Manfrotto 190XPROB 3 Section Aluminum Pro Tripod

I wanted a decently affordable tripod with good stability, less weight and I was definitely sure that I wanted a "Manfrotto". After lot of research, visits to many local camera stores and playing around with several pieces i found this one meeting my needs. Light weight (around 4 pounds) & pretty good stable for my Rebel Xti with 70-200 mm on it.
Maximum load (11 lbs). One thing i didn't like is the leg locking mechanism. Sometimes it is hard to open the lock. I loved the 360 degree movement of the middle leg, when combined with Manfrotto 322RC2 it works like a charm. I highly recommend this product who is looking for a affordable Manfrotto with good durablity.

Having tried both the 055XPROB and the 190XPROB, I chose the 190. I liked the lighter weight and shorter height of the 190 and it was sturdy enough for my camera and long lenses (I have a Canon 40D). Here are the differences with the 190 listed first:

Weight: 4 lbs vs 6.4 lbs
Height w/out extension: 48" vs 60"
Max height: 57.5" vs 70"
Max load: 11 lbs vs 15.5 lbs

Everything else is pretty much the same. FWIW, I am 6 ft tall and the 190's max height (center column extended) put the eyepiece just at my eye level. The unextended height of the 055 is just a bit higher; I would have to stand on a brick to use its extended height. The 055 is just too tall for me. Alternatively, it you are taller than 6 ft, you might not be able to use the 190; go for the 055.

So, the 055 is heavier, taller and can carry more weight (camera and lens).

Two negatives with both: First, the center column can go horizontal which is handy in many situations. However it is hard to set in an exactly horizontal axis (it sags). You must have a ball mount to adjust your view to a true horizontal. Secondly, they are not ruggedized. If you use it inside, all's well. But if you go into the woods or the rocks, they will get scratched pretty easily. There also is a lot of plastic that will probably break and the legs have rubber feet (not that useful when you are trying to use it on rocks, cement, etc.)

Definitely go with a ball mount (I have the Manfrotto 488RC2). Unless you shoot in a studio you will be shooting from some very unlevel places. The ball allows you to get a horizontal view in your shot regardless of the configuration of the tripod. The head I use also has a pan lever which allows me to lock the ball into place and then pan along the horizontal axis.

decent, trusty, versatile I think I wished I went with another choice though

Got this tripod together with the Manfroto Midi Ball Head for my Pentax K20D and related gear. It definitely bestows a high degree of confidence that this tripod will hold the most extensive of bodies and lenses without any issue. The tripod (together with the head) is bulky, but at the same time it is very stable and less subject to vibration or shaking due to wind.

The legs can be spread out wide enough that the tripod is almost at ground level. Additionally, the center column can be swiveled 90 degrees to take pictures of subjects on the ground. It also has a built in buble level and a hook in case you need to add weights for added stability (not really needed IMHO).

I've used a lighter Manfrotto tripod for many years and am very pleased with their product.

I bought this tripod for a trip from the USA to central Siberia in order to image the total solar eclipse there in Aug 2008. The tripod is a bit on the heavy side, but it is always worth having something a bit more on the heavy and sturdy side than having something that shakes... especially in windy conditions... like in Siberia that day! The wind was a constant 25mph+ gusts up to 40mph. The tripod stayed put. No issues. I recommend it. Nice features for winter users: foamed legs. A hook for hanging stability weight, and the ability to place the boom out to aim down... great for nature photographers.