Manfrotto 055xb tripod and 804 RC2 3 way head

colincurry · #1 (**permalink**) 08-11-2007, 03:50 PM

There are several deals featuring this combination on the net ranging from a combined price of around £150 + PP upwards. My local shop has several at £150. I have had a quick look at one set and it seems pretty good to my untutored eye. My use would be occasional and I have a 30D and pump - and a simple monopod. I don't want to go down the road of buying something barely suitable and I also don't want to go OTT. You can take the centre out of the tripod which can then be adjusted to lie close to the ground for macro. The 055Pro has a centre which can be swung out to the horizontal but obviously costs more.

The 055 replaces an earlier Manfrotto tripod that apparently was something of a workhorse.

Has anyone tried either the tripod and/or the head, please? I have look at previous threads on tripods but can't find a mention of this particular set.

Thanks

Colin

Rob T · #2 (**permalink**) 08-11-2007, 07:34 PM

Sorry Colin, I cant help with the Manfrotto but I spent weeks debating on a new tripod. Have you loked at the Benbow Treker mk.11

It will do all you want for macro etc. Im realy impressed with the stability, weight and single lock system, although im having probs ajusting to the ball and head but you can choose heads, and the bottom part of the legs are waterproof (streams snow etc) and if my memory serves me well (first time for everything) me youll get some change to.

Rob

wild worlds · #3 (**permalink**) 08-11-2007, 07:46 PM

Hi Colin IMO tripods have to be one of the most difficult pieces of kit to choose. I am something of a Manfrotto fan having had an 058 for about 20 yrs and it is still going strong. ( also have a GITZO so not partisan!) I have gone through a couple of heads though. I haven’t used an 055 but it seems to be of the same build quality as its big brother. Having said that though if I were you I would consider a UNI-LOC. I bought one the other day from a shop that was closing down and I think the RRP is about £100.00 so in the price range. It is built on the same principle as the BENBOW which has to be the best all round tripod principal for wildlife/ nature type work. The UIN LOC is very stable and has a couple of attachment points which I think are meant for carrying straps, but make ideal points to put anchor straps to brace the thing to weights or a tent peg etc. Lash it with a couple of 50p nylon straps from a camping shop and it is as rigid as the Forth Bridge. If it will last as long as my Manfrotto, I don’t know, but I think it will. Even if your tripod use is “occasional” the tripod head get a lot more hammering the actual tripod. i.e set up tripod once move / lock head 20/30 times. So I would go for one of the Manfrotto ball heads which do last. You can therefore spend a bit less on the tripod and a bit more on the head and get a longer term partnership. Hope this makes sense and helps WW

richardkm · #4 (**permalink**) 08-11-2007, 08:04 PM

I sell Manfrotto tripods, so can recommend them. I use the 804 head myself, but fitted to a Benbo. I have the old 055 + 128 head which I use for my spotting scope, but am considering changing to the neww 055 Pro which allows the centre column to swing though - this will allow me to use the tripod for low level photography when I don't have the Benbo (difficult to carry 2 tripods!) The Benbo is utterly useless when birding.

I dislike ball heads for close up photography, preferring the 3 way head since each direction can be moved independantly. With a ball head, you loosen it off for moving in one direction and the damn thing flops all over the place.

RobSutton · #5 (**permalink**) 09-11-2007, 06:34 AM

I use one of the old 055 tripods and have found it very stable and reliable (used it for about 10 years now). Only problem is the weight I found that I was taking it out less and less when I was carrying lots of photographic gear so I ended up buying one of the light Manfrotto carbon fibre tripods as well and find that I carry that most of the time - expensive but is a tripod any good if you don't take it out?

colincurry · #6 (**permalink**) 10-11-2007, 06:25 PM

Thanks for the replies.

I am havering between the new Manfrotto 055X and the 055PRO. The newer versions seem to be lighter than the older ones. I have also looked at the 055 mag fibre versions. From the specs, the MF versions are only 1lb lighter than the new non MF versions. I think I shall probably go for the PRO as it looks as if it will take a slightly heavier load (and who knows what camera/lens I might have in the future).

For the same reason I would prefer the 808 RC4 head, or the 701RC2 that seems quite tasty and is much lighter. From looking at various reviews, most people seem to prefer the threeway head to a ball because it is easier to adjust plane by plane.

I hope to visit Warehouseexpress in a fortnight's time and should have the chance to look at everything.

My deadline is mid December

Colin

luckyshot · #7 (**permalink**) 11-11-2007, 07:22 PM

Hi there

I just recently purchased a manfrotto 055xprob tri pod, i saw it recommended on www.juzaphoto.com,a superb web site for nature photographers.Unfortuantley i got the wrong tri pod Juza recommended the 055prob, i ordered the 055xprob, a completely different tripod.The older 055prob is more useful for me in that when you use it with the junior 410 geared head you can take out the central column and and take out the top of the column and get the tripod 11 cm of the ground ,you can not do that with the later model i sent the 055xprob back and got the 055prob, Problem solved.Try both models out you will see what i mean its hard to put into words! for macro photography the 055prob is the better tripod imho.

Regards Luckyshot

colincurry · #8 (**permalink**) 12-11-2007, 06:43 PM

Hallo Luckshot

I have looked at the specs for the 055XPROB and these suggest that you can extend the centre column to its full height and then swing it to operate in a horizontal position. As I understand it, with the 'old' X55PRO you have to remove the centre column and insert it into a horizontal slot at the top of the tripod so that it will then be horizontal.

It seems that your experience is very different?

Colin

luckyshot · #9 (**permalink**) 13-11-2007, 05:27 PM

Hi there

On the 055xprob its easier to swing the column from vertical to horizontal,but on the old 055prob you can take out the top of the column and put it in the clamp on the top of the tripod.You can get the tripod closer to the ground,and if you use a geared head like the junior410 you get movements in three planes,you only get two with the 055xprob its hard to put into words! play around with both tripods for 20 mins or so and you will see what i mean.If you go to Juza Nature Photography you will find some pics on tripods there is a pic of the 055prob flat on the floor with the central column removed you can't do that with the 055xprob.

Regards Luckyshot

colincurry · #10 (**permalink**) 27-11-2007, 06:29 PM

I have looked long and hard now at tripods and have come to the conclusion that I will, for the time being at least, stick with my bog standard monopod. Most of my birding is done on the hoof and I usually walk between 5 and 6 miles on a circular route. Even the Manfrotto cf tripods weigh under a pound less than the aluminium ones. They are much too heavy to lug around. I have been given an old fairly primitive tripod that will do on the odd occasion when I feel one is necessary. I did see a lovely Gitzmo carbon fibre tripod that I could pick up with my little finger - but what a price.

I think that I will invest in a Tamron 28-75 or similar as a walk around lens instead.

Thanks for all the kind help.

Colin