Spikes for Manfrotto 055

[Arthur Fleischmann]

I would like to get spiked feet for my Manfrotto 055. I see on their website Manfrotto offers 2 different products, one called 055SPK and the other 055SPK2 ("SS spikes") - any idea what the difference is between the two?

How do you people who are using spiked feet with this tripod like them? Are the feet stable also when the spikes are retracted?

[Patrick Dixon]

Would 'SS' be stainless steel?

[Craig Joiner]

There are different versions of the spiked feet to fit the different leg size/profiles of the 055 range but it is not obvious which feet fit which tripod. From the manfrotto website the 441SPK2 feet fit the 055MF3 and the 055SPK2 feet fit 055WNB, 745B, 745MF3, 755B, 055D, 055CL, 055PRO, 055V kits and 055NAT3. I can't find what the 055SPK fits although it is listed. Might be worth a call to Manfrotto or your distributor if your tripod model isn't listed above.

Although I no longer use my 055 tripods (PRO and MF3 versions), I have always used spiked feet for my support because 90% of the time I am on soft ground and spiked feet help keep the support stable.

I had no issues with these feet and the tripods were just as firm with the spikes retracted (or rather the rubber foot extended) as not having the spiked feet fitted at all. My only grumble is they could have been a little longer like Gitzo's spikes and also mud, grit, sand etc. does get into the screw thread which can cause the rubber shroud to get slightly stuck on occasion. This isn't a major issue and it's not caused any wear.

Craig

[Arthur Fleischmann]

Thanks!

I found a picture of the 055SPK spikes (http://www.blende7.at/manfrotto%20stativzubehoer.htm) on the website of a local store. These look like they go inside the legs vs. the 055SPK2 shown on the Manfrotto website (http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/lang/en/pid/3250?livid=107&lsf=107&child=2) which are clamped around the leg...