Manfrotto 190go!
£339/$280
the latest Manfrotto ‘190’ is good to go!
The latest ‘190go!’ range boasts pro-grade status and is available in both aluminium and carbon fibre editions, and as complete kits with the choice of three-way or ball heads. They all feature four-section legs to help reduce stowage size and, unlike previous 190 tripods, they have twist locks rather than clip locks. The ‘M-lock system’ is claimed to enable quicker setup up although, with nine clamps in total, it still takes a bit longer than with three-section legs. Thankfully, they need minimal rotation to unlock and relock.
The MK190GOC4-BHX edition on test is the rangetopping kit. It combines Manfrotto’s latest design of carbon fibre tubing, and the excellent XPRO ball head. The head actually has a beefier maximum load rating than the legs, at 10kg rather than 6kg.
Four lockable leg angles are available instead of the usual three, and the 90-degree pivot mechanism for the centre column is supremely quick and intuitive in use. Other design flourishes include an ‘Easy Link’ threaded socket on the side of the spider, for attaching accessories like an LED light. Performance
While it folds down fairly small for a tripod that lacks swing-up legs, the maximum operating height of 159cm is the least generous of any of the tripods in this test. With a diameter of 16mm, the bottom leg sections are also the thinnest, and resistance to flexing is less impressive than from the slightly bulkier Manfrotto 055. Despite all of this, the 190go! delivers good performance and versatility, as well as a reasonably speedy setup.