Manfrotto 055CXPRO4

menthel

menthel

Messages
6,732
Name
Jim
Edit My Images
Yes
I am thinking of getting this to replace my giottos vitruvian that is not man enough for my 7d with grip and 150-500 on board. It is fine for smaller lenses etc but I really need something stronger.

Are there any other options?

What head for my 150-500?

What head for macro?

What head for normal use/landscapes?

Are there any heads that would fulfill one or more of the above? I am used to a ball head but think that there may be something better out there for the above? I do have a budget in that I can afford this but can't justify gitzos, arca heads and wimberly bits.

All input gratefully received!
 
For the 150-500, maybe a video head or a Gimbal?
The manfrotto 393 is supposed to be a good budget gimbal, I don't know anything about video heads.

For everything else, either a ball head or a 3-way (unless you want serious precision, then a 410 geared head).
Ball head is quick to adjust, but not as good for panning as a 3-way.

I use a ball head for everything, though sometimes I wish I had a gimbal for the 100-400 or a geared head for the macro (but I can't justify that kind of expense, especially when the ball head does well enough).
 
Last edited:
menthel said:
What head for macro?

What head for normal use/landscapes?

Are there any heads that would fulfill one or more of the above?

All input gratefully received!
Click to expand...

I recently got the geared head mentioned, the 410.

It does macro and landscape sublimely well...I doubt there is anything better. Each axis is on a gear so it moves in the smallest increments compared to any other head, yet it also has a clutch mechanism on each axis so you can disengage the gear and move it freely.

As I said, for accurately and quickly leveling landscapes or macro composition where the slightest slip or nudge throws it out, a geared head is unsurpassed in my opinion. :thumbs:
 
Last edited:
I'm a 410 fan too - but I do recognise that not everyone gets on with them.
I recommend finding someone who has one and having a good play.

I'll add to the opinions posted above that the 410 is also great for long lenses.
There is no droop that normal heads get when you lock the head and let go of the camera. The weight is on the gears all the time, even when adjustments are being made, so it is ultra precise.
The big weakness of the 410 is video or tracking objects birds in flight - it's strength is precise positioning.

Also...
I've got the 3 section version of the tripod you are thinking about - excellent bit of kit.
I've made one change - I bought the short centre column and use that instead of the long one that comes with the legs.
It still does the fangled 90deg flip thing, but I can spread the legs and get really low before needing to resort to flipping the centre column.
 
Thanks all. Looks like the tripod is a go. I will have a look at the gimbal and geared head.
 
I'd recommend the Manfrotto 393 gimbal head for your 150-500, it's an absolute bargain compared to all the other gimbal options.
 
CT said:
I'd recommend the Manfrotto 393 gimbal head for your 150-500, it's an absolute bargain compared to all the other gimbal options.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I will have a search.
 
Actually, quick question with regards gimbal heads. I often shoot in portrait, is it a matter of loosening the tripod collar and swivelling the lens in that to change from landscape to portrait?
 
menthel said:
Actually, quick question with regards gimbal heads. I often shoot in portrait, is it a matter of loosening the tripod collar and swivelling the lens in that to change from landscape to portrait?
Click to expand...

I don't have a gimbal but that is how I've seen it used for portraits :thumbs:
 
menthel said:
Actually, quick question with regards gimbal heads. I often shoot in portrait, is it a matter of loosening the tripod collar and swivelling the lens in that to change from landscape to portrait?
Click to expand...

You got it. :thumbs:
 
The 393 is an excellent gimbal, if a tad bulky, but it's a bargain compared to the alternatives and it does come complete with a lens plate, so there's no additional cost. The only drawback with the 393 is that it uses a non-standard size Arca type plate which is a PITA for me as it's permanently attached to the 300mm lens, so if I want to use it with my other head it means farting about swapping plates or heads. I keep threatening to get rid of it for that reason, but it's the only drawback for me.
 
I use a 055xprob and a manfrotto 393 gimbal 7D + 150-500mm

6126292227_2f9f066817_b.jpg


6126292287_0e8954c8db_b.jpg


Dave
 
Last edited:
CT said:
The 393 is an excellent gimbal, if a tad bulky, but it's a bargain compared to the alternatives and it does come complete with a lens plate, so there's no additional cost. The only drawback with the 393 is that it uses a non-standard size Arca type plate which is a PITA for me as it's permanently attached to the 300mm lens, so if I want to use it with my other head it means farting about swapping plates or heads. I keep threatening to get rid of it for that reason, but it's the only drawback for me.
Click to expand...

Thanks Cedric. For me it would only ever be used with that head, its all the 150-500 is good for, so I don't think I would be too bothered tbh. I just need to look around for the right price for the pair.
 
Hmmmm. It might pay you to have a look in Classifieds just now. ;)
 
If you want ultimate and accurate control over camera position I don't think that anything can match a Benbo with a centre column bracket and a geared head. This is the only combination that I'm even half way happy to use.

The problem with conventional column between the legs designs is that you can't accurately position the camera and column at an angle and ball heads seem to all suffer drop, the only advantage I can see for them is that they're simple and compact. If I didn't use a geared head I'd go for a three way pan.

I have a 410, it does allow accurate positioning but I find it a pain to use, literally a pain... anyone who has used one in lower temperatures has probably cursed the thing :bang: :D
 
woof woof said:
If you want ultimate and accurate control over camera position I don't think that anything can match a Benbo with a centre column bracket and a geared head. This is the only combination that I'm even half way happy to use.

The problem with conventional column between the legs designs is that you can't accurately position the camera and column at an angle and ball heads seem to all suffer drop, the only advantage I can see for them is that they're simple and compact. If I didn't use a geared head I'd go for a three way pan.

I have a 410, it does allow accurate positioning but I find it a pain to use, literally a pain... anyone who has used one in lower temperatures has probably cursed the thing :bang: :D
Click to expand...

Thanks Alan, I do enjoy macro too so I think that the centre column is a bonus for that, although any advice otherwise is always gratefully accepted. Also, what Benro would you recommend?
 
menthel said:
Thanks Alan, I do enjoy macro too so I think that the centre column is a bonus for that, although any advice otherwise is always gratefully accepted. Also, what Benro would you recommend?
Click to expand...

I think he said Benbo Jim.:D

I do agree with what Alan is saying - if you want a really adaptable tripod avoid the conventional centre column which is central between the legs. Go for the offset rotating type centre column which allows you to get the camera at any angle and into the most awkward places.
 
Not Benro, Benbo... they're very different things.

The Benbo range is made in Britain, in a shed, from real metel. It's based on a machine gun mount... how much more manly can you get?

There's a very similar thing from Uniloc.

These tripods are good for rugged field and macro use. Google and you will see, but if you do go for one of these I'd strongly recommend the centre column bracket which allows independent control of the legs and centre column and largely negate the drunken Octopus syndrome that some complain of.

IMG_8139-01.jpg
 
Last edited:
Thanks all and please excuse my typo, it's the fault of my fat fingers. Off to google I go. I am sure I should actually be working though...
 
Had a look and for me it has 2 main drawbacks- weight and size when folded. Now I am not a small man but its just to big and heavy for me to use, I ditched my old red snapper because of those problems. It looks as if the manfrotto is a good compromise between size, weight, adjustability and price to me.
 
menthel said:
Had a look and for me it has 2 main drawbacks- weight and size when folded. Now I am not a small man but its just to big and heavy for me to use, I ditched my old red snapper because of those problems. It looks as if the manfrotto is a good compromise between size, weight, adjustability and price to me.
Click to expand...

That's really the problem - weight and portability. I have a big old Benbo 2 it's donkeys years old and weighs about 9lbs without a head! Its also big and bulky even when folded, so it only gets used in the house or the garden - not something I'd want to cart around. :gag:
 
CT said:
That's really the problem - weight and portability. I have a big old Benbo 2 it's donkeys years old and weighs about 9lbs without a head! Its also big and bulky even when folded, so it only gets used in the house or the garden - not something I'd want to cart around. :gag:
Click to expand...

My point exactly. My main use will be with the 150-500 on it, tramping round nature reserves etc so I think something a little lighter may be in order and I think the manfrotto fits the bill in this case.
 
I've just weighed mine in it's bag and with a head and it weighs under 6lbs :thumbs:
 
woof woof said:
I've just weighed mine in it's bag and with a head and it weighs under 6lbs :thumbs:
Click to expand...

What tripod and what head do you have on it? The Manfrotto pairing will be 3.3kg for the tripod and the gimbal. My current triposd is 1.5kg with the tiny ball head to would probably weigh around 3kg with the gimbal.
 
As in the pic it's a Benbo Trekker with either a Manfrotto 410 geared or Giottos 1301 ball head. I weighed it with the ball head and I'd guess that the geared head weighs a little more.

From what I've read the Uniloc might be better built, but I don't have any worries with my Benbo and when set up it is deffo more stable than my previous Manfrotto 055, which I ended up gaving away as it was useless for my uses.

I think that tripods and heads are probably the most difficult things to decide on and buy and you'll probably not get it right first time... such is life :gag: :D

http://www.patersonphotographic.com/benbo-tripods.htm

http://www.uniloctripod.com/
 
Last edited:
woof woof said:
As in the pic it's a Benbo Trekker with either a Manfrotto 410 geared or Giottos 1301 ball head. I weighed it with the ball head and I'd guess that the geared head weighs a little more.

From what I've read the Uniloc might be better built, but I don't have any worries with my Benbo and when set up it is deffo more stable than my previous Manfrotto 055, which I ended up gaving away as it was useless for my uses.

I think that tripods and heads are probably the most difficult things to decide on and buy and you'll probably not get it right first time... such is life :gag: :D

http://www.patersonphotographic.com/benbo-tripods.htm

http://www.uniloctripod.com/
Click to expand...

Thanks. I think that would end up with a weight of 3.7kg overall with the gimbal, so the weight is not too bad. However storage may still be tricky as it comes down only to 84cm, a good 30cm longer than the manfrotto. I think I would really need to look at one before I made the plunge but there are no dealers in London. Gah! You are right about tripods, they are as bad to buy as bags!
 
Trying before you buy is a problems as there don't seem to be any dealers... and I don't live near a big city... so I decided to buy a cheapo one off a well known auction site to suck it and see and I ended up keeping it and giving the Manfrustrating away.

Dunno where you'd find a Benbo or Uniloc dealer.

If you do do down this route I'd deff recommend the centre column bracket.
 
woof woof said:
Trying before you buy is a problems as there don't seem to be any dealers... and I don't live near a big city... so I decided to buy a cheapo one off a well known auction site to suck it and see and I ended up keeping it and giving the Manfrustrating away.

Dunno where you'd find a Benbo or Uniloc dealer.

If you do do down this route I'd deff recommend the centre column bracket.
Click to expand...

Having just looked there is not actually a dealer in London, the nearest is somwhere in Sussex or Hampshire. At least I can go into a shop and handle the Manfrotto as Jacobs tend to have them on display. More thought required...
 
Another thought...

You can acually buy adapters that will allow a conventional centre column between the legs tripod to be positrioned like a Benbo. If you are looking to get into macro or some other instance where a Benbo type positioning system is an advantage it might be worth looking at adapters. I bought one but it wouldn't fit my tripod so I sent it back... basically the adapter replaces the existing centre column, et voila, you have a Benbo clone-ish.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top