Review of Manfrotto 055xprob and Manfrotto 488RC2, Tons of Pics

thanks for this review. mine should have been here last week but was delayed due to weather. Monday should be the day.

I had the same battle between RC4 & RC2. I originally ordered the RC4, but changed the order before it shipped. I'm confident it was the right choice for the Canon EOS system. I wanted the RC4 for the levels built in, not knowing the legs had a level built in. This will help when I change the 488 head out for my Pano head.

EOS mE wrote in post #5852158
wow.. man this setup looks sweet! how heavy is this whole setup?

Just weighed it, right at 6lbs.


I have a "tap test" video I just need to upload it to the computer and format it for upload to the net.

Thanks so much for this review - very helpful and informative as I've just started looking into getting my first 'serious set'

Cheers!

I was looking at the 055xprob also but wondered how well it would support a 40D with a
EF100-400L on a P&T head?

Thanks

DF50 wrote in post #5867669
I was looking at the 055xprob also but wondered how well it would support a 40D with a
EF100-400L on a P&T head?

I've never heard of a "P&T" head, but I can assume you mean pan/tilt.

The answer to your question truly depends on the specific head. There are small and weak heads and large and sturdy heads of any design.

Pan/tilt heads are best for video cameras under most circumstances. Most people who have had the opportunity to try them seem to opt for a ball head for still photography. I do, and the reasons are simple. There is only one knob to release to change the whole position of the camera. Also, a pan/tilt head usually has handles/knobs sticking out in several directions which become a pain in the rear (or neck) depending on how you carry the tripod in the field.

I meant pan/tilt head. I 've been using them for 35 years with SLR's for alot of sport's
and motorsports( cars, boats and RC races) as it was all I had to use. But I am in need of a new tripod and head and was exploring my options.

DF50 wrote in post #5867835
I meant pan/tilt head. I 've been using them for 35 years with SLR's for alot of sport's and motorsports (cars, boats and RC races) as it was all I had to use. But I am in need of a new tripod and head and was exploring my options.

I think you'd find a ball head - with its ability to set the amount of drag on the ball - easier to use than a pan/tilt head for the type of work which you do (and I have done a lot of over the years). You keep both hands on the camera/lens to operate it while moving it to follow your subject. It's almost as handy as using a monopod while being steadier than working on the monopod.

With a ball head you don't have all the handles sticking out in your way while using it and, as I said before, while carrying the tripod folded up.

In the field, I generally use my Manfrotto 3021BPro (recently replaced by their very similar 055ProB) topped with their 488RC2 ball head and have been quite happy with the rig.

I am checking out ball heads for my upgrade but wondered how steady the 055xprob
would be with a DSLR and large lens out in the field.

Thanks

Great review & a wonderful product! I love mine.

But I gotta say - the weight is definitely there. You don't notice it if you're not walking around with it much, but if you're going on a difficult hike, you will really have to think twice about bringing it along.

DF50 wrote in post #5868058
I am checking out ball heads for my upgrade but wondered how steady the 055xprob
would be with a DSLR and large lens out in the field.

Thanks

the legs are rated to just over 15 lbs, so with a 40D & 100-400 you're going to be fine.

Thanks for the review. I'll check it out next time I get into town.

Thank you again for the review. I commented earlier in this thread that I'd ordered the same setup. Now that I have it I might as well add what I can to this thread. It's a great review, and great pictures!

dliveleyphotography wrote in post #5832159
Now for the legs, I had narrowed it down to either the 190xprob or 055xprob. Once again with the help of forum members from here I was told the 055 would suit me much better for my height, about 6' even.

Honestly, I'm 5'10", and I think the 190xprob might have suited me better. I can't extend the 055 the whole way through, otherwise it'd be too high for me to view comfortably, and I'm more comfortable bending down a few inches than having the viewfinder at eye level.

When I'm standing on the side of a hill, or if I need to set it up in a hurry, I can't just click off the 6 hinges to drop the legs down and click them back to lock them in place. I need to click off 6 hinges and then shorten it a bit to get it to a comfortable height (3-4"). It's not a big deal, but adds a little bit more hassle to setting it up.

dliveleyphotography wrote in post #5832159
The legs were actually much lighter then I expected. Saw reviews were people said it was a heavy tripod and def. not a carry around pair of legs, after picking this up and carrying it around I have come to the conclusion that those people are just weak Its not the lightest setup but I def. wouldn't say its heavy.

I actually would say it's heavy. It's not heavy to carry across the house, or around in the car, but when you're hiking around for hours up and down mountains and hills, it gets to be a pretty big burden. I haven't purchased the sling or a case yet, and I kind of ended up sticking out one leg to use it as a monopod/walking stick.

BTW, I'm not weak, either . I'm 24, 170lbs., and I work out daily.

dliveleyphotography wrote in post #5832159
Only two downsides I have found to this setup:
1. The black caps over the nuts for the leg levers don't fit very well, 4 fell off just moving the legs to each degree shown above.

I haven't noticed this yet. Took it hiking once, and have been setting it up here and there for basic shots.

AnthonyLin wrote in post #5869023
I actually would say it's heavy. It's not heavy to carry across the house, or around in the car, but when you're hiking around for hours up and down mountains and hills, it gets to be a pretty big burden. I haven't purchased the sling or a case yet, and I kind of ended up sticking out one leg to use it as a monopod/walking stick.

BTW, I'm not weak, either . I'm 24, 170lbs., and I work out daily.

In reply to this I have had some of my friends say its alittle heavy and will add that I am use to playing paintball almost every weekend where I carry around a fully setup gun all day (6-9 lbs depending on gun being used) so to me its no big deal to carry around something thats less then 6 lbs.

sure this setup is a little heavy, but when I'm on the side of a mountain or cliff (quite a bit here in Colorado), I'd rather know my tripod is heavy & sturdy than light/flimsy. (not taking into account CF units for 2-3 times the cost)

DF50 wrote in post #5867669
I was looking at the 055xprob also but wondered how well it would support a 40D with a
EF100-400L on a P&T head?

Thanks

I have a 30D and 100-400 with the 190X w/488 ball head - and as long as it's locked down well I feel confident in it. That being said, I'm only 5'7+ and the tripod is never fully extended....