This is a blog about digital SLR cameras, but I recently purchased a tripod and I’m so happy with it that I just had to share my thoughts with a quick Bogen Manfrotto 055XPROB review.

This is a heavy-duty, 2.4 kilograms (5.29 lbs), aluminum tripod.

When I first pulled it out of the box from Amazon, I thought, “Whoa, what have I gotten myself into here.  This thing is going to be a back-breaker to carry around.”

Then I started using it.

Now that I own it, I don’t know how I got along without it …especially in strong wind conditions.

A few years ago, I was on a rock outcropping getting some sunset shots of the Battleship in the Grand Canyon. A strong gust came up and blew my old tripod over, which almost sent my camera, my precious photos and me to the bottom of the canyon as I lunged to save my gear from certain destruction.

Had I been using the 055XPROB, I wouldn’t have had a problem …or needed a parachute and a new pair of shorts.

The 055XPROB: A Tripod Tall People Can Use Comfortably

If you’re tall, then you know what a pain it is to use most tripods.  You either crouch over or you keep extending the center-column.  This is a tall tripod. You’ll definitely appreciate the un-extended height of the 055XPROB at 142 centimeters (4.65 feet tall).

I’m 6’4'” tall and relative to my other tripods, I barely have to bend over with the center column down.

The 055XPROB is a “Rapid Column Tripod” (versus a “Geared Column Tripod” where you turn a hand-crank to raise the center column).

If you want to raise or lower the center-column, all you have to do is release the center-column-clamp and you can pull the center-column up to 178.5 centimeters (5.83 feet).This means you can adjust the height of your camera quickly.

Let’s Get Low …No, I Mean Really Low

If you like to shoot subject close to the ground, or if you you are into macro photography, then you’ll love how you can position this tripod 10 centimeters (3.93 inches) off the ground.

Here’s the really neat thing about this Manfrotto tripod – to put the center column into a horizontal position (which you need to do to get your camera really close to the ground), you just pull the center-column all the way up and then swing it into a horizontal position.

This is great because you don’t have to remove the tripod head or disassemble the center-column.  It’s really fast.

High Weight Capacity

The 055XPROB is setup to handle 7 kilograms (15.4 lbs).  That equates to a lot of gear.

For example, the Canon EOS 5D Mark II weighs 1.8 lbs. The Canon BG-E6 battery grip weighs 1 lb and the monstrous Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM Super Telephoto lens weighs 9.9 lbs.  That’s still just 12.7 lbs.

If you need more to handle more weight and still want the Rapid Column design, check out the 8 kilogram-capacity carbon fiber 055CX3, 055CXPRO3, 055CXPRO4, or 055CXV3.

Of course, you’ll need a tripod head that matches your weight and use requirements.

Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod Heads

If you haven’t used a professional-grade tripod yet, one of the first things you will notice is the lack of a built-in tripod head.

Relax, this is a good thing.

You can use interchangeable tripod heads to best satisfy your particular situation.  Perhaps more important, when you use the right tripod head, you can stop the dreaded “camera droop” where your camera drops (or “droops”) down after you compose your shot because your gear exceeds the weight limits of your existing tripod and tripod head.

You can also use different heads for different situations.

For example I recently needed to shoot some video with my Canon HG21 camcorder and I needed it to be very smooth.  No problem.  I put a Manfrotto 701HDV Pro Fluid Video Mini Head on the 055XPROB.

The fluid in the head allowed for very smooth panning (rotating) and the resulting video looked great.

You’re situation will dictate what tripod head you need, but the Manfrotto 488RC2 is highly recommended because it has a pan base and a separate knob for panning (valuable when shooting outdoors).&

The Manfrotto 322RC2 Horizontal Grip Action Ball Head is also very popular if you are shooting portraiture or children.

The ball-lock lever in the handle means you can move the camera around quickly, easily and ergonomically …and you can do it in all axes (up, down, side to side and diagonally or any combination thereof).

When we had our family photos taken, our photographer used the 322RC2 to keep up with us and our two young children.

The 055XPROB versus 190XPROB

After a ton of exhaustive research, I narrowed my needs down to two tripods: the Manfrotto 055XPROB or the Manfrotto 190XPROB.  What are the differences between the 190XPROB and the 055XPROB?

The 190XPROB is a lighter tripod that goes 1.5 cm lower but it is shorter and holds less weight.  Here’s a handy chart of the differences between these two tripods:

Last time I checked, the 190XPROB cost about $20 more on Amazon.

Problems with the Manfrotto 055XPROB

The only thing I wish they could figure out on this and pretty much all tripods is the leveling mechanism.

I’m not a fan of spirit bubble levels.

Call me crazy but I hate adjusting one leg after the other until the little bubble is perfectly centered inside the little circle on the level.

If someone invents a self-leveling tripod, let me know because it will save some serious time.

Summary of the Manfrotto 055XPROB Review

In short, the Manfrotto 055XPROB rocks.

It won’t blow or tip over easily.  Tall people can use the 055XPROB comfortably but so can everyone else.  The ability to change tripod heads let’s you use the head you need for the type of photography you do.

You can get more shots because you can setup quickly and you can get great macro shots because the Rapid Column design allows you to quickly get your camera up high or down low.  Overall, this is a very well-built tripod and I’m a raving fan.

Click here now and check out the Manfrotto 055XPROB on Amazon.com.

If you need a lighter tripod, check out my Manfrotto 190XPROB review.