Manfrotto 190X Aluminium 3 Section Tripod

Product Information

The differences between the four models are their overall weight and retracted size for transportation. With no head fitted, the aluminium MT190XPRO3 measures 59cm when folded-down and weighs 2kg / 4.4lbs. The four-sectioned MT190XPRO4 version measures 49cm when folded-down, saving 10cm in length, but weighs a tad more at 2.1kg / 4.6lbs. Meanwhile the carbon fiber MT190CXPRO3 measures 61cm when folded-down and weighs 1.6kg / 3.6lbs, while the four-section MT190CXPRO4 weighs the same but measures 52.5cm when folded-down, saving 8.5cm in length. So the carbon fiber models are actually a tad longer, but save you 400-500g or around one pound in weight over their aluminium counterparts. Remember though, carbon fiber also has the benefit of reducing vibrations faster and not being as cold to the touch in freezing conditions. Given a typical head weighs between 0.5 and 1Kg (with only the heftiest models coming in any heavier), you can easily work out what you’ll have remaining for your camera and lens. Typical entry-level to mid-range DSLR bodies weigh between 500 and 700g with battery. Typical semi-pro DSLR bodies with battery (but no battery grip) generally weigh around 900g, while top-end pro DSLRs with built-in grips rarely weigh much more than 1.2Kg. The key feature of the 190X is the ground level adaptor which allows great shooting creativity. Once placed on the top casting and combined with the 4 leg angles, it enables the tripod to reach ultra-low positions. The new Leg Angle Selector allows the leg angle to be chosen easily and effortlessly. Beyond those who use larger format cameras or the biggest lenses, it really boils down to whether you want to operate close to or well within the limits of your equipment. A 190 tripod may not collapse under the weight of the configuration described above, but it will wobble much more than you’d like. Certainly if you do have higher-end bodies and large lenses, the 055 range will be much more suitable than the 190, but the latter will be more than sufficient for most body and lens combinations in general use. Even half the maximum load will accommodate some pretty high-end gear in a stable position. The bottom line is there may be a number of compelling reasons to choose the 055 range over the 190, but few should honestly reject the latter for inadequate load handling alone. Manfrotto 190XPROB Real-life tests

Like most tripods, the 190XPROB’s legs can be set to different angles: in this case there’s four options at 25, 46, 66 and 88 degrees to the central column. Yes, that’s right, the fourth leg angle is virtually perpendicular to the centre column, allowing very low angles with a minimum height of just 8.5cm.

In 1972, Manfrotto met Gilberto Battocchio, a mechanical engineer who helped him render his ideas and requirements into actual products, and in 1974, the first commercial Manfrotto tripod was launched. Over the next decade and a half the company grew significantly with manufacturing remaining in Italy. In 1989, the entire Lino Manfrotto shareholding was bought by the British Vitec group with Lino and Gilberto remaining in the Management team. If you're keen to showcase your video skills, this tripod makes a great travel companion thanks to its lightweight 0.7kg design and high-quality aluminium body and polymer adapter. Choose from two fluidity levels – hard and soft – and customise it to your type of gear and movement. Surprisingly, there’s relatively few bundles so far, beyond variations on the official ones with Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, which implies some sort of edict from Microsoft preventing others.

But for all the high-tech benefits of carbon fiber, there’s the simple fact a heavier tripod will enjoy a stability advantage under certain conditions, such as withstanding buffeting from wind. The 190XPROB is also considerably cheaper than the pricey carbon fiber version, so if you want a decent tripod at an affordable price and don’t mind (or would actually welcome) its weight, then this aluminium model will be preferred. Manfrotto 190XPROB length and height We’ll get the simple decisions out of the way first, which essentially revolve around size and weight. If you’re tall and don’t want to stoop when composing, then go for one of the 055 models. Likewise if you want to mount particularly large and heavy cameras or lenses, the greater load-handling of the 055 range will be preferred. As mentioned at the start, one of the major differences between the 190 and 055 ranges are the weights each can handle. The maximum load handling of any of the 190 models is 5Kg, compared to 7Kg on the aluminium 055XPROB and 8Kg on the carbon fiber 055CXPRO3 (and 4). That’s clearly a significant load benefit to the 055 range, but how much do you really need? For the lens we once again opted for a popular focal length of 70-300mm, although due to availability the model used was the less common Canon EF 70-300mm DO. When fully zoomed-in and mounted on a cropped-frame body like the 550D / T2i, this lens delivered an effective focal length of 480mm. The Movie Crop function then effectively multiplied this by a further 7.2 times, delivering a final focal length equivalent to a massive 3456mm; in binocular or telescopic terms, that’s about 70x ‘normal’ (50mm) magnification. So while the total load itself was a fairly modest 1.25Kg (or just under 2.1Kg including the head), the chance to test each tripod at such a large and demanding effective focal length was one we felt had the overall edge. And once again while the Canon 550D / T2i isn’t a heavy body, it is representative of the DSLRs in most common use. As for the 190XPROB reviewed here, it’s hard not to be impressed with what you’re getting for the money. It may be the cheapest model of the four tested here, but still delivers a significant step-up from budget tripods. It’s relatively compact but extends to a height most would find acceptable, while handling sufficient load for the vast majority of photographers. Angle the legs out as far as they’ll go with the centre column horizontal and it’ll also crouch just a few inches above the ground.

Manfrotto 190XPROB length and height

The actual numbers may also have you rethinking your technique, especially if you regularly trigger self-timers by hand and not cable release. While all vibrations with the columns raised or lowered were fully dissipated within a ten second countdown, most configurations were still wobbling well beyond two seconds.

I shot with the MT190XPRO3 for several weeks and found it to be a substantial and serious tripod. At 59cm in length and 2kg for the aluminium version (before you’ve fitted a head), you certainly know you’re carrying it around. By sharing many of the specs of earlier 055 models, Manfrotto has repositioned the MT190 as a heftier, higher-end tripod that’ll satisfy anyone who desires a stable platform to position their camera at or above head-height or virtually touching the ground. Rustic oak 190 another cost effective product in our range is our natural oiled finished oak. The larger sized planks with fixed lengths of 1.9 meters still advertises a high quality floor and looks the part in the majority of rooms. Plank Width Each leaves a fair amount for a big lens. Basic kit lenses start at around 200g, while general-purpose or basic telephoto zooms are around 600g. A fast 70-200mm f2.8 lens may feel heavy, but will generally weigh around 1.5Kg. Even a 300mm f2.8 telephoto prime will work out about 2.5Kg. So technically speaking you could fit a 300mm f2.8 lens to a top-end pro DSLR, screw it to a half-decent head and still be within the load limit of a 190 tripod, so why would you need the extra capacity of the 055 range?But before you sign-up for a four-legged tripod, there are a number of compromises to be aware of. Most importantly the more sections, the less rigid and stable the entire tripod will be. Each joint will flex, and the necessity to squeeze a fourth tube into the third means this final section will be very narrow; indeed on the 190 and 055 models, the fourth leg tubes measure just 11.6 and 16mm in diameter. All four versions of the MT190, whether three or four leg sections or aluminium or carbon fiber construction, share the same maximum heights and loads. With the centre column retracted or extended, their maximum heights are 135cm or 160cm respectively, while their maximum loads are 7kg. Their minimum heights are also almost identical: 9cm for the three leg section models or 8cm for the four-sections. The entire centre column can also be removed and reversed for very low angles if desired, or swapped for an optional shorter version, allowing the legs to be fully widened without having the column extended. The increased stability of engineered wood is achieved by running each layer at a 90° angle to the layer above. This stability makes it a universal product that can be installed over all types of subfloors above, below or on grade. Engineered wood is the most common type of wood flooring in Europe and has been growing in popularity in North America Tongue And Groove