Manfrotto 055 Carbon Fibre 4 section Tripod with Xpro Ball Head - User Review

Manfrotto MT055CXPRO4 055 with MHXPRO-BHQ2

If you are looking for a tripod, the brand manfrotto usually pops up. It is like the Toyota of tripod. (Sorry Toyota) A mid range affordable solution. In recent years, Manfrotto had refreshed many of it’s product lineup. Having used a 190 series in the past, I thought I’ll give Manfrotto another look.

Height

I went with the 055 series as I wanted something a little taller and it can also carry a slightly heavier load. (9 kg) It has a maximum height of 140 cm with the center column retracted and with the center column extended it has a maximum height of 170 cm. Adding a head and in my case a Xpro Ball Head, which is about 11.5 cm, we are looking at 151.5 cm maximum height with center column retracted and 181.5 cm with center column extended. The lowest it can go it about 9 cm without factoring the head.

Weight

The downside of being a little taller is the weight. The 055 is a bit heavier, at about 2100 g for the Carbon Fibre 4 section model which I am using. (The 3 section model is 100 g lighter) Adding the Xpro head which is about 500 g, so the whole thing weighs 2600 g. Unless you need the height advantage, the 190 series maybe a better travel option with decent height.

Folding

It just feel like the old Manfrottos. When you press the pull selector (grey knob) to fold the legs, there is a spring catch that always oppose your motion. It is a weird feeling where you don’t know if you have pressed down enough. In most cases you have to press down harder just to fold the legs to the angle you want. Seriously, I think they should redesign this.

Locking

While there are countless debate on the pros and cons between twist and flip locks. I am pretty neutral on it. As long when locked, it stays locked. It is enough good for me. The one thing I find annoying is the smallest section legs are always a bit stiff and require a bit of strength to be pulled is out. The other sections just drop with gravity.

90° Centre Column

The 90° Centre Column is useful when shooting down low or even high up top down product shot. One is missing in the centre column is a weight hook. Even though the 055 is a pretty sturdy tripod, the ability to hang counterweight for extra stability is something all small to medium size tripods should have. Perhaps the mechanism that allows the centre column to covert to 90° doesn’t really allow an extra hook. But Manfrotto should find a way to figure it out.

Accessories

I really feel Manfrotto really needs to work on this department. While the Easy Link connector is a plus, things like interchangeable feet (e.g. spike feet), maybe throw in all the allen keys needed for DIY maintainence (The only tool is a plastic ring with hex head to help adjust the tension of the flip lock) , a tripod strap, a carry bag?

Xpro Ball Head

By the way, it was a bundle when I bought the tripod so it came with the Xpro Ball Head. The ball movement is not super smooth but decent enough. It is good to see a separate main locking knob and a friction knob. The ball head can hold up to 10 kg worth of payload. One complaint is that the Pan knob is a bit too long and sometimes gets entangled with the tripod’s bubble level while panning. If they can rubberise the knobs will be better too.

The safety catch for quick release system is now made of plastic instead of metal. Not sure if there will be any durability issue in the long run.

Conclusion

I feel Manfrotto could have done more beside just giving their line of products a more modern look. Operating their tripod still feels as clumsy like the older models. With fierce competition from Chinese brands like Benro, MeFoto, Sirui, Bonfoto and etc, if they don’t innovate, this might be my last Manfrotto tripod.