We’ll get the simple decisions out of the way first, which essentially revolve around size and weight. If you’re tall and don’t want to stoop when composing, then go for one of the 055 models. Likewise if you want to mount particularly large and heavy cameras or lenses, the greater load-handling of the 055 range will be preferred. Recently I have photographed a lot of food. Since I’m not a studio guy I don’t have the specialized equipment to regularly shoot food or other small things on a table. But this is exactly the kind of work where the Manfrotto 190XPROB can make life a lot easier. Of course, the subject could be flowers or macro stuff or any other work that requires getting above the subject for an overhead view, in or out of a studio. Staying with the main body casting, Manfrotto now includes an Easy Link, which is essentially a 3/8in female thread into which you can screw accessories – handy for mounting lights or anything else you fancy. All four versions of the MT190, whether three or four leg sections or aluminium or carbon fiber construction, share the same maximum heights and loads. With the centre column retracted or extended, their maximum heights are 135cm or 160cm respectively, while their maximum loads are 7kg. Their minimum heights are also almost identical: 9cm for the three leg section models or 8cm for the four-sections.

The actual numbers may also have you rethinking your technique, especially if you regularly trigger self-timers by hand and not cable release. While all vibrations with the columns raised or lowered were fully dissipated within a ten second countdown, most configurations were still wobbling well beyond two seconds.For the lens we once again opted for a popular focal length of 70-300mm, although due to availability the model used was the less common Canon EF 70-300mm DO. When fully zoomed-in and mounted on a cropped-frame body like the 550D / T2i, this lens delivered an effective focal length of 480mm. The Movie Crop function then effectively multiplied this by a further 7.2 times, delivering a final focal length equivalent to a massive 3456mm; in binocular or telescopic terms, that’s about 70x ‘normal’ (50mm) magnification. So while the total load itself was a fairly modest 1.25Kg (or just under 2.1Kg including the head), the chance to test each tripod at such a large and demanding effective focal length was one we felt had the overall edge. And once again while the Canon 550D / T2i isn’t a heavy body, it is representative of the DSLRs in most common use. But before you sign-up for a four-legged tripod, there are a number of compromises to be aware of. Most importantly the more sections, the less rigid and stable the entire tripod will be. Each joint will flex, and the necessity to squeeze a fourth tube into the third means this final section will be very narrow; indeed on the 190 and 055 models, the fourth leg tubes measure just 11.6 and 16mm in diameter. Macro photography can benefit greatly from the new 190's rotating center column and 88 degree maximum angle, which places it mere inches from the ground. However, at the maximum angle, there is a slight amount of bounce in the legs that is reduced for every section that is telescoped inward. So, when the new 190 is closest to the ground, it is best to keep all sections condensed for maximum rigidity. It would have been nice if Manfrotto incorporated some sort of center stabilizing pole that could extend for extremely low angles, but I did not have any problems with blur once the tripod was configured properly.

The 190XPROB is part of Manfrotto’s X family, designed for general-purpose use indoors and out. There are no fewer than 12 models in the current X family, divided equally between the 190 and 055 ranges. Fully understanding Manfrotto’s model numbers and knowing their capabilities is the key behind making the right choice; here’s a brief guide. Perhaps that extra bulk contributed to the new 190's ability to handle loads of up to 15.43 pounds (7kg), which is a sizable gain from the old 190's 11.02 pounds (5kg) load capacity. The new 190 offers four leg angles at 25, 46, 66, 88 degrees, leg tube diameters of 24.8, 20.4, 16mm, a full carbon fiber construction including the center column, and rotating leveling bubble, which are traits shared directly with the old 190. Like its predecessor, the new Manfrotto 190 is available in two different material variations: aluminum and carbon fiber. It also comes in three or four-section leg versions, and our model happened to be the three-section, carbon fiber design. Dimensions are similar to the old 190, but there are a few differences. The new 190 measures 24 inches (61cm) in its closed state, and weighs 3.53 pounds (1.6kg). This is over an inch longer in closed state and nearly a pound heavier than the old 190. Each leaves a fair amount for a big lens. Basic kit lenses start at around 200g, while general-purpose or basic telephoto zooms are around 600g. A fast 70-200mm f2.8 lens may feel heavy, but will generally weigh around 1.5Kg. Even a 300mm f2.8 telephoto prime will work out about 2.5Kg. So technically speaking you could fit a 300mm f2.8 lens to a top-end pro DSLR, screw it to a half-decent head and still be within the load limit of a 190 tripod, so why would you need the extra capacity of the 055 range? All the PRO models offer built-in spirit levels: on the carbon fiber versions they’re integrated into the top plate, and on the aluminium ones they’re part of the lower Q90 section. Either way, they’re a handy addition whether the head you’re using is also equipped with one or not.

The main differences between both models boil down to the fact that the new 190 can support heftier loads and achieve a taller maximum height, while gaining more than an inch in portable length and almost a poundmore mass. Regardless, the new 190 is very transportable, which is what this model is geared towards. New Design in Use The differences between the four models are their overall weight and retracted size for transportation. With no head fitted, the aluminium MT190XPRO3 measures 59cm when folded-down and weighs 2kg / 4.4lbs. The four-sectioned MT190XPRO4 version measures 49cm when folded-down, saving 10cm in length, but weighs a tad more at 2.1kg / 4.6lbs. Meanwhile the carbon fiber MT190CXPRO3 measures 61cm when folded-down and weighs 1.6kg / 3.6lbs, while the four-section MT190CXPRO4 weighs the same but measures 52.5cm when folded-down, saving 8.5cm in length. So the carbon fiber models are actually a tad longer, but save you 400-500g or around one pound in weight over their aluminium counterparts. Remember though, carbon fiber also has the benefit of reducing vibrations faster and not being as cold to the touch in freezing conditions. Full Disclosure: The tripod reviewed here was received as a gift from Manfrotto during a sponsored factory tour in May 2007. At the time I received the tripod, I owned (and still own) another Manfrotto tripod along with a half dozen Manfrotto light stands and several other miscellaneous supports, clamps, etc. Manfrotto also offers versions of most tripods with three or four leg sections, simply indicated by a number 3 or 4 at the end of the model name. Their maximum heights when fully-extended are roughly similar, but having four leg sections means each section can be shorter, allowing the retracted, transportable size to be smaller overall. Since each section has to fit inside the last though, the fourth section is thinner than the third with a negative impact on overall stability. If you travel a lot and want to squeeze a tripod into a smaller bag, then go for four leg sections, but if you can accommodate a larger tripod or demand the greatest stability, go for three leg sections. The articulating center column is ideal for product and food photography, and it made the experience far easier to obtain the exact placement of the camera for the ideal shot. Furthermore, with a decent remote shutter trigger and a Wi-Fi card linked to an external monitor, food shoots were a breeze.