Carbon Fiber Column?

I am looking at buying a carbon fiber pair of legs.
I can get the Manfrotto 190CX3 for $260
Its Carbon fiber legs with an aluminum middle rod.

Or the Manfrotto190prbcx3 for $300
only difference I've been able to find is that the middle of that one is carbon fiber rather than aluminum.

Is it worth the extra money, and a even better questions, do you have anything you suggest more in the same price range? I want to spend no more than $300 on the legs.

Viva-photography wrote in post #10707898
I am looking at buying a carbon fiber pair of legs.
I can get the Manfrotto 190CX3 for $260
Its Carbon fiber legs with an aluminum middle rod.

Or the Manfrotto190prbcx3 for $300
only difference I've been able to find is that the middle of that one is carbon fiber rather than aluminum.

Is it worth the extra money, and a even better questions, do you have anything you suggest more in the same price range? I want to spend no more than $300 on the legs.

What would make spending more money for carbon fiber "worth it" to you?

Personally, I am quite satisfied with my aluminum tripods. My most used tripod is a Manfrotto 3021BPro, forerunner to the 055XProB. However, each person has his/her own requirements.

If you want to pare every last half-ounce of weight off your equipment and retain the rigidity of the heavier equipment, then you'll be paying for it. There's no way around that.

By the way - I didn't know that Manfrotto made/sold bipods. That's what a "pair of legs" is. :p

Lol. Sorry. :P

A "set".
I just usually carry a tripod everywhere I go because I do a lot of HDR.
A carbon fiber one would be a lot more convenient(weight) and It also has the ability for the legs to go to an 88degree position. I want something that'll last no matter what i decide to put on it.

From a versatility point of view, the Manfrotto 055ProB is hard to beat. The legs go out to virtually flat in four (I could be wrong with the number) steps. The ability for the center column to be set up horizontally can be a great benefit in some circumstances.

The only down side of the 055ProB is a little more weight than some folks care to carry. Keeping the rigidity and versatility of the 055ProB but paring off half the weight makes the price skyrocket.

So the 055prob (aluminum) can actually go to "ground level"?
The carbon fiber appeals to me alot though. I knew they were lighter, but its MUCH lighter than the 055xprob.
Although, like you were saying, its about twice the cost too.

Viva-photography wrote in post #10708103
So the 055prob (aluminum) can actually go to "ground level"?

It sure can, and it can do the task in more ways than one.

Awesome. I may have to get the 055xprob then.

leaves me enough to put into my "L" fund

Viva-photography wrote in post #10709750
Awesome. I may have to get the 055xprob then.

A very useful accessory would be the Manfrotto 102 Heavy Duty Tripod Strap.

Those two tripods are only 0.1 pounds difference in weight so its not worth the extra money for the carbon center Column. Those two tripods are 2.8 and 2.9 pounds and can carry 11 pounds max weight. If your looking to get a light tripod that can handle 11 pounds I would have a look at the Gitzo GT-0541 Mountaineer 6X Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs. They weigh only 1.7 pounds and it folds down a lot shorter then the Manfrotto legs. http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …063&is=REG#spec​ifications

Take Care,
Cheers, Patrick