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Yes, while it's specifically designed for Sony a7 and a9 cameras, it's also compatible with other camera brands thanks to its Manfrotto RC2 and Arca-swiss style head attachments.
The QPL Travel lever is a unique locking mechanism that ensures full stability of the tripod in all configurations when it's open. It's a lightweight version of the professional Manfrotto tripods like the 190 & 055.
The 494 Center Ball Head can support equipment weight up to 8 kg. It's perfect for all kinds of mirrorless cameras with zoom lenses and even medium-format DSLRs.
Yes, the tripod features an Easy Link attachment that allows you to add accessories such as lights and reflectors to enhance your photography.
The tripod features a newly developed spider that ensures perfect stability on all types of terrain, including uneven surfaces. Additionally, it can be set to three independent leg angle positions for versatile shooting.
Review Summary
2023-08-18T19:02:51
Manfrotto holds up to its name. There are probably better trips-pods, but also cost more.
Solomon H.
2023-03-28T11:20:32
Two solid products that have elevated my photography
THOMAS L.
2022-01-03T06:14:32
Like the tripod, I have really used it a lot. I don?t have great experience with it.
mark p.
2021-06-18T08:22:58
Works great. Easily holds my Nikon camera with 70-300 lens attached. Folds up nicely for travel. The only quibble I have is it is still heavy - yes I know they squeezed out all the weight they could for travel. I attach it to the side of my backpack and it twists the backpack. Otherwise it?s awesome for travel.
KEVIN K.
2020-07-15T06:23:47
Great deal, joby gorilla pod is as good as the reviews say it is. Holds like glue to anything you wrap it around. Doesn’t support the weight of a big lens though so only good for medium to small lenses. The manfrotto is great with the exception of mounting to a lens ring. Because of the lip on the Sony edition tripod mount, The instrutions state to use an included plastic pin to level it so you can mount it to a lens ring. The only problem with that is the screw in the base is not long enough and I had to dig through my gear to find a screw from something else to make it work with my 70-200.
ANDREW L.
2020-06-02T08:24:33
TV/MOVIE Students love this item
TANIS F.
2020-01-02T07:34:28
I was looking for a lighter tripod, and this fits the bill. I love the design and ergonomics. A negative for me though - too much flex in the legs.
Judy L.
2019-12-11T09:49:05
My old Manfrotto tripod became too heavy to carry around so i was searching for a newer lighter one. If you are tall, you most likely will want something that stands a bit higher. I'm 5'6" and it suits me fine. The instructions to set up the tripod are almost impossible to understand. I managed with a bit of trial and error. The ball head also has a learning curve but easily holds my 60-250mm zoom. There is a knob to control friction, one to control panning and one to lock the head. Those will take me a bit of time to learn because it is so different from my old head. I could easily swap out my old head but this one is just too light not to try using. My old tripod had clip releases for the legs and they were hard for me to open and close at times. This one has twist knobs that are easy to grip and use. All in all, I am very pleased with the quality and stability for such a lightweight piece of equipment. Did I mention how lightweight it is? Now I have no excuse not to carry it.
SUSAN L.
2019-10-10T08:46:42
It’s very good
MARVIN A.
2019-06-30T11:19:11
Easy to use, solid and light.
Yang Z.
2019-04-05T13:05:48
It’s fantastic! Lightweight and very sturdy. Highly recommend it.
BECKY B.
2018-12-29T10:02:26
I took this on a trial run to Joshua Tree National Park and it performed very well. Very stable, but light and easy to set up and take down, this is a great travel tripod.
Andrew B.
2018-12-14T03:20:48
Looks well built along with strength and stability while using it outside
David M.
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56.08 oz (1589.84g)
Sony Alpha a7II, a7rII, a7rIII, a7sII and a9 Camera
Aluminum
17.64 lbs (8.00kg)
15.75" (40.01cm)
59.45" (151.00cm)
With Center Column Down: 50.39" (127.99cm)
15.75" (40.01cm)
494 Aluminum Center Ball Head
0.47- 0.61- 0.75- 0.89" (1.19-1.55-1.91-2.26cm)
4
1.57" (3.99cm)
22 deg., 54 deg., 89 deg.
3/8" screw
1.57" (3.99cm)
Yes
Rapid
Ballast Hook
Yes
Yes
Yes
Single
Flip Lock
158 to -22 deg. F (70 to -30 deg. C)
No
360 deg.
200PL-PROSONY
Yes
No
1.57" (3.99cm)
Rubber
1/4"-20 Male
-90 to +40 deg.
-90 to +40 deg.
192223035881











Stands up to then brand.
By Solomon H.
Manfrotto holds up to its name. There are probably better trips-pods, but also cost more.
Solid work horses
By THOMAS L.
Two solid products that have elevated my photography
The Manfrotto Befree Advanced Alpha travel tripod is a special version of the Befree Advanced Lever dedicated to all Sony a camera users who want maximum performance and stability in all shooting positions. The plate is designed to match Sony a7 and Sony a9 camera bodies, to ensure perfect grip, even in the most angled camera shots. The front jut of the plate physically blocks the camera, preventing any play both on tilt and rotational movements, always keeping the camera stuck to the head plate. The result is impressive camera stability, which takes image sharpness to the highest level.
The plate is also fully compatible with the world's most widespread standard head attachments: Manfrotto RC2 and Arca-swiss style. With this aluminum plate fixed to the camera, all Manfrotto heads and almost all tripod heads on the market featuring Arca-style attachments can be set up rapidly and effortlessly, without disassembling components. Its ergonomic design makes operating the Manfrotto Befree advanced intuitive and fast, enabling even the most demanding photographers to set their equipment up quickly and easily, without losing sight of their desired shot.
The Befree Advanced features a new spider developed to ensure perfect stability on all types of terrain, including the most uneven, always keeping the camera completely steady and ready to capture sharp images. This model also provides a new locking mechanism called the QPL Travel lever, a brand-new system developed by Manfrotto that brings the full locking power of the QPL lever on professional Manfrotto tripods like the 190 & 055 to a more lightweight version that's ideal for travel.
The new on-off mechanism makes set up and adjustment easy and secure, providing full stability in all configurations when the tripod is open. The ergonomic leg-angle selector is designed to be used by both right and left-handed photographers, enabling everyone to change shooting perspectives intuitively and find the right tripod height without losing focus on the shot they want to capture. The Befree advanced can easily be set to three independent leg angle positions, guaranteeing full shooting versatility for all the creative ideas that can emerge outdoors.
The spider featured on this innovative model also provides an Easy Link, just like Manfrotto's professional 190 & 055 tripods. This allows photographers to enhance their creativity by adding accessories that make their shot unique and unforgettable. Photographers who love adding lights or reflectors can now take amazing outdoor shots that were previously only achievable with heavy accessorized tripods.
Befree advanced for Sony is the best travel tripod for passionate photographers who want maximum performance from their tripod and above all from their cameras. This lightweight travel tripod is the optimal combination of portability, solidity, easy set-up and operation. It is built with the unique goal of enabling individuals to express their talent using their camera with the confidence of a professional support solution. The Befree advanced Travel Tripod for Sony, ball head kit is available in black.
494 Center Ball head
For all amatuer photographers looking for a small yet powerful ball head, the 494 aluminum Center ball head enables fast and precise camera positioning. Lightweight and compact, the 494 Center ball head is ideal for anyone looking for a quick and easy solution that helps frame shots precisely. This tripod head is made of highly-resistant, lightweight aluminum, so it is both extremely portable and strong enough to cope with a payload up to 8 kg. It is the perfect solution for all kinds of mirrorless cameras with zoom lenses and even medium-format DSLRs.
Flawless smoothness for easy framing
Independent panoramic movement for easy landscape shots
Independent friction control to balance your equipment
200PL-PRO plate (RC2 & Arca-swiss compatible)
Unique premium design, strong and lightweight
This advanced ball head combines practicality with high functionality and features three independent controls: a main knob for managing the sphere lock, an integrated friction control knob that adjusts the ball tension so that equipment weight is always perfectly balanced and shots framed effortlessly; an independent panoramic knob that keeps the horizon flat and moves the camera horizontally, enabling astonishing landscape shots.
The 494 Center ball head mounts a unique plate that makes it fully compatible with the world's most widespread standard camera plates: Manfrotto RC2 and Arca-swissstyle. With this aluminum plate fixed to the camera, all Manfrotto heads and almost all tripod heads on the market featuring Arca-style attachments can be set up rapidly and effortlessly, with no need for disassembly components. The 494 Center ball head's design make it both extremely easy to set up and reliable to use in any configuration.
Dedicated 200PL-PRO Plate
Increased grip for excellent stability
Perfect camera stability for all shooting positions
Cinnabar color to highlight the dedicated version
Compatible with Sony's a7 and a9 camera models