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Manfrotto BeFree / Travel Tripod Review

The BeFree aims to be lightweight, and lightweight it is. At only 2.4 lbs--and that's including the head--it qualifies as ultralight.

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Categories: Reviews, Travel Tripods
Tags: Manfrotto
Last updated about 3 months ago // Originally published about 6 years ago

The Manfrotto Befree Compact Travel Tripod is tiny and light. The carbon fiber version retails for about $350. The aluminum version is 0.6 lbs heavier, at 3 lbs and sells for $200.

Like most of the current crop of compact travel tripods, it fold back on itself. The plate adapter is specially designed with deep notches so that the legs will fold straight. But that only works if the quick release plate is not attached—not really an issue, since normally the quick release plate would be on the camera anyway.

Legs

The legs are thin. Spindly even, especially the bottom section.

Angling the legs out uses a locking system I haven’t seen before. There’s a kind of rotating latch with three possible positions: folded, normal angle, and splayed wide. Basically, whatever position its in blocks it from moving any further. It’s surprisingly simple, and it’s certainly novel, but I’m not sure I’m sold on it. I found that the catch sometimes missed, which can be a problem at times when you’re focusing on other things like what’s in front of you.

When extending the legs, the locks use a traditional Manfrotto lever style. They’re bulkier than most of the rotating twist locks on the Gitzos or the MeFOTO Globetrotter. On other Manfrotto tripods I’ve used with the lever locks, they can sometimes loosen over time, although it is possible to tighten the screw to adjust the tension. The levers can also snap off, in which case you can order a replacement lever. I also dislike how the levers tend to catch on things like camera straps.

There feet are fixed–you can’t remove them and replace them with spikes or some other kind of foot.

There’s no weight hook under the central column, a feature that can be used to add heft and stability to an otherwise light tripod in a breeze.

The lever locks.

The lever locks.

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The silver dials are 3-position locks for the angles of the legs.

The silver dials are 3-position locks for the angles of the legs.

The feet are fixed--you can't unscrew them and replace with something else.

The feet are fixed–you can’t unscrew them and replace with something else.

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Head

The ballhead that comes with the Manfrotto BeFree is very lightweight, and I found it a bit underwhelming. Overall, the head feels and looks a bit cheap and plasticky.

There’s a single plastic knob to lock and loosen that controls both the lateral rotation and loosening the ball. I found that getting a really secure lock for, say, using a heavy camera or making sure that it doesn’t creep during a timelapse shoot wasn’t easy. In fact, I found it almost impossible to get it to lock as tight as I’d like and am used to with other ballheads. It works well for mirrorless cameras, but is less suited to heavier DSLR’s, especially when you’re using them in portrait orientation with the ballhead angled to the side.

Manfrotto has several different quick release systems. The one that comes with the BeFree is the RC2 system with a 200PL plate.

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From left to right, a Markins Q-Ball Q3 Traveler, MeFOTO Q2, and the ballhead for the Manfrotto BeFree.

From left to right, a Markins Q-Ball Q3 Traveler, MeFOTO Q2, and the ballhead for the Manfrotto BeFree.

wpid8602-01-COPYRIGHT-HAVECAMERAWILLTRAVEL.COM_.jpg

Case

It comes with a case that fits snugly. It doesn’t have much padding and isn’t sturdy enough for me to consider checking it as luggage in a pinch. The zipper is also a bit flimsy and unlikely to stand up to regular use. Overall, the case is more of a storage case than a daily use case.

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Options

The carbon fiber version comes in black with white and red racing stripes. The aluminum version comes with various trim colors (black, blue, green, grey, and red).

Wrap Up

The Manfrotto BeFree succeeds in being very lightweight and is impressively compact. For a light-weight mirrorless system like a Fujifilm X-T1 or a Panasonic Lumix GH-4 it works well. But I found it too lightweight to be useful for DSLRs. It’s smaller and lighter than some others in its price range like the MeFOTO Globetrotter, but while the BeFree wins on weight and size, the Globetrotter wins on just about everything else. You can find my review of the Globetrotter here.

Specs

Model: Manfrotto MKBFRC4-BH
Made of: Carbon Fiber
Load Capacity: 8.8 lbs (4 kg)
Max Height: 56.7 inches (144 cm)
Folded Length: 15.75 inches (40 cm)
Weight (with tripod head): 2.4 lb (1.1 kg)
Includes carry case

Available From

B&H Photo | Amazon

Compared To

 Gitzo Traveler Kit (Series 2)Gitzo GT1542TMeFOTO GlobetrotterManfrotto BeFreeInduro Grand Turismo CGT114Sirui T-2205XBenro GoTravel 2Benro C1682TV1 Travel Angel II3 Legged Thing Leo3 Legged Thing Brian3 Legged Thing Rick3 Legged Thing RogerOben CT-3581Sirui T-1024XLVaravon Baby T3Kirk MiniMeFOTO Globetrotter Air
Gitzo Traveler2Gitzo GT1542T Travel Tripodmefoto globetrottermanfrotto befreeinduro-grand-turismo-tripod
Sirui T2205X
benro_gc269tb2_gotravel_carbon_fiber_1146453benro travel angel tripod3-legged-thing-leo3 legged thing brian3 Legged Thing Rick3 legged thing rogeroben_ct_3581_be_126t_5_section_foldable_carbon_1398723641000_864571
Sirui T-1024XL travel tripod
Varavon Baby T3 Product Shot
Kirk TT-1 Mini Table Top Tripod
MeFOTO Globetrotter Air Tripod
ReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReviewReview
Model No.GK2580TQDGT1542TC2350Q2TMKBFRC4-BHCGT114T-2205XGC269TB2C1682TV13LLEOKITE3BRIAN3PKRICKE3ROGERBLCT-3581SUT1204XLBABY T3TT-1GTAIRBLK
Made ofCarbon fiberCarbon fiberCarbon fiberCarbon fiberCarbon fiberCarbon fiberCarbon fiberCarbon fiberCarbon fiberCarbon fiberCarbon fiberAlloyCarbon fiberCarbon fiberAluminumAluminum/Stainless SteelAluminum Alloy
Leg Sections44544554 (also version with 5)555554315
Folded length16.9 in
43 cm
16.7 in
42.5 cm
16.1 in
41 cm
15.8 in
40 cm
17.3 in
44 cm
14.6 in
37 cm
16.5 in
42 cm
17.7 in
45 cm
13.75 in
34.8 cm
15.75 in
40 cm
12.6 in
32 cm
15.75 in
40 cm
16.9 in
42.9 cm
18.3 in
46.5 cm
10.8 in
27.5 cm
4.4 in
11.3 cm
16.7 in
42.5 cm
Weight4.19 lb
1.9 kg
2.2 lb
1 kg
3.7 lb
1.7 kg
2.4 lb
1.1 kg
3.5 lb
1.6 kg
2.6 lb
1.2 kg
4.1 lb
1.9 kg
3.5 lb
1.6 kg
3.2 lb
1.45 kg
4.1 lb
1.9 kg
2.7 lb
1.2 kg
4.5 lb
2 kg
3.9 lb
1.7 kg
2.2 lb
1 kg
1.8 lb
820 g
9 oz
255 g
3.2 lb
1.4 kg
Max height60.6 in
154 cm
58.7 in
149 cm
64.2 in
163 cm
56.7 in
144 cm
62.6 in
159 cm
56.9 in
145 cm
64.6 in
164 cm
63 in
160 cm
51.5 in
131 cm
76.4 in
194 cm
56.7 in
144 cm
68.6 in
174 cm
67.9 in
172.5 cm
63 in
160 cm
17.3 in
44 cm
4.4 in
11.3 cm
68.1 in
173 cm
Max load15.4 lb
7 kg
17.6 lb
8 kg
26.5 lb
12 kg
8.8 lb
4 kg
32 lb
14.5 kg
26.5 lb
12 kg
30.9 lb
14 kg
30.8 lb
14 kg
< 66 lb
< 30 kg
< 66 lb
< 29.9 kg
< 44 lb
< 20 kg
< 66 lb
< 29.9 kg
26.4 lb
12 kg
26.5 lb
12 kg
17.6 lb
8 kg
100 lb
45 kg
17.6 lb
8 kg
Available w/Head?YesNoYesYesYesNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes (not removable)NoYes (not removable)
Monopod?NoNoYesNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoNoNoNo
List Price$1,099$750$399$350$490$415
$525$419$349.99$499$249$369
$349
$370
$150
$120
$225
By David Coleman
Instagram: @havecamerawilltraveldc

Last updated on January 13, 2021

Categories: Reviews, Travel Tripods
Tags: Manfrotto

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News & Deals

New Firmware for the Ricoh GR III. Ricoh has release firmware v1.31 for the GR III. Release notes are: “Corrected — When shooting with the multiple exposure, in rare cases the live view may not display correctly. Improved stability for general performance.” You can download it here.

New Canon 1D X Mark III Pro DSLR Announced. Canon has announced their new flagship model of pro DSLR, the 1D X Mark III. They’re sticking with a 20.1MP CMOS sensor, but it’s a new and improved version and boasts an incredible native ISO range of ISO 100 to ISO 102400 and an extended range that goes up to a jaw-dropping ISO 819200. With revamped autofocus, a new image processor, and all sorts of other bells and whistles, it’s no wonder that Canon is billing it as “The Ultimate EOS.”

New Manfrotto Pro Rugged Memory Cards. Manfrotto, an Italian probably best known for their tripods and studio accessories, has launched a new Pro Rugged range of high-end SD, microSD, and CompactFlash cards. While they don’t have a huge selection of sizes and speeds, the cards are aiming for very fast cards that can put up with rugged demands. For instance, they claim that their V90 rated SD cards can withstand three times the force (20kg / 45 lbs) of a regular SD card. I’ve ordered some to run through my speed tests.

New Sony Alpha a7 firmware released. A firmware update for the Sony a7R IV now lets you control external Sony flashes from the camera’s own menu system. Up to 15 flashes in five groups can be controlled via the camera. It also applies to the a7R III and a7 III.

Comments

  1. Andy says

    July 10, 2017 at 1:23 pm

    Hi, would you be able to do a review on Manfrotto 290 Light Tripod Vs the Manfrotto Befree, as they are both quite comparable in features and I am confused between which is more preferable than the other.

    Reply
    • David says

      July 10, 2017 at 1:32 pm

      Happy to, but unfortunately I won’t be able to get to it for a while–heading out for an extended trip. Have added it to the top of my to-do queue.

      Reply
  2. Harry says

    May 26, 2017 at 9:42 am

    I use this for D800 + Nikkor 14-24, still good with this setup.

    Reply
  3. Roberta says

    May 11, 2017 at 11:11 am

    Hi thanks for all your tripod reviews, I have a question are they in order of which ones you think are best meaning the Gitzo tripods then mefoto globetrotter and so forth? I bought the mefoto and just read your review of the siriu and am having second thoughts!!

    I have a hasselblad h4x, phase one back and use a 35-90 zoom which is pretty big. All in all it weighs about 9 lbs. I do long exposure photography so I want the sturdiest, but also lightest travel tripod out there!!!

    Reply
    • David says

      May 12, 2017 at 8:19 am

      No, they’re not in an order of preference. I have some of my favorites picked out [here](https://havecamerawilltravel.com/photographer/best-travel-tripod-reviews/), but you’re using a pretty big and heavy rig and I suspect you’ll find most of these small travel tripods aren’t great for long exposures with that setup. The weight rating itself isn’t the issue so much as the effects of the leverage that 9lbs on top of the tripod is going to have on the thin legs all of these tripods necessarily have, especially in any kind of breeze. They’re all much more stable when their legs aren’t extended–so just shooting at their low stance–but that limits your flexibility. And if you’re often shooting low to the ground, there are actually stronger, more stable options in the table-top tripods or platforms like the Platypods, but you really area limited with those in shooting low.

      Reply
  4. djmuzi says

    April 13, 2017 at 4:35 am

    For my 50D + Sigma 150-600 this tripod is useless unfortunately. It swings for a while after last camera operation. With my EOS M this tripod is more than OK but this tripod is not for heavy DSLR.
    In the end it is a compromise because it’s a travel tripod.

    Reply

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