So I've just purchased my first ever tripod - comments welcome

[batmura]

Hello everyone!

After consulting you guys many times about what tripod I should get, I decided to go for the Manfrotto 294 which seemed affordable and not bad for a starter. However, when I went to the store today, I also tested the 190XPRO which I remember got lots of positive reviews online. Although it was more expensive than the 294, it is slightly smaller when folded and seems more functional. That said, I have never used a tripod before, so time will tell how/whether I'll make good use of it. I got this tripod mainly for cityscape and architecture photography and the occasional long shots by the beach. I'm using a d3100 and do not have any plans to get another lens till I learn more about the basics.

What do you guys think of my choice? Should I be particularly careful about anything when shooting? Any other advice?

Thanks a lot!

 

[tirediron]

That should be a decent unit; what sort of head did you get for it?

 

[batmura]

That should be a decent unit; what sort of head did you get for it?

I got the 804RC2 head with it. I guess it is possible to replace it in the future as I read other heads are compatible with my tripod?

 

[Derrel]

I looked at MULTIPLE Bogen aka Manfrotto, tripods at a local professional photography store about a month ago. The 190XPRO seemed like a nice unit, and it made my short list of lightweight,compact, and affordable, with adequate height for landscape shots, where the tripod would be hand-carried by me on day-long shooting forays. I thought the 190XPRO was a good compromise between height,weight, and price, so yeah, pretty good choice I think! I thought the design was simple, elegant, and appeared to be an excellent value.

 

[Big Mike]

That should be a decent unit; what sort of head did you get for it?

I got the 804RC2 head with it. I guess it is possible to replace it in the future as I read other heads are compatible with my tripod?

The standard connection from tripod to head is a 3/8" stud. So yes, pretty much any tripod head that you can find, would be compatible with your tripod legs.

 

[SCraig]

I have the 190CXPRO3 (carbon fiber version) as well as the 190XB (aluminum version) and have had excellent results with both.

 

[batmura]

Craig, may I ask why you bought the same tripod twice? Isn't the carbon fiber much better?

 

[SCraig]

Craig, may I ask why you bought the same tripod twice? Isn't the carbon fiber much better?

Yes it is which is why I now have one. The aluminum tripod is about 4 years old and the carbon fiber tripod is about 5 months old. I also have a Manfrotto geared head that now stays on the aluminum tripod. With that head it is a pretty heavy combination but it is very accurate in positioning so I tend to use it when I take the occasional macro shot.

Edit ... Carbon fiber is not necessarily BETTER than aluminum, but it is most assuredly LIGHTER. That amkes a big difference after hauling it around a while.

 

[480sparky43 43]

You won't be limited to just Manfrotto heads. Any manufacturer who has 3/8"-stud heads will work.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

Congrats!

 

[batmura]

Carbon fiber is not necessarily BETTER than aluminum, but it is most assuredly LIGHTER. That amkes a big difference after hauling it around a while.

How muh lighter is the carbone fiber one of 190? I'd love it, but honestly it's far out of my price range.

By the way, do you know how the 055 compares to the 190?

 

[SCraig]

Carbon fiber is not necessarily BETTER than aluminum, but it is most assuredly LIGHTER. That amkes a big difference after hauling it around a while.

How muh lighter is the carbone fiber one of 190? I'd love it, but honestly it's far out of my price range.

By the way, do you know how the 055 compares to the 190?

1.13 pounds or about half the weight of the carbon fiber version. The CF version weighs 2.84 pounds, the aluminum version weighs 3.97 pounds. It may not sound like much but I can assure you that it is.

I don't know the 055 compares to the 190. They look very similar but are slightly lighter is all that I see.