055 Aluminum 3-Section Tripod Kit with Horizontal Column and 3-Way Head (MK055XPRO3-3W)

I used to think that I had a pretty good tripod that I used for my product photography...but then I found the Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 Aluminum Tripod and I paired it up with the Manfrotto MHXPRO3W head and now, I realize my old tripod wasn't that good after all. This Manfrotto tripod sets up quick and easy, and is pretty simple to adjust. It is very stable and can be reconfigured in all sorts of different ways. I can make sure that my camera is level all the time, so that I don't have to spend time re-straightening in post I am still learning all the different ways that I can set it up. It is amazing how low to the ground that you can set it up for close up photography as well as changing your prospective on a landscape shot. Yes, it is a little pricy, but hey, if you spend a lot of money on a camera, don't you want to make sure that it is setting on a sturdy tripod? You don't want to want to walk into a product shoot with thousands of dollars in camera and lens equipment and put it on a $19.99 tripod. Not to mention, in post, think of all the time it will save from having to correct a "not so straight" picture. I did a lot of research on this tripod, and couldn't really find too many bad comments about this product. It is a little heavy if you are planning on carrying it around all day. I bought a Manfrotto tripod bag to put it all in (it all fits in there just fine), so I can keep my hands free if I need to. It feels like a good sturdy build, and I believe that this tripod should last me a long long time. I highly recommend watching some of the videos online that explain the different ways to use this tripod. All in all, I think that you will probably like this tripod if you are an enthusiast or a pro. But hey, if you are just starting out and you only want to buy one tripod that is going to last you a long time...maybe this would be a good choice... I hope this review helps.

This is my review of the Manfrotto MK 055. I love that this tripod only has two (solid) clamps per leg instead of four per leg like my older Manfrotto MK C3 lightweight version. There is a very cool feature to expand the legs in an outwards position to accommodate different tripod positions in relation to different surfaces and angles The MK 055 has extremely well built construction to the tripod head, I absolutely love it! There is one knob (on the lowest level) to shift the head left to right, the second knob (on the middle level) to shift the head forward and backward and finally, there is third knob (at the first front and highest level) that shifts the pan-tilt part. The construction is so sturdy that you do not have to worry about your DSLR camera, Battery Grip, Flash and Telephoto Lens outweighing that camera setup because this tripod can handle the weight. Another amazing feature is the ability to elevate the center stem vertically to the top and the stem can be lowered in a horizontal position for ground shots. All pieces are connected extremely well. Practicing shots and learning how to maneuver the MK 055 takes some getting used to because of the various components but it becomes very enjoyable because you know that you have a high quality tripod. Another cool feature is the ability to hang of hook straps or bags to connector plastic piece on the tripod. In addition, you can connect a Manfrotto Arm to a 3/8 screw attachment on the tripod which is sold separately The weight of the tripod over 7lbs, (but can carry over 17lbs, most tripods don't close to this carry capacity) but it does not seem to bother me at the moment. Having a lightweight tripod such as the MK C3 still serves its purpose for certain situations. However, the impressive build quality and user friendly functions makes the MK 055 an absolute winner in my book.

This tripod is simply fantastic. I got myself a Nikon D7000 on December 26th, 2014, and I had previously purchased a $75 tripod here on Amazon, thinking that I was going to be able to save a few bucks. Well, I was wrong. That tripod was not at all sturdy enough for my DSLR. My photography instructor told the class on the first night that we should not "cheap out" on a quality tripod, and he was 100% correct. I decided to put up the money for this tripod, and I could not be happier. It is pretty heavy; about 8#, and it is very sturdy. The leg locks are very strong, and there's no question that they are engaged. The tripod is very tall, too; before extending the center, the height from the ground to the camera plate on the head is 60.25". The head that it comes with can pan and tilt very smoothly without noise. When you pull the center stalk out and use it in a horizontal position, it is very sturdy as well. There's simply nothing that I don't like about this tripod; it is worth ever penny. I am including two pictures of the moon that I took with my D7000, using my 55-300mm lens. The first picture is with the cheap tripod, and the second is this Manfrotto. The difference is night and day; the image with the Manfrotto is cropped closer and much sharper, whereas the image with the cheap tripod is blurry from camera shake. The proof is in the pudding (or images, in this case).

Got this tripod (MT055CXPRO3) to replace my heavy duty aluminum tank of a tripod. Gained about 4 lbs of freedom - it literally feels like feather compared to the old one. 4 lbs does not sound like a lot, but if you are hiking with your photo backpack full of gear, you know that 4 lbs can save your back. Used it on a Death Valley 8 day trip - no issues whatsoever, very steady, solid and well made tripod. The fact that salt does not do any damage to Carbon Fiber was a great plus. The ability to place the center post parallel to the ground and being able to completely flatten out the legs is fantastic. One of the complaints I've read about is potential breakdown of the red sleeve that holds the center post - specifically the plastic bracket that holds the two aluminum pieces together. While I can see it happening, I am thinking that a really quick and easy fix would be to have a thin wire or a zip tie - so not too much worried about that. And as one of the other reviewers mentioned and I vouch for that - watch your fingers as you are snapping the clamps shut - you will learn to respect them! Also, fully extended (all leg sections, not center post), this tripod is surprisingly tall - I am 5'9" and with camera mounted on a vertical pistol grip, full extension is above my eye level (for the viewfinder).

This tripod meets and exceeds expectations. I have owned a few tripods along the years, from cheap to super expensive. While being a mid-range tripod, it does cover every detail I could possibly need at my studio, when shooting. It's tall, it's sturdy, it's great looking and with all that, some weight is introduced. Not a problem since it is not meant for traveling with but it won't break your back if you absolutely need to carry it with you. The 90 degree feature works really well, just make sure to open up the tripod legs enough so that the head+camera+distance from center won't make your tripod fall. My version has the 3 way head. My only grip is that the bubble levels are somewhat hard to see but since my Sony a7rii has digital tilt/rotation levels built in, it doesn't bother me much. The head is lightweight and can "retract" the handles making it easier to store/carry in a bag. At first, I was baffled by the quick release mechanism but after 3 minutes of fiddling with it, it does make changing equipment a matter of seconds, just make sure to buy enough plates for your needs. In conclusion you get what you pay for and that's a well built, durable, versatile tripod. I use this tripod regularly with a fluid head from Manfrotto and a slider from Konova. So many possibilities!

2025-12 update: it fell apart again! Also, Manfrotto won't honor an extended warranty because I got it from Ritz Camera, and they sell grey-market stuff. This is a great tripod when it doesn't fall apart. Carry tools.I've owned the three-section version of this tripod for years and have always loved it. Very sturdy, fairly light. Only problem with the 3-section model is that it's a bit long folded up - I travel by motorcycle a lot and it just won't fit in any of my bags. So I bought this 4-section model, despite the (IMO) ridiculous price. True to expectations, it's a high-quality, very sturdy tripod. The disappointment? It fell apart during my first use! One of the legs fell off at the second section; a result of poor quality control at the factory, I'm guessing. I reassembled it (fortunately I had a set of tools with me), and it's fine now .. but if I hadn't had tools, I would have had to come back home without a working tripod.

Well worth the money! I won’t go into specs about the Manfrotto 055. If you are looking for these, simply look at the description. I did however, attach a few pictures comparing the size of the tubing of this model compared to a Manfrotto 190XB using a digital caliper. Huge difference that really isn’t shown by the photographs. This tripod is impressive to say the least. I already own a Manfrotto 190XB and have used this as my go to tripod for at least five years. I have gotten into night photography recently and have a few dslrs, but only the one tripod. Well, it was time to purchase a new addition to my gear. Impressed with the sturdiness, quality, and build of the 190XB, I decided to stick with the Manfrotto brand. I decided on the Manfrotto 055 based on my prior experience with Manfrotto, along with the many reviews available online. Upon arrival, I was instantly impressed with the build of this model. It is “supersized” compared to my 190XB. See the attached pictures. This product is built to top quality standards. A bit heavy of a tripod to use as a walk around, but if you travel by car, or motorcycle and only plan a few hundred yards walk to your subject, this shouldn’t be an issue. However, if you plan on backpacking this tripod, be ready for the extra weight of this model. It will wear you down within an hour or so. It is by no means small or ultra-lite. This is extremely sturdy and needs no extra weight to keep it steady on a breezy day. I am 100% Satisfied! Manfrotto isn’t cheap stuff. Top of the line for the money spent.

I could write a lot about tripods and in particular, this one. But, tripods are like automobiles - people prefer and will swear by their choice for all their own reasons. If you are a Manfrotto dude or dudette, you know their quality and build. This is NOT a backpacking pod, although if you are a brute, then no problem. It is heavy but VERY well made. Another generation in the 055 series. If you want a pod that can stay still and secure while you walk away, this one will fulfill the need. The leg locks work well. Adjustable so you can loosen or tighten the amount of clamping tension. The auto leg extension action they allude to is not exactly as I understood it to be (my poor reading skills). You simply can let the legs slide out on their own when you flip both lower and upper leg clamp levers out together at same time. There are other pods that have a one-action leg extension lever that is different than this idea. Great tripod. Head stage is large for the larger format cameras as well. The bubble level is not a final straw selling tool. It works, but is not something you likely will use if you use a ball. What else can I say? I'd use it in Chicago with no worries!