190XDB or 055XDB

Hey all,

I'm going on holiday soon and I want a tripod. I've pretty much settled on Manfrotto as it sort of seems to be the way to go as they're good quality and what not.

Yesterday I went to my local camera store to check out some stuff tripod's and did side by side comparissons of the following tripods:
190XDB
190Xprob
055XDB
055Xprob

Now, there's one downside to making my decision easy, which is my height: I'm 6"5. Otherwise I'd go with the 190xdb no questions asked. I don't see myself using the horizontal center-column feature (I'm not really all that much into macro) and I'd rather have a tripod that's 200-300 grams lighter and slightly less bulky.
The first thing I noticed when picking up the 055Xprob was the weight and bulkiness. Now, compared to the 190xdb that's comparing apples to pears (is that a saying in English?). I really like how small and light the 190's are. But even with the center-column all the way up I have to bend over a little; which is fine by me, but I'm just afraid that when outside in a windy place the center column might get a little wobly.
Inside it wasn't a problem, but I could reckon in rough(er) conditions it might be.

I plan on taking the tripod with me so weight is a bit of an issue as is the size of the tripod. That's why I like the 190xdb so much.
Now, my question is:
How well does the 190xdb fare with when in rough conditions with the center-column all the way out and is it wobly enough to justify lugging around the 055xdb (size+weight).

Now, onto a small ballhead question:
I have a 40D (~750gr) and my heaviest lens is a 85mm f/1.8 and I will never get something heavier than the 70-200 f/4 IS (~750gr). That would make a 1.5kg set-up. Would I really need the 498 instead of the 496?

Regards, Tijmen

The wife and I had 055prob with 488RC2.. That set was heavy, cold in winter, and have a center column. We never want a tripod with center column as it is by nature less stable that the plate where the 3 legs meet. So we went with Gitzo 3531S with RRS 55 ballhead. That set is 1/3 less weight and more stable. That tripod is too short for you. Look at the Gitzo 3541LS or XLS. I believe the Gitzo 5 series has a taller tripod. Also you might consider the RRS 40 ballhead or other ballheads from Arcatech, Markins, and Kirk.

The downside of course with the Gitzo tripods is they are not inexpensive. Buyiing them is like buying L lenses....an investment for the future.

MCAsan wrote in post #12744388
The wife and I had 055prob with 488RC2.. That set was heavy, cold in winter, and have a center column. We never want a tripod with center column as it is by nature less stable that the plate where the 3 legs meet. So we went with Gitzo 3531S with RRS 55 ballhead. That set is 1/3 less weight and more stable. That tripod is too short for you. Look at the Gitzo 3541LS or XLS. I believe the Gitzo 5 series has a taller tripod. Also you might consider the RRS 40 ballhead or other ballheads from Arcatech, Markins, and Kirk.

The downside of course with the Gitzo tripods is they are not inexpensive. Buyiing them is like buying L lenses....an investment for the future.

Thanks a lot. My budget is 200€ max though. I also plan on using the tripod extensively in the snow, and portability is quite an important thing.
Why is the 055 so bulky!

The lever locks have a lot to do with the bulkiness. Twist locks are much better, imho. A bit less weight and they don't catch on things. Easier on the hands in the cold, also.

The old adage. You can only get a tripod that fulfills 2 out of the following 3.... light....stable....ine​xpensive. You can't have all 3.

I had a 055XPROB and never took it anywhere because of the weight/bulkiness.

I now have a Feisol 3442 + Markins M10 and use it quite often.

TijmenDal wrote in post #12744350
Now, onto a small ballhead question:
I have a 40D (~750gr) and my heaviest lens is a 85mm f/1.8 and I will never get something heavier than the 70-200 f/4 IS (~750gr). That would make a 1.5kg set-up. Would I really need the 498 instead of the 496?

Regards, Tijmen

6'5". You need to get shorter.

I'd go with the 498 ballhead, "never" is a long time and you'll be spending a lot more time fiddling with the ballhead than you will whatever legs you choose. I tried both of them and found the 498 to be more user friendly.

Just went to the store again: the 190XDB's really seem to be sufficient for me atm. Probably gonna pair it with the 498rc2, but not sure yet.

Suggestion: If you go with a 4xxRC2, consider replacing the RC2 clamp and plate. When we had our 488RC2s I removed the RC2 clamp and put on a RRS multimount QR clamp. Then I put L brackets on the camera bodies. This makes for a very easy and stable transition between vertical and horizontal shooting. When it was time to move to our current tripods and ballheads, I moved the multimount clamps to the new ballheads. So no loss of investment.

I had the 488 and would never recommend one to anyone. It was impossible to frame, lock and not have the framing "droop". Maybe if you have the camera pointing upward it may not droop or a short prime but in any lower position, crap. Very frustrating, imo, if you want to frame precisely. I don't know if the 498 is any better.

Sorry for sounding so hard but I really hated that head.

bohdank wrote in post #12746904
I had the 488 and would never recommend one to anyone. It was impossible to frame, lock and not have the framing "droop". Maybe if you have the camera pointing upward it may not droop or a short prime but in any lower position, crap. Very frustrating, imo, if you want to frame precisely. I don't know if the 498 is any better.

Sorry for sounding so hard but I really hated that head.

Oh, that's not too nice to hear!
From what I tested it seemed almost like an overkill (the 498 that is)

It may be big but, imho, it is crap. You know I hate it The geared head 410, I hear is a great head for macro but it is quite heavy.

I have heard good things about Cullman <sp> and they're cheaper, if budget is an issue.

Manfrotto makes good aluminum tripods but their mainstream ballheads are not worth the aggravation, imo.

btw. I am very happy with my Markins.

If a tripod/head is heavy, a PITA to use, you are not going to use it. Unfortunately, decent ones do not come cheap. I would get a good aluminum tripod bit I would not skimp on the head.

If you look at my gearlist you may think that I don't have a problem spending money on gear. Well, I do. I buy the minimum that will get me the results that I think I need. I really do not like spending money on anything although I may have a bit more than some people and certainly less than others. The thing is, if you are not happy and you spent $xxx, that's $xxx wasted, imo. Spend a bit more, save if you have to, and get something you will be happy with.

Another thing, you can't shoot everything, events/concerts/portra​its/weddings/nature/la​ndscape/etc. and be good at all of them. Pick a few things that you like to shoot more than others and concentrate your time and equipment on those.

Damn, this home made wine is good !!!!!!!!!

Thanks a lot!
I think portability is gonna be the most important issue for me - and the 190XDB would be really good for me I guess.
Would you be able to recommend another ballhead in the 60-100$ price range that's good?

Sorry, I can't help you there. No experience with other heads other than Manfrotto and Markins.

I'd have to strongly second bohdank's comments on the Manfrotto ballheads. I would take a look at Photoclam for their units...they're a tiny bit more than your 60-100 range, but I think you'd be a lot happier with a $130 unit there than with the 488/498 Manfrotto units.

I have used the 055XPROB and upgraded to the 4-section, carbon fiber/magnesium model last year because of the weight difference. And I just traded out my 488RC2 for a Markins Q-20, which is similar to the models that Photoclam markets.

Thanks for the input.
Momentarily looking at the Three Legged Thing Ah2/3 ballhead. Not too much info about them out there, but I've heard nothing but good things about them.

Those don't look too bad, either. Good luck!