Wow, lots of 055 Manfrottos out there, I have one as well. It did not come with a head and I ordered a Gitzo Ball Head, G1276M Magnesium. I have found little to no use for the QR plate, so the next head I buy will not have one. My 055 is the old style, black and no sideways column. I find it easy to use, supports my 400mm and body nicely. Despite the lack of a sideways column, I find it great and easy to use for macro. Just a heavy thing. I prefer it's leg-locks.
Hmm...just looking at the catologue here, and I think I found my monopod, Gitzopod..cool. Brad ----- Original Message ----- From: "David A. Mann" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, December 25, 2002 2:29 AM Subject: Re: OT: Tripod recommendations please > Jostein wrote: > > > Cotty, > > the Manfrotto 055 comes with a 3-way head as standard also. I've got > > one as a spare for my Sachtler. > > I didn't know Manfrotto tripods came with a head. Mine [also 055] didn't > when I boughti it a couple of years ago. I added an 029, the big 3-way > head with those hexagonal quick-release plates. I subsequently bought a > 168 ball head which takes those same plates. I fitted that head to my > monopod. > > > There are at least three variants of the 055. One plain, one with camo > > colours and padded grip areas on the legs, and one with an option to > > attach the center column sideways (great for macros). > > I think there's also the silver vs black option as well. The one with > the sideways centre column option is the 455, if I remember correctly. > It was released not long after I purchased my 055 :( > > > It's a very popular tripod in this country amongst nature > > photographers, because it gives a reasonably good performance at an > > acceptable weight. > > I second this. It will hold a medium format camera quite comfortably, > without being cumbersome. The leg locking mechanisms may or may not be > to your liking. > > Cotty, is the tripod for your video camera too big? > > Cheers, > > - Dave > > http://www.digistar.com/~dmann/ > > >