Manfrotto 190XPRO Aluminium 3 Section Tripod with Horizontal Column

Product Information

Having used a fixed three-way leg with struts, it's quite odd to have a tripod where the legs are "free-floating", ie they all move to any angle independantly of each other. In combination with the brand new flat top disc for the centre column, the new PRO mechanism considerably reduces the overall closed length of the tripod. Again it may not be as light as the 190CXPRO3, nor as tall as the 055 models, but it does deliver great performance and flexibility for the money. An added benefit to using a tripod when working with others is that they can see the shot and provide immediate feedback. As our tests proved, there’s a significant difference in vibration dissipation with the centre columns down, and in this configuration, the height of the 055 range roughly matches the 190 with their columns extended.

The 190X aluminium 3-section tripod also has an Easy Link connector that can support an LED light, flash or other accessory on an extending arm or bracket. In addition to going horizontal, the same center column release can fully invert for using your camera upside down, close to the ground. As usual it's the little things that make all the difference between a good product and a fantastic one. Manfrotto found much of the studio equipment of the day cumbersome and neglected to include basic stands and clamps.Our final test was with the flagship carbon fiber 055CXPRO3, which with its centre column down took an average of 1. Of course, the subject could be flowers or macro stuff or any other work that requires getting above the subject for an overhead view, in or out of a studio.

Unsurprisingly this is the best result of the four models tested, but not significantly better than the smaller 190 version with our relatively modest load; you’ll need to mount much heavier loads to really see the benefit. The Manfrotto 190XPROB is a reliable and durable tripod, suitable for amateur and professional photographers alike. As explained above, the number 3 in the model name refers to three tube sections in each leg, which for the 190XPROB measure 25, 20 and 16mm in diameter; the tubes in the larger 055XPROB measure 29. The black Manfrotto 190XPROB Aluminum Tripod builds on the success of the 3001 series and replaces the 3001PRO model.Raising the centre column unsurprisingly compromises stability, but probably by a lot more than you originally feared. And when it’s time to pack away, simply collapse the stand in a jiffy into one lightweight, compact package, and you’ll be good to go. The new vertical-horizontal column mechanism is hidden inside the tripod’s top casting until it’s needed. All the PRO models offer built-in spirit levels: on the carbon fiber versions they’re integrated into the top plate, and on the aluminium ones they’re part of the lower Q90 section.

This feature saves your time and makes switching between the framing and the positioning more easier than ever before. Secondly with nine locking latches compared to six, they’ll take a little longer to extend and fold away than three-legged versions, and of course there’s greater chance of mechanical failure. Looked at the different models until I found one that had the features of the Vanguard I was interested in: Namely, the ability to pull the center stem out of its socket and use at an angle, as well as the ability to flatten the entire tripod out onto the ground while the center stem is at an angle. Practical, flexible, and secure, this locking system also keeps everything safe and in place, making this essential camera tripod reliably stable as well as innovative. Since the mid-70s, Manfrotto has been recognized as at, or near, the top of the industry for its tripods and other products as well as innovation, quality, performance and service.So if you need the height of the 190 range with the column extended, but want greater stability, the 055 will give you it with the column down. When used horizontally, the center column can be turned 360 degrees around the tripod, making it useful for macro work, low-angle shooting, extreme balance points and off-center work. Spotting a gap in the market, Manfrotto produced a lighting stand, but only made a few units for friends.