Which Manfrotto is better? (3 Viewers)

birdboybowley

Well-known member.....apparently so ;)

• Jun 15, 2015

• #1

After finally kicking my piece of crap Swarovski tripod apart recently on a trip to Norway when it leg-lock failed AGAIN and dropped my 'scope to the floor AGAIN I have decided to go for the plunge and splurge nearly £400 on a poxy carbon fibre Manfrotto
So, which is better, the MT190CXPRO4 or the MT055CXPRO4....? And is the Xpro Fluid head a good match to these?
An expensive tantrum but boy, it felt feckin' good to smash that turd of a 'pod to bits - just wish I'd brought the carrying strap back with me as these tripods don't seem to come with one....for £400!!
Any advice greatly appreciated

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Jason Bugay Reyes

Well-known member

• Jun 15, 2015

• #2

I used the Manfrotto 501 and 502 video head with Swarovski STX 95. I like the latter.

 

Bill Atwood

Registered User

Supporter

• Jun 16, 2015

• #3

It would likely help with recommendations if you let us know what scope you need support for.

Definitely don't recommend the xpro for the 95mm Swaros. I didn't like it for an ATS 80 Swaro either.

 

M

macs

Well-known member

• Jun 16, 2015

• #4

If the budget is £400 on a tripod only I'd buy a gitzo (even secondhand) or perhaps larger feisol http://www.globaltechcommerce.co.uk/feisoluk/17-ct-3472-elite.html or induro.

 

birdboybowley

Well-known member.....apparently so ;)

• Jun 16, 2015

• #5

Cheers so far guys - it will be for a Leica APO-77 Bill...for the moment
As to the Gitzo - aren't they a bit bulky? Really want to cut down on weight when travelling too....the ole Swaro was a beast and weighed a tonne.....
Just wanna get one now and then hopefully never have to buy another one!

 

Sagittarius

Well-known member

• Jun 16, 2015

• #6

Thinking about getting a spotter either this or next year.
My choice in a tripod will be a carbon fiber made by Really Right Stuff.
Haven't decided on a head yet but like the fluid.
RRS fluid head is very expensive though so would probably go with something else.

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/Shop/Carbon-Fiber-Tripods/

 

Bill Atwood

Registered User

Supporter

• Jun 17, 2015

• #7

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I haven't really kept up on tripods so I can't be much help, but knowing you are using a Leica77 may help others with a recommendation. I'm using a Gitzo G1227 with a Sirui head for a Swaro ATS95. That's a 1st gen CF pod, got it used for $300 many years ago. Keep thinking of upgrading...until I see the current prices for CF!

You may want to be aware that the Swaro pod you had was likely a rebadged one..and IIRC they were rebadged Bogen/Manfrotto. I'm a fan and past/present user of many Swaro optics, but have nothing to do with their accessories. They are really overpriced and at times of low quality.

Was it a Swaro head that you also trashed? The ones I've seen are abysmal.

I'd probably recommend the good ole Manfrotto 128RC for a head. I ordered an Xpro with high hopes for use with my ATS95, but it was severely underbuilt for that and I wasn't really happy with how it perforrned with the lighter AT80 either.

Good luck, wish I good give you a specific recommendation.

 

postcardcv

Super Moderator

Staff member

Supporter

• Jun 17, 2015

• #8

I would take the 055 over the 190 as it is a much more stable tripod - it is taller so you will not need to use the central column as much (if at all). 3LeggedThing tripods are also well work a look...

 

R

Rotherbirder

Well-known member

• Jun 17, 2015

• #9

To save weight, don't discount the Manfrotto 700RC2 head (0.52kg as opposed to 1kg for the 128RC2). At nearly 2kg including eyepiece, your scope would be at the upper end of the head's payload limit though but, with care I think it might just take it. Its also far easier to use than the 128RC2 with fewer adjustments to make and a much smoother action.

 

S

Stephen Mark

Well-known member

• Jun 18, 2015

• #10

Frankly I have never seen a Manfrotto tripod, and I've seen dozens, that is worth 400 dollars let alone 4oo pounds. The tubing is too thin and at least a generation out of date. Gitzo and RRS are very good but way overpriced, at least one and a half what they should be. Since Gitzo got bought out by the same people who own Manfrotto they ain't what they were though reportedly the quality is somewhat better lately. The names to look at in that price range are Induro (some real deals as they are redoing the line), Benro, Sirui, Feisol and Slik but only the top of the line they make some cheap junk. I have and love the Manfrotto 502 Video head for my Kowa 803 scope. Its the best I've found if you can handle the weight.
My opinions involve a lot of money and time sending back losers. I currently have three Induros and won't be looking at tripods for a long time. I use them for photography as well as birding.
Steve

 

U

Uhu74

Well-known member

• Jun 19, 2015

• #11

I can't give a direct answer to your question, but I'm running the manfrotto MT055CXPRO3 with MVH500AH fluid video head for an ATX85. Very stable combination, and the damping of the CF legs is a joy for digiscoping.
I'm very happy with this combo, I'm glad I didn't save money and buy the alu legged version instead, even the best scope is useless without a decent tripod.

 

J

johnf3f

johnf3f

• Jun 19, 2015

• #12

birdboybowley said:

As to the Gitzo - aren't they a bit bulky? Really want to cut down on weight when travelling too....the ole Swaro was a beast and weighed a tonne.....
Just wanna get one now and then hopefully never have to buy another one!

Click to expand...

No, a Gitzo tripod is lighter and slimmer for the same performance. The Gitzo sytematics (no center column) are wider at the top but their performance is even better and they tend to be marginally lighter.
Like you I use a 77mm scope (mine is a Kowa) and, due to the higher magnification, I find scopes to be more demanding of tripods than even the longest lenses (I use a Canon 800mm).
When I am REALLY trying to save weight I use my Gitzo GT2531 - usually with the center column removed. Otherwise I use my Gitzo 3530LS = VERY rigid and only 1.8 Kilo.
These days Gitzos are rather pricey so have a look at the used market. If you don't mind a bit of extra weight I have an older model Gitzo for sale, it weighs 2.3 Kilo and will support anything - including me! P.M. if interested.