Does this still hold true for this tripod...???

Manfrotto 055xprob and Manfrotto 498RC2

I've been looking into this tripod to replace the $40 tripod i bought from ritz a year ago which is now broken. Lol.

My search functions have been good but most of the stuff i read is from over a year or two ago. Just wanna make sure that this is still the best entry level tripod or best tripod under $300. Will only use it during family functions and trips/vacations just so i can be included in the pics.

I would like to be stable as possible since we take a lot of family pics on the Side of the road during vacations. Kinda like documenting our trip to/from. And also to capture some nice scenery with it.

So my fellow potn'ers, if i could ask for your assistance. Im only lookIng into this tripod coz of what i read frok here. Let me tell u now that i know absolutely nothing about tripod legs/ball heads. Suggestions and advise is extremely neede and appreciated.

Just got this combo from B+H after lots of research. Love it!
I don't think you will get better for your price range.

Glad to hear that? I have been reading that theres a somewhat "friction creep?" if used for sometime. Is that for the old 488 version or for the 498 as well? Is this something u see that will last you for a good while, like 5yrs maybe longer? Also, what the most weight this thing will support?

I just got mine from amazon today, seems very very well built, I will be using it in the morning when I get done work to photograph a section of trees burnt by fire at sunrise, I don't think I would want to carry it around the woods all day by hand as it is pretty heavy, I will be definitely getting a bag for it

My bag has a tripod carrying thingy, will i be able to hook it up there or will it be too big when collapsed and need its own case?

Im not gonna go hiking with the tripod and if i do, my brother can carry it while i carry the camera gear.

Also consider Vanguard Alta Pro..(Re: Does this still hold true for this tripod...???

We have both a Manfrotto 055XPROB Aluminum Tripod and a Vanguard Alta Pro Tripod (www.vanguardworld.com/​index.php/en/pv/produc​ts/photo-video/list-1-4-15.html as it seems I can not yet post a hyperlinked word). While the Manfrotto has 9" more max height, the Vanguard Alta Pro lets the center column go from about 20 deg above horizontal all the way to straight down or anywhere in between. The Manfroto center column only pivots to horizontal. The ability to angle down is very helpful if you want to photograph with the camera close to the ground. Angling up can be important in situations where the tripod legs prevent you from positioning the tripod head where you want to (e.g. they are up against a wall).

The Vanguard center column also includes a retractable hook to hang weight for added stability and a carrying bag. Some of the packages also include a stone bag as another way to add weight for stability.

The Manfrotto has four leg angle positions, the Vanguard Alta Pro three positions. The Vanguard in complete package is about $200 with a ball or their award-winning pistol-grip ball head. This last package is quite a deal as the pistol-grip head alone is $90. The only caveat on the pistol-grip head is its quick-release shoe seems to be unique to that head. If that is an issue, you could get the kit with their SBH-100 ball head or put a Manfrotto etc. head on the Vanguard.

The other make to consider (I have not used or even beheld one) would be the Giottos (www.giottos.com/MTL-9.htm) MT-9360 (www.bhphotovideo.com/c​/search?Ntt=mt-9360&N=0&InitialSearch​=yes) or MT-9371 (www.bhphotovideo.com/c​/search?Ntt=mt-9371&N=0&InitialSearch​=yes). Like the Vanguard Alta Pro's, the center column can not only be horizontal but also at angles. The Giottos are a bit taller, a bit heavier, and a bit more expensive since you buy the head separately. Reviews on B&H Photo are favorable.

Several good choices out there.
p.s. There is also the Giottos MT9360B if you prefer lever locks on the legs ( www.bhphotovideo.com/c​/product/591773-REG/Giottos_MTL9360B_M​TL9360B_Professional_A​luminum_Tripod.html ).

musashi wrote in post #11694671
Manfrotto 055xprob and Manfrotto 498RC2

I've been looking into this tripod to replace the $40 tripod i bought from ritz a year ago which is now broken. Lol.

My search functions have been good but most of the stuff i read is from over a year or two ago. Just wanna make sure that this is still the best entry level tripod or best tripod under $300. Will only use it during family functions and trips/vacations just so i can be included in the pics.

I would like to be stable as possible since we take a lot of family pics on the Side of the road during vacations. Kinda like documenting our trip to/from. And also to capture some nice scenery with it.

So my fellow potn'ers, if i could ask for your assistance. Im only lookIng into this tripod coz of what i read frok here. Let me tell u now that i know absolutely nothing about tripod legs/ball heads. Suggestions and advise is extremely neede and appreciated.

I have this combo. No complaints so far. Really stable. The 498RC2 will be great for panning.

Don't forget to use the camera self-timer to be included in the pics. Or pick up a shutter remote along with the tripod/ballhead.

musashi wrote in post #11695353
Glad to hear that? I have been reading that theres a somewhat "friction creep?" if used for sometime. Is that for the old 488 version or for the 498 as well? Is this something u see that will last you for a good while, like 5yrs maybe longer? Also, what the most weight this thing will support?

According to Manfrotto site the 498RC2 has a load capacity of 8kg and the 055XPROB has a load capacity of 7kg. With the combo - 7kg max.

Your 7D with the 70-200 and perhaps the flash may be about 2kg... should be okay then.

Jim60D wrote in post #11695937
We have both a Manfrotto 055XPROB Aluminum Tripod and a Vanguard Alta Pro Tripod (www.vanguardworld.com/​index.php/en/pv/produc​ts/photo-video/list-1-4-15.html as it seems I can not yet post a hyperlinked word). While the Manfrotto has 9" more max height, the Vanguard Alta Pro lets the center column go from about 20 deg above horizontal all the way to straight down or anywhere in between. The Manfroto center column only pivots to horizontal. The ability to angle down is very helpful if you want to photograph with the camera close to the ground. Angling up can be important in situations where the tripod legs prevent you from positioning the tripod head where you want to (e.g. they are up against a wall).

The Vanguard center column also includes a retractable hook to hang weight for added stability and a carrying bag. Some of the packages also include a stone bag as another way to add weight for stability.

The Manfrotto has four leg angle positions, the Vanguard Alta Pro three positions. The Vanguard in complete package is about $200 with a ball or their award-winning pistol-grip ball head. This last package is quite a deal as the pistol-grip head alone is $90. The only caveat on the pistol-grip head is its quick-release shoe seems to be unique to that head. If that is an issue, you could get the kit with their SBH-100 ball head or put a Manfrotto etc. head on the Vanguard.

The other make to consider (I have not used or even beheld one) would be the Giottos (www.giottos.com/MTL-9.htm) MT-9360 (www.bhphotovideo.com/c​/search?Ntt=mt-9360&N=0&InitialSearch​=yes) or MT-9371 (www.bhphotovideo.com/c​/search?Ntt=mt-9371&N=0&InitialSearch​=yes). Like the Vanguard Alta Pro's, the center column can not only be horizontal but also at angles. The Giottos are a bit taller, a bit heavier, and a bit more expensive since you buy the head separately. Reviews on B&H Photo are favorable.

Several good choices out there.
p.s. There is also the Giottos MT9360B if you prefer lever locks on the legs ( www.bhphotovideo.com/c​/product/591773-REG/Giottos_MTL9360B_M​TL9360B_Professional_A​luminum_Tripod.html ).

Wow! Thanks for this response! I will need time to digest this added information. I will research some more before I make my purchase.