This tripod has been around for several years and its unique combination of features has won awards for its design. Let’s check out what this relatively affordable tripod has to offer.
Choosing a tripod is an investment that must be carefully considered. A tripod is both a creation and a tool to protect your camera, and finding the perfect tripod will affect the quality and efficiency of your work in the long run. As you progress as a photographer, one of the key things that you should develop is a certain level of proficiency and awareness of your workflow, and part of that is post-production. needed, is just as important as when you press the shutter.
Stability and durability should be the bare minimum for any tripod. A tripod that cannot protect your precious camera gear should not even be considered. At the same time, a tripod that only lasts a few weeks or months will always be a waste for a serious photographer. Once those key attributes are secured, factors like portability, flexibility, and other extras come into play. All of these features create an entire package that may or may not suit you for who you are as a photographer. The tripod you choose, especially the tripod that you will invest your hard earned money on, should fit you like a glove.
The Manfrotto 190go!
This tripod is a combination of features found on many Manfrotto series of tripods that serve different purposes. This standard size tripod combines the portability of different types of travel tripods, as well as the ruggedness and construction of heavier support devices. In this way, it provides a very effective middle ground between the contrasting properties of popular tripod variations. The Manfrotto 190go! was actually released about six years ago; However, the features brought together on this tripod certainly make for something worth considering even more than half a decade later.
Construction, design, index and capacity
The Manfrotto 190go! measures just 17 inches when folded without the tip. At its shortest neutral position, it averages 22 inches tall with a variety of head options. With the tripod collapsing to nearly 180 degrees and the center column extended horizontally, this versatile tripod can achieve a minimum ground clearance of just 3.5 inches, which can be quite a useful tool for very low angle shots.
With the four leg sections fully extended, the tripod height is 50 inches and reaches 59.8 inches with the center column extended to the maximum working limit. The aluminum variant weighs just 1.66 kg, while the lighter carbon fiber version weighs 1.35 kg. Both variants can comfortably carry 15 kg of camera gear, which is roughly the combined weight of most full frame DSLRs or mirrorless cameras with a standard 70-200mm telephoto zoom lens. .
The center column pulls up and can be fully unlocked with a button at the bottom to drop it into a joint allowing the column to go from vertical to horizontal. When unlocked with the single knob that controls the center column, this center cluster can rotate 360 degrees to adjust to the required angle. On the opposite side of the knob is a removable rubber cap to reveal a 3/8″ screw thread known as the “Link Port”, which serves as an additional port for accessories such as straps, handles, etc. grips, friction handles or even other tripods. This port virtually expands the carrying capacity of the tripod as it can accommodate portable accessories such as lights, tuners or audio equipment.
The legs have a twist-lock mechanism commonly found on smaller travel tripods. Although some photographers say that this type of foot lock mechanism can take a bit longer to set up, the relatively slimmer form (compared to a twist lock) definitely adds to the leg’s mobility. machine.
Variations and Kits
The tripod itself comes in two variants. The aluminum version headless costs $210 while carbon fiber version price $453 without head. The two variants, in addition to the obvious difference in materials, are only 31 grams apart. The very close weight gap between the two variants virtually makes the aluminum version more affordable.
The Manfrotto 190go! Sold in stores or without a head, with a 494 heads similar to what is seen on the Befree travel tripod, Compact ball head 496RCBHQ2 head for heavier payload, or Xpro 3 3-way rotating and tilting head. However, it is compatible with most detachable ball heads with standard 3/8” screw threads.
While the different options for ball head packages certainly make it more versatile and appealing to users depending on their preferences, variations are available as kits with vacuum included. The more popular X-Pro BHQ6 features a Swiss Arca-type quick release clamp for compatibility with most L-plates, cages and holders. For personal use, I’ve replaced the quick release clamp with one that fits Arca Swiss type plates.
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The Manfrotto 190go! perfectly sized for a mostly people tripod. It comes with a pretty substantial payload capacity while being in a relatively compact and lightweight form. This makes it a good choice as a general studio tripod for portraiture, product, food, and even vehicle photography. Also, this would fit quite well into the workflow of commercial or food product photographers who might want the camera to safely point at products on the table for a flat setup. With the right foot and crossbar configuration, 190go! can hold the camera more firmly to maintain the view from above.
As a landscape photographer, the application of this tripod in what I shoot is definitely what made me interested in buying this tripod for myself. The relatively slimmer folding form makes it easy to carry on a long trip but doesn’t interfere with portability. The payload can carry a full-frame camera with almost any lens commonly used for landscapes from the ultra-wide to telephoto range. The horizontal mast makes it possible to capture important foreground elements low enough for low-angle photography, and can also help position the camera over obstacles such as ledges and railings when shooting from vantage points on high.
Inference
However the Manfrotto 190go! Having been on the market for more than half a decade, it still offers a unique combination of effective weight and height along with reliable stability. Additional features such as a vari-angle foot, center crossbar, and link port make it a versatile, powerful choice for almost any type of imaging workflow.
What I like
- Four-section legs with twist lock
- Horizontal column
- Efficient to carry while stable and capable
What can be improved
- There is no Arca Swiss express release option
- Availability of variations
- Thin padded drawstring bag
