Tripod suggestion- narrowed down to 2

[Stockybod]

Hi All,
I've narrow down my hunt to 2 tripods.
Manfrotto 190 mf3. It is used but condition is 9.5. I will need to add the cost of a head. The legs are $200. If I would add the same head as my second choice (to compare apples to apples), it would be an additional $73. Total with shipping would be around $295 without a bag,with a bag total around $335. The other, is Manfrotto 055XPROB Pro with a 804 RC2 head, and includes a free tripod case. Cost, with tax is 275- $25 rebate from Manfrotto, net $250.

So what do you all think? The 190 would be $85 more. I like the 190 for the light weight and 3" smaller size. I don't know that much about the 055, although I do like the $85 less. I have a Nikon DX40, so camera weight isn't an issue. I won't be using it a real lot, but when I do so, will be in a hiking/walking mode.
Your suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Stockybod

[TheWengler]

I have the 055XWNB (w/ the short center column) for it's height. It's nice because I don't have to bend over much even w/o the center column. I've carried it before on 6-7 mile hikes and it's not too fun to drag around.

For the head I use a 322RC2 ball head, which I prefer to the 3 way head you mentioned.

[jekostas]

Really, either tripod will do you fine. What it comes down to, of course, is if you want to pay the extra money for portability.

In terms of heads, TheWengler is right - look at a ballhead at first. They are just so much easier to deal with, and an 482RC2 is a good, solid low-end head that'll do you fine and should cost about the same as the 804RC2.

[Stockybod]

I have a 234RC on my monopod. Not having looked at the Monfrotto website, would I be correct in assuming the 322 and 482 are step up's? I wonder if the quick release on my camera that is for the 234 would be the same as the 2 mentioned?

[TheWengler]

I have a 234RC on my monopod. Not having looked at the Monfrotto website, would I be correct in assuming the 322 and 482 are step up's? I wonder if the quick release on my camera that is for the 234 would be the same as the 2 mentioned?

The 48XRC2 ball heads are just your standard ball head. The biger the number the more weight it can support. I believe they come in 482, 484, 486 and 488 but I'm not sure. The 322RC2 has a quick action grip to position the camera. I don't know whether or not these are better than the 3 way head you mentioned earlier or the head you have on your monopod. It probably just depends on what you need to support and what type of head you prefer. It's probably best to check out the Manfrotto site yourself.

The RC2 at the end of the name tells you what kind of quick release plate it uses. I'm assuming they won't work together since yours is RC and these are RC2. You should probably double check that though.

[jekostas]

The 234RC and the 322RC2 and 486RC2 and completely different beasts.

The 234RC is a single axis movement monopod head - it only goes up and down.

The 322RC2 and 486RC2 are ball heads - the camera is mounted on a ball that moves freely in all directions, as opposed to being confined on a single axis like pan/tilt heads are. For about 95% of still photography, ball heads are superior in usage because of the speed and directness of framing a shot. You don't need to adjust multiple axes seperately to frame a shot, just a single movement with a single clamp.

If you're using a 8x10 view camera or doing macro photography a pan tilt head can be a little bit better, though a ball head is still perfectly usable.

In terms of differences, the 322RC2 uses a squeeze trigger to clamp down the ball, and uses a slightly smaller ball. The 486RC2 uses a screw clamp and a slightly larger ball - the 322RC2 won't hold quite as much weight but is easier to use.

RC and RC2 system plates should be compatible.

[KevinMelody.net]

I have the 055XPROB and 804RC2 combination and like everything about it except perhaps the weight... It's excellent in terms of stability but I've taking it for mountain walks to get to see some waterfalls etc and it can be a bit of a pain by the end of a 10mile walk.

I wrote a mini-review:
With my Manfrotto 055XPROB the frustrations of tripod vibrations due to poor quality build and materials are no more.
The legs are easily extended, each of the three sections being held in place with a quick release clip, and they can be splayed at any of four angles (25,46, 66 & 88 degrees), again with an easy release mechanism. An added advantage is that the centre column moves rapidly into a horizontal position.
It is perfectly stable and coupled with a Manfrotto 804RC2 head, perfect for all uses with a maximum height of 178 cm plus head. Stability comes at a cost however: both in price (c.£150) and weight (2.4kg). Still, it’s not so heavy that it gets left at home.
Overall: as good as it gets for the price.

The good:
* Stability
* Value for money
_____________

PS I'm a long-time lurker here and the email amnesty has allowed me to register ;-)

[Stockybod]

Thanks so very much for the replies. I'd like to throw a wrench in my plan and have been reading good things about the Feisol tripods. Any comments? Also, which of their CF models would be a good beginning?

Thanks again!

[Rhys]

Any tripod that doesn't have leg braces is usually a good one. The cheaper, flimsier tripods all have leg braces.

[jekostas]

Any tripod that doesn't have leg braces is usually a good one. The cheaper, flimsier tripods all have leg braces.

You know, I'm still using a 25 year old set of Cullmann 2503 legs, and *GASP* they have leg braces! They're also rock-solid and still in perfect working condition.

So... this isn't always true.

In regards to Feisol, I've honestly heard nothing but good things about their tripod legs, so that might be a route to look in to. I can't list any model numbers for you because their distribution network in North America doesn't really include showrooms, so you might just have to guess what will work for you.

[Rhys]

The problem with many tripods is they seem solid - in the shop - but take them outside into wind and rain and so on and many will vibrate nastily. I had a Benbo at one time. It was rock solid. It vibrated like hell in a strong wind though as the wind turned it into a tuning fork. I got shot of that ASAP.