Within each range, you have the choice of aluminium or carbon fiber construction; aluminium models are indicated by a single X in the name, while carbon fiber ones are indicated by a CX. The carbon fiber models are lighter, more rigid, feel less cold to the touch, and able to dissipate vibrations faster, but they’re also more expensive. Conversely some may prefer the weight of an aluminium model if they shoot a lot in windy conditions. As noted earlier, on previous generations the 055 series was also comfortably taller than the 190 series, both in terms of maximum height and folded-down length. But with this latest MT series, the MT190 range has grown to virtually match the size of the MT055. Again the MT055 models are heavier to accommodate the extra load, but in terms of maximum height with or without the column raised, or their carrying size when folded-down, there’s little to choose between them. It really is mostly a case of choosing whether you need that extra 2kg of load capacity and if you’re willing to carry around the additional half kilo or extra pound for the more substantial build. Brushed and Oiled – Steel brushes are used in the direction of the grain which opens up the surface of the wood and removes splinters. The wood is then oiled. In my full review of the 190XPROB I’ll compare its features and stability against three other key models in the same range, including the carbon fiber 190CXPRO3 version and the larger 055CXPRO3 and 055XPROB models. Together these four tripods dominate the sales charts as some of the best-selling models around, and for very good reason. Oil – Oiled floors have existed for several thousand years and is the most common floor finish used globally. Oils used for floor finishing are natural drying oils of vegetable origin that are not to be confused with petroleum based oils and contain no VOCs. Pre-finished oil floors can be UV cured.

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. Conversely if you want the most compact tripod for easy transportation, the smaller 190 range is preferable, and if weight is an issue, the carbon fiber models of either family are much lighter than their aluminium counterparts. This weight difference isn’t something you’ll need to go on a long hike to appreciate either – it’s obvious before you even step out the door. But carbon fiber doesn’t come cheap, so if budget is an issue, then go for an aluminium model.

Our Oak floors are all carefully selected from Mills which legally harvest mature oak trees, making sure you have a seasoned oak which will last. The wide boards are a great vocal and visual point in any area as these create a vast array of effects from making the area look larger, airy and open with fixed lengths of 1900mm. The advantages of an Unfinished Oak are unlimited from being able to add textures from brushing, to hand scraping, or even distressed boards to make them look aged or worn. Plank Width Natural oak 90 tongue-and-groove flooring can be installed by glue-down (both engineered and solid), floating (engineered only), or nail-down (both solid and engineered). Types Of Floor Finishes But conversely it’s important not to underestimate the strength and flexibility of the smaller 190 series, and the simple fact they’ll be good enough for most photographers. Certainly if you’re looking for a step-up from a budget tripod, one of Manfrotto’s 190 models will deliver significant benefits, and at a cheaper price than the 055s.

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 With four models in the MT190 series (six if you include the ball head kits) and three more in the stronger MT055 collection (or five if you also include its kit options), it’s useful to understand Manfrotto’s naming convention to work out which will be most appropriate for you. Given a typical head weighs between 0.5 and 1Kg (with only the heftiest models coming in any heavier), you can easily work out what you’ll have remaining for your camera and lens. Typical entry-level to mid-range DSLR bodies weigh between 500 and 700g with battery. Typical semi-pro DSLR bodies with battery (but no battery grip) generally weigh around 900g, while top-end pro DSLRs with built-in grips rarely weigh much more than 1.2Kg.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. Oiled – Oiled floors have existed for several thousand years and is the most common floor finish used globally. Oils used for floor finishing are natural drying oils of vegetable origin that are not to be confused with petroleum based oils and contain no VOCs. Pre-finished oil floors can be UV cured. In this leg configuration, the central column needs to be raised to its maximum height, or more sensibly switched to the horizontal orientation (see below) to clear the ground, although you can also replace it for an optional shorter column if desired. Alternatively you could go for the less extreme 66 or 46 degree leg angles, reverse the column and hang the camera below the legs. There’s lots of options for low height configurations, giving the tripod a great deal of flexibility.

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 Introducing our lovely invisible Oak in a well sought-after finish. The warm colours of the smoking process along with the white pigmentation provide a beautiful invisible Oak look helping you achieve that perfect finish. Our floors are specially perfected to cater for all our designers with minimal discrepancies. Plank Width Clearly if you’re tall, the extra foot or so of the 055 tripods will mean less stooping when composing, while shorter photographers will appreciate the stability of a tripod which simply doesn’t need to raise its centre column to meet their eye-levelWf4u Classic graded floors are carefully selected as an ABC grade which is evenly mixed show the intricate details of oak floor from light sap to limited sized knots which are filled and sanded ready to finish. The Classic grade floor is a great choice for any project displaying what a real wood floor should look like. Along with its character this is an ideal floor for all. Like other models in the 190 range, the biggest issue facing the 190XPROB for many photographers will be its maximum height – it’s absolutely fine for people of short to medium height, but if you’re tall, you may find yourself crouching more than you’d like, and always relying on the centre column being raised, which as we saw in our tests, compromises stability. But then the taller 055XPROB will be eliminated by many on the grounds of size and weight, and while the weight issue is solved by the carbon fiber 055CXPRO3, it comes at a considerable price hike. As always, it’s a case of deciding which compromise best-fits your requirements and budget. 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.