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

Nice compact tripod, great for my smart telescope.
I wanted bigger, more sturdy tripod for my SeeStar S50, as I want to use it in EQ mode. With the 3/8″ screw below the ball head, this tripod is ideal for my needs. Having the Arca Swiss mount on the ball head is even better as I already using this mounting style for my cameras and I had the needed kit to be able to use that to quick connect to my SeeStar or my DSLR, indeed, I might even move the ballhead to another piece of my kit as it’s native Arca Swiss will mean that I can make that a little lighter. I’m expecting this tripod to give me many years of service without any problems, it feels like it’s up to the job and should be sturdy enough to allow me to tip the SeeStar over on it’s side so that I can polar align.First tripod that I had delivered had some manufacturing defects, so I put in a return yesterday, this one arrived and checked out perfectly, just like I’d expect from Manfrotto.

A great lightweight compact tripod but with issues that need to be overcome.
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.

PERFECT TRAVELLING COMPANION WHEN WEIGHT AND RETRACTABLE SIZE ARE IMPORTANT.
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?

Excellent product
Good quality product. It arrived on time

カーボンモデル、耐荷重8キロのモデルを使用しています。登山に持って行っていますが、軽いですし高さもあるので非常に重宝しています。ザックに収納する際には足を逆パカせずに長さだけ縮めて携行するのが楽でおすすめです。一点だけ、雲台のクイックシューのネジが純正だと何故か飛び出ています。私が使用している登山用のアルカスイスタイプのシューを使用すると、この飛び出たネジが干渉して、うまく固定されません。こちらのネジに変えるだけでその問題は解消されました。純正でこれにして欲しいですね。https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B002A5RB8W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

A steady and portable tripod for convenience use. The only challenge on using this tripod is the conplicated setup during the first time use. Overall, it was worth buying and bringing around during the photography outing.

Lo uso da qualche mese e sono soddisfatto dell’ acquisto, Io ho la versione grande in fibra di carbonioAspetti positivi sono molti, facendo una lista posso dire che è leggero, compatto, stabile, ottima marca ad un prezzo ragionevole. Lo uso con un tamron 150 600 che ha un bel peso ma nonostante ciò la stabilità non è un problema,è presente un gancio per appendere pesi per dare maggiore stabilità.Ci si perde un po’ di tempo nel montarlo e smontarlo, in questo non è il massimo, ma è un problema di poco conto.La testa del treppiedi è in metallo, anche la placchetta removibile, il meccanismo è a sfera. Una gamba è removibile e diventa un monopiede.Volevo comprare un treppiedi con la teste a tre vie perchè la preferisco, ma quando ho visto questo l’ ho comprato.Ero attirato da altre marche meno note che attirano con prezzi inferiore, ma mi sono fidato della marca e ho fatto bene, questo treppiedi è difficile che non vada incontro alle vostre esigenze.Per 130 euro, treppiedi Manfrotto in fibra di carbonio, con monopiede removibile leggero compatto e nonostante ciò molto stabile con un obiettivo di due chili sopra, direi che è certamente un acquisto consigliato.Costasse anche 200 lo prenderei perchè ne vale la pena, oltretutto per marca e materiali si riesce anche a rivendere.