Manfrotto Element MII Camera Tripod, Travel Tripod in Aluminium with Ball Head and Carrying Bag, for Compact Cameras, CSC, DSLR, Photography Accessories for Content Creation and Vlogging

This tripod was recommend by a professional photographer to me and it really delivers on every function you want it to! It’s lightweight and sturdy, with the nice ball head feature for quick positional camera changes.

arrived the same day promptly! The tripod is sturdy and well made

I bought this tripod to replace my smaller BeFree one travel tripod. This tripod reaches a lot higher, has a better head and is nearly as easy to transport as the BeFree one.Immediately upon using the Tripod, You can feel a build quality difference though, With the Element Carbon feeling not as nice to use. You can tell the build quality is lower than the Italy built BeFree.However the tripod is much studier with its higher load limit, so despite the lower quality feeling in operation, I will still class this tripod as a upgrade.The big issue with this tripod is one that can be corrected. The tripod comes with a 'Arca-Swiss' compatible head. However the bolt mounting the head protrudes into the mount area. The provided plate is designed for this, in fact it provides a extra level of security to hold your camera or lens in if the plate is not fully tightened down.However most Arca Swiss mounts such as a Small Rig or lens collars with Arca Swiss compatible plates will not fit.(fortunately my Peak Design Manfrotto / Arca Swiss plate fitted perfectly, but my Tamron 100-400mm Mount did not.)The cure for this is to replace the bolt holding the plate to the ball head. I replaced mine with a M6 20mm countersunk bolt. The bolt is now nearly flush with the plate, allowing Arca Swiss devices to mount without issues.To replace the bolt you will need a long allen key or some way to leverage the bolt as it is in there tight. Some thread locker would also be recommended as you do not want this bolt coming loose with your camera attached.I used a impact wrench to easily remove and replace the bolt.So overall this is a good tripod. I wish the build quality was on the level of my previous tripod, but it is a sturdy and lightweight platform for a good price.

I purchased the 'Manfrotto Big Element Traveller Tripod with Ball Head - Carbon Fibre' - specifically for a trip to Iceland in Nov/Dec 2018 to photograph the Northern Lights - so weight and being compactable were key requirements. (as I also travel regularly, keeping as light weight as possible is important for me)I use a Canon 5D Mk IV and an assortment of lenses, so the 8 kg carry capability again is perfect.In the case of photographing the Northern Lights, I was using an f2.8 14mm Samyang Lense.Out in the field (and the dark) I utilised the bag hook underneath to further weight stabilise the tripod, as there was a light wind blowing. This worked perfectly, though it was a little fiddly pulling down the hook whilst wearing gloves.To avoid hunching over (not easily done wearing multiple layers and jackets)- I ended up fully extending all the tripod leg sections, due to the high tilt angle towards the sky and again, this proved fine and worked perfectly.The only negative (which was entirely my responsibility) was that I failed to check that the rubber feet were screwed in tightly (as they are interchangeable with supplied stainless spikes) ... and consequently I lost one of the rubber feet that fell off in the dark.A replacement part has been ordered (£13.18 after p&p and 20% tax added) so a very expensive small piece of rubber and metal screw thread) ... so, I would advise to regularly check the tightness of the rubber feet, to avoid expensive replacement parts, but at least the replacement parts are readily available, which is worth something in itself !I did find I have to be a little more diligent with ensuring the twist-lock was fully 'locked' on the legs, unlike the clip system of my previous tripod, but again, this isn't a problem for me, rather an observation for anyone considering purchasing this tripod.The lightly padded carry bag with a drawstring was perfect whilst out and about and I was still able to carry across my body whilst also carrying a sling backpack.This also ensures that it takes up minimum space when packing in your hold luggage suitcase.All in all, I am delighted with this tripod and I am looking forward to many years of use and at this stage, don't see the need for anything heavier or larger.I hope this review has been helpful for those considering purchasing this tripod?

I bought this specific tripod because I wanted one where the legs tighten with a twist grip rather than a locking lever. I don't use tripods a lot and this one has been a joy to use so far. The only thing I don't like is the quick release and quick release plate which isn't fully compatible with the Manfrotto head I have on my monopod but I am working on finding a common solution for both. This tripod is much lighter and neater than my old 'Boots' tripod but then again that was gifted to me over 30 years ago.

I brought the tripod due to a recommendation, when I first unpacked it everything seemed visibly fine but when it came to a shooting day the legs don’t work properly and there’s all wet glue on it still.

Got the tripod today, have only taken a few shots with it so bear that in mind.Weight in the bag is 1425g. Weight out of the bag with head is 1330g. Weight with head is 1035g. Monopod leg and head weigh 580g. Head is 311g.General impressions are that the tripod is of a good quality. The head is very nice. The monopod threads are good. The twist locks are quick to adjust.It comes with a bag, three spiked feet, a spare head attachment bolt (it is loose when switching the head from monopod to tripod and vice versa, could easily be lost in long grass) and three Allen keys.I got this at £149 and I am pretty pleased with it so far. Carbon fibre, twist lock and a monopod leg were my main considerations. Very happy to get all of those at this price, even happier that it has a Manfrotto badge and the associated customer service. I would have happily paid this for the tripod without the head.