Manfrotto Tripods

These come in several sizes and many variations, but once you have decided if you want a set of legs at eye level, or the camera's viewfinder at eye level, or decided it doesn't matter that much to you; and on a PRO model or not, silver or black, if anodized aluminum or carbon fiber, the choices for still photography are easy to make. Below the most frequent Nikonians' selections.
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World Code	USA code	Load Kg/lbs	Weight Kg/lbs	Closed size cm/inches	Max height cm/inches	Min height cm/inches	Load to weight ratio	Current price*
Manfrotto	bogen						L/W	USD
055CLB	3021BN	6/13.3	2.3/5.1	61/24.1	135/53.2	8/3.2	2.6	$149
074B	3233B	8/17.7	3.7/8.2	72/28.4	144/56.7	66/26	2.2	-
443	3443D	5.7/12.6	1.6/3.5	61/24	130/51	29/11.5	3.6	$360**
190BD	3001BD	5/11.1	1.8/3.9	53/20.9	116/45.7	17/6.7	2.8	$121

The 055CLB (3021BN) is by far a very popular one. Considered by Manfrotto users a sturdy aluminum tripod for its weight; rather stable, with 3 leg sections and four leg locking angle settings. There is also the PRO variation for horizontal center column positioning; not the most recommended.  Still convenient, not that heavy to carry around, specially if you are young and strong. It can handle a large camera with a long tele lens, even a 300mm f/2.8, when coupled with the appropriate head and technique. It fits most heights, even if you are tall. Last time I checked these legs were selling for USD $149* I try to keep mine in the trunk of my car at all times with a Markins M20 ballhead and Wimberley Sidekick arm, capable of handling any camera body and any medium sized lens I may have at the time, with ease and speed. However, avoid wind, or wait until it stops.

The 074B (3233B) and similar aluminum legs are used by very tall Nikonians adamant about not bending. The price they pay is weight. With geared column, IMO overly heavy for the field although splendid for the studio with any camera. Most I've met eventually get a carbon fiber tripod for outings. The similar 3251 model sells for about USD $280*

The 443 (3443D) is a most efficient (load capacity to weight ratio of 3.6) three-section legged Carbon One Fiber tripod, the latest Manfrotto development after hearing comments from users of the 440 and 441 models, wanting a simpler (without the "PRO" horizontal column feature) and therefore a less prone to vibration and less expensive tripod, lately at USD $360* (instead of USD $434* for the 441 model). Hard to find since it has been discontinued.

The 440 I still own is even more compact when folded (52 cm, 20.5") despite being a PRO model; nice for trekking, but for that it requires to have four section legs, less stable than the 441 three section version. Nevertheless I must say the images I've taken with it could not be more crisp when there is no wind, hanging the bag from it and not extending the lower last legs section. This is also hard to find since it has been discontinued, maybe letting Gitzo be the one offering the carbon fiber line.

The 190DB (3001BN) is a very compact inexpensive aluminum tripod, yet sturdy enough to handle a pro body with up to a 300mm f/4 lens, when topped with a good head and using appropriate tripod technique. A great buy for  USD $121*, as it has almost the same folded size and weight than a carbon fiber one. I bought a chrome one (190D/3001N) instead of a black, for just $87 USD. Although that was long ago, they sell for $95 today* A good starting choice, but again, if there is no wind and your load is light.

A word on minimum height in regard to going low on a subject: The figures shown in the table above take into consideration the standard column, meaning that if you get a short one instead or eliminate it, the minimum height may be even lower with tripod legs spread wide open in the models which allow for that.

Note: The higher cost of energy and therefore of aluminum (with an energy-intensive production cost) has pushed tripod and monopod manufacturers to seek materials alternatives. Manfrotto looked into carbon fiber tubing combined with magnesium die casted parts for quick-action lever locking collars, top plate, top spider and clamping system in the PRO models. The three-faceted center column remains of aluminum. We will have to closely follow and test the performance characteristics of the various MAG-Fiber tripods before making any recommendations. The Manfrotto 190 (Bogen 3001) is more load-to weight and cost efficient in aluminum than in the Mag-fiber versions, but it may not be available in the future and the conclusion may not hold true for other models.
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