manfrotto 190 x tripod

[Naturenutz]

Does anyone have any experience with a manfrotto 190 x TRIPOD and manfrotto 3 d head. I am looking for a good tripod to use with varied wildlife lenses in the field and was recommended this set up at a well known camera shop.

[ron1863]

I was looking at the Manfrotto too but was advised to have a look at the Giottos MTL9351B, which I eventually bought. It's an ideal tripod for wildlife, flowers, insects, fungi etc, as the centre column can be rotated through 190 degrees.

4 Giottos MTL9351B Tripod promotional product video from College Cameras

[squishy]

I've recently bought a manfrotto 190xprob with a 496rc2 ball head.

I've found this tripod set up to be fantastic for my macro photography. The centre column only goes horizontal and vertical, but it goes lower than the Giottos which is important to me for really low level fungi.

Unless you like the idea of being able to lock the centre column at different angles (in which case the giottos is better (and also look into vanguard tripods)), I highly recommend the 190xprob manfrotto.

It's very sturdy, reasonably priced, not too heavy, not to big and not too small.

The Giottos is also a very good choice, but I tried it and found it didn't go quite as low and the centre column mechanism isn't as fast to operate.

You would not be disappointed with either though.

[Lancashire Lad]

You don't specify which 3D head that you've had recommended. I imagine it would have been the "056 3D Junior", or the 115 3D superJunior".

If you intend to do much macro photography, I would seriously consider looking at the 410 Junior geared head as an alternative. I know several people who use this head and can thoroughly recommend it.

A geared head never suffers from the tiny amount of "droop" or frame movement that affects every other type of head when being locked up. (including all the best & big name ones). This is usually only a very small amount of movement, but can be mightily frustrating when one has carefully framed up a 1:1 macro shot, only to have the framing ruined when locking up the tripod.

Geared heads do take a little practice to get familiar with, but once the operation becomes second nature, for macro & general photography they can't be beaten.

If however, your photography consists mainly of moving animals/birds, then a standard 3-way pan tilt or ball head might suit better.

I've recently upgraded to a Manfrotto 055XB, with 405 Geared Head.
As I don't need great height, I've modified the tripod by cutting down the centre column, leaving only sufficient to securely clamp the head attachment plate. (Regardless of manufacture, much inherent stability is lost when any tripod is used with a centre column extended).

For my main subjects of flowers & fungi, it is a supremely rigid, and to me, completely faultless set-up. However, at just short of 4kg. many might consider this combo too heavy to carry around.

Regards,
Mike.

[squishy]

Also, look into redsnapper tripods.

They're cheaper and just as well made as manfrotto's or other good brands.

[Naturenutz]

Thanks for your very informative replies .It seems i may need a few different heads as before upgrading to my new nikon d300s ihad never used a tripod,and when i am out in the field i cant turn down a good subject,wether it be bird,bee,flower or fungus.I have just bought a gorrilla pod which i hoped to use for macro but after indoor trials i think i may suffer the dreaded movement as mentioned above,as it slowly starts to tilt with my sigma 150 macro lens.I wont judge it just yet as i havnt actually used it in situation yet.

[Martin Dyer]

All depends on what lenses you plan to put on it. The 190 is a bit of a lightweight, and I would recommend upping the spec to the 055 if you can go to the extra money - it will be more stable for you.

Martin

[johnf3f]

Until recently I was using a Manfotto 55xb pro and can say with certainty that it's worth the extra cash and weight. It is quite happy with my 600 f4 and really stable for macro work, for the money it's the best.
I now use a gitzo 3530 which is better but then it's a LOT more expensive and is only worth it where weight is absolutely critical - which in my case it is.