadman]

Look good to me :)

[rouxeny]

Great equipment! And it's free!

[montanawild]

Yep, thats a gift horse I wouldn't look in the mouth. Mom did you well.

[ed rader]

Received a tripod and ball head for Christmas from my parents...I was planning on getting one eventually, but hadn't started doing any research yet. Mom's always dabbled in photography, and tends to do her research pretty thoroughly (she personally has a rock solid Bogen she bought many moons ago).

Anyways, she got the 055XPROB tripod with the 486RC2 head. I looked at reviews, and they both seem to be decent pieces...took the tripod out to test it on some dramatic slopes and loose gravel surfaces, and it performed like a champ.

Can you guys give me any sort of expectations or caveats to expect with this combo?


i started out with that head and the predecessor to the manfrotto 190. one thing i really loved about the aluminum manfrottos is the legs would drop down by gravity...at least mine did...and the tripod was very quick to set up.

if weight isn't a concern i think the 055X is an excellent legset. the ballhead is pretty good too but the 488 for a few dollars more is the real bargain.

ed rader

[Tom H. Photography]

I wish my mom knew that much about photography :-)

[argyle]

Not if you plan on doing much hiking :) But since it was free and didn't cost anything, you may want to consider investing in an L bracket for your body and an A-S compatible clamp (and maybe upgrade the head).

[JoeyBowman]

Not if you plan on doing much hiking :).

I have hiked about a 100 miles this year with the 055xproB, no issues what so ever.