055 PRO CF

I have a 3001, looking for something that supports more weight for any future lenses. I haev a 486rc2 ballhead and 804RC2 pan and tilt, I'm probably looking for one more head for tracking stuff / easy to use (action grip maybe, or another ballhead, but maybe the 488? Dunno.)
The 055 pro seems to be a very popular tripod. Fairly enough, it is very very solid, although quite heavy.
The 3001 is a perfect height for me, but I feel like I want something more solid for windy days. The 055 CF seems like an interesting tripod. Any thoughts?
Also, I shoot in pretty cold days (Toronto Canada), so I think CF would be easier to handle.
In specific, I'm looking at the 055MF4. I handled one of these in the store today and it looked pretty decent.

The CF 055 is just 0.4 kg lighter than the 055 pro. I did not see the reason for spending the amount that it costs more for those 400 grams And the 055 pro has 2 of the legs covered with a foam sleeve so the cold does not affect much of the operating for me. And when its cold I use gloves so

Angel_LCD wrote in post #3015013
The CF 055 is just 0.4 kg lighter than the 055 pro. I did not see the reason for spending the amount that it costs more for those 400 grams And the 055 pro has 2 of the legs covered with a foam sleeve so the cold does not affect much of the operating for me. And when its cold I use gloves so

I like the 4 section feature and super foldability of the 055 MF4.
It seems to be 2 lb lighter according to specs. The one I held in the store today seemed about the same weight as my 3001 (don't want to go any heavie) and much lighter then the 055 from what I remember.
The MF4 is 2kg (4.4lb) and folds down to 21.3", 4 sections.
The 055 PRO is 6.4lb (2.9kg) and folds down to 29.5".
To me, 21" is already pushing it, however, I can work with that.

What about tripod heads? For tracking subjects in sports, for street shooting, birds, etc?
I find the ballhead not to be that great, all the untightening and re-tightening doesn't seem to work so well. The pan and tilt is pretty useful for landscapes however, especially because the head itself shows when the camera is levelled.

Manfrotto 055pro
Says 2.4 kilos on Manfrottos webpage
As for head I use the 141rc, used it for motorsports and nature mostly. For panning I like to use a monopod when doing motorsports though. Easier to move around and change positions

Angel_LCD wrote in post #3015049
Manfrotto 055pro
Says 2.4 kilos on Manfrottos webpage
As for head I use the 141rc, used it for motorsports and nature mostly. For panning I like to use a monopod when doing motorsports though. Easier to move around and change positions

I have the cheaper plastic version of that (804rc2), it's nice, but I wouldn't use it for tracking subjects. For some of the candid shots and stuff you just don't have time to go unscrewing knobs.

Also, does anyone use this for macro? My 190CL doesn't go down that low (8" I believe).
I'd probably use it w/o center column, and only 3/4 sections released (I am like 5'3, lol.)

Oh, and does anyone have photos of this tripod? A photo beside a 3001 would be pretty cool, haha. I'm curious how big it is, the product photos from google are too small to get a good grip of size.

I think its the one pictured in this thread : http://www.pixalo.com …ries/new-tripod-5140.html

But warning it has a N**on on it

Angel_LCD wrote in post #3020997
I think its the one pictured in this thread : http://www.pixalo.com …ries/new-tripod-5140.html

But warning it has a N**on on it

Nice, looking good on it.
Like the Sigma 120-300 lens too, haha.

Anyone compared this to any of the competing gitzos (such as I guess the 1325?)

I can't say anything about the legs, but I do know that the 488 head has a pan lock on it, so you can lock the ball and still be able to pan a subject. That's the one I would have gotten if I had the extra almost $100 it cost over the 486.

I have the 055 aluminum legs and I really love them, they go almost flat on the ground (with the center column removed, if you wanted a good macro setup. I can't think that the other versions of the 055 are so different from mine. Go for it, you won't regret it.

I can see what you mean about the CF legs not transferring heat away from your hands, but on the aluminum legs, there's foam rubber grips on 2 of the legs, from the head to about 20-30cm down the legs. I live 2 hours outside of the GTA, and it gets damn cold up here too, but those foam grips are really nice.

Angel_LCD wrote in post #3015013
The CF 055 is just 0.4 kg lighter than the 055 pro. I did not see the reason for spending the amount that it costs more for those 400 grams And the 055 pro has 2 of the legs covered with a foam sleeve so the cold does not affect much of the operating for me. And when its cold I use gloves so

It's all about vibration dampening. CF is a better material, so in the end a CF tripod actaully works as a 10 pound aluminum tripod.

DocFrankenstein wrote in post #3026305
It's all about vibration dampening. CF is a better material, so in the end a CF tripod actaully works as a 10 pound aluminum tripod.

And physics speaks!

DocFrankenstein wrote in post #3026305
It's all about vibration dampening. CF is a better material, so in the end a CF tripod actaully works as a 10 pound aluminum tripod.

CF might be better in some ways but in my experience it breaks easier then aluminum.

Angel_LCD wrote in post #3026413
CF might be better in some ways but in my experience it breaks easier then aluminum.

I hvaen't read of too many CF tripods breaking, atleast any half decent ones .
Alumium bends, carbon fiber shatters. You choose which is better. I know from my computer cases aluminium can be a real pain in the ass though.