Manfrotto Tripod Upgrade

Hello all,

I have the following tripod Manfrotto 190XPROB with BallHead 496RC2. I would like to upgrade my current tripod but want to stick with Manfrotto and want it to be compatible with Wimberley Head WH-200 Version II gimbal head.

Thoughts ?

Thanks for your help,

G

I'm not sure what you want... You don't really 'upgrade" a tripod... You buy another tripod. The gimbal head will fit just about any tripod you can buy...

You can put the gimbal head on the Manfrotto tripod you already have.

Tripods are generally selected based on the the weight that the tripod will carry... IOW, the weight of your head, + the camera + the weight of your largest lens... Is the existing Manfrotto w/the gimbal mounted, not stout enough for you?

Jajaja you made me laugh....i know you dont upgrade your tripod... anyhow, first my tripod is not longer manufactured according to my research. It was my first expensive tripod. I do lots of Macro and do wildlife. And i think my tripod has skinny legs in comparison with others. If you are saying that any Manfrotto tripod can hold the Gimball head i described in my post then i know what to do then. I do not have a gimbal yet.

You don't mention a budget for this but you might want to look at the Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 for starters.
....

Thanks [MENTION=13090]Horoscope Fish[/MENTION]. It is similar to the one i have. I will look into it though.

gerfoto said:

Thanks [MENTION=13090]Horoscope Fish[/MENTION]. It is similar to the one i have. I will look into it though.

Click to expand...

What is it, exactly, that you're looking for?

I just want to upgrade or scale up my tripod and be able to put than gimbal head i want to photograph birds and wildlife. Also when i am next to other photographers i feel like a newbie with my tripod. Maybe am i being picky ? G

You're being picky. If you want to be a gear snob... you can always go out and purchase a Gitzo...
Me myself I have probably 4 Tripods.. and 2 monopods... LOL!!!! Which I probably will end up scaling down soon.

Great advice. I have seen lots of advertisements about Gitzo. Thank you sir.

I did not understand this thread.

1) A Manfrotto 190 and 055 are quite different. As are Manfrotto 057 or 535. Where the 190 is a starter (I would not put my 500 or 600mm on it), the 055 is for wildlife, portable + sturdy but not only.
2) Gitzo is good, but you probably also need to go into the 4 or 5 series. RRS might be better, but that is Rolls Royce level, I want it, but I do not want to spend the money.
3) There are alternatives in the other brands, the important is:
- Carbon fibre (mainly for vibration reduction)
- Large legs (stability)
- For me no centre column (issue with Manfrotto) = no monopod at the end
- light to carry
- can carry more (double) of what you want to put on it (extra stable)
- brings your gear on the right height for you

I did some research for myself here: http://nikonites.com/other-photography-equipment/32537-tripod-truth-myth.html#axzz3rYP5bgXX

This used to be the best tripod made for wildlife,dont know what they are like now mine is at least 30 years old and still perfect,its a bit like playing the bagpipes though until you get the hang of them

Benbo Camera Tripods from Paterson Photographic

Thank you very much for your advice @Vincent and @mikew