Yes, the leg clamps are fast and easy to operate, very secure. It gives up an inch or two in collapsed length compared to the 4-section model, but it's sturdier and a about two inches taller, and a touch lighter. Lots of trade-off ... I'm very pleased with it.
I didn't mention, but the 190 also has a built in bag hook so you can stabilize it further by hanging your camera bag or a sandbag from it. The Manfrotto 055 model that Paul and others are talking about is also an excellent buy, but it is significantly bigger to carry. This does the number as my light tripod. My larger tripod is set of Feisol CT3442 Tournament legs ... very tall, very very strong (rated for 25lbs), very very light (4.2lbs complete in the fitted case with an Acratech Ultimate Ball Head and center column), and it packs down very small for its size (the bag is 5" by 19" with everything in it). But it's got twist-lock legs and is a much slower tripod in operation. I've had that one since 2005 or so, it does a terrific job when you need/want the elevation and need to be able to carry a load. But for fast field use, this little Manfrotto is the bee's knees. I think I've taken the Feisol out twice in the past two years, and I seem to find a use for the Manfrotto 190 about every other day. :-) G On Aug 18, 2013, at 7:14 PM, Christine Aguila <[email protected]> wrote: > Big thanks, Godfrey. This Mano 190CXPro3 looks really attractive. I love > the horizontal capability of the center column as your photos show. How are > the leg clasps? Easy to manipulate? > > I just may save up for this one. It looks sleek, uncomplicated. Am I right > about that? :-) > > Cheers, Christine > > > On Aug 18, 2013, at 12:52 PM, Godfrey DiGiorgi <[email protected]> wrote: > >> On Aug 18, 2013, at 9:53 AM, Christine Aguila <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> I saw this new tripod on amazon: especially made for travel and mobility. >>> If you click to the images page, there's a video showing the tripod "in >>> action." Any thoughts? >>> It's amazingly compact and can sustain up to 8.5 pounds. >>> >>> http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-BeFree-Compact-Lightweight-Photography/dp/B00CIVLAJO/ref=sr_1_2?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1376843934&sr=1-2 >>> >>> Would be interested in any thoughts. >> >> >> Looks like a well thought out travel tripod for light duty use. >> >> It seems a little too light duty, tho. 8.5 lbs is pretty modest ... I stick >> with tripods that can support 10lbs or higher. And it's not clear that the >> head is interchangeable, big negative for me as I use Arca Swiss camera >> plates and would prefer to fit a compact RRS head. Manfrotto RC2 plates >> aren't particularly wonderful in my experience ... finally got rid of all of >> them as they were often frustratingly imprecise. >> >> My travel tripod is a set of "Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 3-Section Carbon Fiber >> Tripod Legs", which pack down to about 22 inches and weigh about 2.5 lbs, >> and a Markins Q3 Emilié head, which I detach and carry separately in my >> baggage. The legs just fit diagonally into my rollaway carry on bag ... I >> pack the rest of my stuff around them if I'm going to do that, or I just >> strap them onto the bottom of my carry-on shoulder bag. They have a column >> flip on which is very very handy for low angle shots. The legs are rated for >> about 11lbs, about three times the weight of my heaviest camera gear which >> is what I like to see. >> >> Couple of pictures using them to shoot a photo of my Brompton folded up in >> the living room this morning: >> >> https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/25268645/legs/index.html -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
