Manfrotto 055CXPRO3/4 vs Scottish weather - Please help!

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Di Z

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Diana
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Hi,

I'm looking to buy a tripod and having a real problem deciding which one to get. I really like Manfrotto 055CXPRO3 or 4 but my friends tell me that this tripod might be a bit too light for the weather conditions in Aberdeen. It's really windy up here!

I need to buy a tripod this week so would really appreciate your help.

Can please anyone tell me how 55CXPro3/4 handles the windy weather in Scotland? Should I just get aluminium tripod instead carbon fiber one?


Second issue i'm finding difficult is number of sections. Many people say that 4 sections is less stable than 3. I can understand why. However I really like the fact that the 4 sections one when folded is quite small - which is important to me. Saying that I'm conscious of the fact that shooting in scotland - weather wise - might require all the stability i can get.

Any thoughts?

:help:

Thanks
 
Both tripods have a hook from which you can hang extra weight ie. your camera bag etc. if you are concerned about it blowing over.
You can also set the legs to much wider angles, which will rule out it blowing over.
 
Also remember that carbon fibre will not feel as cold to your hands as aluminium will!
 
I have the redsnapper carbon tripod and it's light so easy to carry, but if I have my camera bag from the hook under the centre column it weighs it down nicely so it doesn't move.

I'd rather have light, because then I'll carry it and use it.
 
I went for the SLIK PRO 700DX

It weighs 3.2KG, Can hold 6.8KG and the foam leg warmers make carrying it on a cold day a bit more comfortable.

Going up to 1.9m means it's good if you're tall.

Holds up fine to Highland blasts !

1592743690_38bafbc18a.jpg
 
Thanks for your comments guys.

MN055CXPro4 weights only 1.7kg without the head that's why i was concerned. I suppose the advantage is that it's really light so i will take it with me more often.
 
Sue (whooshdemon on here and my other half) has a 055CX3. It's a great tripod and was stable enough supporting a 300/2.8 two thirds of the way up Cairngorm last week!

I'd always pick the 3 section on that tripod. It's more stable and also it is taller without extending the centre column. Before Sue got her's we made sure she could use it without needing the centre column as that makes things much more susceptible to vibration.
 
I settled for the redsnapper RS-283 & RHS-12 Ball Head, didnt see the point in spending 3x to go carbon as the difference in weight is actually quite hard to notice, they come in a great padded bag and the best bit of all is the twist and grib release. I found that to be the most annoying thing about any previous tripod where as now its up, down and precisely adjusted in a split 2nd.

Oh by the way i was out on the top of cliff at the coast on a very windy day and it didnt move and that was without hanging a bag on it for extra support.
 
grumpybadger said:
I'd always pick the 3 section on that tripod. It's more stable and also it is taller without extending the centre column. Before Sue got her's we made sure she could use it without needing the centre column as that makes things much more susceptible to vibration.
Click to expand...

And here is where the problem starts - cos I like the idea of having tripod which closed height is only 54.5cm. 3 sections one is almost 10cm taller. I'm looking from a transport point of view when attached to my backpack or taking it abroad.
Is the 4 sections one really that bad?
 
Di Z said:
Is the 4 sections one really that bad?
Click to expand...

No, but you have to think of it like this.

If it was built without any extendable sections, you would have a very stable tripod as there are no moving parts and the section of the leg would be a wide diameter from top to bottom, and therefore stiffer. The difference between the three and four section is that the fact the you are adding more moving parts, and an extra section that is thinner (and therefore less stiff) into the equation.

I have just bought the 3 section because I want a bit more stability, but there isn't a huge amount of difference in the day to day use.

It is your choice, 10% less stability against 20% more compact. Which is more important to your pictures?

Cheers
Gary
 
The 055 CXPRO3 is a quality tripod. It's so easy to carry around with you. It feels like it will last a very long time and is a joy to setup and use. The locking mechanisms are great.

I haven't used the Redsnapper ones so I can't compare the quality but iirc you do get a short column and a bag with it. Manfrotto charge you an extra £50 quid or so for those (£30 for the bag, £20 for the short central column).
 
Di Z said:
And here is where the problem starts - cos I like the idea of having tripod which closed height is only 54.5cm. 3 sections one is almost 10cm taller. I'm looking from a transport point of view when attached to my backpack or taking it abroad.
Is the 4 sections one really that bad?
Click to expand...

No. It's not that bad and it depends how stable you want it to be and how much load you are putting on it. If you are using normal size lenses, I would happily use the 4 section one but for a big prime, 3 seems more prudent.
 
Don't forget you can always attach your camera bag to the bottom of the CXPRO3 (there's a little loop to hook into) which will make it much more solid in high winds. It's pointless carrying an alu model when you'll only take advantage of it's extra weight a few times a year
 
I think you'll be fine with the 055CX. I have a 190CXPRO3 which has been superb with a D200 and either 24-70 or siggy 100-300... so quite a weighty combination - i've now acquired a d3 and the 190 is now too small so im likely to step up to the 055CXPRO3 which is much much sturdier. The manfrottos are really nicely made, the centre column design is superb, and although pricey they are good value when compared to other top end brands.
 
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