Manfrotto MT055CXPRO3 Test Results

The MT055CXPRO3 is Manfrotto’s top of the line tripod for still photography.  Like all Manfrottos, it is quite affordable compared to the high end tripod brands.  It is built more like an all purpose tripod than the modular systematic lines, but includes a number of unique features such as the horizontal center column.  As we can see below, the MT055CXPRO3 performs very well for its price, making it one of the best value tripods available.

NameManfrotto MT055CXPRO3
ClassAll Purpose
Yaw Stiffness847 +/- 4 Nm/rad
Yaw Damping0.367 +/- 0.037 Js/rad
Pitch Stiffness2698 +/- 14 Nm/rad
Pitch Damping0.408 +/- 0.041 Js/rad
Retail Price$340
Weight4.26 lbs (1.933 kgs)
Manufacturer weight rating19.8 lbs
Maximum Height55.1 in (140.0 cm)
Minimum Height11.5 in (29.2 cm)
Max Height with Center Column66.4 in (168.7 cm)
Center ColumnYes
Base Diameter2.3 in (5.8 cm)
Folded Length24.8 in (63.0 cm)
Folded Circumference12 in (30.5 cm)
Folded Volume284.0 cu. in. (4.7 liters)
Leg MaterialCarbon Fiber
Leg Sections3
Primary Leg Angle25.0 deg
Leg LocksFlip
Top Tube Diameter29.2 mm
Second Tube Diameter24.8 mm
Third Tube Diameter20.5 mm
Exchangeable FeetNo
Foot TypeRubber
Bottom HookNo

The stiffness and damping data are the averages of 10 trials for each measurement.  The reported error is the standard error, except in the case of the damping data. I have set the error in the damping at 10% as the standard error metric does not appropriately capture the error in fitting to the data.  All of the reported specifications are measured, with the exception of the weight rating. The tripod is measured at full height, with the center column down.

Bonus Content:

Stiffness vs Height:

 

Example data for oscillations about the vertical axis of the tripod (Yaw):

Well behaved data.

Example data for oscillations about the radial axis of the tripod (Pitch):

Also well behaved data for the pitch stiffness.  The damping is fairly linear as well, giving us more confidence than usual in that fit.