It has arrived!

[Nikolai]

Bogen Manfrotto National Geographic Expedition MagFiber 055MF4 tripod and Acratech Ultimate Ballhead V2:clap

I have received the ballhead last week, and today the brown UPS truck delivered the legs, thus making the tripod ready for work.

First impression: it's HUGE! With the center column extended it's taller than me, and I'm 6'2":

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/88287108-L.jpg

It's tall even without the center column being extended, I can operate comfortably:

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/88287114-L.jpg

But of course, it can go low:

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/88287131-L.jpg

And lower:

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/88287168-L.jpg

And lower:

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/88287181-L.jpg

Totally low (legs are flat against the gound):

http://nik.smugmug.com/photos/88287196-L.jpg

Removing the center column (or putting it back) takes less than a minute, same goes to switching it from a vertical to a horizontal position.

The whole assembly has a very nice, solid feeling with a very smooth operation on the ballhead side.

I didn't have a chance to actually use it yet, but I'm definitely looking forward to do it. :D

[USAIR]

Congrats Nik looks like a cool setup

Mabe a review is in the future:D

Fred

[Andy]

Bogen Manfrotto National Geographic Expedition MagFiber 055MF4 tripod and Acratech Ultimate Ballhead V2:clap

Sweet! Maybe you can put together a review with these pics, and your thoughts, after a little bit of use, and then we'll put it in our reviews section!

[Nikolai]

Congrats Nik looks like a cool setup
Mabe a review is in the future:D
Fred


Sweet! Maybe you can put together a review with these pics, and your thoughts, after a little bit of use, and then we'll put it in our reviews section!

Thanks, guys!
I wish I had more experience with tripods. This is my first "real" one, so I won't be able to compare simply because I wouldn't know better.
But hey, I'll try :-) :):

[Seefutlung]

Hey Nik-

For the review LAShooters can bring our "lesser" pods for comparison. Nice pod ... there goes your oldest daughter's college tuition.

Gary

[Nikolai]

Hey Nik-
For the review LAShooters can bring our "lesser" pods for comparison. Nice pod ...

Oh, that would be awesome! And it does not have to be "lesser", just some variety would be nice. We can probably go for some low-light shooting and then trade the tripods/heads so we all can try different ones, and finally combine our experiences :thumb

there goes your oldest daughter's college tuition.

:lol
Nah, not really. I have got separate funding source for my toys..:-)