One major feature of the centre post you missed, was that you can remove it entirely & insert it from the bottom & have the camera facing down for some great steady close up work.
Thank you so much for you time. I bought this tripod a while back and did not think I needed the ball head. I am ordering this one today! Thanks again for the GREAT review.
I just bought this tripod, totally worth it! I'm 6'1 so no more back aches or bending down. Its really sturdy and can be easily moved into any position without playing with those annoying levers, Don't think about it just do it!
Thanks. Seeing this raises my confidence level. I have told "Santa" to bring me a 055 series tripod along with the 498RC2 ball head this year. I gave "him" the info on both the XPROB and the carbon fiber version. I hope he brings me the carbon fiber one but would be happy with the XPROB if he decides to go budget.
Watch and learn people. THIS is how you do a review. This is even better than Manfrottos own website. I, like many other people, have bought the tripod and ball head based on just this review alone. Excellent stuff!
it's a beautifully made and functional tripod. It replaced my Induro carbon tripod which was a complete waste of money. The twist lock mechanism of the Induro was too slow and cumbersome in the field, the spindly lightweight legs were very shaky and one broke in short order. The gravity operation of the Manfrotto 055 is fast and smooth. It's additional weight is well worth lugging around as it is the sturdiest and most utilitarian platform I have tried yet. The macro capabilities of this unit are spectacular! I can't say enough about how pleased I am with this piece of gear. Buy it! you won't regret it, ever!
Thanks very much for your excellent review. I was considering a Manfrotto 055XB with the 496 RC-2 head. After seeing your review, I am leaning toward the 055XPROB legs. Thanks for your in-depth review.
You can add weights to any tripod for extra stability. Just hang your camera bag from the middle column under the head so it acts like a pendulum (that doesn't move of course lol). That's the best way to do it. You don't need to carry around any extra weight then seen as you'll almost certainly have your camera bag with you if you're using this thing, or any tripod.
I would buy the same tripod today. I love it. The 055CXPRO3 carbon fiber tripod is ABOUT the same size as this one. It does not extend as high. I do not think the small weight difference is worth paying 3X the price or even 2X the price. Same tripod. I might even get the same head. It has been flawless. They make many, many heads. There are a lot to choose from. For instance...if you need a head to pan from side to side then get a different one. I love the 496RC2 for my style.
Yeah, loving this tripod! Got advised over at POTN to buy this with the ball-head, i wasnt sure if it would hold up the weight of a 1D MK III with a 24-70 2.8L or my 70-200, but it works like a charm! This tripod is a dream to work with, and for me, i dont think its too heavy to carry around either.
Excellent review and demonstration. I'm in the market for a new tripod for just exactly the reasons you demonstrated (low to the ground capability, horizontal extension, macro uses) so for me, this also served as a "how-to". Thanks for creating and posting - much appreciated.
That will do just fine. I meant they have other models. You made an excellent choice. I use my 7D and heavy lenses all the time and it has always worked great! I hope you like it as much as I like mine. All the best.
Great review! You illustrated the features much better than any other review i've seen. I actually ended up buying this tripod (with the 498RC2 head) after seeing this, and love it! Thanks!
Really great review! I appreciate it a lot, I just ordered the carbon fiber version and couldn't wrap my head around getting the tripod lower the ground without the center column in the way. Thanks! you showed me the way!
@CBRd00d Thanks for the comment. It has been the best tripod I have ever had. I have had 4 different ones. I love this one. It does anything I ever need.
Good review! It's really informative. Thanks to you I just got this tripod with 498RC2 ballhead and I'm loving it. So sturdy after the almost all plastic Velbon I had. Difference is immense.
@m505xl The 190XPROB is about the same tripod but smaller than this one. It's great. Yes you can adjust the tension in the ball head. You can have as much or as little as you want. I really should have shown more about the head. This video makes it look very limited when it's very feature rich. You also do need to "lock" the head into position unless you are using a lighter camera than mine and the tension is high.
Very good video, thank you, this helped me to buy this products. 6 months ago o bought 055xprob-tripod and today I got my new 496RC2 -ballhead. You are aweosome guy! :)
@CaptivateProduction It really is a good choice. The ball head too. There are better but that is always the case. If this is somewhere near your price range then do it. Good luck and all the best!
@atyl1972 Yea the 498rc2 does have better panning but remember....you can pan with this one and this tripod very easily. The whole center column rotates. I have found it works rather well. All the best to you. Keep shooting!
Good Review. I'm going to order this today. My current tripod is super limiting in height, versatility and stability. It really wasn't made for a big DSLR and Zoom lens.
@J0J0MIA Yes. It will hold that combo fine. My 17-55 is nearly as heavy as some 70-200s depending on whether it's an F/4 or 2.8. It will hold it fine. Nice choice.
I'm going to pick up this bad boy tomorrow morning. along with the manfrotto MH055M8-Q5 hybrid head. i do a lot of video and photography. im pretty stoked to own my first manfrotto products.
I didn't think so when I got my system. Manfrotto has other, and newer ballheads now, however the 496 or 498 is what I would get if my heaviest lens was the 70-200 F/4. If it's the F/2.8 maybe get a 498. You can always get a more expensive one but it's not necessary.
@duffmorrow Glad it helped. I almost got a joystick but the ball head has been great. For the money it has done everything I have needed and I like using it. A joystick would be bigger and awkward but nice to use. Good luck! Keep shooting.
If you can afford it you might look at Manfrotto's carbon fiber. The 055CXPRO3 is pretty close and a little lighter. I decided not to go carbon fiber because it didn't seem worth the price. I have never had any regrets. It's something to think about. All the best.
It will work for panoramas but there are better heads for that. The lens i had mounted was the Canon 17-55 F/2.8 IS USM. One of my favs. Have a good day!
hey thanks for the reply. i live in sf and it has been raining all day, I just purchased one from adorama, ( I lost the auction on ebay! ) i hope by next week i can take photographs! all the best to you too
@RunOrDie226911 I got them locally at a place called Pictureline in Draper UT. It was about the time of the video. The prices may have changed since then but you can still get them on Amazon or any other place on line. Good luck to you.
True, the Manfrotto website says 178.5 cm. I am about 188 cm tall. I am 6 ft 2 in. I have never wished it would go higher. I don't know how they calculate this. I am standing next to the tripod now....the legs are NOT all the way extended......the middle column IS fully extended and I am looking directly into my 7D viewfinder. So I could make it so high I would have to get on "tip toes: to see into the VF (or maybe stand on something. It will work for a taller person.
I just got this tripod for those same reasons but I went with a MVH502AH HEAD work just great for me ,some complaint about ergonomics of it but for the price its all worth it.
Manfrotto should really pay me for this video. Damn I have a lot of questions and people wanting to get this one. It's a classic. For those of you wanting a great tripod which will last a LONG time this might be the one. The head is where you need to decide based on your style and if you plan to use it for moving video a lot.
It's still not perfect for 1:1 macro because it flexes a tiny bit under my D700 and 105mm VR. It's mostly my ballhead, the 486RC2. But you can reach stuff that you can't with other tripods. I bought it back when I had just a compact camera. And it's weight made it awesome because with the compact I could just set it up however I wanted and the weight kept it in place. Now with my dslr I wish it would be lighter so that I can carry it more often. Awesome tripod! Maybe a macro rail for macro work
@asjesus1 $151 for tripod and $80 for head. They are on Amazon right now for those prices. Pretty expensive, but they will last as long as I want to keep them. It's a good setup. Good for almost anything. If you can justify spending $400 for the carbon fiber version of this tripod it's a little lighter but little shorter too. This one isn't too heavy. It's a good compromise between price, weight, and size for me. I am taller than most however so it looks smaller to me than others.
thanks man great vid really, i am thinking of getting the 498rc2 as it is only £13 more for me in the uk, and it has the easier panning option but i do like the functionality of this xprob
the whole "bend over line it up slide it in" always made me wonder why they went that route. this "new" system had been used by $15 Target/Walmart/Kmart tripod for years. nothing new about it, I feel it's always been better
![Оборудование для фудфото | Штативные головы [2018]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/X-ghJLJrg0Q/mqdefault.jpg)
One major feature of the centre post you missed, was that you can remove it entirely & insert it from the bottom & have the camera facing down for some great steady close up work.
Thank you so much for you time. I bought this tripod a while back and did not think I needed the ball head. I am ordering this one today! Thanks again for the GREAT review.
I just bought this tripod, totally worth it! I'm 6'1 so no more back aches or bending down. Its really sturdy and can be easily moved into any position without playing with those annoying levers, Don't think about it just do it!
Thanks. Seeing this raises my confidence level. I have told "Santa" to bring me a 055 series tripod along with the 498RC2 ball head this year. I gave "him" the info on both the XPROB and the carbon fiber version. I hope he brings me the carbon fiber one but would be happy with the XPROB if he decides to go budget.
Thank you for the kind comment. I still use this setup and love it.
Watch and learn people. THIS is how you do a review. This is even better than Manfrottos own website. I, like many other people, have bought the tripod and ball head based on just this review alone. Excellent stuff!
bend over, line it up, push it in, turn a knob to lock it up - Yeah! That was the major eason why I shifted to Manfrotto - Thanks for the review!
it's a beautifully made and functional tripod. It replaced my Induro carbon tripod which was a complete waste of money. The twist lock mechanism of the Induro was too slow and cumbersome in the field, the spindly lightweight legs were very shaky and one broke in short order. The gravity operation of the Manfrotto 055 is fast and smooth. It's additional weight is well worth lugging around as it is the sturdiest and most utilitarian platform I have tried yet. The macro capabilities of this unit are spectacular! I can't say enough about how pleased I am with this piece of gear. Buy it! you won't regret it, ever!
Thanks for the comment. It's quality stuff. I am still using mine and have had no problems. Love them both.
This ball head or the 498RC2 are great. There are many more but they all will hold the weight of your equipment.
Thanks very much for your excellent review. I was considering a Manfrotto 055XB with the 496 RC-2 head. After seeing your review, I am leaning toward the 055XPROB legs. Thanks for your in-depth review.
You can add weights to any tripod for extra stability. Just hang your camera bag from the middle column under the head so it acts like a pendulum (that doesn't move of course lol). That's the best way to do it. You don't need to carry around any extra weight then seen as you'll almost certainly have your camera bag with you if you're using this thing, or any tripod.
Thanks Rick. I have been using this tripod and head since this was made and it has been great. No problems at all. Have a good day.
Awesome demo. Worth noting that the latest 190 tripod as of 2014 has the horizontal column feature too
I would buy the same tripod today. I love it. The 055CXPRO3 carbon fiber tripod is ABOUT the same size as this one. It does not extend as high. I do not think the small weight difference is worth paying 3X the price or even 2X the price. Same tripod. I might even get the same head. It has been flawless. They make many, many heads. There are a lot to choose from. For instance...if you need a head to pan from side to side then get a different one. I love the 496RC2 for my style.
Thanks for the comment. I still use this setup and love it. Have a good day!
I also looked HARD at the 190xprob but went with the 055. I'm glad I did. More solid and not more hard to carry. Good luck.
Well done review of a pretty nice looking rig. So many reviewers talk about the product but fail to show us what it can do. You did both.
Thanks!!
Good to hear. Thanks for the comment. Hope you have it for years.
Yeah, loving this tripod! Got advised over at POTN to buy this with the ball-head, i wasnt sure if it would hold up the weight of a 1D MK III with a 24-70 2.8L or my 70-200, but it works like a charm! This tripod is a dream to work with, and for me, i dont think its too heavy to carry around either.
Excellent review and demonstration. I'm in the market for a new tripod for just exactly the reasons you demonstrated (low to the ground capability, horizontal extension, macro uses) so for me, this also served as a "how-to". Thanks for creating and posting - much appreciated.
That will do just fine. I meant they have other models. You made an excellent choice. I use my 7D and heavy lenses all the time and it has always worked great! I hope you like it as much as I like mine. All the best.
No, the center column cannot be locked at any angle. That's why the ball head comes in so handy. Great question.
Great review! You illustrated the features much better than any other review i've seen. I actually ended up buying this tripod (with the 498RC2 head) after seeing this, and love it! Thanks!
Really great review! I appreciate it a lot, I just ordered the carbon fiber version and couldn't wrap my head around getting the tripod lower the ground without the center column in the way. Thanks! you showed me the way!
@CBRd00d Thanks for the comment. It has been the best tripod I have ever had. I have had 4 different ones. I love this one. It does anything I ever need.
@brunopiresbp Thanks for the kind words Bruno. Have a great trip to Paris. I am glad to have helped in some small way. All the best.
Wow thanks just one both of these in a contest and wanted to see what it was all about thanks for sharing!
Clear, price, down to earth demo with high quality video. Many thanks for sharing. I think I will buy that exact same setup.
Thanks for the kind comment.
I wish the manufacturer was paying me for all the tripods I sell. haha. You will love it. All the best.
Good review! It's really informative. Thanks to you I just got this tripod with 498RC2 ballhead and I'm loving it. So sturdy after the almost all plastic Velbon I had. Difference is immense.
@m505xl The 190XPROB is about the same tripod but smaller than this one. It's great. Yes you can adjust the tension in the ball head. You can have as much or as little as you want. I really should have shown more about the head. This video makes it look very limited when it's very feature rich. You also do need to "lock" the head into position unless you are using a lighter camera than mine and the tension is high.
Very good video, thank you, this helped me to buy this products. 6 months ago o bought 055xprob-tripod and today I got my new 496RC2 -ballhead. You are aweosome guy! :)
@CaptivateProduction It really is a good choice. The ball head too. There are better but that is always the case. If this is somewhere near your price range then do it. Good luck and all the best!
I've just ordered this tripod along with the really right stuff BH-40 ball head. Very good video, thanks.
@Bongo2k Not sure what you mean. The mechanism works great for the leg extension.
@atyl1972 Yea the 498rc2 does have better panning but remember....you can pan with this one and this tripod very easily. The whole center column rotates. I have found it works rather well. All the best to you. Keep shooting!
Didn't know that Norm Macdonald was into photography... thanks for the review!
Good Review. I'm going to order this today. My current tripod is super limiting in height, versatility and stability. It really wasn't made for a big DSLR and Zoom lens.
@J0J0MIA Yes. It will hold that combo fine. My 17-55 is nearly as heavy as some 70-200s depending on whether it's an F/4 or 2.8. It will hold it fine. Nice choice.
Thank You for taking the time out to share your knowledge. Very helpful.
I have this same setup and he's right it's a terrific tripod and ballhead combo. And yes I have a 7D also on mine.
I'm going to pick up this bad boy tomorrow morning. along with the manfrotto MH055M8-Q5 hybrid head. i do a lot of video and photography. im pretty stoked to own my first manfrotto products.
Very nice review!! Thinking about ordering one right now :) Manfrotto stuff is really good.
I didn't think so when I got my system. Manfrotto has other, and newer ballheads now, however the 496 or 498 is what I would get if my heaviest lens was the 70-200 F/4. If it's the F/2.8 maybe get a 498. You can always get a more expensive one but it's not necessary.
Tripod with interesting maneuvering options!
@GaryTube18 I'm glad it helped you decide. Have a great day!
Thanks and good luck with the ball head. They are great to have.
@duffmorrow Glad it helped. I almost got a joystick but the ball head has been great. For the money it has done everything I have needed and I like using it. A joystick would be bigger and awkward but nice to use. Good luck! Keep shooting.
@gear10101 Thanks for the comment. I like the tripod and head a lot!
If you can afford it you might look at Manfrotto's carbon fiber. The 055CXPRO3 is pretty close and a little lighter. I decided not to go carbon fiber because it didn't seem worth the price. I have never had any regrets. It's something to think about. All the best.
Thank you very much for reviewing this tripod. I shall now invest in this exact setup. Many thanks.
It will work for panoramas but there are better heads for that. The lens i had mounted was the Canon 17-55 F/2.8 IS USM. One of my favs. Have a good day!
hey thanks for the reply. i live in sf and it has been raining all day, I just purchased one from adorama, ( I lost the auction on ebay! ) i hope by next week i can take photographs! all the best to you too
Man...frotto..knows...tripods.
It still serves me well after a year of moderate use. Good luck and thanks for the comment.
@RunOrDie226911 I got them locally at a place called Pictureline in Draper UT. It was about the time of the video. The prices may have changed since then but you can still get them on Amazon or any other place on line. Good luck to you.
You sold me, but I'm going with the 498 rc2
Keep up the good videos
It's a good setup at a decent price. I still use them both and they still work great for me. Thanks!
@cosbyt7 You can loosen the whole head a pan. Not the best but it works for me since I don't use panning much. It can be locked using that method.
I have this exact set up, with a gripped 40D - never an issue...
True, the Manfrotto website says 178.5 cm. I am about 188 cm tall. I am 6 ft 2 in. I have never wished it would go higher. I don't know how they calculate this. I am standing next to the tripod now....the legs are NOT all the way extended......the middle column IS fully extended and I am looking directly into my 7D viewfinder. So I could make it so high I would have to get on "tip toes: to see into the VF (or maybe stand on something. It will work for a taller person.
Thanks for this..... I have just gone ahead and bought this combo. Your comments were very helpful : )
Thanks for your review, I just ordered mine with the 808rc4 head
Bend over , line it up and slide it in .. LMAO
grow up sam toby
I am 6' 2" ....so fairly tall. Great setup. Good luck.
@keldererik The tripod is about $150-170 and head is about $70 as I recall.
deffo buying this in a month or so, thanks for the review.
@TheAndrenator It could but it's not as smooth as you would like. You could use it that way.
i like the pause u did at 1:32 lmao
They should, I'm looking into tripods and was Manfrotto came recommended but your video just convinced me! Cheers :)
Nice video man, I'm off out today to buy that tripod and I didn't know it did that extending thing
I just got this tripod for those same reasons but I went with a MVH502AH HEAD work just great for me ,some complaint about ergonomics of it but for the price its all worth it.
this video has made my mind up on what tripod and head to get thank you from the great review :)
After watching this I am buying them ! Thanks I cant wait now !
Wow, finally a tripod with 3 legs!
Manfrotto should really pay me for this video. Damn I have a lot of questions and people wanting to get this one. It's a classic. For those of you wanting a great tripod which will last a LONG time this might be the one. The head is where you need to decide based on your style and if you plan to use it for moving video a lot.
Just came-in this morning!!! :))) Upgraded from a cheap'o tripod. I am super exited!
Great review, great tripod. I am buying one right now. No use buying the regular ones now when this one is out on the market - right!
Love it just ordered one!
you sound just like John Lithgow o_O. if I don't see your face but hear you talk, I can't stop seeing John Lithgow talking to me
@fnclnz Thanks. I wish I could do reviews on ALL photo equipment. Have a good one and thanks for the comment.
@nevergive7 It's a good unit. You would like it. The smaller one (190) is lighter. You may look at that one too. Good stuff.
It's still not perfect for 1:1 macro because it flexes a tiny bit under my D700 and 105mm VR. It's mostly my ballhead, the 486RC2. But you can reach stuff that you can't with other tripods. I bought it back when I had just a compact camera. And it's weight made it awesome because with the compact I could just set it up however I wanted and the weight kept it in place. Now with my dslr I wish it would be lighter so that I can carry it more often. Awesome tripod! Maybe a macro rail for macro work
Bend over, line it up, slide it in.....
ROFL
You have to repeat and be persistent with it to make that work...
Grab your knob and tighten
@asjesus1 $151 for tripod and $80 for head. They are on Amazon right now for those prices. Pretty expensive, but they will last as long as I want to keep them. It's a good setup. Good for almost anything. If you can justify spending $400 for the carbon fiber version of this tripod it's a little lighter but little shorter too. This one isn't too heavy. It's a good compromise between price, weight, and size for me. I am taller than most however so it looks smaller to me than others.
@m505xl Oh yes. The head is rated for 12 pounds (I think) It's either 12 or 14. It will hold a lot of gear.
thanks man great vid really, i am thinking of getting the 498rc2 as it is only £13 more for me in the uk, and it has the easier panning option but i do like the functionality of this xprob
I looked at this tripod, but found the Giottos MTL-9371B to be much more versatile and have a sturdier center column.
the whole "bend over line it up slide it in" always made me wonder why they went that route. this "new" system had been used by $15 Target/Walmart/Kmart tripod for years. nothing new about it, I feel it's always been better
@KristinConway It's a nice setup. Good luck to you.
Oh, thanks my friend! It will help me to decide!!!
@ThePsychedelicYear Thanks for the good comment. Have a good day!
Good review! 140k + views wow I was going to get the 190xprob but this was about 12 dollars more I can deal with carrying a couple pounds more
That was exactly the information I needed, thanks a lot man.
one review to rule them all, love your videos :)
1:35 expression was priceless haha.
Excelente video, por fin consigo uno donde pueda ver bien el 055
@iliketurtlesme I'm glad it helped. Keep shooting. Good luck to you.