Tripods are essential tools for any serious photographer. Though I have trained myself quite well over the years to hand hold my camera, sometimes you just cant go past a trusty tripod.
One of the best tripod brands that are high quality at reasonable prices is the well known brand Manfrotto. As these are highly sought after items for photographers, I will be covering 5 of the best Manfrotto tripods so you too can start shooting in no time. But first…
Why do so many photographers choose Manfrotto?
Manfrotto has been a popular choice for amateur/professional photographers and videographers for years. They offer up some of the best tripods, monopods, and camera stand products at very reasonable prices. This balance between quality and price puts Manfrotto at or near the front of any tripod shopping list.
Another huge draw card for Manfrotto is that their tripods have great longevity. Personally I have had my Manfrotto tripod for 6 years and I’m sure i’ll have it for 6 more. This also isn’t and exception as a lot of my photographer buddies have had theirs for just as long.
A brief history of Manfrotto
Many photographers in the USA will recall the brand name that Manfrotto originally came in the US as: Bogen. I actually still have several Bogen branded items in my studio. Some items I bought long ago, other things I found in used camera shops and even a few garage sales.
Manfrotto got its start in the 1960s when Lino Manfrotto got tired of never being able to find the right features and capabilities in the tripods, light stands, and other mounts available. So, he decided to start making his own.
He made items for himself and then other photographers which eventually evolved into a largescale manufacturing plant. In 1974, the first Manfrotto brand tripod was launched. Innovative, light and versatile. Since then, Manfrotto tripods and stands have achieved success in many markets, soon becoming a standard for innovation, quality, and performance.
How I found the best Manfrotto tripods
I obviously am fond of my Manfrotto tripods. But how did I choose the best tripods for my own use? And how did I find the best tripods to recommend to my readers?
- Size: If I’m out in the field, I will be carrying a different size tripod than what I would leave set up in my studio. So having a tripod that can adapt to different environments is extremely important.
- Features: Am I shooting video? Portraits? Product advertising? Each different type of photography has its own special needs, and yet certain features cross over the various branches of the photography biz.
- Ease of use: The best feature ever imagined is useless if I can’t get it to work easily.
- Stability: The best Manfrotto tripods all excel in this quality.
- Versatility: If I can get the one tripod to do three different jobs, then that’s the one I will lean to. Again, I’m not rich, if I can save money I will.
- Cost: I will pay for what I need, but I always want to save money if possible.
Top 5 Best Manfrotto Tripods For Die Hard Photographers
1. Manfrotto MK290XTA3-3WUS 290 Xtra 3-Way Head Kit (Editors choice)
Manfrotto MK290XTA3-3WUS 290 Xtra 3-Way Head Kit Specifications
Weight: 5.6 lbs
Collapsed Height: 31″
Extended Height: 67.5″
Maximum Load: 19 lbs
Price: Click here to find latest price
Manfrotto MK290XTA3-3WUS 290 Xtra 3-Way Head Kit Review
I won’t often disclose in these reviews the exact items in my own personal regular gear, but I can heartily recommend this particular tripod because it is the one I use most often, in studio and in the field. This is easily one the best Manfrotto tripods on the market.
At maximum height, it stands a little over five and half feet tall (67.5″ to be exact). This height is great for me as it puts the camera I’m using at a level that’s easy to look through and easy to operate all the controls. There are versions of this same basic tripod in both carbon fiber and aluminum. I chose the aluminum, but both versions are excellent tripods.
One of the biggest benefits of using this Manfrotto MK290XTA3 is the quick set up and adjustment which means I can start capturing in an instant. I take it out of the bag, undo the leg locks and let gravity smoothly extend the legs to the height I need, then lock them in.
Another reason this model earned a number one spot on my list of the best Manfrotto tripods is the versatility of set up options. As I mentioned, the legs have four different angles they can be placed at. This is good for natural settings such as a mountainside or a rocky beach. It also comes in handy for man made footings such as perched on a staircase or in a stadium.
Spreading the legs out wider allows me to set up low to the ground as well, if I’m shooting a subject near the ground outside or on the floor of the studio. This surprisingly comes in handy more often than I thought.
Overall this Manfrotto MK290XTA3 has been a joy to use over the past 6 years and it has accompanied me on hundreds of photoshoots. This is a great option for those who are after great quality without spending a fortune. Highly recommended!
2. Manfrotto MKCOMPACTADV-BK Tripod with 3-Way Head
Manfrotto MKCOMPACTADV-BK Tripod with 3-Way Head Specifications
Weight: 3.13 lbs
Collapsed Height: 17.5″
Extended Height: 64.9″
Maximum Load: 6.6 lbs
Price: Click here to find latest price
Manfrotto MKCOMPACTADV-BK Tripod with 3-Way Head Review
Next up on my list is the uber portable Manfrotto MKCOMPACTADV-BK. Even though it is lightweight and folds up to a compact size, this tripod extends to a tall (64.9 inches), yet still relatively secure, height.
I say relatively secure whenever describing compact tripods, because I am not going to put a heavy rig on top of any compact tripod. For the situations where I would want a compact tripod, I am already travelling light. So, I probably have a smaller DSLR and a light lens instead of my professional rig and giant lenses.
However this light weight design and small footprint make it ideal if you plan on doing any travel or don’t want to be restricted with a heavy tripod in your pack. Personally I have taken this tripod on my carry on luggage and strapped to my hiking pack. So it can be very versatile.
Overall I felt completely comfortable using this tripod on a nature hike and touring on my overseas holiday.
3. Manfrotto MKCOMPACTACN-RD Compact Action Tripod
Manfrotto MKCOMPACTACN-RD Compact Action Tripod Specifications
Weight: 2.6 lbs
Collapsed Height: 17″
Extended Height: 63″
Maximum Load: 3.3 lbs
Price: Click here to find latest price
Manfrotto MKCOMPACTACN-RD Compact Action Tripod Review
The reason why this kit is in this list of best Manfrotto tripods is because of its unique ball head. The tripod legs are the same as the compact we just looked at above.
When used as a video head, it offers smooth panning and tilting adjustment. Not as smooth as a fluid head, but much easier to operate than a standard pan/tilt head. So you you plan on recording YouTube videos or Vlogs, this tripod could come in very handy.
I found this head especially useful when tracking small animals and birds in my local park. I was using a longer lens (but not a giant one!) and was able to keep my camera steady and yet still rapidly track the quick little critters in their movements.
As you can tell my the images, this tripod comes in a hot red. I guess Manfrotto really wants us to think of speed in regards to this head! But I recon It does look cool in red, its actually quite refreshing. After a while, I didn’t even notice what color it was, because I didn’t have to look at the head to make adjustments. I was able to keep my eye on the viewfinder to follow my photographic prey. A great pick!
4. Manfrotto MK055XPRO3-3W 055 Tripod with 3-Way Head
Manfrotto MK055XPRO3-3W 055 Tripod with 3-Way Head Specifications
Weight: 7.7 lbs
Collapsed Height: 29″
Extended Height: 72″
Maximum Load: 19.8 lbs
Price: Click here to find latest price
Manfrotto MK055XPRO3-3W 055 Tripod with 3-Way Head Review
Next only my list is the fantastic and ultra durable Manfrotto MKX055PRO3-3W. This unit is sporting sturdy 3-way head which was one of the better tripod heads that I have tested. After having the opportunity to use it for this review, I am rethinking what may become my standard, go to, tripod. Change is hard, but if the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, then a change is acceptable.
The one drawback of this tripod is that it is significantly heavier and somewhat more expensive when compared to other tripods on this list. While this extra weight could be a negative, I actually see as positive as it comes in real handy when trying to capture that pin point clarity all photographers crave.
This extra weight is also a side effect of a having high quality all over with steel and aluminium components.
The legs of this Manfrotto MKX055PRO3-3W spread so wide that I can virtually put my macro lens on the floor when using the center column in horizontal position. That horizontal bar feature is absolutely fantastic. Ab Fab! one might say. (Yes, I still think about Patsy, Edina, and Saffron.)
Increased cost and weight are really about the only thing that may hold someone back from choosing this fantastic tripod as one’s regular gear. This would be a one time purchase tripod.
5. Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 055 Aluminum 3-Section Tripod
Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 055 Aluminum 3-Section Tripod Specifications
Weight: 7.7 lbs
Collapsed Height: 29″
Extended Height: 72″
Maximum Load: 19.8 lbs
Price: Click here to find latest price
Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 055 Aluminum 3-Section Tripod Review
You can also get the tripod without head, allowing you to add whatever head suits your own special needs. The center column has a bubble level built in, a nice touch.
A head that came to mind right away when I was testing these legs was a gimbal head. That combination would be one of the most versatile combinations around, but it sure would be expensive.
A good fluid head or even a geared head would make this suitable for high end videography or even a 16mm or Super 16 film movie camera. People still do film, right?
Which one is the best Manfrotto tripod?
I’ve seen and reviewed some very low priced tripods, and some of them are good products that really do make the cut. Manfrotto products are priced competitively for professional quality camera equipment. Any serious piece of quality equipment will cost more money than the run of the mill consumer product, regardless of what field we’re looking at. Talk to a chef about the cost of knives and mixers!
But, I also think there is a level where things stop getting significantly better the more money you put into them. Sure, a $38,000.00 medium format digital camera will give better results than a $2500.00 APS-C rig might, but if I can make a sale from the images of the less expensive camera, do I really need the extra quality I get from the higher end camera?
Don’t get me wrong, if the clients I have require what the better camera delivers, then that’s the equipment I need for those clients. I can always rent those cameras. In other words, quality is what I look for with my purchases, but my budget is not top level.
As usual, I’m going to weasel my way out of a direct answer. I did let loose a secret about my own personal gear, though. Bottom line is Manfrotto is a quality brand and a photographer will not go wrong choosing any one of their products.
Any of these in this review will be the best Manfrotto tripod for you.
Final Thoughts
For me, my panoramic photography and macrophotography absolutely requires tripod use for the best results. They are also essential for when I do astrophotography, or any very low light photography.
Some other prime examples of using a good tripod could be the use of telephoto lenses, shooting multiple exposures for focus stacking, or any photoshoot where the final image has to be the sharpest possible… All of these situations have me getting out my tripod.