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Manfrotto Befree Travel Tripod Review

Having planned a landscape photography trip to Exmoor to coincide with autumn, I reached out to Manfrotto to ask if I could bring a lightweight Manfrotto photo tripod from their recently updated carbon fibre range. While landscape photography often demands the sturdiest tripod possible, a lightweight travel tripod is often preferable for longer hikes and travel.

With that in mind, I selected the Manfrotto Befree Advanced AS Twist Carbon Tripod (MKBFRTC4FB-BH) for this Manfrotto Befree Travel Tripod review, as it is extremely compact and lightweight, which was perfect for my planned excursion. Little did I know that this portable set of legs and ball head would support my heavy Sony gear for a combination of astrophotography and a range of landscapes during a week-long trip.

So why not join us to discover how the Manfrotto Befree Travel Tripod performed and whether it could become your favourite new travel tripod.

Befree Advanced AS twist carbon tripod key features

Despite weighing in at just 1.27 kg, the Befree Advanced AS Twist carbon fibre tripod offers professional-level support for up to 9 kg of camera equipment. This is impressive for any compact travel tripod, which also checks many of the other boxes for on-the-go photographers.

Key features include:

• Weighs 1.27kg and supports up to 9kg
• Reverse folding 4-section design with a short 41cm closed length (carry-on size)
• Versatile max. height between 127cm to 150cm with the centre column extended
• Quick release plate and Arca-type compatibility, which is essential for my setup
• Fast setup with twist lock legs
• Three independent leg angle positions
• Includes a Manfrotto tripod head (Advanced 494 aluminium Centre Ball Head)
• Easy Link for accessory attachment
• Includes a handy tripod bag
• Extensive 2 years + 8 year warranty when registering

Despite being impressive these features don’t tell the story of how the tripod performs in the field, which we explore next in our hands-on review.

How the Befree carbon tripod performed in the field

Specs are always useful, however everyday functionality is critical for a tripod, which must be stable, portable, and quick to set up so you never miss a shot due to fiddling with awkward leg locks or other unwanted factors.

The Manfrotto Befree Travel Tripod Carbon Fibre performed surprisingly well in the field, especially considering how lightweight it is and just how thin the legs are (11.2, 14.7, 18.2, and 21.7 mm).

I didn’t bring my remote camera trigger, instead relying on a 10-second timer to avoid any camera shake or tripod leg wobble. This may seem excessive, however with a high-resolution sensor like the one in the A7R V, any amount of movement will create a blurry image. I never experienced any issues with camera shake and captured numerous sharp results, even when the legs were extended into a flowing river!

Some noteworthy features included the friction control knob, which enabled me to set the ball head for different weight lenses without worrying about sagging or creep, while also allowing precise movement to compose the shot.

Sample astro Milky Way © Nick Dautlich tripod mounted. Camera settings: 6 seconds. f/2.8. ISO 8000

I also relied on L-bracket compatibility, as it allows for instant switching between landscape and portrait orientation. This Manfrotto tripod and head provided this feature with ease, although you can also choose to mount any tripod plate you prefer.

When shooting long exposures during a simultaneous Urth Magnetic Filters Kit Review, I encountered no problems with leg stability, regardless of whether all of the leg sections were extended, even when exposing for 30 seconds at a time.

The same was true when capturing astrophotography during ultra-clear skies which we had for a couple of nights that allowed this compact travel tripod to support a heavy camera and a wide aperture f/2.8 lens for exposures of 20 seconds and longer.

This also highlighted a nice feature with the very thinnest lower leg, which has a noticeable click-release, which lets you know that it is extending.

Whatever the landscape offered, the compact little tripod responded well and never let me down. The only issue I noted during many hours of use was that the rubber feet nearly came loose on a couple of occasions, which wouldn’t have been the end of the world, but was a consideration.

I would have preferred spikes for outdoor photography, however the gripped feet were sufficient for the various soft, muddy, and river terrain I shot on.

Setting up the tripod for a shot

The Befree Travel Tripod is perfect for quick setups and has a few tricks up its sleeve. After unfolding the legs and opening them outwards, you can extend the telescopic leg sections once the twist locks are released. Each leg can also be set independently at any of the three angles of spread, accommodating uneven terrain, albeit at a relatively low height.

To change the angle on a leg, press down the locking button marked "W" at the top of the leg. While holding the button down, select the new leg angle and release the "W" button to lock it in position, then fully extend the leg again.

Adjusting the centre column is equally easy; simply unlock the gear and adjust the height of the column as needed. I generally prefer to shoot without extending the centre column to create the most stable platform possible; however, on the few occasions I did extend it, I experienced no issues.

One of its best tricks is the ability to reverse the centre column in order to shoot far lower to the ground, which is preferable for some macro and other close-up shots or low compositions. I didn’t try this feature but have done on many other occasions, so it’s a great option to have when needed.

Range comparison

The range of three updated Befree tripods are the latest in a variety of Manfrotto photography tripod designs for everyday photography. They all share the same safety payload of 9 kg, but differ in weight and whether they use twist or lever locks.

Choosing between twist and lever locks comes down to personal preference, with some photographers finding one system quicker to operate than the other. Personally, I prefer twist locks, as I can open all of them in quick succession without any unwanted delay.

The carbon fibre model offers a decent weight saving, but the two aluminium tripods are equally impressive and weigh just a few 100 grams more.

Sample landscape © Nick Dautlich tripod mounted. Camera settings: 1.3 seconds. f/8. ISO 100

The Manfrotto Befree Travel Tripod is an excellent choice for photographers who want a compact and lightweight system, which doesn’t compromise too much on stability and performance. Weighing just 1.27 kg and supporting a payload of up to 9 kg, it caters to a wide range of compact and mirrorless camera equipment, which is ideal for amateur through to professional photographers who travel.

The versatile leg angles and quick setup features allow for easy adjustments on any terrain, while the sturdy carbon fibre construction ensures reliable support even during long exposures. I also think the weave looks really nice, but that is of course subjective.

This tripod would be particularly beneficial for landscape photographers who travel, and photographers who simply want lightweight portability. Its twist locks facilitate rapid deployment, enable you to capture spontaneous moments without unnecessary delays.

I believe that most photographers need a minimum of two tripods, as just like camera bags they cater to very different requirements. This particular model is ideal for shooting on the go, and comes highly recommended in the travel tripod category.

Grab your Manfrotto Befree Advanced AS Twist Carbon Tripod today and explore our extensive range of Manfrotto Tripods and accessories, featuring various aluminium and carbon fibre models for every situation.

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By Nick Dautlich on 06/11/2024