Manfrotto 190XPROB Tripod

*Ed in GA* · 05-23-2008, 09:30 AM

Does anyone here have this tripod?

If so, your opinions, likes and dislikes.

TIA

Ed

*Gruoso* · 05-23-2008, 10:59 AM

Hi Ed, I have that tripod and I think that it is a really good one. Said that, I must recognize that I am going to sell it cos I am over 6 ft and the tripod is way too short for me. The tripod is light and seems sturdy. I havent used it in hard situations (windy conditions,...) but I have never had any problem with it. One thing that I dont use too much and that I know that some people loves is the horizontal arm capability. I must say that the system is quite easy to use and add a lot of flexibility, but I keep using it in the standar way. Hope it helps

*Ed in GA* · 05-23-2008, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by Gruoso

Hi Ed, I have that tripod and I think that it is a really good one. Said that, I must recognize that I am going to sell it cos I am over 6 ft and the tripod is way too short for me. The tripod is light and seems sturdy. I havent used it in hard situations (windy conditions,...) but I have never had any problem with it. One thing that I dont use too much and that I know that some people loves is the horizontal arm capability. I must say that the system is quite easy to use and add a lot of flexibility, but I keep using it in the standar way. Hope it helps

Thanks,

It's the horizontal arm part that is drawing me to this tripod. It seems that would allow a lot of options you don't have with the standard tripod.

Thanks agn.

Ed

*Gruoso* · 05-23-2008, 11:34 AM

One of the reasons that lead me to buy the tripod was the horizontal arm. What I dont like about the horizontal position is that it forces me to adopt some funny possitions (not always) and I am not among the flexible guys. Other than that, I think that it is a really smart feature that is quite easy to use.

*Ed in GA* · 05-23-2008, 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by Gruoso

One of the reasons that lead me to buy the tripod was the horizontal arm. What I dont like about the horizontal position is that it forces me to adopt some funny possitions (not always) and I am not among the flexible guys. Other than that, I think that it is a really smart feature that is quite easy to use.

Do you have any problems with the legs being a little flimsy and vibrating of moving while your camera is mounted?

Ed

jmdeegan · 05-23-2008, 12:45 PM

I have it, I like it, I haven't used it too much LOL

My biggest thing is getting used to a still camera on a tripod. I had always been used to camcorders.

My only gripe is with the head mount thingie (not sure the term LOL). When I got to Charlotte, it was looser than it ever had been, and took a while for me to get it back to where it had been.

Only problem? When I fly, I tend to put the tripod in one case and the head in another, to split the weight. When I went to pack up, I had tightened a bit too much as I couldnt seperate that way. I ended up removing the entire center column, which accomplished the same thing.

My only regret is that I don't use it as much as I expected. But it's sturdy, feels like its gonna last a while....

Teo D'Or · 05-23-2008, 12:45 PM

I don't have the 190, but i have it's bigger brother, the 055XPROB. I'm 6'1'' and the 190 was too short por me. Also, i usually avoid using the central column, because it is less stable and prone to vibrate, so the 055 is just perfect for me. On the other hand, the 055 is larger and heavier. I am very happy with the tripod, and since they are so similar, i think the 190 is just as good.

*Plain Skies* · 05-23-2008, 12:56 PM

I recently purchased and use a Manfrotto 055XPROB which, I believe, has the same type of transformer center column. I like to get a bug's eye view for a lot of my macro shots and the horizontal arm helps me get there. I can also turn the tripod head toward the ground and mount my collared Sigma 300mm f4, 1:3 lifesize lens to the head and twist the body to a right-side-up position. There may be a chiropractor in my future plans though.

*property#1* · 05-23-2008, 12:56 PM

I have the Manfrotto 190XPROB Tripod and use it all the time as I could not hold a camera steady if my life depended on it. My only gripe with the tripod is it's weight, when hiking or just on a long walk it does get heavy. The center column going horizontal is a feature I use quite frequently but do find it is very susceptible to vibration so I am very cautious when using it extended horizontal.

*Gruoso* · 05-23-2008, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by Ed in GA

Do you have any problems with the legs being a little flimsy and vibrating of moving while your camera is mounted?

Ed

Hi Ed, I dont think that the legs are flimsy but being aluminium, they vibrate quite a bit when hitting the legs. For instance, let us say that you are getting ready to take a pic and then your knee hit the leg of the tripod. If that happen, I would only take a picture after several seconds (I usually count to ten) just to make sure that the vibration is over. When I use it frequently I develop some "automatic" behaviour to not touch the legs. But when I use it from time to time, that happens more frequently than I would desire.

I have never used carbon fiber tripods but I guess that they should improve the vibration issue.

*squarerigger* · 05-23-2008, 04:23 PM

Hi Ed,

I have had this tripod for over a year now and use it often. I find it to be very well made and with a ball head not too heavy for packing into the woods for a trip. I like its versatility and ease of use. A good piece of gear and sturdy. Also easy to use for down low macro photography.