Review on Manfrotto MT190XPRO4: Premium Aluminum 4-Section Black Tripod for Enhanced Stability by Derek Davie

This stand is unique. When looking for a carbon fiber tripod to replace my aluminum tripod, I initially considered options such as the meFoto travel backpack, the Manfrotto beFree carbon fiber tripod, and the Manfrotto MT055CXPRO3 carbon fiber tripod. The criteria I looked at were weighted by maximum height, weight, stability, cost and folded length. From the start, meFoto and beFree were at a severe disadvantage due to their maximum height, but their weight, cost and compactness allowed them to stay afloat. The MT055CXPRO3 was right up my alley in terms of maximum height, but I was a bit worried about the cost and compactness, almost a kilo heavier than meFoto and beFree. I borrowed meFoto and beFree from a local photo shop and found them good, but their stability was seriously lacking. Unfortunately I could not find anyone who could rent the 055CXPRO3. Luckily for me, my neighbor bought a Manfrotto MT190XCPRO4 so I asked him if I could borrow it for a few trips as he was only using it to take pictures in his garden. After borrowing this tripod for several tours of London and Thetford Forest I finally broke down and bought one as I felt it best suited my criteria and offered the perfect balance of height, weight, cost and stability . It's heavier than backpack tripods, but not by much (1.2 pounds more than the meFoto and manfrotto beFree backpack), which is an easy sacrifice when you need a larger tripod strong enough to handle a heavier set . At the same time, it was just over 1 pound lighter than the CXPRO3. Although it cost $200 more than the meFoto, it was $100 less than the CXPRO3, so it was also a good mid-range value, and the stability on busy city streets, rough forest terrain, and windy nights is second to none. The most important thing for me is that I cannot overestimate the height. I'm 6ft 3" tall and with all three legs fully extended and third position down I don't even have to extend the center column after adding the ball head and battery grip to my 5DIII. Is it 1.2 pounds? Will the difference between this and travel tripods make a big difference over time? Probably negligible, and if you have enough gear with you, you'll still build strength and endurance. I picked it up for two days at London Super Comic Con, and it really wasn't any different than not having it or having my monopod. Recommendation: If you are looking for a tall tripod and can sacrifice 1.2lbs of weight and a bit of compactness, I recommend this one over meFoto and beFree, if you are considering the 055CXPRO3 and plan on using it for hiking or walking around town, I recommend it also. Overall, I think this is the perfect middle ground between a full-size tripod and a travel tripod.