Manfrotto 190XPro4

£229/$299 An old favourite revamped

Manfrotto’s highly popular 190-series tripods are now split into 190 and ‘190go!’ categories. The latter uses twist locks for the leg sections, whereas the current 190 tripod range has redesigned Quick Power Lock levers. Choices include threesection and four-section aluminium legs, with XPro heads of either 3-way or ball design. Carbon fibre alternatives are only available for the 190Go! series.

In this price bracket, the four-section 190XPro4 ball head kit (MK190XPro4-BHQ2) is our top choice. It’s a full-sized tripod that reaches a lofty operating height of 175cm, yet shrinks to a fairly modest folded height of 57cm. That’s despite the tripod lacking swing-up legs.

In this latest version of the 190, the 90-degree pivot facility is quicker and easier to operate, enabling you to swap to horizontal boom mode in just a few seconds. The four-way, multi-angle leg lock system is also improved, and the new locking levers for the leg sections have an innovative design that enables you to push one side of the lever or pull the other to release them.

Features

Unlike competing kits with Arca-Swiss compatibility, Manfrotto uses its own plate.

There’s a bubble level on the tripod and two on the head for accurate levelling.

SPECIFICATIONS

The tripod legs remain rigid and sturdy even at their maximum operating height, with the centre column fully extended. The real star of the show, however, is the XPpro ball head. It’s absolutely rock-solid, comes complete with an adjustable friction damper and pan only release. Overall, it’s the best head in the group, and the legs are pretty good too. Even so, it’s a pricey kit that omits extras like metal spikes for the feet.

WE SAY

The pivot facility and ball head are great, and four-section legs help to reduce the carrying size.