Matching head for this 1990ies Manfrotto 055CB tripod

bonk · Feb 7, 2021

I own this (see pictures) Manfrotto 055CB tripod from the 1990ies and I am looking for a matching tripod head. Unfortunately I cannot find the specs for this „old“ tripod anywhere.
So I have two questions:

When looking at the base plate with the 3/8” screw in the middle and the three somewhat smaller screws at the outside, do all current tripod heads still fit on this tripod? Which ones do fit?
What was the maximum weight that this tripod could take? I would like to get a head that neither oversized nor undersized I terms of carrying weight for this tripod.

I am going to use this tripod with the Chamonix C45F-2 4x5 camera which weighs 1500g without the lens. I am thinking of getting a ball head. I welcome any suggestion of a decent tripod head for this setup.

BrianShaw · Feb 7, 2021

The specs are all over the internet.

A good matching ball head would be Manfrotto 494. There maybe older Manfrotto ball heads with different designation - 484 comes to mind for the one I use with Hasselblad. I like ball heads for MF with waist-level viewing but not for LF cameras. Too hard to adjust in all 3 dimensions at the same time.

The 3 additional screw holes are basically jam screws to keep the head from loosening.

That tripod would likely work with a wood field camera but some might consider it barely adequate.

bonk · Feb 7, 2021

BrianShaw said:
The specs are all over the internet.

Maybe the google gods aren‘t with me, but it seems to be pretty much impossible to find the specs for this particular old version of the tripod. This is probably because the tripod is from a time before the internet existed.

BrianShaw said:
That tripod would likely work with a wood field camera but some might consider it barely adequate.

Can you elaborate on that? I don’t understand what‘s „barely adequate“ about it.

BrianShaw · Feb 7, 2021

The load capacity might be okay but vibration dampening, for example, may not be as good as with a heavier tripod. Some hang weights under center column to mitigate that and increase stability... but those weights also move the load closer to the maximum capacity rating. I’m personally not in that camp. It’s easy enough to set up, focus, and wait a few seconds for the gear to stabilize from any jiggling. Most LF subjects aren’t moving too fast.

lecarp · Feb 7, 2021

The load limit for this tripod is about 19.5 lbs. Now add up the weight of the head you put on it, the weight of the camera, the lens, the film holder, lens shade etc. Now you have your actually working weight. How much wiggle room do you have. I like double the capacity of my outfit weight. If a breeze pops up will that 5lb tripod hold your outfit securely in place.

bonk · Feb 7, 2021

lecarp said:
The load limit for this tripod is about 19.5 lbs.

Just curious: How did you find this out?

BrianShaw · Feb 7, 2021

Part of the challenge you are facing is nomenclature. One or actually needs a PhD in Manfrotto/Bogen numbering systems to figure this stuff out. I thought 055 was same as Bogen 3221, which has more like 13 Lb (6 kg) capacity... I seem to recall, though, that reports of capacity seem to vary depending on who reports it.

lecarp · Feb 7, 2021

bonk said:
Just curious: How did you find this out?

It is listed on Manfrottos website.

basicn · Feb 7, 2021

lecarp · Feb 7, 2021

Specs for from manfrotto website.
055
Specifications
Weight

5.51 lbs

Top Attachment

3/8″ screw

Leg Sections

3

Min Height

3.54 in

Maximum Height (With Center Column Down)

55.12 in

Maximum Height

66.93 in

Closed Length

24.02 in

Bubble Spirit Level (No.)

1

Safety Payload Weight

19.84 lbs

Carrying Bag Included

none

Center Column

rapid

Upper Disc Diameter

2.36 in

Color

Black

Easy Link

Yes

Leg Type

Single

Leg Angles

25°,46°,66°,88°

Leg Lock Type

Flip Lock

Legs Tube Diameter

1.18- 1.02- 0.89 in

Material

Aluminum

Maximum Working Temperature

140 °F

Minimum Working Temperature

-22 °F

BrianShaw · Feb 7, 2021

Another thing to consider, if you haven’t already. Is getting a head that includes or can be supplemented with a quick-release. Not essential but convenient. A vintage 3047, perhaps? Not a ball head but...

bonk · Feb 7, 2021

lecarp said:
It is listed on Manfrottos website.

Yes but only for current version, which can take more weight than the old one.

Sirius Glass · Feb 7, 2021

It is is a standard mount. Many brands have products that will fit. Consider Induro. https://indurogear.com/

bonk · Feb 7, 2021

lecarp said:
Specs for from manfrotto website.

It seems that those are the specs for the current version. The old 1990ies version I was asking for can take less weight than the current version (and is also heavier).

reddesert · Feb 7, 2021

Tripod specs are only a guideline. A tripod that is "rated" to 19 lb will hold 19 lb without collapsing, but it won't be comfortable or steady to the standards most people want for preventing wobble.

Many people find that ball heads do not work very well with large format cameras, but it depends on your working style. The performance of the head is going to be a bigger issue than the literal specs of this tripod IMO.

The three set screws around the edge of the mounting platform are anti-rotation jam nuts as BrianShaw said. On some Bogen/Manfrotto heads, there is a series of scalloped indents in the base for these jam nuts to press into, but you could use them with most heads.

mshchem · Feb 7, 2021

Look on Ebay, find a Manfrotto / Bogen head from the same vintage with the Manfrotto hex plate. You should be able to find the head or even another head with tripod for a good price.
Or if you are rich buy a Really Right Stuff, heavy duty ball head for 450 bucks. There's mountains of really nice Manfrotto stuff available used.

BrianShaw · Feb 7, 2021

This seems undated but I actually remember it. Uses Bogen numbering rather than the Manfrotto numbering.

Specs and heads contemporary with yours (and the 3051/3047 I’m still using since then.)

If you opt for a 3047 head be advised that it had about 5 iterations. Version 3 and later had better handles and an improved safety device for locking the hex plate.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/FrameW...ourceBookProPhoto/Section09CameraSupports.pdf

mpirie · Feb 7, 2021

I'd suggest the Manfrotto 029 or 229 3-way pan and tilt head for an LF camera.

It uses hexagonal quick release plates.

Mike

grat · Feb 7, 2021

The tripod will almost certainly hold your Chamonix without complaint.

Finding a head that does so will be slightly more challenging. I have a ball head that I actually like for my Chamonix 45N-1 (Innorel N52), but I'm under no illusions about it-- A 10 lb (4.5kg) camera rig is about as much as you want to handle on a ball-head like that. The head will hold more, but it's going to be finicky, prone to unexpected movements, and vibration will start to catch up.

If you don't need extreme angles on the base, a leveling head isn't a bad idea.

If you do need extreme, consider a geared head.

wiltw · Feb 7, 2021

BrianShaw said:
Part of the challenge you are facing is nomenclature. One or actually needs a PhD in Manfrotto/Bogen numbering systems to figure this stuff out. I thought 055 was same as Bogen 3221, which has more like 13 Lb (6 kg) capacity... I seem to recall, though, that reports of capacity seem to vary depending on who reports it.

The Bogen 3221 was made by Manfrotto, and later evolved to the Manfrotto 055 tripod.
'Load rating' is pretty much a foolish number, with no standard followed by anyone. This is Lester Bogen in an ad, demonstrating the absurdity of the load rating.

BrianShaw · Feb 7, 2021

LOL... I remember that picture. Never could figure out why Lester wasn’t wincing.

voceumana · Feb 7, 2021

This head seems to be a copy of the Bogen/Manfrotto 3047, often recommended for use with 4x5 cameras: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1326796-REG/studio_assets_sa1423_heavy_duty_three_way.html

I don't recommend ball heads for view cameras--pan/tilt are easier to use, and it's nice to be able to adjust a single movement at a time--of the tripod or the camera. A ball head means you have to shift 3 movements at once--left/right, up/down, and pan.

Those legs are probably too light for the camera. But the head I suggested will fit on any legs with a 3/8 mounting stud (very common).

To be honest, I'd recommend a Ries wooden tripod, their J100 specifically. At $600 it's not cheap, but you'll never regret it and never curse at it. The above head will fit if you get the tripod with the 3/8 screw mount. https://www.riestripod.com/product/the-j100-tripod/

bonk · Feb 8, 2021

Thank you all. After reading all this and seeing that it is currently on sale, I might go for the Manfrotto 410 Junior geared head instead of a ball head.

It weighs more than 1kg but there should still be more than enough room for my 1,5lkg Chamonix (without lens).

What do you think about this choice?

BrianShaw · Feb 8, 2021

A rather pricey choice... should work fine. Seems almost the complete opposite of a ball head but you’ll have total control. Geared heads too slow for me; popular with some folks. Good luck in your photographic endeavors!

bonk · Feb 8, 2021

BrianShaw said:
A rather pricey choice... should work fine. Seems almost the complete opposite of a ball head but you’ll have total control. Geared heads too slow for me; popular with some folks. Good luck in your photographic endeavors!

I fear the slowness a bit too but this particular one allows you to operate it just like a ungeared three way head and then just „fine tune“ using the geared mode. So I was thinking that it might actually be OK.

Matching head for this 1990ies Manfrotto 055CB tripod

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