Manfrotto 190XPRO Aluminium 3 Section Tripod with Horizontal Column

Product Information

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. 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. Conversely if you want the most compact tripod for easy transportation, the smaller 190 range is preferable, and if weight is an issue, the carbon fiber models of either family are much lighter than their aluminium counterparts. This weight difference isn’t something you’ll need to go on a long hike to appreciate either – it’s obvious before you even step out the door. But carbon fiber doesn’t come cheap, so if budget is an issue, then go for an aluminium model. We started with the aluminium 190XPROB with its centre column down. In this configuration, the vibrations from a sharp tap were dampened in an average of 4.9 seconds. With the centre column raised, the vibrations took 7.4 seconds to visibly dissipate. It should come as no surprise to find a tripod becomes less stable with its centre column raised, but taking around 50% longer to dissipate vibrations from even a relatively light load is quite a performance-hit. The clever camera tripod for perfect results every time. The 190XPRO Aluminium 4-Section Tripod with Horizontal Column is more than just an average photo stand. It blends ergonomic design with best-in-class quality standards and an impressive list of features. Not least the smart 90° column system, which allows you to catch shots from any perspective. So you can work fast, accurately, and with absolute freedom, whether you’re shooting vertically, or horizontally.

In 1992, the Vitec group bought the French high-end tripod company, Gitzo, followed by the American photographic distribution company Bogen a year later. The Bogen Imaging distribution network steadily grew until early 2010 when the name was changed to Manfrotto Distribution throughout all the countries it operated in. When calculating which height will be best for you, remember to also take into account the height of the head and the viewfinder or screen you’ll be using for composition – a typical Manfrotto head in landscape orientation would be about 10cm tall, while the viewfinder on an average DSLR is typically about 8cm from the base. So it’d be fair to add around 15 to 20cm to the tripod plate height to reach the viewfinder level of a typical DSLR.

Summary

As for the 190XPROB reviewed here, it’s hard not to be impressed with what you’re getting for the money. It may be the cheapest model of the four tested here, but still delivers a significant step-up from budget tripods. It’s relatively compact but extends to a height most would find acceptable, while handling sufficient load for the vast majority of photographers. Angle the legs out as far as they’ll go with the centre column horizontal and it’ll also crouch just a few inches above the ground. Without building a dedicated rig to wobble or tap each tripod by the same amount every time, there’s no way to scientifically measure the exact damping capabilities of each model, but we devised a simple manual process which proved to be both revealing and sufficiently consistent for fair comparisons to be made. This involved simply giving the grip-side of the tripod-mounted camera a sharp tap by hand and timing how long it took for the vibrations to dissipate and become imperceptible on-screen at high magnification. This was repeated five times for each tripod configuration and the average time calculated to reduce variations in the taps. We also tested each tripod with their centre columns down and fully extended for comparison. The final upgrade concerns the main plate for mounting heads. As before there’s a plastic section underneath the metal plate which elongates to accommodate a useful spirit level, but where this was fixed in position on previous models and could often get in the way of a head or camera at unusual angles, the new version can spin around freely by 360 degrees. It’s a simple but very considerate upgrade that ensures the spirit level never gets in the way. 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. With the legs fully extended and set to their normal operating angle, the head plate is positioned 122cm from the ground. Extending the centre column takes the head plate to a maximum height of 146cm. Fold the legs and column down, and the minimum length for transportation becomes 57cm. The carbon fiber 190CXPRO3 version is almost identical in these regards, with the same maximum heights, but folding down to a fractionally longer 58cm.

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. Today Manfrotto is one of the best-known and respected names in tripods, but how did it all begin, and why do some people know the products under the Bogen brand? The Manfrotto story starts in the late 1960s with Lino Manfrotto, a photo reporter based in Bassano del Grappa, Northern Italy. Manfrotto found much of the studio equipment of the day cumbersome and neglected to include basic stands and clamps. Spotting a gap in the market, Manfrotto produced a lighting stand, but only made a few units for friends. As mentioned at the start, one of the major differences between the 190 and 055 ranges are the weights each can handle. The maximum load handling of any of the 190 models is 5Kg, compared to 7Kg on the aluminium 055XPROB and 8Kg on the carbon fiber 055CXPRO3 (and 4). That’s clearly a significant load benefit to the 055 range, but how much do you really need?Within each range, you have the choice of aluminium or carbon fiber construction; aluminium models are indicated by a single X in the name, while carbon fiber ones are indicated by a CX. The carbon fiber models are lighter, more rigid, feel less cold to the touch, and able to dissipate vibrations faster, but they’re also more expensive. Conversely some may prefer the weight of an aluminium model if they shoot a lot in windy conditions.

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. So overall the MT190 has grown-up to become a larger and more substantial tripod that further distances itself from basic budget models. If you’re happy with the size and weight – and it’s hard not to find a model to suit given all the options – then I can recommend it for serious use. You’d need to spend a great deal more to enjoy significantly better performance. Of the different options, my choice would be the three-section models for stability and if you can afford it, the carbon fiber MT190CXPRO3 version for lower weight and better vibration dissipation. But if budget demands, the aluminium MT190XPRO3 remains a fine choice. If you’re looking to couple it with a head, I’d recommend the Manfrotto XPRO BHQ2 ball head for speed or the Manfrotto XPRO geared head for precision.As an owner of several earlier 190 and 055 models, I really noticed the increased size of the MT190. It has, in effect, become an 055, but that’s no bad thing. It means the maximum height is tall enough for most photographers to never need to raise the central column, and the maximum load has also increased from 5 to 7kg. The ability to shoot comfortably without extending the centre column is critical for the best performance as raising it on any tripod seriously impacts stability and should only be used as a last resort.

In this review I’ll look at the latest version of the 190 series, the MT190 collection, available as before in a variety of versions with three or four leg sections, and in either aluminium or carbon fiber. All four MT190 models are built in Italy and feature Manfrotto’s innovative 90 degree column mechanism which allows the centre column to lift out of the top casting and angle down by 90 degrees in a single movement, allowing you to shoot at very low positions or pointing straight down. Like other higher-end tripods, the MT190 is designed to be sold legs-alone with a plate for mounting a head of your choice, although if preferred, Manfrotto also offers kit versions of the two aluminium models with a basic ball head.Like other models in the 190 range, the biggest issue facing the 190XPROB for many photographers will be its maximum height – it’s absolutely fine for people of short to medium height, but if you’re tall, you may find yourself crouching more than you’d like, and always relying on the centre column being raised, which as we saw in our tests, compromises stability. But then the taller 055XPROB will be eliminated by many on the grounds of size and weight, and while the weight issue is solved by the carbon fiber 055CXPRO3, it comes at a considerable price hike. As always, it’s a case of deciding which compromise best-fits your requirements and budget. In 1972, Manfrotto met Gilberto Battocchio, a mechanical engineer who helped him render his ideas and requirements into actual products, and in 1974, the first commercial Manfrotto tripod was launched. Over the next decade and a half the company grew significantly with manufacturing remaining in Italy. In 1989, the entire Lino Manfrotto shareholding was bought by the British Vitec group with Lino and Gilberto remaining in the Management team.