I have been using the 055X for two years or so. Many times I cannot get high enough without fully extending the center column and this was the only one (Manfrotto) that i could find that went higher. This thing is a beast! But in a great way... Solid as a rock, it really looks like it was built for medium or large format cameras. The legs must be twice the diameter of my 055X. I guess the only downside would be the heavier weight. I would not want to pack it up a hillside but I am an older guy. It is very nicely finished and the rubber feet screw up to reveal metal spikes for outdoor locations if needed. I also ordered the Manfrotto spreader so I could keep the legs closer together in tight locations. The leg locks are great, quick and easy to use. It collapses down into a very compact unit considering it goes over seven feet high. Very highly recommended! Just one hint: If you are not in a big hurry maybe watch the prices over a few days or weeks. I ordered this four days ago and paid $150 under the current price and it was a "fulfilled by Amazon" vendor. One day later the price had gone up $100 and now it is $150 more. I have no idea what is up with that but thought to pass the info along. Amazon has such a great return policy that I go with them whenever I can. Happy shooting! You will be very pleased with this very beefy tripod! Read more
I ordered this tripod as an adjunct to my much lighter 190CX three section Manfrotto carbon fiber tripod. I am by no means a professional photographer, but I was shooting in rather windy conditions using longer exposures (8-20 seconds) and noticed that under the windy conditions with my 190CX fully extended (including full extension of the center post), there is significant camera shake. So I purchased this for the extra stability. And it is huge. And beefy. And heavy. But oh, so sturdy. With the leg sections fully extended and the center post lowered, this monster is rock stable and places the camera well over my head. Cranking the center post up to max height might require a stepstool, but certainly makes the tripod versatile. Removing the center post for low angle shooting is pretty straightforward and gives this tripod the ability to hold my gear rock steady from 9" to over 80". There is a built-in bubble level. The three-position leg angle adjustment is intuitive and easy to use. The geared center column is strong, smooth, and solidly built. The feet have retractable spikes that are easy to use. The only downside to this monster is the extra weight. At over eight pounds without a head, this beast is nearly three times the weight of my 190CX. However, this is more than offset by its vastly better stability and improved versatility with height adjustments. In addition, it has a maximum capacity of nearly three times the weight of the 190CX (not that I'm likely to test that capacity). Overall, I couldn't be happier with the purchase. Read more
In my quest to find a tripod sturdy enough to hold my 300mm f2.8 and 500mm f4 lenses, I first turned to the Gitzo GT3541L. It is a very nice tripod, and a lot better than my old Tilt-all, but simply wasn't robust enough for these big lenses. So I returned the Gitzo and decided to try this top-of-the-line Manfrotto. All I can say is 'wow!'. This is a great tripod. It is built like a tank, with incredible fit and finish. It's also extremely sturdy. It holds my big lenses and my big cameras with ease. It's fast to deploy, and although it's quite big, it's not as heavy as I feared it might be. Oh, and as another reviewer mentioned, it is -really- tall. Fully extended it puts the camera way above my head. Read more
The build quality was excellent as expected but it weighed only 3 pounds less than my largest Bogen/Manfrotto tripod of equivalent total height and it was made of steel with steel bracing for the legs. While my trusty old Bogen cannot get as low since its legs cannot extend as wide, that was not an issue for me. For the price, and the fact that the leg bracing of my old Bogen made it steadier at full height (or any height) -- the 3 pounds of difference in weight as an advantage was overcome by the extra sturdiness of the old Bogen. The Carbon Fiber Manfrotto was returned. Overall stability and sturdiness for my landscape needs overcame the need for the capability of wide-spread legs for low shots (can use my lighter travel Manfrotto for that) and the lighter 3 pounds. The Manfrotto MT057C40G 057 is an excellent tripod -- just not up to the old Bogen/Manfrotto steel braced tripod that is 25 years old (before Manfrotto bought Bogen). Read more
This is a rock solid tripod and will provide superior stability even with the largest lenses and cameras. Is is bulkier and heavier than the "average" carbon fibre tripod (and even more so with a matching head) and therefore not something you want to be carting through forests or mountains in addition to the larger format camera and telephoto lenses for which it was designed - unless you have local porters (or a helpful wife). Manfrotto make a matching carrying bag (MBAG80PN padded 80cm - sold separately) which, in my view, is essential for transporting this tripod with head, unless you intend it solely for the studio. The quality of the tripod is first class. The geared centre column is a nice option, providing precise height adjustment in the studio, but not so essential in the field - and adds to the weight. Unless it gets run over by your SUV, this is probably the last tripod you'll ever buy - perfect for portraits, landscapes, and long exposures or time-lapse photographs. Very happy with the product and with the Amazon price and service. Read more
