Manfrotto 055PROB Tripod Legs.

[Killakoala]

I recently purchased a new tripod after using a SLIK video tripod for nearly 20 years. The SLIK tripod finally broke and i am very surprised it lasted that long.

I chose the Manfrotto 055PROB after extensively researching tripods to seek the one that i really needed. Sure, i looked at and considered GITZO, however i went with the Manfrotto for four reasons;
1. I already had a Manfrotto Monopod, which i liked the design and engineering of.
2. GITZO are much dearer, the 055PROB is much more affordable compared to similar and equalivalent GITZO products.
3. The Manfrotto has CLIPS on the legs rather than TWIST LOCKS that the Gitzo has. I much prefer clips as i can get a better grip on them, expecially useful when i have walked 10 klms and have sweaty hands. Locking (and unlocking) the GITZO twist locks seem a bit difficult with sweaty plams.
4. The manfrotto is a bit heavier than the Gitzo which for landscapes and rough outdoor locations can be a bit more useful for me. The extra weight is not really a consideration for me in regards to lugging it around as i am quite strong. As i get older it will be a factor but that should be quite some time away

Now to the Tripod.
http://killakoala.smugmug.com/photos/13633428-M.jpg

The build quality is still excellent. Manfrotto does make great tripods.
The legs are very solid aluminium with the aforementioned clips that are have tension adjustment, so even if you have weak wrists you will be able to vary the amount of force required to clip the legs shut. With the clip on, i am unable to move the leg at all. The legs lock in four different positions including being able to lay it down almost flat, which might be really useful for Macro photographs.

The head base has a 3/8" screw connection which is standard and should fit pretty much all good quality heads.
http://killakoala.smugmug.com/photos/13633430-M.jpg

The centre column is removable and can be fitted at 90degs to the tripod head as per the photo below, so you can get right over the top of a subject for a top-down perspective. That would be really useful for shooting macros or porn.
http://killakoala.smugmug.com/photos/13633429-M.jpg

So how does it go with the D70. Brilliantly. Pic below shows the 055PROB and the Really Right Stuff PCL-1 panning clamp with D70 in portrait mode.
http://killakoala.smugmug.com/photos/13633431-M.jpg

In the field the tripod works flawlessly. It's nice and stable providing a solid foundation for pretty much all your needs. To of the legs have foam grips to assist handling. The centre column has a clip on the bottom to attach a weight (or bag) if you wish, for more stability in very windy conditions.

Highly recommended

Price bracket is about $AUD 300. Great price for the quality.

EDITED BIT:
After having now owned the 055PROB tripod for some time i can tell you that it is heavy to carry around in the field. But it is quick and easy to setup though, the clips being quicker to use than the Gitzo screw threads.

I also found that the centre column is not only removable, but also can be taken apart and the end bit reinserted into the top of the tripod so that the legs can be spread almost to the ground without the centre column getting in the way. This will be useful for getting down to ground level with a big telephoto (my 500mm) and shooting some wildlife (or ducks.) I now carry the tripod around without the centre column as it reduces the overall weight, but not by much.

I am still happy with the tripod but i wish it was a bit lighter.

[sirhc55]

I have had the same tripod for the past 4 years or so with the 410 head and I too like the stability it affords - good choice Killa

Chris

[robw25]

killakoala
good choice ! i have that tripod with the 329 RC4 head awesome, i also won a manfrotto digi714b from "australian digital photography made easy" for some pics i put in their edition 22 but havent looked for a head yet, it's light so i can take it on the hysen trail when we go hiking

cheers rob

[Onyx]

Good choice of legs there Steve. We should start our Manfrotto appreciation club to counter those Gitzo owners.

One thing to beware of, behind the clips on the leg sections are a small amount of grease (pre applied from the factory). Not that you'd stick your finger there, but just a heads up that it's there and you won't go accidently smearing against it then wiping off on your clothes etc.

[MattC]

I need to buy a tripod this week but unfortunately my budget does not extend to the Gitzos. I have been looking at the 190D, 190CL, 055 pro and 055CL and I am currently towards the 055pro.

Whatever I get, I will probably put a 468RC2 or 468RC4 ball/pan head on it.

All up the 055pro/468RC4 will set me back about $700. It is not in the same league as the Gitzos, but it does not have the same price tag either. I originally planned on spending big on a tripod but that will just have to wait. I have more pressing financial priorities.

Hopefully I will be making the right choices here. Comments welcome.

Cheers

Matt

[petal666]

Mattco6974:
How much is that head going to cost you? Seems expensive. For that price you can nearly get a Markins M10.

[MattC]

Prices are ~$425 for the 468RC2 and ~$450 for the 468RC4. Little pricey and heavy in comparison to the legs, but the cheaper units from Manfrotto generally have plastic balls and it does have a pan base, which I have no intention of buying seperately.

I will check out the Markins M10. Do you have any suggestions on where to shop for this head.

These are the sort comments I am looking. Hard for me to walk into a photo equipment supplier, as the nearest supplier to me who would stock this sort of gear is probably 2000km away by road.

Cheers

Matt

[petal666]

The only place to get it is from their website http://www.markins.com Have a search on the forums, there are a few people who have bought from them, me included.

[MattC]

Thanks, found their website. M10 is listed at USD310 which is about AUD440. It looks to be just the ticket.

Cheers

Matt

[Kristine]

I need to buy a tripod this week but unfortunately my budget does not extend to the Gitzos. I have been looking at the 190D, 190CL, 055 pro and 055CL and I am currently towards the 055pro.

Matt

I have the Manfrotto 190D legs and I am very happy with them. I do not use a tripod a lot, so I did not want to go to the expense of purchasing a Gitzo when I could use the money to fund other purchases.

HTH

[MattC]

Thanks Kristine, one of the reasons for me leaning towards the 055 is the extra height (I am 6'1"), even though I do not think that I will always need it.

This will be my first tripod other than an el-cheapo that I used with my CP5700 which ultimately fell to pieces and went into the rubbish bin. Up until now I have been concentrating on hand held stuff, but more and more, I am recognising that I am missing shots because I lack legs.

Cheers

Matt

[Kristine]

Matt

I am over 6ft also and have not had any problems with the height of the 190D; I just raise/lower the centre column as needed.

I also have the <a href="http://www.kinesisgear.com/r/R420.html" target="_blank">Kinesis Photo Gear Safari Sack</a> which I use as an alternative to stabilize the camera when I could not be bothered using my tripod (Birddog may still stock these).

HTH

[Onyx]

It's a factor - I need to raise the "idiot stick*" (aka. centre column) for the camera to reach my eye (with #056 head). I could do with a little more height, but the 190CL I have is just about perfect in every other way. Well, except for a way of attaching it to my backpack for carry...


*named because the higher you raise it, the more of an idiot you are - as the purpose of a tripod is for stability; and raising the centre column compromises this.

[petal666]

Matt

I am over 6ft also and have not had any problems with the height of the 190D; I just raise/lower the centre column as needed.

HTH

So you essentially have a monopod on a tripod? Not the best option. The 055Pro is a better choice.

[birddog114]

Matt

I am over 6ft also and have not had any problems with the height of the 190D; I just raise/lower the centre column as needed.

HTH

So you essentially have a monopod on a tripod? Not the best option. The 055Pro is a better choice.

We have convinced her before about the monopod inside the tripod, and the tripod she got, but don't you know women? they're right all the time and we're all wrong but we have to listen

[glamy]

I also have the 055Pro. The quality of the fittings (studs) and their alignment is pretty poor. It should come with at least a strap to carry it as it is rather heavy. It cost me $270.
Cheers,
G. Lamy

[birddog114]

glamy

It seems to me everyone is happy with it, not you and me

[the foto fanatic]

This is a well compiled review killa.

[Killakoala]

It seems to me everyone is happy with it, not you and me

I think it was Malcolm Fraser who is credited with the following saying, 'You can't please all the people all the time.'

I know Birdy loves the praises of Gitzo, but as i said in the review, i bought the Manfrotto because it has clips rather than twist locks, so from this point of view, the Manfrotto is fit for the purpose i wanted in a set of legs, the Gitzo didn't.

(However, i do see that the new Manfrotto legs have a kind of twistlock mechanism, so perhaps they have seen how good Gitzo legs are and are trying to emulate them to catch up again)

[glamy]

Birddog,
Yes, I think it would not cost more to do things properly. I could go on with the list of what's wrong with the head as well, but to keep it short, I would say that our italian mates think that "near enough is good enough".
Cheers,
Gerard

[sirhc55]

Steve - as I said before in this thread I have the same tripod and I have to agree that a click closed latch works better for me. You do not have to apply hand torque to a latch whereas you do with a twistlock.

Chris

[sirhc55]

Birddog,
Yes, I think it would not cost more to do things properly. I could go on with the list of what's wrong with the head as well, but to keep it short, I would say that our italian mates think that "near enough is good enough".
Cheers,
Gerard

Hi Glamy

There is one small point - I have purchase products in the past that I thought were rubbish but friends found them to be OK. That was when I learned of the Lemon situation. I do use the 055PROB with the 410 head and I find it is fine for the great deal of studio work that I do. But I have had other Manfrottos that were absolute rubbish i.e. Lemons

I sold 2 Manfrottos on Ebay a short while ago that I no longer wanted and one person bought both of them for around $350.00. One was an absolute Lemon and the other was a semi-lemon. Why not sell yours and get a Gitzo from Birddog.

Chris

[Matt. K]

Hi Killa!
Thanks for taking the time and effort to put the tripod review together! It was very useful information.

[MattC]

Killa,

Thanks for the review. I did not intend to hijack your thread like this.


For the rest off you,

The responses were quite amazing. Thanks. The friendly nature of the debate is what sets this forum apart.
I will go with the 055. I do not have the funds to purchase the very best, and will not for some time, so this will have to do for the time being. What I am looking for is value for money within a strict budget. Every piece of equipment has its limitations, learning to recognise those limitations and working within those limitations is important to me.

Cheers

Matt

[Matt. K]

mattco6974
We should not lose track of the fact that all a tripod has to do is keep the damn camera still. That's not rocket science and most reasonable tripods will do a fair job of it.

[MattC]

Matt K

That is exactly what I am after - something reasonable. I am sure from the feedback that the 055 is reasonable.

Cheers

Matt

[glamy]

Chris,
eventhough I am a bit disappointed with the quality of some bits, the 055 is strong in the legs. which is what I need. I may not have done enough research, but I am not ready to loose money and anyway there is not much that cannot be fixed.
Gerard

[sirhc55]

Chris,
eventhough I am a bit disappointed with the quality of some bits, the 055 is strong in the legs. which is what I need. I may not have done enough research, but I am not ready to loose money and anyway there is not much that cannot be fixed.
Gerard

Plus you can slide the centre column in sideways which is great for macro work

Chris

[Greg B]

Plus you can slide the centre column in sideways which is great for macro work
Chris

And porn apparently

[sirhc55]

Plus you can slide the centre column in sideways which is great for macro work
Chris

And porn apparently

You’re joking - I use the wrist strap for that

Chris

[Greg B]

Thanks killa. It has become very clear to me that my ***** brand tripod (I am too embarrassed, don't ask) is a heap of shite, although fortunately it was a very cheap mistake ($70!!!!!)

I don't want to spend $1k+, and the Manfrotto 055 @ $300 plus another $300ish for a head, while still being way more than I ever thought I would spend on a tripod, looks achievable.

Your review has been very helpful, thanks.

[redline]

Thanks killa. It has become very clear to me that my ***** brand tripod (I am too embarrassed, don't ask) is a heap of shite, although fortunately it was a very cheap mistake ($70!!!!!)

I don't want to spend $1k+, and the Manfrotto 055 @ $300 plus another $300ish for a head, while still being way more than I ever thought I would spend on a tripod, looks achievable.

Your review has been very helpful, thanks.

Greg B, I also recently purchased the manfrotto 055prob with a 029 head for 360$ from the Camera Exchange, they're on special atm from ~450$.
I don't know much about tripods, but its replacing my crappy 20$ tripod i brought s/h.
the 055+029 is really stable and supports my 300mm+ f5 and flash unit without much trouble at all.

[Greg B]

thanks redline, that's very useful to know

cheers

[iscar]

Hi - i know the point of this topic was legs, but just out of interest to all of you who own the 055pro, what head did you go with?

thanks.

[birddog114]

Hi - i know the point of this topic was legs, but just out of interest to all of you who own the 055pro, what head did you go with?

thanks.

Very opened question.
Depend on:
- Your pocket.
- Your today and future gears
- Your style of shooting, techniques
- Your understanding about photography and using heads
- Your willing to lust
- Your research

[petal666]

Hi - i know the point of this topic was legs, but just out of interest to all of you who own the 055pro, what head did you go with?

thanks.

Markins M10. Outclasses the legs a bit but I can upgrade them later.

[birddog114]

Hi - i know the point of this topic was legs, but just out of interest to all of you who own the 055pro, what head did you go with?

thanks.

Markins M10. Outclasses the legs a bit but I can upgrade them later.

petal666,
Upgrade the legs, what're you talking about?
I posted many times on this forum, think and check the legs prior to make a commitment

[petal666]

I have no intention of upgrading the legs, just saying that the M10 is an awesome head and is probably a higher level item than the legs.

[iscar]

Hi - i know the point of this topic was legs, but just out of interest to all of you who own the 055pro, what head did you go with?

thanks.

Very opened question.
Depend on:
- Your pocket.
- Your today and future gears
- Your style of shooting, techniques
- Your understanding about photography and using heads
- Your willing to lust
- Your research

I can see your point however i disagee about lust and pocket as buying a 055pro would indicate, to me anyway, the you want something decent however since your spending about $300 on a set of legs your probably wont buy a top of the line head? otherwise why not buy gitzo legs for over 1k if your spending big bucks on a head?

Ok so to be more specific, for about $150-$250(AUD), what head can i buy that will complement the 055pro that would suit landscapes and macro work predominantly - hows that ?

[birddog114]

iscar,
As I said, perhaps not your case, our members bought the 055 pro and bought the very decent head: pano head with rail, L bracket for the D70 and other bits & pieces to go with the head (US$500.00). End up he paid nearly double or more than he paid the 055.
I knew another one bought the 055 and spend US$370.00 on the Markins head + monies for plates and bracket.

That what I talked about lust and pocket.

Back to your question From $150-$250 Aussie dollar, you may settle in mid range Manfrotto heads, Man 029, Man 160, Man 332RC2, Man 329RC4 etc...

[Slaggie]

Ive been looking at the Manfrotto website and noticed the 055mf3 is almost a pound lighter than the 055prob. Thats more than %16 lighter. Carbon fiber and magniesium. Will this tripod work ok, or maybe its too expensive?
I used both types of leg locks with large format shooting, for a heavy load I had to tighten the threadlocks quite tight to feel secure. On the otherhand when I went to a tripod with a lever lock I found them to be very secure and much faster to use. To be fair, the tripod with the threadlocks was second hand and might have been 20 years older than the new lever lock tripod.
Geo

[birddog114]

I used both types of leg locks with large format shooting, for a heavy load I had to tighten the threadlocks quite tight to feel secure. On the otherhand when I went to a tripod with a lever lock I found them to be very secure and much faster to use. To be fair, the tripod with the threadlocks was second hand and might have been 20 years older than the new lever lock tripod.
Geo

What brand & model of tripod did you use on the threadlock? and how heavy of lens and camera body did you have/ used?
Are you willing to spend around US$500- $600.00? or just your budget is tight and can afford only US$25.00 or $50.00 maximum?

[Slaggie]

Unfortunatly, both tripods are at a dealers for sale and I cannot verify for sure. The slips show a Benbo, a Slik and a Slick pro 700 DX. I think the Slik Pro 700 was my new one and I liked it a lot. The Benbo maybe was the one with a funny top joint and you had to be a bit of a wizard to set it up quickly. You could sure put your camera in any position and any height you wanted. That leaves the other Slik as the old one with the threaded leg rings. The camera was a Linhof Teck. and some lenses could be up to a couple of pounds, all together maybe up to 7 or 8 pounds. I maybe should have kept the Slik Pro, but I want a lighter tripod and ballhead than what I had. The backpack and gear in it weighed 38 pounds. I am retired and cannot carry that much weight where I want to go.
The Manfrotto 055MF3 at 4.4 pounds with a 1 lb Markins ballhead or a Acratech at 1.25 lbs. seems a lighter way to go. This Acratech is a somewhat different ballhead to say the least. Sorry, a bit long winded. Geo.

[birddog114]

Slaggie

The slips show a Benbo, a Slik and a Slick pro 700 DX.

Those are AU$25.00 tripod which Aldi sold here, I don't think any our Aussie got them at Aldi for use with their D7 + kit, if they have then a bundle deals from reseller.
The most I have seen with our Aussie member of D70 User forum are the Man. 055B, 190 or something little bit with good brand name on it, not as Benbo, Slik.
Those brand names are give away tripod which comes with a bundle deals from HN, Teds and cheap camera stores and they're useless with the real gears

[Slaggie]

These were all pretty large, heavy tripods for large format and the two newer ones were over $250 for each one. Maybe I have given you the wrong numbers, or maybe I should go back to the dealers and check it out as I am using the model numbers he wrote down.
Geo.

[birddog114]

These were all pretty large, heavy tripods for large format and the two newer ones were over $250 for each one. Maybe I have given you the wrong numbers, or maybe I should go back to the dealers and check it out as I am using the model numbers he wrote down.
Geo.

Why should people can afford or have the large format playing with those legs? There're many legs outhere can support and have better quality than.

[petal666]

Why should people can afford or have the large format playing with those legs? There're many legs outhere can support and have better quality than.

Can someone please translate this?

[birddog114]

Why should people can afford or have the large format playing with those legs? There're many legs outhere can support and have better quality than.

Can someone please translate this?

petal666,
this reply to another previously post from slaggie.
I believed the large format camera is more expensive and people is looking to use them on the $25.00 tripod instead of looking for some other legs with more sturdy and solid.

[petal666]

Why should people can afford or have the large format playing with those legs? There're many legs outhere can support and have better quality than.

Can someone please translate this?

petal666,
this reply to another previously post from slaggie.
I believed the large format camera is more expensive and people is looking to use them on the $25.00 tripod instead of looking for some other legs with more sturdy and solid.

Now I understand!

[skyva]

Iscar, I have the 055pro legs and bought a 488rc4 head and it has been good. It has a quick release plate, two levels, and can support about 8kg. I am not sure how it would go with panoramas; I am guessing you would need some sort of bracket.
I have little experience with tripods and heads but this one works for me in night shots of the city. It also fits nicely with the legs.
Perhaps it is worth looking into.