What is the difference between the Manfrotto MT190GO tripods?

I see there is an MT190GOA4 and a MT190GOA4TB so what is the difference between these two?  They look the same.

There have been three versions of MT190GO in aluminum and 2 in carbon since it came out in 2015. And other than the “TIPA” award sticker on the new one, they look almost identical.  The specifications have not changed.  They are the same size,weight and capacity.  But if you are looking for parts your are going to fin three versions right now: MT190GOA4TB-1, MT190GOA4TB-2, MT190GOA4.

I’m going to tackle these in order of appearance: MT190GOA4TB-1  was introduced 2015-02-10 and it had a TB and a TD version.  The TB is the black leg release button, the TD is the grey leg release button.  These are the same units, except for that.  The legs are sold as single parts, there is not sub-parts like bushings or twist knobs on this model.

Next in 2016-02-22 was the MT190GOA4TB-2 which is again identical, except that the leg assemblies were given different parts number.  These are the same units, except for that.  The legs are sold as single parts, there is not sub-parts like bushings or twist knobs on this model.

The latest version  MT190GOA4 was introduced 2017-05-15 is almost a completely different tripod.  The size, weight and capacity are identical.  But now, there are individual parts that make up the legs.  This is great!  You can replace the leg shims as they wear.  Now this is where it gets interesting:  The legs are no longer round tubes, they are D shaped.  There is a little flat on the inside of the tube. This makes the tube stronger, and although the tubes are still the same diameter, the twist lock knobs are “chunkier” on the newer unit, making for a better grip.  These twist lock knobs are available in single or three packs as well.  The old twist knobs are not compatible with the new, so you can’t but the knobs and replace them on the old units.  The newer knobs are officially the new M series twist knobs and the engineering is better than before.

Another difference is the feet.  The new MT190GO use push in rubber feet, while the older MT190GO used a screw in foot.  Not a huge difference, but you can see that it makes for a more stable foot.  The one of the left is the newer tripod and the foot is angled for better grip.

Be aware that these differences also translated into the carbon fiber version MT190GOC4TB and MT190GOC4 as well.  And, as is the case, many of the parts for the aluminum tripods do not fit the carbon tripods.  About the only that that does is the center column and the top and bottom plates of the main castings.  So make sure you know which tripod you have before ordering the parts.

As always, if you need help we are always happy to lend a hand.  Bas is available from 10 am to 2 pm Monday through Friday and we can take you emails and calls.  You can call us at 864-583-6835.  If you would rather not deal with it you can always send it to:

Manfrotto Repairs
c/o SpartanPhotoCenter, inc
108 Garner Road
Spartanburg, SC 29303

 

What is the Hole on the Side of My Tripod?

I have an MT190XPRO3 tripod and there is a hole in the side of it.  What is this?

This is the accessory screw port.  This has been a feature on Manfrotto tripods all the way back to when they were called Bogen.  It is basically a 3/8 screw hole that allows you to add a strap, add accessory arms or attach loops and other things to the tripod easily.  This is available on all the current MT190XPRO and MT055XPRO tripods.  There is a rubber cover to protect the threads and center column workings from debris.

The current accessory screw port has notch int he top and bottom that allows for the use of an non-rotating arm.  The previous 190 and 055 tripods can accept the arms, though they may rotate and flop about if the arm is twisted or set at the wrong angle.  We do not recommend the AR versions for the older tripods.  You can find more info about the arms on the page listed below.

More information about:
Manfrotto 244 Mini Arms
Clip on strap that does not use accessory screw port

If you are having problems determining what parts you need, or for a tune up or for repairs, send your name, address, daytime phone and email address along with your tripod to:

ManfrottoTripodParts.com Repairs
c/o SpartanPhotoCenter
108 Garner Road
Spartanburg, SC 29303

Once we have it, we will evaluate it and contact you. Please send us your daytime phone so we can reach you during business hours.

Lastly, if we are repairing your Manfrotto Product; we are recycling all broken parts and scrap articles. Almost nothing goes into the trash if we can help it.

 

 

Trade in your old tripod & how it works.

Yes, we take old tripods on trade in.  Is it worth it?

1. We recycle old tripods that are not salvagable, so very little other than plastic and rubber goes into the land fill.
2. It does cost you money to ship it to us, but you get a newer tripod, with a new warranty, for less than you could buy it for, including the shipping.
3. Having the correct tools improves your work.  Less time improvising or making non-standard parts work, messing around with an inadequate piece of crap…

Click Here for an estimated credit value list.  These are only estimates, and actual value is based on condition once we receive it.

Make money from your old gear.

This October 13th and 14th we will be making trades in the store.  Trade in’s brought in or delivered on or before that day will also be eligible for trade in credits from Manfrotto on their New tripods and heads.  In some cases, the trade in incentives and specials from the Trade In & Trade Up day will make select tripods up to HALF OFF, or more.

 

Manfrotto Tripod Rebates

It is rebate season again.  Right now there are rebates that are in progress to the end of September.  Call us at 864-583-6835 for prices and information.

Trade In Trade Up is Coming Soon……

This is the place!

This October 13th and 14th will be our 6th Annual Trade in / Trade up event. That is Friday and Saturday 10am until 3pm both days.

We will have Sales available for demonstrations.

See Demonstrations on various aspects of photography.

Make money from your old gear.

We will be taking cameras, lenses, tripods and certain other items for trade in.  UsedPhotoPro.com will be paying cash of used and collectable cameras, lenses and flashes.

Manfrotto will be taking old tripods on trade for their new tripods and heads.

Radio Poppers will be trading in for other remote slave units.

Get a Free pro[m]aster battery grip with any camera purchased.

If you cannot attend, but still want to trade in your tripod or head, click here.

Don’t miss out on our in store specials that we cannot advertise here.

 

 

 

Are Bogen and Manfrotto Tripods the Same?

Yes, 20 years or so ago, Bogen tripods were made by Manfrotto.

And…

No, the current Manfrotto Tripods are very different in most cases from what the Bogen equivalent used to be called.

As you can see from the 3021/055 picture to the left, this Bogen tripod is bulkier and more angular.  The MT055 Manfrotto tripod to the right is the same series tripod, though it is made about 20 years later and it is much more stylish.

One of the major changes between the two brands, though they shared models like 055, 058, 190 etc; is generally the weight.  The newer Manfrotto tripods a very much lighter than the previous models. The old Bogen 055/3021 weighs about 6.6 lbs; while the new Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 only weighs 5.5 lbs.  The old Bogens usually used round tubes, where most of the new Manfrotto tripods have “D” shaped tubes that are lighter and just as strong as the older heavier ones.

Also the use of “technopolymer” is allowing the weight on bulky parts to be reduced.  You will find this on the newer heads.

By using newer technologies and better allows the size and strength remain the same while the weight is decreased overall. This technology is being diffused across all the tripods, heads, and monopods.

 

If you are having problems determining what parts you need, or for a tune up or for repairs, send your name, address, daytime phone and email address along with your tripod to:

ManfrottoTripodParts.com Repairs
c/o SpartanPhotoCenter
108 Garner Road
Spartanburg, SC 29303

Once we have it, we will evaluate it and contact you. Please send us your daytime phone so we can reach you during business hours.

Lastly, if we are repairing your Manfrotto Product; we are recycling all broken parts and scrap articles. Almost nothing goes into the trash if we can help it.

 

 

Why Don’t You Sell Parts For the 468 Hydrostatic Ball Heads?

The 468 Hydrostatic ball head is a popular, durable and precise head.  Though the durability can be compromised by the few and frequent dings, drops and falls.  But we have been several times been asked why we don’t stock or repair these heads.

Simply put, these are not heads that are easily user repairable.  The internal workings are not easy to get into without specialized tools, and too many times we have been given parts to reassemble into a head by someone who attempted the repair and got stuck.  A simple repair can easily be turned into a costly repair when it is disassembled more than need, requiring more time, or parts if they are lost or damaged.

If the main housing has been impacted and is cracked, then we would recommend replacing the head,.  Other things where we would recommend full replacement is a damaged ball.  To replace a head, click here.  If the head is just not holding is settings, or is a bit loose, then it is worth repairing.

The 468Hydrostatic heads are best repaired by a trained technician.   Click here for our repair info page.  Especially if it is under the warranty. Click here to go to the Manfrotto repair page.  Instructions will be there for warranty repairs and general service information.

 

 

 

My Tripod Is Really Old, Can I Use Other Tripod Parts To Fix It?

There are several answers to this one question.

1. As long as your tripod is a Manfrotto or a Bogen (made by Manfrotto) it should be possible to fix it.  Stay with in the brand for better results.  Manfrotto parts do not fit MeFoto, Vanguard or other tripod brands.
2. Try to stay within a model series; Bogen 3221, 3021 or Manfrotto 055XPRO and 055XPROB are similar enough to be interchangeable, but not from the Bogen brand to the Manfrotto brand.
3. As long as the parts as similar enough to the original, it should be possible. A 1mm or 2mm difference on a clamp or a tube is ok it the parts are measuring 20mm or 30mm wide.  The smaller the amount of the variation the better.

What are the variables in repairing the old tripod with new parts?  From the feet up…

rubber feet

Spike Feet

Feet. Rubber feet are standard on most tripods.  The feet are usually based on the diameter of the bottom tube.  Click Here for the page that has the feet listed by diameter.  A few tripods have special shapes that can only be replaced with the original part.

Suction Cup Foot

Most of the time the feet on tripods are rubber push ons.  Some versions of tripods have retractible spiked feet that came on the tripod as part of a kit, or the spike feet were added later by the user.  There are also suction cup feet that have the pikes and very wide rubber cups.  The spikes are useful on ice and other hard surfaces you want to “bite”into, the wide cups are great for loose gravel or sand, and the rubber feet help protect your indoor floors like wood and marble. A suction cup foot on smooth marble floors is remarkable in how little slippage there is even though the surface is slick.

Leg tubes. There are round tubes, 6 sided tubes (3 round and 3 flat sides), 2 sided (round with a flat side) and square or triangular shaped.  Obviously the round tubes will only fit the round tubes.  Some of the round tubes have flutes inside that keep them from rotating.  These have got to match, and nest correctly so they will slide freely inside each other. These will be available by diameter and length for each model.  Also in silver or black, depending upon the tripod model.  Call for price and availability – 864-583-6835

Leg clamps come in all sizes

Leg Locks.  Leg locks are interchangeable in the same way leg tubes are; very limited but entirely based on diameter.  The round tubed tripods HAVE to use round tube leg locks.  Some 2 or 6 sided tubes  may appear to be the correct diameter, but they WILL NOT WORK without modification of the leg lock.  This is not something regular people can do without the use of a machine shop.  Also there are snap locks, that snap open and locked.  Flip locks flip up and down to lock.  Screw locks twist one or two revolutions to lock.  None of these three types of locks are interchangeable.

Leg Braces.  These are the parts that connect the main casting to the legs.  The leg braces have to use the EXACT same type of tube they were made for.  Round braces can only take round tubes, the braces that are round with a flat side can only take those tubes etc, etc.  Leg braces are also particular in that they have hinge points that may point inward, or outward.  There are also different sizes of these braces.  The Manfrotto 055 series had at least 5 versions using 3 different braces; then there was the 055XPRO series and then the new MT055 series that uses different braces altogether, and incompatible with the ear;lier versions.

Main casint upper part

Main castings. This is the crucial part that holds the tripod together.  The main casting also comes in many types as well.  Some older tripods us a single casting, that if cracked or broken cannot be glued or welded back together.  Other tripods use two piece castings that screw together. So that is an exact replacement part only.  Some of the main castings that are two part have to have can exact match on the guide holes that hold the two haves together, as well as the diameter of the hinge points and the width of the hinge points.

Center Column.  Center columns are matched to the type of main casting the tripod uses.  Round, fluted, geared, 6 sided, triangular are all variables.  There are no adapters to make on fit another.  There is not a way to add a gear and crank to a non-gear center column. So as with all Manfrotto or Bogen gear you must be specific and get the exact part, since there are no universal parts.

Center Column Pivot. Center columns on the XPRO tripods have a pivot that will allow the center column to pivot or to be removed and reinserted horizontally.  These pivot points are different on the different series of tripods, and the pivots are different on the different models.  So, none of these are interchangeable.

So, with this brief primer on parts differences, if you have questions or are not sure, but you need a tripod repair, then just send it in to us for an evaluation.  Tune ups are currently $25 + return shipping + parts.  We will let you know what the charge is before we start any repairs.  Click here for more information.

 

 

Get $40 to $100 off Manfrotto Video Tripods with Mail In Rebates.

Save between $40 and $100 on select Manfrotto Video tripods and head combinations.  These kits range from light weight and portable to some of the tallest and stoutest video tripods available.  You can download the for here, or you will receive one with your purchase.  Hurry while supplies are still high and shipping times are fast.  We are expecting massive delivery slowdowns this year as we get closer to Christmas!

Buy BeFree Video Tripod
Buy MVK190X3Kit
Buy MVK502055XPRO3 Kit
Buy 504HD,535K Tripod Kit
Buy 504HS, 546BK Tripod Kit

Need the rebate form?  Click Here To Download it.

These rebates are good on purchases from November 25th to December 31st, 2016.  Forms must be postmarked by January 31st, 2017

Why YOU Shouldn’t Repair Your Manfrotto Head.

Why would you let somebody that works on tripod and heads everyday touch your gear, when you can do it yourself?  Why would you let a technician with greater experience and knowledge part you from your money?  Why would you blindly take a part a tripod or a head without understanding the intriquacies?  Why indeed!

We work on tripods, head and monopods everyday.  We clean and check the functions of even our simplest repairs.  We pride ourselves on doing this job at least as good or BETTER than the manufacturers representatives.  We have far more experience than you, and if you don’t have a decent working knowledge, then you are bound to get lost.

Get lost on what?  Video, ball heads, Neotech; these are the hardest to repair if you have no experience.  Plus, these types of products often have hidden springs that can and do shoot out under pressure.  Replace a knob or a lever? Yes you can.  Replace the tension rods in a a ball head.  No.

If you are having problems, or need a tune up; or a repair, send your name, address, daytime phone and email address along with your tripod to:

ManfrottoTripodParts.com Repairs
c/o SpartanPhotoCenter
108 Garner Road
Spartanburg, SC 29303

Once we have it, we will evaluate it and contact you. Please send us your daytime phone so we can reach you during business hours.

Lastly, if we are repairing your Manfrotto Product; we are recycling all broken parts and scrap articles. Almost nothing goes into the trash if we can help it.