Manfrotto Befree Advanced Twist carbon fiber tripod + ball head

Manfrotto Befree Advanced Twist Carbon carbon fiber tripod + ball head

Who this tripod is for: The Manfrotto Befree Advanced tripod series is designed for the traveling photographer. The Befree Advanced is a compact package with a transport length of 41cm, but when opened it offers a comfortable maximum height of 150cm. The tripod has a load capacity of 8kg, but this tripod is at its most sturdy with mirrorless cameras or smaller DSLR cameras.

Key features of the stand

• Load capacity 8kg
• Easy Link connection that allows you to attach accessories to the stand
• Manfrotto MH494-BH ball head 200PL Pro with quick release plate
• Tripod length adjustment lock twistable M-lock
• Minimum working height 41cm
• Maximum working height 150cm
• Carbon fiber stand

Manfrotto's Befree series tripods are lightweight and stylish, offering fine details and design. They are especially excellent for traveling photographers because the tripod's size makes it easy to take with you wherever you go.

Feet

The Manfrotto Befree Advanced tripod legs consist of four parts and three twist locks, which Manfrotto calls M-Lock. The rubber surface of the locks allows for a better grip in cold weather and when your hands are wet.

The angle locking of the legs is different from the familiar current standard. The locking is a spring-loaded slide lock on the side of the leg, which is pulled down to unlock and allow the angle of the leg to be adjusted. Thanks to the folding mechanism, the legs fold perfectly around the head and quick-release plate, allowing the stand to fold into a small transport space (41cm).

None of the three legs of the tripod have foam/rubber padding, which would make handling the tripod comfortable in low temperatures. On the other hand, carbon fiber gets just as cold as aluminum.

Center pipe

The center tube is about 30cm long and its locking mechanism is a twist lock, like the legs. The center tube only moves up and down, it does not tilt 90 degrees for straight-down shooting like some Manfrotto tripods.

There is no hook at the bottom of the center tube to attach, for example, a backpack to support the stand.

Easy Link accessory connection

The tripod's central bridge has a 3/8-inch threaded accessory connection, which Manfrotto calls Easy Link. With the help of a separately purchased accessory arm (e.g. Manfrotto 244 Micro or Manfrotto 234 Flex Arm), you can connect, for example, an LED light or a shooting monitor to the tripod.

Ball head

This tripod package comes with the Manfrotto MH494-BH ball head, which replaces the popular Manfrotto 494RC2 and 496RC2 ball heads. One of the nice features of this ball head, which is not usually found in heads in this price range, is the fine adjustment / friction lock. The fine adjustment lock is located in the middle of the ball head locking lever, where it is easily accessible. The panning function of the ball head makes it easier to shoot landscapes.

The ball head has a Manfrotto 200PL-PRO quick release plate, which is both RC2 and Acra-swiss compatible.

Specifications:

• Load capacity: 8 kg
• Maximum height: 150 cm
• Maximum height with center tube down: 127 cm
• Minimum height: 41 cm
• Transport dimensions: 41 cm
• Weight: 1.25 kg
• Material: Carbon fiber
• Number of leg parts: 4
• Leg locks: 3 twist locks
• Leg flexion: 22, 54, 89 degrees
  
• Leg tube diameters: 11.2, 14.7, 18.2, 21.7 degrees
• Quick release plate: 200PL-PRO