Looking for Manfrotto Tripod Advice

[GabryRox]

I currently have a set of Bogen 3221 legs with a standard Manfrotto pan/tilt head (not sure of the model but it's the kind with 3 grips to control hor/vert/pan). Both are over 10 years old. The legs still work great but the head is another story. It now has a lot of play, even when locked down tight. Maybe it could be fixed/adjusted but I really want to make the jump to a ball head anyway.
In doing some research, I've pretty much narrowed it down to either the 498rc2 or the 496rc2. Was really looking for one with the RC0 plate, but looks like those are only available Hydrostatic models, which are beyond my budget.
I'm shooting a 5D Mark II. My heaviest current lense is the 24-105 f4L but I will probably be getting a 70-200 f2.8L some time in future. Even with the latter mounted on my 5D, it seems I'd still be ok with the 496 (rated to 13lbs), but I'm wondering if I should just go with the 498 since it's only an extra $40. However, the 498 does weigh about 1lb more. I'm mostly shooting nature/landscape so I'm looking for that perfect mix of cost/weight/sturdiness/flexibility.
Also, I'm assuming that I can mount either of these heads onto my 3221 legs without an issue? I'm really bad with mechanical stuff so hopefully this is easy to do.
I would like to eventually go carbon fibre on the legs but not sure my budget can handle it right now. Was looking primarily at the Manfrotto 190 CX3 but am a bit concerned about the max height. I'm only 5'7" but the way I figure it, the 190 could come up short, especially when in verticle mode... or maybe I'm missing something? It's got a max height of just 57" with the center column fully extended (is this a problem?), adding 5" for the head and 4" for the camera gets me to 65", which is just high enough (while horizontal, but when I flip it to verticle, it seems like there will be no way to avoid hunching... and all this with the center column fully extended, which I believe may be frowned upon.
I'd consider the 055 CX3, which has much more height, but it also costs $100 more and weighs 1 more pound.
Anyway, bottom line, just looking for feedback regarding the combo of my 3221 legs with either the 498 or 496 rc2 and then any thoughts of the useability of the 190 CX3, especially in regard to its height.
Thanks!

[bohdank]

The 190 is 48" with the column down. Add another 8" for camera + head. Now you are at 56". Subtract 4" from your height to get eye level. You need 63". A 7" difference with column down.

The 055cxpro3 is 54" with column down. Add 8" for camera and head. Now you are at 62". If you add a grip you will be setting the tripod with the legs not fully extended. A bit more tedious. Also at eye level, don' try and use the tripod with the camera tilted down (raising the eye level).

Maybe you should look at a different brand. In one case you are extending the center column up to 7" which does not help stability. In the other case, you will be setting up the tripod with the legs not fully extended which can be a bit tedious.

[nuffi]

I went with Manfro pods a few months back. I love them, they rock solid and the head locks tight no matter what I put on it.

But I kinda regret not going with a swiss/arca QR system now. Just fwiw...

[GabryRox]

Thanks for the tips... I actually decided I'm going to stay with my 3221 legs right now. I would simply be way to expensive to go CF for the height I need... at least for now. So, I became a bit worried because I'd heard horror stories about the 3047 heads almost being welded to the 3221 or similar legs. I was dreading the attempt but after reading up on how to attempt the dismantle, I arrived home, losened the 3 screws and a couple of easy turns later, that bohemuth head was off! I never realized this before but that head must literally weigh nearly as much as the legs. Legs are 6lb and I'd be shocked if the head was less than 5lbs! So, at least I'm going to reduce my overall tripod weigth by around 35%, just by moving to that 498 rc2 ball head. Losing 4 lbs plus the improved functionality is really a no-brainer for just $120! Should have done this a lot sooner!

[Beachcomber Joe]

I would go for the 498RC2 over the 496RC2 just for the separate pan lock.

[GabryRox]

Thanks Joe, I went ahead and ordered the 498... should be here in a few days. Looking forward to enhanced useability and a third less overall tripd weight!