Introducing the Manfrotto MT190XPRO4: My New Photographic Best Friend

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After five years of hard service my Slik Pro400DX tripod was starting to show its age and so on a recent trip to London I decided to invest in a new 'best friend', a Manfrotto MT190XPRO4 tripod and X-Pro 3 Way Head from Park Cameras. 

 The reason I describe a tripod as a best friend because to a landscape photographer a good tripod is just that; it allows slower shutter speeds to be used when using small apertures and also allows precise adjustments during composition.  It also slows you down, making you think about what you are shooting.

 This weekend on our trip to the Outer Hebrides I was able to give the Manfrotto a good workout, being brought into use for long exposure images and also when I wanted to have that extra bit of support. The Manfrotto MT190XPRO4 tripod certainly did not disappoint.
The Manfrotto 190 tripod keeps everything steady during long exposures
The Manfrotto MT190XPRO4 is an aluminium tripod with four leg sections, which means it is more compact when folded up than the three leg section version (just 49cm when closed). More leg sections usually mean the tripod isn't as study when opened up but this version of the Manfrotto 190 was rock solid, even at its maximum extension of 160cm.  

 The Manfrotto 190 is also available in Carbon Fibre for those who are more weight conscious than I am, but is nearly double to price, and is also available with three leg sections for better stability but it is longer when folded.
Manfrotto 190 Series
The legs have the new Quick Power Lock (QPL) levers, which were as good in operation as was indicated in the brochure, and allowed me to set up the tripod a lot faster than my old Slik tripod.
Quick Power Lock levers
X-Pro 3 Way Head
The other feature that has proven to be a huge asset is the new 90° centre column mechanism which transforms the tripod when working at a low level, which the 190 is capable of doing. The new vertical-horizontal column mechanism is hidden inside the tripod’s top casting until it’s needed and reduces the overall length of the folded tripod, making it more compact for traveling with.
90 degree column allows the tripod to be used at ground level

 CLICK HERE for the 190 Series Tripod on the Manfrotto website
Spirit Levels

 The X-Pro 3 Way Head that I bought to go with the MT190XPRO4 is a superbly engineered item with fold away handles and friction controls on the tilt and portrait movements that allow delicate framing adjustments to be made with the locking knob open. The built in spirit levels, one for each axis also help keep everything straight and level, especially those watery horizons that I am so fond of capturing.
Friction Adjustments

 CLICK HERE for the X-Pro 3 Way Head on the Manfrotto website.

 All in all I am very pleased with this purchase and I will be taking it on further trips this year.  I can highly recommend this tripod.
90 degree column allows the tripod to be used at ground level
90 degree column allows the tripod to be used at ground level
Handle closed
Handle extended

Primary materialAluminium
ColourBlack
Weight (g)2100
Max load (g)7000
Min height (cm)8.0
Max height (cm)160.0
Closed length (cm)49.0
Leg sections4
With HeadNo
Horizontal centre columnYes

The price? The MT190XPRO4 retails at £199.95 but Park Cameras have it for £179.  The X-Pro 3 Way Head retails at £114.95 but PC have it for £99.00.

CLICK HERE to see the Manfrotto MT190XPRO4 on the Park Cameras Website.

 CLICK HERE to see the Manfrotto X-Pro 3 Way Head on the Park Cameras Website

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