Tripod Advice: Manfrotto 190XB vs 055XB?

[kimbot]

Hey all, I'm looking for a tripod but I really don't know too much about them. What I'm looking for is a tripod that is relatively portable and easy to carry around but also stable enough to not be affected by wind or other factors. Then again I guess I'll have to sacrifice one thing for another :-0 Something that extends high enough to reach my eye level would be a plus (I'm 6 ft).

I was leaning towards the 190XB but then I read some reviews which mention some slight instability. I like the fact that the 055XB extends to a higher height but it looks like it's a bit heavier. Can any owners of these two tripods give me their input? My heaviest setup would be Rebel XT, 70-200 f4L/Tokina 11-16, 430EX flash.

[AudiDude]

I don't think you are going to carry around a 055 and like it, it's a liitle too heavy. I own a 190 proB and I can't seem to find much more suitable to replace it (within reasonable cost). The spot on the 055 where the legs attach don't seem to handle torsional twist and vibration any better than the 190, so the longer legs of the 055 give more leverage to this section under adverse conditions and make the tripod slightly more unstable than the 190.

I did look at the 055 and had a buyer for my 190, but it definitely was not a more stable tripod. I looked at the Mag Fibre tripods from Manfrotto. They were lighter, but did not seem as solid as my 190, so I did not purchase one.
I use the Manfrotto 190 around the house and for local travels (beach, valleys, fields etc). I use a Manfrotto 728 Digi for vacations. I use a Manfrotto 680B for tight spots (parties, sporting events, zoo) and macros of bugs in the garden. For macros of non-moving things (flowers, textures on materials, products etc.) I use a Gitzo 5530s which is not going to flex at all.

Whatever you decide, get a ball head because other types of heads will vibrate easier (I have a Manfrotto 486 and 804 RC2 for comparison). If you are wondering what a better ball head will buy, I have a Arca Swiss and it has zero creep (Manfrotto creeps slightly) and is butter smooth and a baby could lock up the device with a twist of the knob on the side. Also it has and adjustable minimum tension, which is nice. I use a cheap ankle weight from Zellers that has one side coated with silicone andplace that over the lens, which dampens any vibrations and the silicone stops it from siding off the lens if the camera is pointed up or down.

YMMV. If you are wondering, I am 6'1" tall.

[bunga]

I have the 190XB and general stability is not a problem, what is a problem is the height. I'm 5'10 and to get the camera close to eye level without crouching down too low, I have to raise the centre extension which reduces the stability a lot. Try it out in a store and see how you fare without raising the extension

For that reason alone I'm thinking of upgrading to a 055xprob, or maybe even a Benro product

[jcon]

I own a 190cxpro4.

I was worried that it might be too 'flimsy', but it's not. The 055 models are fantastic, but bulky to carry around.

I have nothing but good things to say about 190 series!

[Sgt_Strider]

Hey all, I'm looking for a tripod but I really don't know too much about them. What I'm looking for is a tripod that is relatively portable and easy to carry around but also stable enough to not be affected by wind or other factors. Then again I guess I'll have to sacrifice one thing for another :-0 Something that extends high enough to reach my eye level would be a plus (I'm 6 ft).

I was leaning towards the 190XB but then I read some reviews which mention some slight instability. I like the fact that the 055XB extends to a higher height but it looks like it's a bit heavier. Can any owners of these two tripods give me their input? My heaviest setup would be Rebel XT, 70-200 f4L/Tokina 11-16, 430EX flash.

What's your budget like because neither of those tripods are exactly light. I've tried both when I was at B&H in New York City and felt they were both too heavy for me. I got myself a Gitzo CF tripod that I took on a 99 day backpacking trip in China and it serve me well. My tripod was not cheap by any means, but in this case, I think you do get what you paid for.

[vincent-poon]

I own the 055xprob, and i love the rotating and horizontal center column. the legs extend and lock with ease, and the multi-angle legs are easy to adjust. the ONLY down fall is the the weight, haha.

[kimbot]

My budget is around $300 for legs + head combo. I went to Aden this weekend and both tripods were heavier than I thought, but still not too bad. I was initially leaning towards the 190 but the height issue is holding me back. I didn't test out the tripods with my camera though so I'll have to go back. The ball head and camera should add about 6 inches or so right?

I have seen some people selling used 190xb + 486 rc2 ball head for $200ish. Is that a decent deal? What's the difference between the 190xb/055xb and 190xprob/055xprob?

[legendofxix]

Sounds like you should just bite the bullet and spend on the CF version of the 055.

[vincent-poon]

I have seen some people selling used 190xb + 486 rc2 ball head for $200ish. Is that a decent deal? What's the difference between the 190xb/055xb and 190xprob/055xprob?

the difference is that the xprob has a horizontal center column, thats about it. Its not REALLY useful all the time, but it is useful when you wanna take marco shots at some crazy angle. I would recommend the xprob, for the times you wish you had more manuverability.

[lz7j]

This is my experience with tripods...
I first started off with an 055CL (equivalent to the 055xb model now) a couple of years ago. I've probably used it 5 times in the 2 years I've owned it. Sold it due to its weight and size. I picked up a 190prob with a 322rc grip shortly after - I used this tripod waaay more. It was more compact, light and easy to carry around. The problem I had with it is height (I'm 5'10) unless I extended the center column, otherwise I was hunching forward. Sold it after a year and upgraded to a gitzo + arcatech combo. This set-up is more stable than the 055, more compact and lighter than the 190... but is twice as expensive than both manfrotto set-ups combined. I don't see myself upgrading tripods ever again!

My point is, maybe save a little more and buy a better tripod + head set-up and buy once. If you're set on both of these legs and need one right now with your current budget - get the 055proxb + 488rc2 ballhead, unless you plan on traveling/trekking with it. I recommend that you look into the benro/induro legs. The C214 is currently on sale at vistek for $300. A manfrotto 486 ballhead is currently selling for $78 at Henrys.