What Manfrotto Carbon Tripod?

Been thinking about getting a carbon-tripod for a while now!
I like Manfrotto and I have looked at the 055 and 190 series (New Generation).
Thinking about a "4-leg" version to get it as compact as possible!

Today I have a 055 "classic", 3-legged aluminium.

Went to the store and looked at them today, didn't really help since I am as confused as before

Som specs for comparisation

055 Carbon 190 Carbon 055Pro "classic" (3 legged)
Height folded 54 cm 52,5 cm 65,5 cm
Weight 2.1 kg 1.65 kg 2.4 kg
Payload 9 kg 7 kg 7 kg
Max Height 170 cm 160 cm 178.5 cm
Max height 140 cm 135 cm 142 cm
(center collumn down)


Hade hoped to cut a little more than 0.3 kg if I hade taken the 055.
But if I look at the 190 it seemes to not be as sturdy. (But should be as good as my old if you look at the payload)
My max weight I put on it is propably my Gripped 5D MKIII with 70-200/2.8 (and sometimes an extender)

Thinking about getting the smaller one (since I will still keep my old one) and "manage" with it being not as sterdy... since "The best tripod is the one you actually bring...)
Even though, just looking at the space they ar almost the same size when folded...though a difference in weight.

Wich one would you have chosen?
Anyone with some experience of these tripods?

And the next question, what ballhead should I have?
I want a Manfrotto there aswell, and with the "old" quick-plate. (since I have tripods with that plate and want to be able to switch them between the tripods)

So, please give me some input


/Jocce

My only tri-pod for the last 5 years has been a Manfroto 055XProB. So when I set out to finally pick up a lighter, more compact CF tri-pod, I went out and played with the new Manfroto's first. I love the quality of my 055XProB but, I was a bit disappointed in their new line of tri-pods. They just seem to be a lot less well made. The levers were just not that sturdy, and felt like there was no way they could hold up to the abuse that I have put my current tri-pod through. So after a few months of research, I settled on the Sirui T-2205x. It just arrived on Wed, so I have not put it through all of its paces yet but, it is definitely a well made product. I personally think it was a better choice for me over the Manfroto.

You don't say what gear you are using, this is very important as differing cameras and focal lengths make very different demands on tripods.
Your current Manfrotto 55 is fine for general use but is a bit heavy if you need to be mobile and a bit bendy if you use longer focal lengths - say 200mm +.
If weight is your main concern, but you still need decent rigidity, then have a look at the Feisol 3342 and 3442 - http://www.feisoleurop​e.com …ament-tripods-c-1_14.html
A couple of friends of mine have these and, for the price, I have been impressed with them + they are very light.
If you are looking at longer focal lengths then something beefier is in order. Again Feisol have some interesting offerings.
On the other hand if you intend to buy a tripod that you will never replace (cheaper in the long run) then you need to prepare for a financial shock and have a look at the RRS and Gitzo offerings, in Europe probably just the Gitzo ones. Rational people scoff at the price of these tripods and simply cannot understand how they can justify their prices, well they simply haven't used them! If you don't go beyond 300 mm a 2 series Gitzo (like my GT2531) will do all you will ever need. yet it weighs only 1.4 kilo. Due to it's inherent strength and rigidity it also does a passable job of stabilizing my Canon 800mm F5.6 - not bad for a tripod that is designed for lenses up to 200mm.
Incidentally forget weight ratings as they are meaningless as there is no standard. I used to have a Manfrotto 055 XB Pro that was rated at around 8 kilos but would collapse if I learnt on it. My 2531 Gitzo will (almost) support me (it's rated at 12 kilo) and I am 100 + kilos! What matters is how rigid the tripod is and how well it damps down vibration - this is where the expensive brands excel.

I can give you my experience. I have a Bogan/Manfrotto 055PROB. It's so old it has the Bogan name on it. Before that I had a Bogan 3021 (same tripod). These have been great for me and, if I wanted to buy CF, my first stop would be the same tripod. The 190 series are indeed smaller - and less stable. Not for me.

Through both of those tripods, my main head was a Bogan 3055 ball head (hex shaped QR). I also have a Bogan 3047 pan/tilt head (same hex QR) that lives on my wooden tripod and is used with my 4x5 camera.

Recently I replaced my old Bogan ball head with a Sirui K30x. It is solid, well machined, and the controls are silky smooth. It does not droop more move when locked down and it cost under $150. And it's Arca-Swiss compatible. I recommend it. I have no confidence in modern Manfrotto ball heads they droop and have plastic parts that I don't think will wear well. The current Mafrotto QRs do not work well nor are they universal standards. Get a head with an Arca-Swiss compatible QR. Once you replace your Manfrotto plates, you won't regret it.

Good point about the Manfrotto ball heads rgs.
I don't have any Manfrotto ball heads because I tried them first! Manfrotto make some very good heads, their ball heads are just not among them.
Like rgs I have a Sirui ball head (K40x) and find it to be very good, I also have a Triopo RS3. The RS3 is small, light, very cheap and holds 600/800mm lenses with ease. It is not everybody's cup of tea as it only has one control (a bit all or nothing) and you need to add a QR clamp.

In history, the Bogen 3021 was the sturdy full size tripod and the Bogen 3011 was the somewhat shorter and lighter 'hiker tripod'. Bogen 3021 successor is Manfrotto 055, Bogen 3011 successor is 190.