Manfrotto Befree Live Video Head

2025-07-17T07:15:44

Tripod description said twist leg locks and I received a tripod with flip locks. Tripod itself is fine, just not what I thought I was ordering.

Emily H.

2023-05-17T14:30:53

Durable and sleek! Easy to use and travel with on a shoot. The user guide is actually user friendly.

Tyffany H.

2022-07-10T08:23:31

The tripod is built with quality parts, however it?s a bit too lightweight for most cameras. I could not trust it with legs fully extended?so I retired for a more sturdy Manfrotto tripod.

KENNETH A.

2021-12-12T10:46:14

I love this!!! It?s so compact and easy to use

CHRISTOPHER D.

2021-12-04T05:24:17

I will rate the product on January 1, 2022. I will use the tripod for the first time on December 31, 2021 at a wedding.

Lawrence W.

2021-09-06T08:10:44

This is a great video tripod for anyone looking for something that is light and folds down into a compact size.The head was very smooth and fluid. Just note an the max height and max weight it supports before purchasing to make sure it fits your needs.

Francis D.

2021-06-03T11:03:03

I loved this tripod. It had so many features that I still have to use. But it was very versatile and solidly built. If you own this you just have to explore and try its features: the legs are constructed in a way that you can open them so you could get really close to the ground. The center pole extends another 8 to 10 inches above when all the legs are fully extended. The vertical and horizontal movements of the tripod head are very smooth which would be very good for videographers.

Gideon G.

2021-05-28T10:27:24

I bought this because I wanted a compact travel tripod with the Manfrotto 501 plate and a video head - not many options in that space. This tripod feels really cheap. Most of the components are made with some sort of plastic or composite. Doesn't inspire confidence. If I paid more for it I would give it two stars but it was reasonably affordable. I hope it lasts at least a couple years. Some of the features are great for a small tripod such as the ability to bubble level the head without messing with the legs. It's not nearly as compact as some competitors. The pan and tilt smoothness and friction is not great.

William C.

2021-04-13T09:47:10

I was looking for a light-weight, compact tripod that would travel well. the legs have a great variety of positions, allowing me to get low, or if in an awkward position, I can have a leg extend at a 45 degree angle.

Steven L.

2021-01-25T03:34:55

Tripod is light and portable but the twist lock legs are slow and annoying to use and I wouldn't call this a fluid head. Even running a a7iii with a 24-70 GM it really wobbles a lot and isn't super rigid. Great for photography with the ball head though!

LUCAS G.

2020-12-04T06:38:31

This is a great little travel tripod. The fluid head got the job done for me. It is really a nice tripod and fluid head for the money.

Shae G.

2020-10-16T18:10:11

Light compact stable and a smooth head for video g

George M.

2020-08-23T11:15:51

Portable and works with the befree series tripod.

CHRISTOPHER G.

2020-08-13T13:57:10

Cant review it yet as its to film hunts and its not hunting season yet!

John K.

2020-06-18T10:38:42

Compact, efficient and worth every penny. It’s a lightweight option but does a great job when needed for travel or speed of setup.

MITCHELL W.

2020-02-13T07:09:23

Great control of movement and easy mount to switch cameras.

Richard S.

2020-01-19T12:56:57

It looks very good and you can feel the quality. Pleasure to use. Easy to operate. Definitely recommend!

Andrey K.

2019-12-27T13:58:39

Tripod was as advertised- easy to assemble and collapse. It's a travel tripod built for today's DSLR/mirrorless cams which is more than sufficient for run and gun work. The fluid head is very smooth and as others have noted, it can be replaced if need be.

PETE M.

2019-12-06T08:11:06

Pros: Lightweight, feels stable and durable, easy to set up with the lever lock system, smooth pan and tilt movement, easy to store, and great for the price I got it (169 dollars)! The video plate and the carrying bag are a PLUS! Cons: The pan and tilt locks feel a bit cheap because they're plastic. I'm afraid of them getting loose or becoming ineffective in locking after a couple months of use. But so far, I've used this a couple of times and no problem so far. Overall: Great tripod for those who seek lightweight video tripods for travelling! The build quality is nice, except for the pan and tilt locks I mentioned above. It might require a bit of TLC (tender loving care) for it to last years. But all in all, I LOVE this product. Does everything I need for a good price and I'm hoping to keep using this for many years.

KYLE U.

2019-04-09T17:17:16

I watched a video by Hudson Henry after getting ON1 Photo Raw about why he likes Video Fluid Heads for photography not just Video and I was sold BUT the ones he had well were big and heavy. I had two Manfrotto Befree ball head tripods that where small and light so I upgraded my 190L to a leveling center post and a Video Fluid Head and loved it - a little pricey but loved it. Then I saw the Befree Fluid Head tripod it cost less than what I just put out for my conversion. This has the snap close taps like I am used to with my 190L. This one is hard to find on the website but i did. This is not only cost effective being aluminum but super light and packable and mostly luggable. With its own carry bag is discrete moving around a town or city. I carry just the gear I'll use in a messenger bag, not everything!! This tripod is sturdy, I use Sony A7RM2 and A7M3. I tested it with my Sigma 150-600mm and held it fine also the new Sigma 14 f/1.8 (heavy also) out at night doing Panoramas of the Milky Way. So nice to use once level (very fast) it is good for 360 degrees (unlike a ballhead) and using a SEL1224G or Sigma 14mm f/1.8 no need for nodal slider (just put lens opening right at pivot point a 1/4 inch back) to do upper or lower pans, I did with a windmill right in front of me and came out perfect both landscape and portrait view. I panned birds in flight keeping level the whole time. Able to run and gun on a beach doing MW's behind different Deadwoods without getting winded (65+). Able to hike a trail not noticing I have a tripod in or on my pack (keep between sleeping bag and tent on bottom of bag. Use your bag to steady or a gear hammock if needed. Need I say MORE! Another one is coming just for a spare!!! Oh! only weight difference between Aluminum (stronger) 3.86 lbs and 3.04 lbs for carbon fiber.

Edwin G.

2019-02-14T05:01:20

I love this tripod. It's compact, light, and super quick to setup. However, the only drawback is the mounting plate. There's nothing to prevent the 1/4" screw from falling out and it falls out very easily. I just put some gaff tape underneath to prevent it from falling out, but don't think I should have to as some of the other Manfrotto plates I've used have a little rubber stop. Other than that, it's a great little tripod!

Bossman

2019-01-29T15:35:29

Definitely the best travel video tripod that money can buy. Not disappointed!

Michael H.

2018-12-20T07:46:22

I love it is compact and lightweight Perfect for hiking!

SARAH R.

2018-12-04T07:34:55

Super cheap and lightweight.

JIA G.

2018-11-15T05:29:42

The weight savings is very insignificant to the build quality of this tripod. Looks cheaply made and has alot of plastic parts. Tripod is flimsy. Looks like it will break if I put a Sony AR3 on it.

Privacy P.

2018-09-29T08:33:09

It feels fluidy just fine once you are moving it, but if it has been stationary for a minute, it sticks the tiniest bit before it moves, so the camera video starts with a tiny jerk. I have gone to the next bigger Manfroto, around $, and it may work better. It looks way bulkier and better built/designed. Yes, the locks are all unlocked and free.

JOHN K.

2018-09-13T06:36:20

So I have used professional fluid heads but needed something lightweight but still offers great results.

Corey D.

2018-08-21T20:57:56

Feels a little cheaper than I was expecting, but I imagine that making something this light feel sturdy is a difficult engineering feat. As a traveling videographer, this tripod does the trick. It's light, but shift a bit when I tighten it down, which makes it difficult to level out perfectly. Other than that, I appreciate how compact and easy to travel with this tripod is.

James F.

2018-08-12T12:02:34

I already lost the 1/4 inch screw that holds the DSLR. Imagine going to record a friend’s music act and finding out that the tripod is useless. The design could be a lot better.

Ted C.

2018-08-08T09:04:36

Only 4 stars because the ball head leveling and the center column could use some fine tuning on future iterations of this great lil tripod. I haven’t had any issues with knobs or faulty workmanship. Coming from the solidness of the Benro Aero 2(which is great, but too big for my new setup) it took a moment to get used to the carbon fiber. I use this indoor and rarely need to make sweeping pans and tilts, so i can’t comment on cinematic smoothness. The friction is pretty good, you can’t adjust it. The flimsy plastic hook to add counterweight does give me pause. It doesn’t look like it will hold very much until it snaps itself off. But the best part about it is the Easy Link accessory port for magic arms. It has really changed my set up for the better.

JENNIFER M.