New Tripod

il gatto

I'm on the verge of ordering a new tripod. I'm leaning towards a Manfrotto 055CL, but does anyone know what the 190xprob is like? I've used Manfrotto before and their my preferred brand so I'm going for a new head by Manfrotto as well. Again, I'm split between two models. I love the idea of the 222 pistol grip jobbie (upright, like handle of a powerhose) and the 322 heavy duty. I can source the 322 for the same price as the 222 and I've heard it's even better, but I still like the idea of the 222. Any ideas?

rymus

I have the 322 on a neotec. It's only wonderful. I've put some weight on it that I thought would make it creep but it's rock solid. Looks like a decent tripod too; being able to change the centre column from vertical to horizontal is a godsend!z

dalk

Can't answer your questions but you might be curious to have a look at Benro tripods.

Basically they appear to be Gitzo tripod rip offs (almost identical but a lot cheaper). I've bought 2 seperate benro tripods (carbon fibre and alu) with ball heads and they are very good quality for the price. Bought them off ebay.

GristlyEnd

I had the 222 head on my 055PROB and last week I purchased the 322RC2 head. The 222 is not as steady with a long lens but the 322 is rock steady.

il gatto

Sorry to bump up this week old thread, but just to let anyone interested know I've ordered my tripod and should get it next week. I went for the 055CLB (don't think I would ever use extra flexibility of center coloumn on PRO and the CL lets you use the center column upsidedown anyway) with the RC322 Heavy Duty head. I decided against the190PROX because even though it folds down to 57cm as opposed to the 055's 61cm, and is .5kg lighter (all big plus points), it would apparently be too small, and I'm only 5'9'':eek: Without the center column up, it only goes to 122cm and with it to 145cm. Even with the head and the fact that I have a battery grip fitted to my camera, it would mean stooping all the time. The 055 is more than high enough. The 055 is also sturdier, so with the RC322 head, battery grip, camera and 70-300mm lens, I didn't want to risk getting the smaller pod.
The 222 head still might be an option down the line, but if I'm going to have one main head, I again wanted to play it safe with one which would be up to the job. It's also extremely cool:cool:
All in for €234 incl. shipping from Topvisionshop.de in Luxembourg. I'll post a review of the kit when I lay my impatient, grasping hands on it:D

mathias

Im the same height as you , and with the 222 head on the 190prox my 20D is at eye level without an extended column, anyway , even with the centre column up its a rock solid tripod , the best one Ive had in a long time.

Got the tripod and the 804 pan and tilt on Technik direckt for this price in the link, already had the 222 which I was using with a Gitzo , I dont like the Gitzo, the base is solid enough but the centre column is rubbish.

http://www.technikdirekt.de/main/en/foto/fotodigital/stative-zubehoer/stative/141778/-/Article.html?

161 plus 20 shipping.

il gatto

I think the RC322 head I went for is a good bit lower. The main reason I didn't go for the 190PROX was that having no decent camera shop nearby to play with one, I decided better safe than sorry height wise. Still, I'm happy just to be getting a decent tripod. Might get that 222 head down the line as well:D

mathias

Yeah the 222 head is great for fast moving stuff like sports , its pistol grip got me in a bit of bother though coming through airport security in the states , the x ray in the security screen spotted it going through and they made me open up my camera bag with two very serious looking homeland security guys standing either side of me !

They laughed when they saw what it was though.

il gatto

The thing that got you stopped is the thing that makes the 222 so cool. Means when you shoot something, you really shoot it.:D