Like most tripods, the 190XPROB’s legs can be set to different angles: in this case there’s four options at 25, 46, 66 and 88 degrees to the central column. Yes, that’s right, the fourth leg angle is virtually perpendicular to the centre column, allowing very low angles with a minimum height of just 8.5cm. So beware if you use a two-second countdown triggered by hand – if the centre column is raised, there’ll almost certainly be some motion remaining when the sensor is exposed. Of course fast shutter speeds not to mention shorter focal lengths will avoid most fine wobbles, but those using longer exposures or longer lenses could get caught out and perhaps blame their optics or image processing for a slightly soft image when it’s in fact the tripod and operator technique at fault. Manfrotto 190XPROB Verdict

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.

The Manfrotto 190XPROB is a relatively compact and affordable tripod designed for general-purpose use. It’s one of the best-selling models in Manfrotto’s X range, striking a great balance between price and performance. Like most higher-end tripods, the 190XPROB does not come with a head as a standard. Instead it features a plate onto which you can mount a wide variety of optional heads to match your exact requirements. 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?

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. 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. I shot with the MT190XPRO3 for several weeks and found it to be a substantial and serious tripod. At 59cm in length and 2kg for the aluminium version (before you’ve fitted a head), you certainly know you’re carrying it around. By sharing many of the specs of earlier 055 models, Manfrotto has repositioned the MT190 as a heftier, higher-end tripod that’ll satisfy anyone who desires a stable platform to position their camera at or above head-height or virtually touching the ground.

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That said, if you’re mostly carrying your tripod by foot or bike, there’s no doubt the lighter carbon fiber models are preferred. The big surprise for many people though is to discover the carbon fiber versions are also actually more rigid, and this becomes apparent when comparing the 190XPROB and 190CXPRO3 side-by-side. Extend the legs on both to identical angles then push down on any part of the tripods, and you’ll find the aluminium version flexes more than the carbon fiber one. The carbon fiber version is simply stiffer, and in our tests below, was also measurably superior when it came to damping vibrations. A key advantage for carbon fiber.

Beyond those who use larger format cameras or the biggest lenses, it really boils down to whether you want to operate close to or well within the limits of your equipment. A 190 tripod may not collapse under the weight of the configuration described above, but it will wobble much more than you’d like. Certainly if you do have higher-end bodies and large lenses, the 055 range will be much more suitable than the 190, but the latter will be more than sufficient for most body and lens combinations in general use. Even half the maximum load will accommodate some pretty high-end gear in a stable position. The bottom line is there may be a number of compelling reasons to choose the 055 range over the 190, but few should honestly reject the latter for inadequate load handling alone. Manfrotto 190XPROB Real-life tests Take your shot with a professional standard camera tripod. Each feature of the 190 XPRO Aluminium 3-Section Tripod with Horizontal Column is designed to make every shoot a breeze. Advanced functionality means you can use this clever tripod for a full range of photo applications, like framing your shot with complete ease using the versatile 90° centre column mechanism. Plus it comes with an Easy Link connector, so you can switch from photo to video when needed. 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. Manfrotto is one of the established names in tripods. Their commitment to quality and functionality marches on and the 190XPROB model is yet another example of their ongoing efforts to redefine what it means to use a tripod. The aluminum Manfrotto 190XPROB has a center column that, with a push of a button, releases from the vertical plane and pivots in the unique leg/head assembly to a horizontal position.

Specs Showdown

But for all the high-tech benefits of carbon fiber, there’s the simple fact a heavier tripod will enjoy a stability advantage under certain conditions, such as withstanding buffeting from wind. The 190XPROB is also considerably cheaper than the pricey carbon fiber version, so if you want a decent tripod at an affordable price and don’t mind (or would actually welcome) its weight, then this aluminium model will be preferred. Manfrotto 190XPROB length and height As for timing the vibrations, we wanted a high magnification system with live view for making the observations, and a movie mode to record them for presentation here. We initially considered using a heavier semi-pro body, but ended-up selecting Canon’s mid-range EOS 550D / Rebel T2i for a number of reasons. First, a body of this size and weight represents the majority of DSLRs in common use. Secondly, it allowed us to exploit Canon’s Movie Crop mode which only records the central 640×480 pixels of the sensor, thereby cropping the image and multiplying the effective focal length of the system by 7.2 times. The resulting high magnification is a very demanding environment for any tripod, even when supporting a relatively light camera.