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MANFROTTO BEFREE LIVE TRIPOD £220/$240 www.manfrotto.com
It’s not always possible to lug a huge, solid video tripod with you around the place. Especially if you’re travelling on planes, trains or even automobiles. As capable video cameras get smaller, thanks to DSLR and mirrorless cameras, there’s a need for light and portable supports that actually performwell, rather than just being cheap and flimsy. The newManfrotto Befree Live is one of the most compact travel video tripods you can buy, matching super light weight and small form factor with some seriously good performance. A development of the older Befree Live model, the new version has twist-locks to adjust the four-section legs, which is quicker, easier to use and more elegant than the old clamps. It means there are no protruding parts on the legs, so the tripod can be folded in on itself to make the whole package even smaller for travelling. It comes with a decent travel pouch, too. The legs can be angled independently, ideal for quick set-up on uneven ground. We used it to film at a dirt bike track in Italy, following a budget flight which was a killer on baggage allowance, and that’s where the Befree Live really shone. It’s easy to set up, by just splaying the legs then setting the head to horizontal using the quick-adjust
knob under the head. The head has a fluid drag system on pan and tilt, but it can’t be adjusted. It’s still pretty smooth, though, although there is a bit of bounce-back at the end of your pans if you’re not careful. And there’s a relatively long camera plate to get your camera perfectly balanced. The head also has two knobs that lock and unlock the head’s pan and tilt movements separately. We used it with a Sony A7R and A9 cameras, with Sony FE lenses ranging from a 24-70mm f/4 to a 70-200mm f/2.8. With the shorter and lighter lens, the tripod performed admirably considering its light weight. The fluid movement was good and when locked down, everything stayed in place. With the A9 and longer lens which weighs at just over 2kg/ 4.4lb, then it wasn’t quite as steady, of course, especially with the legs at full extension and the centre column raised to get maximum height. Even though that’s only half of the official maximum payload, it’s right at the limit of what the tripod can sensibly handle and still performwell. Having said that, no shots were ruined by excessive camera shake. The tripod also comes with Manfrotto’s Easy Link connector socket, just like on the professional 190 and 055 tripods, allowing you to add accessories. But the beauty of
RIGHT The Manfrotto Befree is one of the most
portable tripods on the market.
SPECIFICATIONS Material: Aluminium
Maximumpayload: 4kg/8.8lb Miniumumheight: 40cm/15.7in Maximumheight: 150cm/15.7in Head type: Fluid cartridge with fixed drag for tilt and pan Leg sections: 4 Closed length: 40cm/15.7in Leg lock type: Twist lock Weight: 1.64kg/3.61lb
the tripod is its simplicity, and small size, so this feature probably won’t get much use. Especially considering the weight issues that could flex the tripod, particularly if a heavy monitor was hung off one side. After using the Befree Live at the dirt track, fine sand did get inside but it was pretty extreme conditions and the tripod continued working well. As a tripod for serious everyday professional use, it’s just too flimsy. But as a super-light kit for travelling and using sensibly with the right cameras, it’s a fantastic performer with no serious rival. AD. PROMOVIEMAKER RATING: 8/10 Super light and portable tripod Pros: Unrivalled for travelling light Cons: Not burly enough for heavy loads
LEFT The quick-adjust knob makes the Befree Live a pleasure to use. Grit can work its way inside, though.
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SPRING 2018 PRO MOVIEMAKER
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