Manfrotto BeFree Advanced Review
You Might Also Like…
Insta360 GO 3S price, specs and availability announced
Nikon Z6 III Teaser Released: Exciting Specs and Rumoured Details
Leica Camera AG presents a professional photo app for iPhone
Thursday December 27, 2018
By Ali Jennings
BeFree Advanced Snap Verdict
It seems like travel tripods have been around forever, but while there have always been tripods suitable for travel, and some labelled as such, the phenomenon of Travel tripods as a category is relatively new.
It was the launch of the original Manfrotto BeFree that popularised the format; small, compact and easy to carry.
The success of the original BeFree is unquestioned, with that same model, albeit with a few small design tweaks, still being on sale.
The Advanced is the BeFree fine-tuned, with several option choices; twist or lever lock, Aluminium or Carbon.
The advanced is a compact package that neatly stashes into the provided shoulder bag and once extended offers enough height to be useful when out on your travels.
Today travel tripod competition is stiff with the Vanguard Veo 265CB, Benro Travel Angel and 3LT Billy all giving the BeeFree a decent run for its money.
Each of these tripods has its benefits and unique features, but as ever the Manfrotto BeFree Advanced is a solid all-rounder and a good benchmark for how travel tripods should be.
Introduction
When the very first BeFree arrived at my desk a few years ago, I was impressed by the compact form and relative lightweight.
It wasn’t by any means the first time I’ve come across a travel tripod, and for many years I’ve owned a Gitzo Traveler amongst other compact tripods, but this was the first time I’d seen a decent and affordable support.
The principles of the original design have been carried on through to the BeeFree Advanced, and it remains a lightweight travel option.
The BeFree Advanced is the next level BeFree tripod. The legs and height remain much the same as the original BeFree, but certain features have been heavily enhanced.
Firstly there’s an aluminium or carbon version as with the original BeFree, but then you have a choice of either lever or twist locks.
One of the biggest complaints about their original was the small ball head – it worked, but it didn’t take a great deal of load. This has now been addressed with the new head that’s capable of carrying a maximum payload of 8KG, doubling the original.
The new head also features friction control so that you can set the amount of drag on the ball head to your needs and style of shooting.
The leg angle adjusters have also been improved, and these are now discrete pull levers on the side of the legs as opposed to the dial type.
A feature that I like is the addition of the Quick Link port. This has appeared on higher-end tripods for some time but to see it here dramatically extends the use of this tripod.
The Manfrotto BeFree Advanced is available in four versions; Aluminium, Carbon, lever and twist lock.
In this test, I’ve taken a look at the Aluminium twist leg lock.
Being a travel tripod, as you’d expect the tripod packs down small to 40cm.
The legs themselves are four, and as is now common the design sees these legs fold down from around the centre column.
Once folded out and before the legs and column are extended the tripod offers a minimum height of 40cm. Extend the legs, and the height reaches 127cm, and 150cm with the centre column extended as well.
Each leg section is secured by the twist grips which have a good rubber grip for a good purchase in all conditions. Each leg has three angle options of 22º, 54º and 89º.
At the end of each leg is the small rubber foot, these are push fit and can be swapped and changed if they wear out.
On the tripod crown there’s a strap hook, and for me, the most important feature the quick link thread so accessories can be bolted in with the aid of a friction arm.
Topping off the tripod is the 360º panoramic 494 aluminium centre ball head. This is a huge leap forward over the head that appeared on the original BeFree.
As well as the panoramic lock it features a large main ball head knob with a centre dial to adjust the friction.
As with previous generations of the Manfrotto BeFree the head takes Manfrotto’s 200PL Pro plate.
Weight wise the Aluminium version comes in at 1490g and can support a weight of 8Kg. The carbon fibre version also holds 8KG but weighs in at 1250g.
Alongside the tripod you also get a handy tripod bag, this is of exceptional quality for an addition and finishes off the package nicely.
Build quality and handling
The BeFree Advanced has the build quality that you’d expect from a Manfrotto tripod. Everything is nicely finished, and there’s a real feeling of quality about the entire product.
Manfrotto is one of the few manufacturers to offer a 10-year warranty on their products which is always reassuring.
As ever, attention to detail shines through; it’s those small elements that make Manfrotto tripods a pleasure to use when out in the field.
Those details start with the click from the leg angle adjusters as you fold the legs down.
Pulling down on the release lever neatly embedded into the top of the leg releases the leg angle, and then it can be moved between the three angles.
The action is smooth with just enough friction to stop the leg from flapping around once in position.
If over time the leg angles does become loose then they can be tightened with the Allen key supplied.
The twist locks that secure each leg in place feature a rubber grip that supplies plenty of purchase making them easy to use in both cold and wet conditions.
These twist locks alone make the Advanced a good upgrade over the original BeFree.
As with many tripods the BeFree Advanced features a centre column that can be raised to increase the maximum height. Here, surprisingly the large release ring while working perfectly well it doesn’t have the same quality as the rest of the tripod.
Once released the column can be moved up and down, however, the motion is far from smooth. So, unlike other tripods where you can move the centre column up and down with one hand if needed, here two hands are required.
Saying that the centre column does the job, just not as fluidly as you would have thought.
However, what makes this tripod is the redesigned head. This feels far higher quality than the previous generation and is easily able to support a small to medium size DSLR or CSC.
Performance
One of the great things about travel tripods is the small size and weight. This means that they can easily be attached to the back of a bag and you don’t have to worry too much about the additional weight or bulk.
The BeFree range of tripods has always been slender and lightweight and the fact that they all arrive in their own carry cases makes them even easier to take with you on your travels.
The Advanced version feels solid and a far more refined offering than the original BeFree. The added payload and quality of the small head is of immediate benefit and well worth the additional 90g in weight.
As with the original, the Advanced arrives in a shoulder bag. This bag is of excellent quality and ideal for carrying the tripod around on your travels.
Arriving at a destination and the tripod is fast to set-up, just flip the legs down from around the centre column, release the twist locks around the legs and extend as needed.
The leg angle adjusters are well placed and make setting the tripod up that much easier as it’s possible to manoeuvre the legs with one hand.
Once the tripod is good and levels, the camera can be attached. Again as this uses the standard Manfrotto baseplate, the 200PL Pro, it’s a simple case of just screwing the plate to the base of your camera or lens.
The head features the usual Manfrotto quick release and lock, so there is no chance of you accidentally releasing the camera.
Panoramic rotation is locked and released with one small knob.
The main knob to release the ball head is much larger than the pano knob, so there’s no chance of mixing the two up, even in low light conditions.
What I like about this ball head was the friction control. This means that you can make the motion relatively stiff or loose just by using the dial in the centre of the ball head knob.
Once you set the friction control using the inner dial the outer part of the knob can be used to lock the head in place.
By using the ball heading this way, it’s far less likely that the camera will suddenly drop accidentally as you release the head.
The ball head worked fantastically well through the test holding a Sony Alpha 7M3 70 -200 mm fitted.
The compact BeFree Travel tripods have really led the field since launch and have helped define the genre.
Manfrotto’s BeFree Advanced is a significant update from the original. Three enhancements to the design establish the advanced as one of the best travel tripods on the market.
Twist locks and ergonomic leg angle adjusters make set-up quick and easy in all conditions, with excellent design and build quality.
The head is the real winner and a huge upgrade compared with the one that features on the original BeFree. It holds double the weight and locks down tight.
The one design element that lets the tripod down is the collar that releases and locks the centre column. This is made from plastic and the movement when extending the column up or down is by no means smooth and in total contrast to the rest of the tripod.
However, the centre column is just one small part of an excellent travel tripod, and the addition of features such as the accessories port make this a natural choice for anyone looking for a travel companion or for that matter a compact tripod that can be taken anywhere.
- Accessory Reviews
- Travel Tripod
We noticed you're using an Adblocker. We're three photographers who do this because it's our passion. It's the ads the keep this site going and help us pay our bills. If you like our content, please consider turning your Adblock software off!
- Electronics
- Camera, Photo & Video
- Tripods & Monopods
- Complete Tripods
Enjoy Prime FREE for 30 days
Here's what Amazon Prime has to offer:
Add to your order
- No Additional Cost: You pay $0 for repairs -- parts, labor, and shipping included.
- Coverage: Plan starts on the date of purchase. Drops, spills and cracked screens due to normal use covered from day one. Malfunctions covered after the manufacturer's warranty.
- Product Eligibility: Plans cover products purchased in the last 30 days.
- Easy Claims Process: File a claim 7/365 via phone. Most claims approved within minutes. If we can't repair it, we'll send you an Amazon e-gift card for the purchase price of your covered product or replace it.
- Terms & Details: Plan contract will be emailed from Asurion within 24 hours of purchase. This will not ship with your product.
Image Unavailable
- To view this video, download Flash Player
Manfrotto Befree Advanced Twist Camera Tripod Kit, Travel Tripod Kit with Fluid Head and Twist Closure, Portable and Compact, Carbon Camera Tripod for DSLR, Reflex, Mirrorless, Camera Accessories
Purchase options and add-ons, about this item.
- TRAVEL FRIENDLY: Weighs just under 3 pounds and fits easily into backpacks and carry on luggage.
- CENTER BALL HEAD: Manfrotto 494 center ball head with three independent control knobs.
- QUICK SETUP: Side pull selector for fast setup with both hands.
- VERSATILE: 16" minimum height and 59" maximum height for versatile photography.
- UNIQUE PREMIUM DESIGN: Carbon fiber build supports camera or video recorder up to 17 lbs. Panoramic Rotation-360 degree
Frequently bought together
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Product details
- Is discontinued by manufacturer : No
- Product Dimensions : 12.6 x 13 x 45.6 cm; 1.62 kg
- Date First Available : June 23 2018
- Manufacturer : Bogen
- Place of Business : Markham, ON L3R 9X6, CA
- ASIN : B07DV2MH29
- Item model number : Befree Advanced
- Country of origin : Italy
- #613 in Tripods
Compare with similar items
From the manufacturer.
Befree Advanced: the New Standard of Excellence for Travel Photography
Forget the way you used to travel before. Don't bother with rules or guidelines. The Befree Advanced is a stylish, renewed range of Manfrotto travel tripods made to match the high expectations of travel photographers looking for portable and high-performance support.
Looking for specific info?
Product description.
Perfect for travel photography, the Manfrotto Befree Advanced Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod weighs just under 3 pounds and fits easily into backpacks and carry on luggage. Offering superior performance with maximum lightness, this tripod lets you capture the stunning quality images that only steady as a rock stability can achieve. Manfrotto 494 Center Ball HeadThe Befree Advanced Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod features a Manfrotto 494 center ball head with 3 independent controls. Its main knob manages the sphere lock while an integrated friction control knob adjusts the ball tension to balance equipment weight and frame shots. FeaturesTop Attachment: 3/8-inch screwCenter Column: RapidClosed Length: 16. 14-inchesLegs Tube Diameter: 0. 44- 0. 58- 0. 72- 0. 85-inchesLeg Angles: 22°, 54°, 89°Leg Sections: 4Maximum Height (with Center Column Down): 50-inches Maximum Height: 59-inchesMin Height: 16. 14-inches Plate Type: 200PL PROBase Diameter: 1. 57-inchesMaterial: Carbon fiber Load Capacity: 17. 64 poundsWeight: 2. 76 pounds
Customer reviews
Our goal is to make sure that every review is trustworthy and useful. That's why we use both technology and human investigators to block fake reviews before customers ever see them. Learn more
We block Amazon accounts that violate our Community guidelines. We also block sellers who buy reviews and take legal actions against parties who provide these reviews. Learn how to report
- Sort reviews by Top reviews Most recent Top reviews
Top reviews from Canada
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later..
Top reviews from other countries
- Amazon and Our Planet
- Modern Slavery Statement
- Investor Relations
- Press Releases
- Amazon Science
- Sell on Amazon
- Supply to Amazon
- Become an Affiliate
- Protect & Build Your Brand
- Sell on Amazon Handmade
- Advertise Your Products
- Independently Publish with Us
- Host an Amazon Hub
- Amazon.ca Rewards Mastercard
- Shop with Points
- Reload Your Balance
- Amazon Currency Converter
- Amazon Cash
- Shipping Rates & Policies
- Amazon Prime
- Returns Are Easy
- Manage your Content and Devices
- Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
- Customer Service
- Conditions of Use
- Privacy Notice
- Interest-Based Ads
- Amazon.com.ca ULC | 40 King Street W 47th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5H 3Y2 |1-877-586-3230
- --> Login or Sign Up
Manfrotto Befree Advanced Nerissimo Travel Tripod
Additional Details
- --> Custom Field #2 -->