Manfrotto 635 Fast Single Leg Carbon Fibre Tripod review

The Manfrotto 504X 635 Fast Single Leg Carbon Tripod is a seriously slick, sturdy cine kit with super-speedy setup

5 Star Rating
Manfrotto 504X 635 Fast Single Leg Carbon
(Image: © Matthew Richards)

Digital Camera World Verdict

The 504X Fluid Video Head in this up-market kit for pro-grade video shooting is a masterpiece in its own right. It’s highly advanced and very versatile yet simple and intuitive to use. The head is supported by a set of 635 Fast Single Leg Carbon legs, which give rock-solid support. It’s ‘fast’ because the three sections in each leg can be extended or retracted with a single twist of the outer section. The kit has a hefty 12kg load rating but weighs an entirely manageable 5.8kg, and comes complete with a padded bag. Build quality and operational performance is absolutely superb throughout.

Pros

  • +

    Smooth pan and tilt, adjustable fluidity

  • +

    4-position counterbalance system

  • +

    Smart range of advanced features

  • +

    Quick and easy setup

Cons

  • -

    Spreader sold as an optional extra

  • -

    Overkill for lightweight cameras

  • -

    Expensive but very good value

Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

The Manfrotto 504X Fluid Video Head with 635 Fast Single Leg Carbon Tripod is designed for high-end and professional-grade video capture. As such, it’s expensive to buy but, considering what you get for your money, it’s competitively priced. The product code is MVK504XSNGFC, which doesn’t easily stay in the mind or trip off the tongue, but the combination of 504X head and 635 legs is all you really need to know.

(Image credit: Matthew Richards)

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Matthew Richards

Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! 

His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia  when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related. 

In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.