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Manfrotto 190XPRO Aluminium 3 Section Tripod with Horizontal Column

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With the legs fully extended and set to their normal operating angle, the head plate is positioned 122cm from the ground. Extending the centre column takes the head plate to a maximum height of 146cm. Fold the legs and column down, and the minimum length for transportation becomes 57cm. The carbon fiber 190CXPRO3 version is almost identical in these regards, with the same maximum heights, but folding down to a fractionally longer 58cm. With four models in the MT190 series (six if you include the ball head kits) and three more in the stronger MT055 collection (or five if you also include its kit options), it’s useful to understand Manfrotto’s naming convention to work out which will be most appropriate for you. As for timing the vibrations, we wanted a high magnification system with live view for making the observations, and a movie mode to record them for presentation here. We initially considered using a heavier semi-pro body, but ended-up selecting Canon’s mid-range EOS 550D / Rebel T2i for a number of reasons. First, a body of this size and weight represents the majority of DSLRs in common use. Secondly, it allowed us to exploit Canon’s Movie Crop mode which only records the central 640×480 pixels of the sensor, thereby cropping the image and multiplying the effective focal length of the system by 7.2 times. The resulting high magnification is a very demanding environment for any tripod, even when supporting a relatively light camera. All four versions of the MT190, whether three or four leg sections or aluminium or carbon fiber construction, share the same maximum heights and loads. With the centre column retracted or extended, their maximum heights are 135cm or 160cm respectively, while their maximum loads are 7kg. Their minimum heights are also almost identical: 9cm for the three leg section models or 8cm for the four-sections.

But conversely it’s important not to underestimate the strength and flexibility of the smaller 190 series, and the simple fact they’ll be good enough for most photographers. Certainly if you’re looking for a step-up from a budget tripod, one of Manfrotto’s 190 models will deliver significant benefits, and at a cheaper price than the 055s. Beyond those who use larger format cameras or the biggest lenses, it really boils down to whether you want to operate close to or well within the limits of your equipment. A 190 tripod may not collapse under the weight of the configuration described above, but it will wobble much more than you’d like. Certainly if you do have higher-end bodies and large lenses, the 055 range will be much more suitable than the 190, but the latter will be more than sufficient for most body and lens combinations in general use. Even half the maximum load will accommodate some pretty high-end gear in a stable position. The bottom line is there may be a number of compelling reasons to choose the 055 range over the 190, but few should honestly reject the latter for inadequate load handling alone. Manfrotto 190XPROB Real-life tests We’ll get the simple decisions out of the way first, which essentially revolve around size and weight. If you’re tall and don’t want to stoop when composing, then go for one of the 055 models. Likewise if you want to mount particularly large and heavy cameras or lenses, the greater load-handling of the 055 range will be preferred. In this review I’ll look at the latest version of the 190 series, the MT190 collection, available as before in a variety of versions with three or four leg sections, and in either aluminium or carbon fiber. All four MT190 models are built in Italy and feature Manfrotto’s innovative 90 degree column mechanism which allows the centre column to lift out of the top casting and angle down by 90 degrees in a single movement, allowing you to shoot at very low positions or pointing straight down. Like other higher-end tripods, the MT190 is designed to be sold legs-alone with a plate for mounting a head of your choice, although if preferred, Manfrotto also offers kit versions of the two aluminium models with a basic ball head. Conversely if you want the most compact tripod for easy transportation, the smaller 190 range is preferable, and if weight is an issue, the carbon fiber models of either family are much lighter than their aluminium counterparts. This weight difference isn’t something you’ll need to go on a long hike to appreciate either – it’s obvious before you even step out the door. But carbon fiber doesn’t come cheap, so if budget is an issue, then go for an aluminium model.Given a typical head weighs between 0.5 and 1Kg (with only the heftiest models coming in any heavier), you can easily work out what you’ll have remaining for your camera and lens. Typical entry-level to mid-range DSLR bodies weigh between 500 and 700g with battery. Typical semi-pro DSLR bodies with battery (but no battery grip) generally weigh around 900g, while top-end pro DSLRs with built-in grips rarely weigh much more than 1.2Kg. The differences between the four models are their overall weight and retracted size for transportation. With no head fitted, the aluminium MT190XPRO3 measures 59cm when folded-down and weighs 2kg / 4.4lbs. The four-sectioned MT190XPRO4 version measures 49cm when folded-down, saving 10cm in length, but weighs a tad more at 2.1kg / 4.6lbs. Meanwhile the carbon fiber MT190CXPRO3 measures 61cm when folded-down and weighs 1.6kg / 3.6lbs, while the four-section MT190CXPRO4 weighs the same but measures 52.5cm when folded-down, saving 8.5cm in length. So the carbon fiber models are actually a tad longer, but save you 400-500g or around one pound in weight over their aluminium counterparts. Remember though, carbon fiber also has the benefit of reducing vibrations faster and not being as cold to the touch in freezing conditions.

When calculating which height will be best for you, remember to also take into account the height of the head and the viewfinder or screen you’ll be using for composition – a typical Manfrotto head in landscape orientation would be about 10cm tall, while the viewfinder on an average DSLR is typically about 8cm from the base. So it’d be fair to add around 15 to 20cm to the tripod plate height to reach the viewfinder level of a typical DSLR.It may not be as light as the carbon fiber 190CXPRO3, but unlike the hefty 055XPROB, its weight remains manageable and feels well-balanced in your hands. You may still need to be fairly committed to take it out on a long hike or bike ride, but unlike its larger aluminium counterpart, it rarely becomes a burden. Fold the legs down and it also becomes very manageable in size. Macro photography can benefit greatly from the new 190's rotating center column and 88 degree maximum angle, which places it mere inches from the ground. However, at the maximum angle, there is a slight amount of bounce in the legs that is reduced for every section that is telescoped inward. So, when the new 190 is closest to the ground, it is best to keep all sections condensed for maximum rigidity. It would have been nice if Manfrotto incorporated some sort of center stabilizing pole that could extend for extremely low angles, but I did not have any problems with blur once the tripod was configured properly.

The actual numbers may also have you rethinking your technique, especially if you regularly trigger self-timers by hand and not cable release. While all vibrations with the columns raised or lowered were fully dissipated within a ten second countdown, most configurations were still wobbling well beyond two seconds. Clearly if you’re tall, the extra foot or so of the 055 tripods will mean less stooping when composing, while shorter photographers will appreciate the stability of a tripod which simply doesn’t need to raise its centre column to meet their eye-level Like most tripods, the 190XPROB’s legs can be set to different angles: in this case there’s four options at 25, 46, 66 and 88 degrees to the central column. Yes, that’s right, the fourth leg angle is virtually perpendicular to the centre column, allowing very low angles with a minimum height of just 8.5cm.Manfrotto also offers versions of most tripods with three or four leg sections, simply indicated by a number 3 or 4 at the end of the model name. Their maximum heights when fully-extended are roughly similar, but having four leg sections means each section can be shorter, allowing the retracted, transportable size to be smaller overall. Since each section has to fit inside the last though, the fourth section is thinner than the third with a negative impact on overall stability. If you travel a lot and want to squeeze a tripod into a smaller bag, then go for four leg sections, but if you can accommodate a larger tripod or demand the greatest stability, go for three leg sections. All repairs must be sent to our dedicated Service and Repairs centre (please see details below) prepaid. Equipment, which is repaired under warranty without charge, will be returned with normal transportation charges prepaid by Manfrotto Distribution. We’ll be the first to admit it’s not the perfect tripod test, but as you’ll see, it still revealed some interesting and useful results. Manfrotto 190XPROB Vibration results The final upgrade concerns the main plate for mounting heads. As before there’s a plastic section underneath the metal plate which elongates to accommodate a useful spirit level, but where this was fixed in position on previous models and could often get in the way of a head or camera at unusual angles, the new version can spin around freely by 360 degrees. It’s a simple but very considerate upgrade that ensures the spirit level never gets in the way.

Like its predecessor, the new Manfrotto 190 is available in two different material variations: aluminum and carbon fiber. It also comes in three or four-section leg versions, and our model happened to be the three-section, carbon fiber design. Dimensions are similar to the old 190, but there are a few differences. The new 190 measures 24 inches (61cm) in its closed state, and weighs 3.53 pounds (1.6kg). This is over an inch longer in closed state and nearly a pound heavier than the old 190.Today Manfrotto is one of the best-known and respected names in tripods, but how did it all begin, and why do some people know the products under the Bogen brand? The Manfrotto story starts in the late 1960s with Lino Manfrotto, a photo reporter based in Bassano del Grappa, Northern Italy. Manfrotto found much of the studio equipment of the day cumbersome and neglected to include basic stands and clamps. Spotting a gap in the market, Manfrotto produced a lighting stand, but only made a few units for friends. The 190XPROB is part of Manfrotto’s X family, designed for general-purpose use indoors and out. There are no fewer than 12 models in the current X family, divided equally between the 190 and 055 ranges. Fully understanding Manfrotto’s model numbers and knowing their capabilities is the key behind making the right choice; here’s a brief guide. So overall the MT190 has grown-up to become a larger and more substantial tripod that further distances itself from basic budget models. If you’re happy with the size and weight – and it’s hard not to find a model to suit given all the options – then I can recommend it for serious use. You’d need to spend a great deal more to enjoy significantly better performance. Of the different options, my choice would be the three-section models for stability and if you can afford it, the carbon fiber MT190CXPRO3 version for lower weight and better vibration dissipation. But if budget demands, the aluminium MT190XPRO3 remains a fine choice. If you’re looking to couple it with a head, I’d recommend the Manfrotto XPRO BHQ2 ball head for speed or the Manfrotto XPRO geared head for precision. Prior to this time, Manfrotto tripods were often sold under the Bogen name in certain regions – for example the 190XPROB and 055XPROB were commonly known as the Bogen 3001BPRO and 3021BPRO respectively in America. Today the same Manfrotto name and model numbers are now used worldwide, although both it and ‘rival’ Gitzo remain part of the same Vitec group. Guide to Manfrotto’s X family

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