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There’s a reason why Manfrotto is one of the most trusted brands for professional camera support gear around the world. These Legacy Edition tripods show us that.
Manfrotto, a brand that originates from Cassola, Italy, was started by a photojournalist named Lino Manfrotto in the late 1960s. At the latter part of the decade, he began to sell light stands and other studio equipment, but it was not until 1974 that the first Manfrotto tripod was introduced. Since then, the Manfrotto brand has been one of the most reliable innovators of tripods and studio equipment in the market. Fifty years after the first tripod was introduced, Manfrotto released the Legacy Edition tripods—a modern take on the most trusted tripod models from the brand.
The Manfrotto 055 Legacy Edition
The 055 is a mainstay choice for many professionals. Especially in the past decade, the 055 offered more vertical reach while providing stable and durable support, as well as some versatile features for when the shot requires something different. The 055 Legacy Edition maintains the form and function of the most recent MT055CXPro4 but features a minimalist all-black design that eliminates the colored parts where the older versions begin to show wear, an improved tactile experience in extending the sections, and a more universal Arca-Swiss-type compatible head for the photography version.
The 055 has a folded length of 65 cm (25.59 inches), which includes the height of the ball head. Once fully extended along with the center column, the maximum height is 181.5 cm (71.45 inches), which provides more than enough height for most professional use cases. On the opposite end, the tripod can go as low as just 10 cm (3.93 inches) from the ground by spreading the legs all the way to almost a flat angle and turning the center column horizontal, which levels it with the legs of the tripod.
The MK055CXPRO4-Q6T is a four-section tripod with Manfrotto’s signature Quick Power Lock clip locks found on the joints of each section. A minor change on this version is that the locks are now entirely black, which eliminates the color accents in the previous models’ locks. Aside from this being a more minimalist aesthetic, it also removes the colored parts that usually fade in older versions over time. While this may not have any direct implications, it does have benefits in maintaining the tripod. Along with this, a difference that can’t be shown by photo is the fact that the legs extend much smoother and automatically extend when the locks are released while upright.
The central joint of the tripod has the same features as the older models but with the same all-black treatment on the details. The joints of each of the legs have four different angle options that allow for low-angle shooting. On the corners of the central joint are a link port, an accessory hook, and a control knob for the center column.
When the center column is fully extended, a release button allows it to disengage and turn 90 degrees horizontally—to achieve either low-angle shooting (as previously described) or overhead angles for shooting parallel to the ground. At the end of the center column is a mounting platform that also includes a rotating tab with a bubble level indicator.
The ball head has four side knobs on it. Closest to the base is a small knob that unlocks 360-degree panning movement. Above it, almost on the perpendicular side, is a larger main knob for the movement of the ball head. At the same level is a triangular knob that fine-tunes the friction of the ball joint altogether. The quick-release clamp of the supplied ball head is now compatible with Arca-Swiss-type plates in addition to the 200PL Pro that comes in the box.
The Manfrotto 190X Legacy Edition
Along with the larger four-section 055 model is another well-loved tripod variant, the 190X. The 190 tripod line is known to be the more standard-sized tripod (as compared to the taller 055 models) with a reversible center column. The MK190X3-Q6T is a three-section aluminum alloy tripod with a folded length of 70 cm (27.55 inches) and can go as high as 171.8 cm (67.6 inches) when the three sections and the center column are fully extended. It weighs 2.4 kg (5.29 lbs) and can carry 10 kg (22 lbs) of gear.
The 190X makes use of the same Quick Power Locks, but since this model is comprised only of three leg sections, each section is significantly longer to achieve an almost similar standing height. With fewer sections, it can also result in a faster setup process as well. The 190X features the same central joint, leg angle switch, and link ports as the 055 version; however, it makes use of a more straightforward center column. With this, the center column can only be extended or pulled out entirely to invert it along with the camera for low-angle shooting. Once the column is pulled upward, a button on the lower end will be pushed by the central joint to release the other end and use it as an alternative column for very low-angle shots. Alternatively, this secondary attachment point comes with the same 3/8-inch thread that can allow a second head to be used below. This can either be used to mount another camera from a lower angle or to mount other accessories with a compatible mounting thread.
The MK190X3-Q6T comes with a supplied compact 496 ball head that features a dual-level knob that controls the lock of the ball’s motion using the outer knob and fine-tunes the ball’s friction using the inner knob. This is accompanied by a smaller knob that controls the 360-degree panning of the entire head. The top platform on the head is, of course, an Arca-Swiss-compatible quick-release clamp controlled by a single knob and accompanied by a bubble level indicator.
User Experience and Application
The Manfrotto 055 and 190 tripods are what I personally would call industry staples. Throughout different generations of these tripods, they have provided non-negotiable qualities that professionals look for in tripods—stability and reliability. These new Legacy versions are consistent with that. It’s undeniable that there weren’t many changes implemented in this new version because for them to embody that legacy, they have to stick to the same format, but it is appreciated that they now come in a more low-key and durable aesthetic, with an improved tactile experience through the smoothness of the legs and better compatibility with Arca-Swiss-compatible heads.
The Manfrotto 055 and 190 Legacy Edition tripods, just like their predecessors, offer stable and durable support solutions that can be used for any use case and environment. Personally, my carbon fiber older MT190CXPro4 tripod has accompanied me in a lot of outdoor shooting scenarios and is substituted by the taller 055 variant whenever I need the extra height for architectural photography. These tripods, of course, also provide everything one would need for a studio tripod, especially in making quick height adjustments through individual clip locks. For outdoor use or any kind of photography that moves through different locations, the carbon fiber versions are more comfortable to carry, while the role of tripods that remain in a studio can very well be played by the aluminum versions.
Manfrotto’s 055 and 190 tripods have long been the reliable option for many photographers, both professionals and hobbyists alike. This celebration of the brand’s 50-year legacy infuses some newer touches into the same consistent features that past users have loved. If you’re someone who’s looking for new out-of-the-box tripods in unique shapes and forms, these might not be what suits you best. But if you’re someone who chooses to stick with what works and has always been trusted, the Legacy Edition tripods are definitely a great choice.
What I Liked
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All-black minimalist aesthetic
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Arca-Swiss-compatible head
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Capable of doing very low-angle shots
What Can Be Improved
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Integration of multiple link ports
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Better locking of the secondary column on the 190X
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Implementation of the all-black design on the heads