@photonewspn | photographynews.co.uk
GEAR / 51
Three steps to heavenly framing
If you value accuracy over speed, a traditional three-way head still delivers a level of control that ball heads struggle to match. The Manfrotto X-Pro 3-Way Head refines that concept with a smarter, more portable design that suits contemporary workflows. You can buy the One Photo kit with the 3-Way head for £399, or you can purchase the head separately for £129. Add in the Xchange system for £39 and you have a fast and simple way of transforming your tripod into a true multi-use system. The standout feature of the new X-Pro is its retractable adjustment levers, which fold down when not in use. This makes the head far more compact for transport, solving one of the biggest complaints about three- way designs: that they are too bulky. It slips easily into an equipment bag while still offering full-sized control when deployed.
In use, the benefits become clear. Each axis – pan, tilt and portrait – can be adjusted independently, allowing precise framing without unwanted movement. The addition of friction control on the tilt and portrait axes is particularly useful, helping balance heavier camera set-ups so you can fine-tune composition before locking everything in place. With a payload of up to 8kg, it handles DSLRs or mirrorless systems and longer lenses while weighing just 1kg itself, making it a practical option for location work. A built-in levelling bubble ensures accurate alignment, which is especially valuable for photographers focusing on studio, landscape and architectural work. While it’s not designed for fast- paced shooting, the X-Pro 3-Way excels in situations where precision matters – making it a dependable choice for image makers seeking to get composition exactly right.
LEG DAY The single lever locks or releases all leg sections at once
column. Just undo the lock and use it for quick height adjustment, or quickly push in a button at the base and move it so it slides horizontally. This is perfect for overhead shots such as flatlays, copy photography or macro work in the field. The column can also be removed entirely for ultra- low shooting, reducing its minimum working height down to just 10cm. At its maximum, the tripod can extend to a lofty 175.5cm. While the legs alone can be bought for £375, the kit we used comes with the X-Pro ball head for £399. You’d have to be bonkers to buy only the bare legs when you can get a magnesium X-Pro ball head with an Arca-Swiss plate that usually costs £129 for just £24! The head has two levelling bubbles that help you make adjustments with the locking knobs open, and the new polymer rings ensure smoother, more precise camera movement, plus an end to messy grease on the ball. The three- wedge system tightens onto the sphere to lock it in place, even with heavy kit on board. It supports 10kg but weighs just 0.52kg. The head is fast to operate, easy to use and very smooth. Although it’s not made for video, it’s fine if you lock the camera in one position. At a pinch you can loosen the ball or base to do some panning or tilting, but it’s not ideal. For that, you need the hybrid version. With a top-quality head and all of the innovations in leg technology, the Manfrotto One Photo is a usable and advanced photography tripod. It’s very stable and suits both location and studio work, although at 3.66kg it’s not light. And of course, the 60mm flat top means it’s easy if you do want to add a fluid head for video use.
TRIPLE TOP The X-Pro 3-Way head gives you precision at the expense of a bit of speed in set-up
Head swap in a matter of seconds
Part of the One family is the Manfrotto Xchange system, which is one of those simple ideas that quickly proves its worth if you switch between different tripod heads, sliders or other support gear. At its core is a universal quick-release platform that lets you switch heads in seconds, all without tools.
For anyone who moves between stills and video, or changes tripod heads to match the job at hand, that flexibility is a genuine time saver. Instead of unscrewing heads, you can adapt a single set-up instantly. The £39 unit comes with a baseplate and head plate, and is compact and well built, weighing just 0.28kg but rated
SPEEDY TECH The baseplate screws onto the tripod top (above) and the head plate onto the head (left). They clip together safely in seconds
to support 20kg. That makes it suitable for everything from lightweight mirrorless kits to heavier rigs. The drop-in plate automatically activates the twist-lock mechanism and feels secure in use. A small locking slider ensures the head doesn’t come loose accidentally. To release the head, just twist the large locking ring and it comes off immediately. So you can fix
it to a slider, for example. Or put a different head on your tripod. Compatibility is broad thanks to standard threads, so it will work with most accessories and tripods. It’s also small enough to leave permanently attached without adding bulk, making it a practical everyday addition rather than a niche accessory. Additional top plates are on sale at £16, with bases costing £29.
Verdict
Overall rating 9/10 We said the original One was a genuine milestone in tripod design for hybrid image making, and now the photo-specific version offers all the same benefits for stills shooters at a lower price
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