Manfrotto 190CXPRO4 4-Section Pro Carbon Fiber Tripod without Head

by Manfrotto

Product Details

• Item Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0015MHY6K
• Item model number: 190CXPRO4
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #6 in Electronics > Camera & Photo > Tripods & Monopods > Tripod Legs
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 17, 2003

Product Description

In 2007 the Manfrotto 190X received the TIPA award for Best Accessory on the market, while the 190XPROB won The Editor's Choice award from American Photo. Manfrotto was so proud to receive these awards, but they didn't want to stop there. Manfrotto has taken this already amazing tripod to the next level. Manfrotto presents a New Generation of tripods to the carbon fiber tripod world, extremely light weight with, incredible performance, fast and easy to use combining incredibly light, high quality materials (100% Carbon Fiber Tubes, Magnesium and aluminum die castings) a revolutionary patented center column mechanism (Q90°, Quick Center Column System), and innovative design. The 190CXPRO3 and the 190CXPRO4 represent three section and four section versions of the PRO tripods. These PRO versions have the patented quick center column system that now uses a tri-faceted 100% full carbon fiber tube, magnesium die castings and magnesium top plate with an integrated leveling bubble.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Versatile, strong yet light but lacks spike feet option, August 13, 2008

By 

Pastense11 (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Manfrotto 190CXPRO4 4-Section Pro Carbon Fiber Tripod without Head (Electronics)

The real choice is between the three section model (pro 3) which is lighter and less money but longer when collapsed. I went for the compactness of this four section tripod and it has proven a good choice. Compared to other carbon tripods this one wins on functionality and quality for the money. The ability to shift the center column to horizontal, upside down and all ways in between is tremendously easy. So too are the locking catches that allow you to spread the legs to different angles with a push of the catch. My only complaint is the lack of spike feet. Instead the legs are terminated by cheap rubber caps that will wear out quickly when used on irregular hard surfaces outdoors. I was unable to find alternate feet that are available for 16mm diameter legs of other Manfrottos (the bottom legs are 11mm on the pro4). Hey Bogen you got to fix this for that much money.

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sturdy, versatile, and crazy light, March 30, 2009

By 

black thumb (Berkeley, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Manfrotto 190CXPRO4 4-Section Pro Carbon Fiber Tripod without Head (Electronics)

I chose this tripod because of its light weight and very small size when collapsed. I travel a lot and was looking for the best combination of lightness, compactness, and versatility in a tripod that would still fit in carry-on luggage. I have not yet flown with it but I will update this review when I do.

I don't often get the happy experience of a product exceeding my expectations, but this tripod does. To the extent that something as simple as a tripod can be loaded with thoughtful little details, this one is. The center section has an unobtrusive hook for hanging things off the tripod (like a weight to give more stability, or your camera bag) and an equally unobtrusive loop for tying things to the tripod or vice versa. Almost everything is adjustable--tension on the leg sections can be adjusted with an included key that snaps onto one of the legs for storage. The center post switches from vertical to horizontal in literally a second or two. It seems to be the product of a long learning curve informed by real-life experience. Working with other tripods I have frequently thought, "Boy, it would sure be nice if this tripod did X." The 190CXPRO4 does X, and Y and Z to boot.

A word on stability. This tripod is about as sturdy as it is possible for something in its class to be. It makes all the cheap photo tripods I've ever used look laughable. That said, it is still an under-four-pound skinny-legged thing with no spreader or chains, so don't expect the same level of solidity you'd get from a surveyor tripod. On the other hand, good luck finding something this sturdy that folds down to 20 inches and weighs less than four pounds, or something this versatile at any size. Just be aware that there IS a tradeoff involved.

With a big ball head and five pound spotting scope perched on top, damping times from vibrations are in the 2-3 second range, which is not just acceptable but darn near miraculous considering the scope+head outweigh the tripod by a factor of 3 to 2. When I'm trying to observe the fiendishly skittish hummingbird in the tree next door, it's very nice to be able to just pick up the whole rig with one hand, walk across the yard, plunk it down and be back to observing in less time than it takes to write.

Recommended not just for photographers but also birders and amateur astronomers looking for exceeding lightness, strength, and versatility in a grab-n-go setup.

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Manfrotto 190CXPRO4, May 14, 2008

By 

Xsv Photo "Bill" (Madison, Alabama United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Manfrotto 190CXPRO4 4-Section Pro Carbon Fiber Tripod without Head (Electronics)

Bogen-Manfrotto 190CXPRO4 4-Section Pro Carbon Fiber Tripod without Head

After months of researching tripods the choice came down to the Manfrotto 190CXPRO4. The flexability of the Manfrotto system coupled with the ability to customize to a configuration that suits any shooting situation is perhaps the best feature of the product. The equipment is engineered using the best materials under the closest tolerances. I shoot both a DSLR (Nikon D300) and Medium Format (Hasselblad) film camera. This Tripod and the choices of heads allow you to lighten your load and customize your platform to fit your gear. Price will keep buyers to serious photographers or professionals.