Manfrotto 190XPROB 3 Section Aluminum Pro Tripod

by Manfrotto

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 22.4 x 5 x 5 inches ; 4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000N7VPRW
• Item model number: 190XPROB
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (93 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #30 in Electronics > Camera & Photo > Tripods & Monopods > Complete Tripod Units
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Manfrotto 190XPROB three-section tripod is ultra stable, flexible, and easy to use, making it a great choice for professional photographers everywhere. The tripod is distinguished by its Manfrotto-patented horizontal center column, which has been completely redesigned to create a more user-friendly feel. By extending the column to its highest vertical position, users can now swing the tripod round to horizontal without removing the head or disassembling the column itself. This makes switching between framing and positioning setups more convenient than ever. In addition, Manfrotto improved the ergonomics of the leg angle release mechanism and the quick-action leg locks, making it a breeze to open, position, and close the tripod in just a few seconds. The tension of the locking mechanism is even user-adjustable, so you can find the right tension for your comfort level.

The tripod's unique design allows the photographer to use the center column horizontally as an extending arm or vertically (both right-way-up and upside-down). When used horizontally, the center column can be turned 360 degrees around the tripod, making it useful for macro work, low-angle shooting, extreme balance points, and off-center work. This also makes the tripod a helpful accessory for chair-bound photographers, who can sit beside the tripod instead of behind it, putting them much closer to the camera viewfinder.

Should you need to balance the tripod on an uneven surface, you can set each of the legs to a different spread angle over the tripod's center of gravity--a must for nature shots on outdoor terrain. This also allows you to adjust the tripod to several different heights, with four preset independent leg angles and a spring-loaded step mechanism for extra stability.

Specifications

• Color: Black
• Includes tripod head: No
• Closed length: 22.4 inches
• Minimum height: 3.3 inches
• Maximum height: 57.5 inches
• Maximum height with center column down: 48 inches
• Load capacity: 11 pounds
• Material: Aluminum
• Leg cross section: Round
• Column cross section: 3-faceted
• Leg sections: 3
• Bubble spirit level: 1
• Leg angles: 25, 46, 66, and 88 degrees
• Center column: Rapid
• Section center column: 1
• Column tube diameter: 25mm
• Attachment: 3/8-inch screw
• Leg tube diameter: 25, 20, and 16 mm
• Suggested dolly: 127, 127VS
• Weight: 4 pounds
• Warranty: 2 years

Product Description

Newly redesigned, the 190XPROB makes the famous Manfrotto-patented horizontal center column feature even easier to use. Now, by extending the column to its highest vertical position, it can be swung around to horizontal without removing the head or disassembling the column itself, so switching between framing and positiioning setups is more convenient than ever. The ergonomics of the leg angle release mechanism and the quick action leg locks themselves have also been greatly improved.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

106 of 107 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars solid yet lightweight german engineering, March 12, 2008

By 

E. K. Arnold "amazon hunter" (yay area, usa) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Manfrotto 190XPROB 3 Section Aluminum Pro Tripod (Electronics)

the manfrotto 190xprob may be the best prosumer tripod legs on the market. that is to say, if you need more tripod than this, you're either a wildlife pro or a serious amateur with some long prime lenses.

the 190xprob replaced a cheap VidPro with a plastic head that was very creaky and required overt carefulness. the difference is really astounding, and when you factor in the durability -- i expect this to last for many years-- the added expense over the cheapies is well-justified.

at first glance the 190xprob has that mercedes/bmw look: smooth, clean, symmetrical, steely, with style for days. seriously, this is a good looking pair of legs.

the design is top-notch. manfrotto didnt cut any corners in terms of ergonomics or materials. the fliplock leg extenders clamp solidly yet open fluidly. the piece de resistance is the center column, which easily slides up and extends horizontally for macro or close up work at low angles. a press of a button and the legs hyperextend for extreme low angles, and easily snap back into place.

the whole thing looks and feels solid. but it only weighs four pounds -- light enough for a hike but probably not the best choice for a long vacation (although it will fit diagonally into a 22" carry-on if you're that determined).

manfrotto has seemingly thought of everything -- there's a bubble spirit level right where you need it, foam leg warmers on 2 of the sections, and even a hook for a sandbag or similar weight for use in windy conditions. you can get all sorts of accessories too, like spiked feet, an m-bag, etc.

i tested the horizontal column with a nikon d300 w/ grip and a sigma 50-150 -- probably about a good 5-6 pounds. the key to horizontal extention i soon learned was putting the extended arm directly over the front leg to ensure balance. i wouldnt recommend this for non-level ground, though. in horizontal mode, the arm can be swung around, shortened, or tightened instantly. it feels pretty solid vertically, although you wouldn't want to raise it up all the way with a heavy camera + lens combo.

the maximum height is 57 inches or so, and the thing folds to 22". when folded it makes for a compact package that's ergonomically easy to carry, even in one hand. it also fits into the webbing of the canon deluxe photo backpack that's available on this site too.

if you need a lighter, smaller tripod for travel or hiking, check out the velbon luxi which is 12" folded and weighs 1.6 lbs, or the gorillapod slr. if you need a slightly bigger tripod, the next step up, the 055xpro, goes to 72" and can hold 15 lbs., but weighs 5.3 lbs, and has otherwise the same features.

of course you still have to buy a head, and here you have a choice between ballheads, panheads, and action grips. manfrotto makes solid heads -- i have the 488RC4 ballhead and the 3232 swivelhead -- which you can use on other tripods or monopods as well.

the 190xprob gets: one star for design, one star for features, one star for ergonomics, one star for combination of weight and load capacity (11 lbs total w/out head), and one star for price -- it's not cheap but a value compared to more expensive tripods. that's five stars, folks.

bottom line: manfrotto has done it again with an innovative, stylish, and functional unit. at 4lbs., the 190xprob is right in the middle of the support "sweet spot" -- sturdy enough to shoulder a load with confidence, yet light enough and reasonably compact for field work. the price is about right for a quality aluminum 'pod -- the cheaper ones are less well-made and/or can't hold as much, and the carbon fiber ones cost 3-5x as much, and shave only a pound/pound and a half or so off of weight. that would make a difference on a multi-day excursion or a serious hike, but for "serious casual use" this manfrotto is great. it has a 'pro' look and pro features, and for the price it's hard to beat.

recommended for a d300 and up to a 70-200 or 80-400 lens. anything bigger and you're probably looking at carbon fiber territory.

56 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Light weight and does the job well., July 17, 2007

By 

David Gray "Dave" (Crestview, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Manfrotto 190XPROB 3 Section Aluminum Pro Tripod (Electronics)

I had been looking for a lighter weight, shorter and more versatile tripod for some time. The 190XPROB does the job very well. It provides the versatility I was looking for. As a wildlife photographer I needed a tripod I could set up and adjust the leg height quickly and with the quick action leg locks it works perfectly. It is very stable with my Canon EOS 30D and EF 100-400mm lens. The Bogen Menfrotto 190XPROB is my prime tripod now.

57 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 190XPROB vs 055XPROB, October 21, 2008

By 

tabhastal (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Manfrotto 190XPROB 3 Section Aluminum Pro Tripod (Electronics)

Having tried both the 055XPROB and the 190XPROB, I chose the 190. I liked the lighter weight and shorter height of the 190 and it was sturdy enough for my camera and long lenses (I have a Canon 40D). Here are the differences with the 190 listed first:

Weight: 4 lbs vs 6.4 lbs
Height w/out extension: 48" vs 60"
Max height: 57.5" vs 70"
Max load: 11 lbs vs 15.5 lbs

Everything else is pretty much the same. FWIW, I am 6 ft tall and the 190's max height (center column extended) put the eyepiece just at my eye level. The unextended height of the 055 is just a bit higher; I would have to stand on a brick to use its extended height. The 055 is just too tall for me. Alternatively, it you are taller than 6 ft, you might not be able to use the 190; go for the 055.

So, the 055 is heavier, taller and can carry more weight (camera and lens).

Two negatives with both: First, the center column can go horizontal which is handy in many situations. However it is hard to set in an exactly horizontal axis (it sags). You must have a ball mount to adjust your view to a true horizontal. Secondly, they are not ruggedized. If you use it inside, all's well. But if you go into the woods or the rocks, they will get scratched pretty easily. There also is a lot of plastic that will probably break and the legs have rubber feet (not that useful when you are trying to use it on rocks, cement, etc.)

Definitely go with a ball mount (I have the Manfrotto 488RC2). Unless you shoot in a studio you will be shooting from some very unlevel places. The ball allows you to get a horizontal view in your shot regardless of the configuration of the tripod. The head I use also has a pan lever which allows me to lock the ball into place and then pan along the horizontal axis.