Tripod Question

CWSkopec

Ok, it's not top of the line... and I won't be asking what the "Gitzo tag" is for like, Aaron, but it's what I can afford and a significant step up from the $10 swap meet tripod I currently have. The shop 15 minutes from home has them in stock and I'm ready to go soon as I get out of work.

Manfrotto 055xb

Here's the question, there's also a 055xProb that features a center column with the ability to go horizontal for just $15 more. Now my gut instinct is to say, "It's only $15 and I might figure out what it's useful for someday, might as well splurge!" But the stores website is listing the xProb as "limited availability" and in my experience with them that means they ain't got none.

Is the horizontal column useful enough to pay $15 extra and wait for them to get it in stock? Or is it a silly feature that most folks don't use?

Thanks! :thumb

Tango

I only used the column once ever, it was @ antelope canyons.

Richard

CWSkopec wrote:

Is the horizontal column useful enough to pay $15 extra and wait for them to get it in stock? Or is it a silly feature that most folks don't use?

Thanks!

I have an 055-MF3 with the horizontal column and I would say it's definitely worth it. Assuming it works the same as mine, it lets you shoot downward for product or macro shots and it comes in handy when you have unusual shots to do, like shooting down a stairwell. More important, though, is that when you know you are not going to need (or want) a center column, you can just leave it off altogether, reducing weight a tad and letting you get the camera level almost to the ground. It's a nice feature.

gowiththeflow

I have the previous version of the 055, without the new center column. I don't remember if the regular 055 shares the same column design with mine, but if it does, the extra $15 is worth it.

With mine, I have to unscrew the knob at the bottom, which loosens the platform/head, then pop that off, flip the column, and hold the platform/head in place while retightening the lower knob. It's quite a pain, especially if I already have the camera mounted. Doesn't the Xpro setup allow different angles than just vertical and horizontal too?

Richard

gowiththeflow wrote:

With mine, I have to unscrew the knob at the bottom, which loosens the platform/head, then pop that off, flip the column, and hold the platform/head in place while retightening the lower knob. It's quite a pain, especially if I already have the camera mounted. Doesn't the Xpro setup allow different angles than just vertical and horizontal too?

Yes, that's the way mine works as well but if you are using a quick release plate, it's really not much of a hassle. I don't know about you, but this is something I only do at the beginning of a shoot, not midstream.

gowiththeflow

Richard wrote:

Yes, that's the way mine works as well but if you are using a quick release plate, it's really not much of a hassle. I don't know about you, but this is something I only do at the beginning of a shoot, not midstream.

I have a QR plate, but it's still a royal pain when you just want a couple good macro shots, and it takes 10 times as long as it needs to to flip the column, and then flip it back when done. Simply screwing on the lower knob and leaving the platform/head attached would've sufficed, I have no idea why Manfrotto decided to make it so much more complicated than it needed to be. If I had known this when I bought it, I definitely would've spent the extra few dollars on the Xpro model.

CWSkopec

Thanks for the feedback, guys!

According to the specs I read, the center column is now easier to switch to horizontal, one of the reviews stated "No more dismantling the center column" to get it horizontal.

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed and hoping they have a 055Xprob in stock when I get there... and if not, hopefully my reckless impatience can be kept in check until it's in stock!