Carbon fibre tripod legs V non C/F

[Galaxy66]

Well, I bought the Manfrotto O55CXPROB on Friday, the carbon fibre version of the 055XPROB and yesterday I decided it was not for me.


I am simply not comfortable with it, I found it was not balanced well with the RC 322 head attached for carrying it, and even worse when the body is attached. Manfrotto also took the decision that the sponge padding on two of the legs are no longer needed in cold conditions which I disagree with as these also serve as grips when it is being carried.

What I certainly can not accept is that the difference in material costs can add over a £100 premium to the retail cost! add to that the non inclusion of the sponge grips and in my opinion this example is one big rip-off!!

Lesson learned for me as I should have checked them out in the flesh.

 

[smartidog]

i brought an alluminium 055xprob yesterday and i am very pleased with it, the weight of it over the carbon fibre version is a huge plus as far as i am concerned, i handled both before buying, also i agree that the extra £100+ is way over the top, managed to get at jessops for £119, think the c/f was £249!!

jon

 

[Galaxy66]

I contacted the retailer today and they have agreed to give me a full refund

Will stick to my old one, nice and rugged with legs that simply slide out under their own weight unlike the C/F which have to be pulled out.

Weight advantage yes.............but at a price both monetary and ease of use.

 

[The Chillinator]

I have the 055XPROB legs too, I just couldn't justify the added expense of CF legs. I have read that in cold conditions carbon fibre can crack if dropped or if the legs fall over and hit a hard surface with a reasonable degree of force, so that put me off slightly.

And to be perfectly honest, I can carry my 055 legs all day in my hand or on the back of my bag without any weight issues.

 

[Houston1863]

I too must confess to being a trifle unhappy at stumping up for the hike in price for CF legs. Fortunately my Vanguard is really quite light yet sturdy but as noted elsewhere in my review, their head didn't come up to standards. The legs though remind me of a Japanese car, coming with everything, retractable spikes, ballast bag and adjustable central column.

The 055xProB was actually my 1st choice until I came across the TIPA Awards which gave their thumbs up to the Vanguard.


Cheers

H

 

[strumstrum]

I sold my Redsnapper as weight was getting an issue and went for the Jessops CF tripod and then added a Manfrotto ballhead and I must say I had concerns but have used it out and about a few times now and all those concerns have been and gone..

at Leicesters biggest firework display t'other week was its toughest test, 18k strong crowd I feared the worst but it did me proud.

I do get where you're coming from though but once you get over the initial 'you are just too damn light' hurdle all is good.

 

[LongLensPhotography]

I came to a similar conclusion. I tested all MF tripods in Focus'09 and based on stability and adaptability I chose 190xprob aluminum (I don't fully extend mine anyway - so 055 was an overkill). I felt that CF ones were too unstable, even with xxD body and 100mm lens. As a bonus 190 aluminum price was just right too.

 

[Byker28i]

I've got the redsnapper CF tripod, as the previous one was heavy, so I just wouldn't take it. I can carry this one around without noticing.

Weighting it down isn't a problem as it's got a hook under the central column and I can suspend my camera bag from it if I need additional stability, or I just put the legs out wider.

Depends on how you're using it I suppose and the weight of kit on top.

 

[Roy C]

I used to have the 055proB but changed it for a CF tripod (Feisol 3372). To me the Feisol is easily worth three times the price of the 055 - lighter and a lot more solid and staple a platform (I use it with a Gimbal head).

 

[hollis_f]

Got to agree with Roy - CF is more stable and lighter than Al. The latter is especially important if you tend to carry the tripod around a lot. Three miles with my old 055 made me realise that.