Manfrotto MT190XPRO3 Test Results

The Manfrotto MT190XPRO series is the smaller, lighter version of Manfrotto’s top of the line MT055 series.  The construction quality is identical though, making the MT190 a good option for people who don’t need a tripod quite as large as the MT055, but still want one tripod that is competent at everything.  It is still a bit too large to be considered a travel tripod, but could be carried hiking without too much fuss.  For the aluminum version, the stiffness is acceptable given the price point, but the damping is quite poor.  I would thus not recommend the aluminum version for use with telephoto lenses.

NameManfrotto MT190XPRO3
ClassAll Purpose
Stiffness About Vertical Axis348 +/- 1 Nm/rad
Damping About Vertical Axis0.046 +/- 0.005 Js/rad
Stiffness About Radial Axis1026 +/- 4 Nm/rad
Damping About Radial Axis0.124 +/- 0.012 Js/rad
Retail Price$176
Weight4.4 lbs (1.995 kgs)
Manufacturer weight rating15.4 lbs
Maximum Height53.6 in (136.1 cm)
Minimum Height11.5 in (29.2 cm)
Max Height with Center Column63.3 in (160.8 cm)
Center ColumnYes
Base Diameter2.3 in (5.8 cm)
Folded Length23 in (58.4 cm)
Folded Circumference12 in (30.5 cm)
Folded Volume264.0 cu. in. (4.3 liters)
Leg MaterialAluminum
Leg Sections3
Primary Leg Angle24.5 deg
Leg LocksFlip
Top Tube Diameter26.0 mm
Second Tube Diameter22.5 mm
Third Tube Diameter19.0 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.

 

Example data for oscillations about the vertical axis of the tripod:

We can see just how poor the damping is.  It simply refuses to do so.

Poor damping makes for a sharp resonance though.  No problems with trying to fit this data.

 

Example data for oscillations about the radial axis of the tripod:

As usual, the stiffness and damping are better about the radial axis, but still quite poor.

Clean data, not problems fitting.