Manfrotto tripod help choosing?

[dtokez]

Hi all. New around here.

I'm after a new tripod, I want something solid and something that goes high (for astro photography etc.

I'm torn between the following models:

055XB http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/50737/show.html
055XDB http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/74899/show.html
055XPROB http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/50739/show.html

They are all very similarly priced and on paper they look much the same?

Thanks

Dan

 

[redhed17]

You say you want to go high, I'm 5' 7" and the camera is at the right height for me without extending the centre column, which I try not to do, and it introduces instability.

The 055XDB and the 055XB look pretty similar. From what I've read, the 055XDB doesn't have the a centre column that can be shortened for low level shooting, and has the older screw style locking knobs.

The 055XPROB, like the 055XB has more modern quick release locking knobs. The 055XPROBs centre column can also be orientated into the tripod at right angles without disassembly.

I've got an older style 055XPROB which doesn't have the newer option of the centre column being able to go from vertical to horizontal without disassembly, but still has the option to put the column in horizontal.

I also have a 190XPROB, which is just a smaller version of the newer 055XPROB, and the option to quickly go from vertical to horizontal has come in handy. And the quick release knobs are great too.

Only you can say whether the extra features of the quick release knobs and horizontal option are worth paying the extra for. :shrug: Once you start paying these prices, this could be the last tripod you'll buy, so take your time choosing.