66 of 66 people found the following review helpful:
Lite, fast, versatile, dependable
Don't write reviews often but this tripod is worth a little effort. I use the Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 with the Manfrotto 322RC2 grip action head, I shoot 90% on a tripod. Thinking that most folks would agree there is no way one can handhold as steady as a tripod.
Even though they all look somewhat similar tripods differ widely.
Before dumping a lot of hard...
8 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
This Purchase Has Been A Nightmare!
I purchased the Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 Tripod on August 28, 2009. On November 26, 2009, one of the legs broke. I called Bogen Imaging the following week and was told the repair would be covered by my warranty. I was also told my tripod would be repaired and returned to me quickly. Their service department received my tripod on December 7, 2009, via UPS.
Don't write reviews often but this tripod is worth a little effort. I use the Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 with the Manfrotto 322RC2 grip action head, I shoot 90% on a tripod. Thinking that most folks would agree there is no way one can handhold as steady as a tripod.
Even though they all look somewhat similar tripods differ widely.
Before dumping a lot of hard earned cash on a tripod think equally about the head you will be placing between it and your camera. Your images will only be as good (sharp) as the weakest link in your system.
This is my 1st carbon fiber tripod of eight and CF was not the only deciding factor. This is a great deal at $300 if you compare all of the features.
100% Carbon Fiber - not a mix of composite materials.
Magnesium joints for stronger, tighter and lighter tube connections.
and the feature part is the patented quick center column system, very nice!
Coming from a 3021BPRO this quick 90deg center column change is a huge improvement, I actually use it now! Rarely did on the 3021 due to the time consuming conversion task.
I transplanted the much loved Manfrotto 322RC2 grip ball head from the 3021, perfect match in diameter.
The tripod and head together weigh in at 4.2# compared to the 3021Pro at around 7# almost a 3# difference. This may not seem like much but if you hike for miles through difficult terrain it is immeasurable. The 322RC2 head is 1.4# tripod 2.8#
The 190CXPRO3 is 3.5" shorter then the 3021 but poses no problems for my 5'-11" height. The center column is 100% CF as well. The Carbon Fiber is so much more rigid than the aluminum even with the larger tubes of the 3021.
It holds my Canon 5D and wide lenses with ease. The head capacity in the vertical position is 5.5# so super telephotos are out but it should not be much of a problem for the 70-200 2.8 or 70-300L lenses with lens ring mounting.
I love this combination and versatility. Just works fantastic for me in nature. I mainly do HDR work these days so a very stable tripod is critically important for the multiple images to match accurately.
Buy it and get outdoors. You can't get good shots reading all these reviews online but at least you might save some time getting the correct tools the 1st time.
The only downside to this tripod is the weight, too light for the breeze at times, may need your cam bag or other to help weight it down a bit at times. Is has no center column hook like most other pro tripods due to the 90deg quick change system release button at that location but there is a small moulded in hook on one side of the triangular center mechanism for this purpose.
paulsedwick.com
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I know, this sounds far-fetched, but this one is actually better than more expensive Gitzos. Of course, Gitzos are also made by Manfrotto, so it's not surprising.
First, you will find that lever leg locks on this one are much more convenient than tubular locks on Gitzo. Second, the 90 degree switching central column is very useful.
Third, the bubble level that you can actually use!
I use mine with Kirk BH-3 and they both seems to be made for each other.
You might consider 190CXPRO4, its more expensive cousin, but I recommend you try it first, because the latter is less stable due to thinner lower section, IMHO.
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Cons:
Legs don't automatically slide out when tab is released
Pricey
Recommendation:
Anyone looking for a sturdy lightweight tripod. If you want all the features with out all the cost, look at the 190xprob (aluminum version).
Review:
This is a lightweight and sturdy tripod. It will easily hold a medium sized camera and lens. Make sure you use a lightweight head on this to get the most of it, something like a 460MG or 486rc2 ball head would work nicely. The carbon fiber is very nice looking, and almost the entire tripod is made from carbon fiber with magnesium fittings.
The 190cx uses magnesium for all the die-castings, which is significantly more magnesium than the 190xprob uses, so you do get a little more than carbon fiber when you buy the 190cx version.
The center column shared by the pro tripod includes the innovative q90 head. Just by loosening the center column and pressing a button on the end, you can pull it up and out and lay it flat so you can position your camera at a 90 degree angle to the tripod. Just be sure to make sure the tripod is stable with the camera out far away before letting go.
For the cons, when you pull the release tabs on the legs, the legs are so light and higher friction than aluminum they don't just fall down into place. You have to pull the tab, then physically pull the leg out to where you want before locking the tab again. This is a minor quibble, but important for people to know.
Secondly, it is more than $100 more than the functionally equivalent 190xprob. Buy this only if you really want the extra weight savings, carbon fiber appearance, and slightly sturdier magnesium die-cast components.
Great tripod, that I hope to enjoy for years. I thought about returning the carbon fiber version for the aluminum version, but after using it I definitely prefer it.
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For under $300 this is a super tripod in carbon fiber.
Tight, smooth, and very stable, even with the center column fully extended.
The center column also switches to 90 horizontal very quickly, but cannot lock at different angles (vertical or horizontal only). Does not come with a carry bag or leg protectors, which for carbon fiber is somewhat more important, so you may want to factor that into the price when comparing it's value. I'm 6'1" tall, and this is adequately high, but the height of the Manfrotto 055 series is probably better for people 6' to 6'6". The comparable 055 CF tripod was $150 more though, which for me wasn't worth 60% more cost for 6" more height. I put the Manfrotto 322RC2 head on it, which is very versatile, and can actually be mounted vertically like a joystick for the extra height, so I'm very happy with the tripod overall.
I like the feel and weight of the carbon fiber and it supposedly dampens vibration better, but if cost is key, you would probably do just as well with aluminum. I read that the 4 section tripods can have a very thin bottom section, which is more fragile, less stable, and more expensive. I don't worry much about its minumum folded up size, so I stayed away from the 4 section, and went for the stability and price of the 3 section.
A center column that could lock at more angles, leg protectors, carry bag, 6" more height are all things that could bring this up from 4 stars, but would also increase the price, so I give it a solid 4+, and did end up buying the leg protectors separately for this, just to protect it from dings, etc. when carrying it around.
I'd only ever used cheapo aluminum tripods before, so this is a huge step up in quality and stability.
I'm super happy with this tripod and would highly recommend it. If you are over 6' though, I would compare it against a Manfrotto 055XPROB before deciding.
Hope this helps.
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I looked around for the best buy for my needs and chose this tripod. I have a Canon 40D and the largest lens I use is a Canon 400mm f 4.6 and it rides very well on this tripod. It collapses quickly and is very well made. I've been using it for apx. 2 months with numerous field trips. It is light and very sturdy. The Quick Center Column system works excetionaly well. A very good value.
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I love this tripod it is light weight which makes it very easy to carry around town. The Q90 center system is a wonderful feature I have used this a few times and really enjoy having it available. Personally I really like the newly added bubble level that was added to the 190CXPRO top plate this really helps in making sure the camera and tripod are level. From what I have heard the new top plate also reduces weight which is another great thing. I purchased this tripod with the 322RC2 grip ball head and it mates up perfectly. When I am using this tripod it works great and is very functional and easy to use. I have no problem with it holding any of the cameras I shoot with (Canon 40D and 300D with battery grip). If I were pressed for one downside on this tripod it would have to be weight when shooting in the wind. This is quite light and in windy situations it maybe too light. I don't really feel it a serious downside because I love the light weight when you have to carry it and because it has a hook on one side of the center mechanism so you can attach a ballast. This is a great buy if you are looking for an all around light weight tripod with some pro features.
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This incredibly capable piece of gear does everything to impress, and nothing to disappoint. Its design allows quick setup of a firm camera mount in contorted positions making the 190CXPRO3 an extremely handy and flexible tool. In one restricted situation I had one unextended leg in its fully open (#4 position), while two others were fully extended (in #1 position, with the extension rod tilted at a 90 degree angle. Sounds strange, but it put the camera exactly where it was needed. The light weight and quick control design are absolutely super. I use it with the 322RC2 ball head w/quick-release plate and can go from gear fully packed on my back to setup and shooting in abut 30 seconds.
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I got this tripod as an addition to my 1950's vintage Star D and my wife's Tiffen Magnum XL tripods. Both are quite satisfactory but a bit heavy. I wanted a lighter tripod that would be easier to travel with but with the rigidity of my old tripods and the convenience of quick lock leg adjusters and with a quick action adjustable ball head.
I bought the 190CXPRO3 which comes without a head and added the Manfrotto 322RC Joy Stick Ball Head. I am quite pleased with this combination although I can see that one might want the spike leg ends in some conditions. The included rubber ones have worked fine for me up till now.
The tripod is significantly lighter than my old ones, adjusts much easier, and, with the ball head, allows quick and convenient setup and photo composition. I use this tripod with my Canon 5D Mark II with lenses from the 17-40mm f/4L to the 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L. I use the tripod mount on the lens for the longer lenses with satisfactory results.
I am pleased with this tripod and would recommend it to others.
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Excellent price for a carbon fiber tripod. The 190CXPRO3 is very light, feels sturdy and easy to manipulate. I've mounted my D300 with 70-200 2.8 on this tripod and while I had initial reservations about it's ability to handle the weight, it passed with flying colors. I used this recently at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden and I had fun. It was light enough to move quickly from one spot to another with the camera mounted. I certainly appreciated the difference in weight from my old Manfrotto tripod when I was walking home with my camera bag containing the tripod.
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After reading Kelby's Digital Photography 1 book, I took one of his first suggestions: buy a really good tripod. This Manfrotto was my choice, and for once, I made a terrific decision. It is really solid, easy to use and works well with my Manfrotto ballhead that I got at the same time. As other reviewers have commented, it doesn't really have a nice, large, and convenient hook to hang some weight from, but it has enough other projections that work well enough. And, it has such a solid feel to it, that for my Canon Rebel with my zoon, it is very, very solid.
On the negative side, though not enough to dock it a star, the legs on this model do NOT have any padding. So far, it has not been a problem, but I am getting some "add-on" padding for the upper sections of the legs, as I can see that they will be most helpful in cold weather, and to keep it from getting banged around.
I am very satisfied with this tripod. Haha for me, I now have a better quality tripod and head than I do camera. Hey, I guess I need a really, really good camera to go with this tripod!
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