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Editorial Review The 055XPROB makes the famous Manfrotto-patented horizontal center column feature even easier to use. By extending the column to its highest vertical position, it can be swung around to horizontal without removing the head or disassembling the column itself, so switching between framing and positioning setups is more convenient than ever. The ergonomics of the leg angle release mechanism and the quick action leg locks themselves have also been greatly improved. ... Read more Reviews 
The Practical Review, February 3, 2009
Isn't it both amazing and quite frustrating that we as consumers must weed through what seems like hundreds of reviews just to gather enough information about a single product that ONE review should be able to produce? After literally reading hundreds of reviews for a camera body, lenses, tripods, etc, I feel like the work and time should go towards saving someone else from the toil of doing the same.
First of all, if you're like me, you're out looking for the tripod recommended by Scott Kelby's great, simple book, The Digital Photography Book. He recommends the Bogen 3001BD as the most affordable tripod which is still of good build quality. This recently has become the Bogen Manfrotto 190XPROB which is very, very similar to the 055XPROB. The differences are as follows:
055XPROB - can support 15.4 pounds
190XPROB - supports 11 pounds
055XPROB - leg diameters 29.4, 25, 20 mm
109XPROB - leg diameters 25, 20, 16 mm
055XPROB - min/max. height 3.9"/70.3"
190XPROB - min/max. height 3.3"/57.5"
055XPROB - weighs 5 pounds
190XPROB - weighs 4 pounds
Otherwise, they are the same basic tripod. Both are made out of patented aluminum and have the same features such as Bogen's fold-down center column which allows you to get great macro shots as close as a few inches from the ground and they both have the newer flip type leg locks which are a little stiff when new but hold the legs nice and tightly.
In summary, if you're looking for the best, cheapest tripod for your point and shoot or entry level digital SLR, I'd recommend the 190XPROB for the few dollars in savings, the pound you save in weight, and all of the professional quality and features of a Bogen tripod. If you are like me and are using that entry level DSLR and are looking to upgrade in the future with a larger camera body, larger lenses, flashes, etc, I'd recommend the 055XPROB for it's larger size (I'm 6'1"), heavier construction and higher load capacity. All in all, they are both excellent tripods that are nearly identical. If you ask me, I'd go with the 055XPROB regardless; is the fifteen dollars and the pound in difference really worth gaining, in sacrifice of a sturdier tripod? I don't think so. I hope this helped.
I purchased this product from Amazon on Jan 13th. The shipping was amazingly fast and the price was the best I could find on the internet, hands down. The one I ordered actually shipped from one town away so it arrived next day! It was a perfect transaction.
Good news is it's heavy and sturdy; bad news is it's heavy and sturdy., November 6, 2007
This tripod has the flip type of leg locks (which I like SO much better than the twist-screw leg locks) and has the weight and stability to hold your camera securely in whatever position you lock it into. There is no perceptable "play" in any of the tripod components. It has a sturdy but smooth resistance, so you can make micro adjustments easily, and wherever you lock it, it stays exactly there. It also has individual leg adjustments that allow you to extend one, two, or three of the legs beyond their usual locked position (which I've used more than I thought I would). The center post also pulls out to slide into a horizontal position, should you need the additional stability. Only a couple of minor drawbacks: It would have been nice if it had a hook at the bottom of the center post, and a handle for carrying it in the collapsed position would have been an added bonus. If you're going to travel with this tripod, be aware that it's too tall to fit into your carry-on luggage (even with the head removed). You'll either need a tripod case, or you'll have to put it in your full-size check-in luggage. It also weighs a ton when you're carrying it with all your other stuff ... until you get ready to use it - in which case, the weight ceases to be a detriment and becomes more of an asset. Other than that, I love this tripod. It's solid.
Does the job but room for improvement., January 8, 2008
I use it combined with a 488RC4 ballhead. This tripod is a good one: stable, sturdy, reliable, flexible. I like the leg warmers, the built-in low angle system and level spirit but it still has some caveats:
- The paint scratchs easily--even the first time I used it--no big deal though. So that a tripod bag is recommended but...pricy. Got myself the MBAG80P; it fits the tripod and 488RC4 ballhead.
- One of the multiple plastic caps that hide the screws cracked and felt the second time I used it.
- It's supposed to have legs that do not turn (more reliable and robust); this is not true: the lowest sections turn--disappointing for the price.
- The knob of the center column is made of super cheap plastic. I believe it is not gonna be reliable on the long term. I need to look for a replacement one--just in case. Too bad!
- Quite pricy. Wish they had used either carbon or a better leg locking system (not plastic) for this price and provided the leash, standard.
Other than that, nice tripod; it does the job and--so far--looks professional--meaning sturdy but flexible and convenient. Not sure it's a travel tripod but with a tripod bag it's easy to carry around. Nice tripod, you'll like it!
Sturdy, dependable tripod, February 22, 2008
Bought this tripod after a disastrous day with a tripod which flexed and caused many soft shots. When this came out of the box it seemed like it weighed a ton. After a couple of days' use, it now feels solid and comfortable, like an old friend. Very stable, easy to set up and use. Would be a bit much for hiking, but does the job I bought it for, and seems less heavy as time goes on. Highly recommend.
An excellent Choice, August 5, 2008
I purchased these tripod legs along with the 488RC4 ballhead, and I've been very happy with both.
I use this 'pod with a Canon 40D with a battery grip and a variety of lenses. No problems--this tripod holds everything fine, even in horizontal position.
The tripod offers great flexibility--I chose it because of how easy it is to flip the center column horizontal. This is a must-have feature if you're into macro, and very helpful for everyone else too. Makes ultra-low angle shooting a breeze. There's a built in bubble level which becomes redundant if using the 488RC4 head, but if you opt for a head without any levels it could be useful, although I should point out it's way easier to adjust your head to be level than your legs, regardless of brand.
The 055XProB is rated to something like 15.4 lbs--so of course it's a little heavy. I don't get why so many complain about that--if you need this level of support and you don't want the weight, sorry--you just have to fork over the $$ for a carbon fiber.
Quick Summary:
-Great Value
-Ability to flip center column horizontal
-Bubble Level
-Felxible (4 different angle options for each leg, individually adjustable)
-Easy to set up/ break down
-Supports over 15 lbs
It's a great, pro-level tripod that will handle just about any DSLR equipment you can mount on it. Also use it with your medium format gear, and I think it could even handle some large format equipment.
I did tons of research before buying this. There are some other good options out there if you aren't particular about the horizontal column thing, namely the Slik 700 Pro DX. Check it out. It's got rave reviews, and is considerably cheaper. Also there are Induro tripods which have the center column option. I have tried some in a camera store, and they are very sturdy.
Excellent tripod if your over 5'8", ok tripod if 5'8" or below, August 1, 2008
I have owned one tripod prior to purchasing this bogen, a cheap slik with a built in head. I have to say that this is a fantastic improvement.
My first impression of the tripod was weight, this is not a light tripod, and while I hiked with it, I wouldn't recommend it for backpacking. The second thing I noticed, when I switched the center column from vertical to horizontal is that the collar around the mount is two pieces and seperates when you do this, While it has held up so far I worry that this piece may break if I repeatedly switch the columns direction.
The following is a description of my field test conditions and conclusions.
I field tested the tripod on an 11 day photography vacation to the national parks, Navajo parks, and monuments in the four corners area (petrified forest/painted desert, Mesa Verde, Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, Grand Canyon, etc.) My kit included a Markins "Emille" Q-ball head and quick release plate, and a Panosaurus panoramic system.
Conclusions:
General:
Overall this is an excellent tripod, it stood up well to daily travel and hiking and survived the occasional scrape against a rock without any visual scratches or dents. The leg closures are easy to open and close and I never pinched my fingers. In one situation I did get some sand in the closures but some compressed air (the kind you use on computer keyboards etc.) fixed that problem handily. The presents on the legs made adjusting the height fairly simple and switching between horizontal and vertical orientation is a quick process (more on that later)
Specific:
1. I've read many places that the shifting central column is nothing but a gimmick as it moves the center of balance off of the support and negates a lot of the support the tripod provides. For the most part this is true, however when shooting close to the ground (flowers, bugs) the center of balance is so low that the tripod remains extremely sturdy despite the fact that the column is in a horizontal orientation. This setup lets the tripod lie completely flat allowing you to get the camera around 4" off the ground.
2. Many people have mentioned that this tripod is good if you are a tall person, I would argue that in fact it may be less than ideal if you are 5'7" or shorter (depending on the size of the head you are using). I am about 5'8" and was just at eye level with the camera when the tripod was at its full height (without raising the center column). If the ground in front of me was an inch or two above where i was standing then I had to be up on my toes. Using the Panosaurus the tripod was way to tall.
3. This is a heavy tripod, 5.3 lbs didn't sound like that much to me but when your hiking with it, its a lot. I rarely left it behind but I would need something lighter for backpacking.
Let me reiterate that this is a great product, it would have been perfect if I had been about 6' tall.
055XPROB was called 3021BPRO, a great tripod, October 21, 2007
It is a great, sturdy tripod. The only down side is it is a little heavy. But this is what you pay for being sturdy.
Bogen/Manfrotto recently changed the SKU# from 3021BPRO to 055XPROB. Until 1-2 months ago, Amazon had 3021BPRO listed, with dozens of glowing reviews. Unfortunately, amazon seems to have removed the 3021BPRO from its database and gone with those reviews. Too bad for the consumers and amazon's business. But you can search the Internet for reviews of 3021BPRO.
PS. I posted my original review under the product 055XPROB. But amazon moved it to 055XB. So I re-post it with the update.
A huge step up from el-cheapo compact camera tripod, September 25, 2008
I picked this tripod over the 190 series because I'm 6 feet tall and didn't want to hunch over the shorter 190 series. (Remember that the head also adds some height to the final camera height!) The legs release with latches, which is so much better than screws. The center column does feel a little light, but had no problem with my Canon XSi with kit lens. I've recommended this to my brother-in-law who has a Canon 40D with kit lens. He tried to mount his camera on a cheapo compact camera tripod and the motion blur in his photos was just awful. I don't anticipate any problems for him.
As some other reviewers have said, this tripod is heavy at 5+ pounds. Probably do-able for day hikes but may be too heavy for backpacking. However, getting below that weight usually means upgrading to carbon fiber, which is about 2.5 times as expensive. I feel that this tripod is definitely value for the money. The tripod is also pretty tall even in the collapsed position (and even taller if you leave your head attached). For me, it may need to go into checked luggage since I haven't figured out how to strap it to my Tamrac Adventure 9 backpack.
Solid construction; handles multiple tough environments well; center column a bit flimsey; a touch heavy though, September 6, 2008
In terms of the "Cons" related to this product, the #1 is (quite obviously) that it is a heavy tripod and not something you'd want to lug around when camping or such. Of course, if you're looking for a light tripod, then go for the carbon fiber line of products (and shell out 2-3 times as much as this Manfrotto).
The only other "negative" aspect of this tripod is in relation to the center column. I guard my remarks because each and every single tripod I own (even $800+ carbon fiber legs) have a relatively weak center column. Nevertheless, point is that the center column should only be used in conditions that are relatively mild (e.g., wind not blowing, steady, etc). Otherwise, you'll have lousy photos given the slight wobble that occurs.
On the flip-side, the "Pros" relating to the 055XPROB tripod are legion. First and foremost, I was exceptionally pleased to find this tripod operated (e.g., the legs dis not slip and gripped well) flawlessly in the various challenging climates I put it through. That is, I shoot weddings and portraits professionally and many times I'm on the beach with a lot of salty spray coating the legs or perhaps getting sand in/around the locking mechanisms for the legs. Even with these elements that have proven to otherwise cause other inferior products to fail (i.e., after clamping a leg down the leg would nevertheless slip when the slightest bit of weight was applied), this Manfrotto remained solid as a rock. In fact, I have a Manfrotto monopod and in identical shooting conditions as I described above, it's locking mechanisms constantly fail.
In sum though, this is the most solid, reliable, and sturdy tripod for it's price (or 2 x it's price for that matter). Highly recommended.
055XPROB Pro Tripod Legs Rock!, June 19, 2008
Just a brief review here: Having demoed the 055XPROB at a local camera store, I made the decision to purchase it because of both its sturdiness and flexibility. Ease of use was an added benefit. So far, it has exceeded my expectations. I added a Bogen-Manfrotto 322RC2 Horizontal Grip Action Ball Head which adds to the versatility of my setup. I shoot a Canon Canon Digital Rebel XTi with a variety of medium sized lenses, for comparison. In summary, I think the 055XPROB is perfect for the prosumer: durable, versatile, reliable, and affordable. Hope this helps!
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Defective - thread length too long., November 24, 2008
Cool looking but it's not really useful, August 30, 2008