Manfrotto MT055CXPRO3 Carbon Fiber Tripod and 494 Ball Head Kit with 200PL-PRO Quick Release Plate
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Excellent tripod
This tripod gives excellent support for landscape and macro photography. The center column easily switches from vericle to horizontal and back again. The leg locks operate quickly and easily, but you must be careful to avoid getting a finger pinched. It gives me an extra 10 of hight compared to my old 3001PRO3 with less weight and greater ease of operation.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Sections fall off after 1 month
One section keeps falling of. The clamps are loud and feel flimsy. They rattle and make a lot of noise, so if you try to work in a quiet environment then forget it. The whole thing just feels very cheap and not reliable. The clamps pinch the fingers all the time, when closing and when opening, because of the way they are built. Many other choices out there.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great Ball Head
This is my first ball head purchase and I'm extremely happy. Wish I would have made the switch years ago. The quick release plate is a little tricky to get on and off, but I'm sure this will improve when I get used to it. I rated it a 4 because I'm very happy after only three weeks of shooting but I'll hold final judgement until some more field time passes.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Never knew a ballhead was so awesome!
I used this with my Manfrotto 190XB tripod for the first time on a photography day shooting landscapes. What a difference having this set up made over having the old cheap tripod that has tightening handles instead of a ballhead! Wow. So much easier to compose shots quickly, and sturdy enough to hold my XSi and 17-55mm f/2.8 lens, which is decently heavy.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Easy Motion
This would have been just what I wanted with such easy motion and convenient hand control---but I found I had to squeeze too hard to make it practical. It would be great for someone with stronger hands (and mine are strong!). My assumption is that it was not designed for a woman's use. If you don't move the camera a lot then it would work fine for anyone.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Flawed product and customer service
When using the 90 degree center column tilt in the field, the center column mechanism blew apart leaving me without a tripod, 4 hours from home. I sent in for repair by email, as that is the only method for contacting customer service. They literally didn't respond for exactly 4 months. Emailed June 11, response October 11. Will never buy manfrotto again.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Sooooo easy to use.
I have gone from a flimsy tripod to a Manfrotto set up and wonder why I had ever bothered with the first. The ease with which this head is used is magnificant. No longer do I have to miss a shot because I was busy tightening a screw and later wondering if I got it tight enough. This Grip Action ballhead has done to tripods what icecream has done for pie.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Compact and sturdy
Got this to go with my Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 Aluminum Tripod. I ordered this and an Oben with similar specs. Although this was much heavier, it was for good reason as the Oben had a lot of plastic. Also, I like the locking mechanism for the plate. Almost impossible to accidentally release it. I like that the knobs retract so it fits nicely in my backpack.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
New Fan!
After many years of using an aluminum tripod, I made the commit to carbon fiber. Pro friends said to quit stalling and I'm glad I made the move. Solid, sturdy tripod that works really well. Quick release clamps make adjusting the legs easy. The ball head clamps tight right where I need it to. I'm impressed with the workmanship and quality of the product.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
A great find! You'll enjoy this tripod.
This is a great tripod! I've already used it for both a product shoot (printed circuit board) and test equipment screens at work, and took photos of the family at Thanksgiving. The latches are stiff, but should insure a good sturdy support for my camera. The horizontal arm worked great for Macro work. I also have their monopod, a great 'pod for my walks.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Grip too hard
The only thing I did not like about this product, and the reason I ended up returning it, is that the release on the grip was very hard. I'm a woman with average hands and I found it too difficult to release the grip to move the head. The large grip also makes it a little heavier than other products. Otherwise, everything about this product seemed fine.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great Product
I do real estate photography & needed a sturdy tripod for my A7II. When I do camera adjustments for multiple exposures it stays put. I was looking for a reasonable tripod that wouldn't break the bank, easy to use, well built, somewhat light weight compared to others on the market, & sturdy & I got it all with this product. I would recommend to a friend.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
excellent value carbon fiber tripod
This kit is an excellent value. The 190 leg set in carbon fiber is very versatile, the main column can go horizontal, there are several leg angles, and the EasyLink allows adding accessory arms. The ball head is quite nice - and when combined with the tripod in a kit, is available at a very nice discount (to purchased separately). Highly recommended.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Stronger than other Bogen pistol grip
I use a Stroboframe with an extended flash way up high. It's heavy, expecially when coupled with my Nikon D2H . If I attach them to a monopod and extend it way up to get a bird's-eye view looking down, the monopod and/or ball head must be tilted forward. The regular Bogen ball head won't hold this tilt, but this one will. It's solved my problem nicely.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Quick and easy to use!
Always nice to have a product that is easy to use out of the box. My favorite feature is the quick release plate. I just leave the plate attached to my camera so I can easily reattach it to my tripod when needed. Just wished the ball head was a little lighter. I have a carbon fiber tripod and the ball head seems like the weak link in matters of weight.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Get a Grip!
Love this Ballhead!. Used one for about 4 years on my 055MF3, its strong. Holds my 5D Mark III and 100-400 quite well. You can moount your camera as a left hand or right hand user or on top of tha handle. I really like using it over the standard types of ballheads. You can adjust the rotating tension and holding strength as well. Great for landscapes.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Total Control
This is an excellent product and is very well made. I have taken a lot of photographs of flora and fauna which require the camera to be very still and at unsual angles. The 322RC Grip Action Ballhead is steady and reliable with a solid lock and an excellent quick release plate. This is one of those products that you wish you had known about years ago.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Better than my expectation
This Manfrotto 496RC2 is better than my expectation for its price and functionality. I was using Benro and Induro. At the same price range, Manfrotto stays on top in term of quality and ease of use. It holds my 7D + Canon EF 24-105 F4L IS USM + 580 EX II flash without problem, even in vertical position. Definitely I will recommend this 496RC2 product.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Love the ballhead!
Never using a ballhead before, it's incredible and I would never go back to what I was using before. It's very smooth, sturdy, and it's so easy to attach and release the camera in just one simple motion. My only criticism is that the grip handle does not allow for very easy video panning, but it's intended for photographers, so that's my own problem.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
So easy to use!
Trying to get bird/wildlife shots with a standard head meant constantly adjusting screw heads and by then the subject was long gone. With this pistol grip you just squeeze and put into the position you desire, let go, and it stays put. Bird moved? Squeeze the pistol grip and move with it. The level makes sure you are stable with the horizon. Amazing!
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Awesome Tripod!
Just got this Manfrotto tripod and could not be happier with my purchase. Price was reasonable. Very solid but lightweight. Love how the middle pole extends out horizontally, great for different angles and macro photography. Now to get a better quality ball head, probably a manfrotto head as I like the quality they are putting into their merchandise!
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Excellent
I bought this head to use with my Giottos 3290B Monopod It holds the weight of my 7D and 70-200mm f/4 IS + 1.4x TC with no issue what-so-ever. Very good clamping force and high quality construction. I really like the tension adjustment feature, and the quick release is quick and easy. Very happy with my purchase. I just wish it was a little cheaper.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Excellent Tripod
This is an addition to my tripods already in use. My older model Manfrotto Tripod does not have the new features, so my options have increased. I bought this model because it is very strong. I am able to now shoot straight down and get very close to my subjects. I strap it to my backpack and that lets me take it anywhere I want to go. Great tripod.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great little tripod head
I needed a tripod head for my lighter travel Benro tripod. I used to have a ball head on the tripod which is essentially useless especially if you need to shoot architecture or landscapes. This is a very sturdy, fairly compact head. It is heavier and more expensive than I would have liked it to be. The panning grips slide in to become more compact.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
