Manfrotto CF Tripod -- 3 or 4 sections

Manfrotto makes two versions of their 055CXPRO tripod: 055CXPRO3 and 055CXPRO4

Aside from some slight size and weight differences (and price difference), why would one choose a 3 leg section tripod over a 4 leg section tripod, or vice versa?

brucea wrote in post #9931913
Manfrotto makes two versions of their 055CXPRO tripod: 055CXPRO3 and 055CXPRO4

Aside from some slight size and weight differences (and price difference), why would one choose a 3 leg section tripod over a 4 leg section tripod, or vice versa?

three-section is stiffer, sometimes taller and quicker to set up.

ed rader

Myself I prefer the 3 leg section design for a slight better stability. Anytime you add another leg section its going to be smaller than in diameter giving up some stability. Generally though the 4 section ones are more compact allowing for easier transport.

Hi ed ...

Tsmith wrote in post #9932009
Myself I prefer the 3 leg section design for a slight better stability. Anytime you add another leg section its going to be smaller than in diameter giving up some stability. Generally though the 4 section ones are more compact allowing for easier transport.

Hi ed ...

Toney -- always good to hear from you my friend .

ed rader

Thanks, makes sense, should have thought of it myself.

if you think you may ever want to pack it inside of a bag, you may want to look at the 4 section ones.

Depends on the tripod. Generally, the 3-section will provide more stability than a 4-section. That being said, on a good quality tripod, I doubt that you'll see the difference, much less be able to measure it, between the two styles. But again, that depends on the tripod. I use a 4-section Gitzo, mainly because I like the shorter folded length when strapping it to a backup. The bottom leg is still pretty stout (about 16mm OD)...I've had it in the surf off Hawaii, in rushing water, high winds, etc and have never had a problem with motion blur. On the other hand, I've seen some 4-section tripods where the last leg section was literally pencil-thin...made for a lot of "spring" and terrible support. As far as set-up time goes, the extra time due to the fourth leg section is pretty minimal (and a lot depends on the style of leg locks). But again, we're talking seconds, not minutes.

argyle wrote in post #9938762
Depends on the tripod. Generally, the 3-section will provide more stability than a 4-section. That being said, on a good quality tripod, I doubt that you'll see the difference, much less be able to measure it, between the two styles. But again, that depends on the tripod. I use a 4-section Gitzo, mainly because I like the shorter folded length when strapping it to a backup. The bottom leg is still pretty stout (about 16mm OD)...I've had it in the surf off Hawaii, in rushing water, high winds, etc and have never had a problem with motion blur. On the other hand, I've seen some 4-section tripods where the last leg section was literally pencil-thin...made for a lot of "spring" and terrible support. As far as set-up time goes, the extra time due to the fourth leg section is pretty minimal (and a lot depends on the style of leg locks). But again, we're talking seconds, not minutes.

Agreed. I have a 4 section tripod and never once have I wished I only had 3.

brucea wrote in post #9931913
Manfrotto makes two versions of their 055CXPRO tripod: 055CXPRO3 and 055CXPRO4

Aside from some slight size and weight differences (and price difference), why would one choose a 3 leg section tripod over a 4 leg section tripod, or vice versa?

I used to own a Manfrotto 055MF3 (previous incarnation of the 055CXPRO3) and never found it to be exceptionally stable. The culprits seemed to be the "pro" feature which is basically a plastic (and therefore, flexible) clamp holding the center column, as well as the legs themselves. I'd venture a guess that the 4-section would probably be even worse.