The GT XPRO adds Manfrotto's 90-degree angled column
Manfrotto has topped off its Befree travel tripod range with a new, advanced Befree GT XPRO model which incorporates the 90-degree column mechanism previously seen only on larger Manfrotto tripods. You can use the centre column in regular ‘vertical’ mode or extend it and then rotate it through 90 degrees to act as a horizontal ‘boom’ for low angle and macro shots.
This combines with the Manfrotto’s 180-degree foldable leg design to offer ground-level shooting with the legs extended sideways and a compact, portable size when they’re turned through 180 degrees to fit around the centre column and the tripod head like all the best travel tripods.
This is the key difference between ‘travel’ and regular tripods. Regular tripods fold up with the centre column down and the tripod head exposed on the top, adding to the length. Travel tripods like the Befree GT XPRO have a much shorter, more compact folded shape.
This is the first time Manfrotto's 90-degree column design has been available in a compact travel tripod design.
Manfrotto Befree GT XPRO design details
The Manfrotto Befree GT XPRO will be available in a cheaper aluminum version weighing 2kg and a more expensive carbon fiber option which weighs 1.76kg. Both are designed to support up to a 10kg camera/lens combination, making them suitable for both DSLRs and mirrorless systems with zoom lenses fitted, and both come with Manfrotto’s M-lock leg locking system rather than bulkier flip-locks, and side pull selectors for adjusting the leg angles independently.
The Manfrotto BeFree GT XPRO will be available in aluminum and carbon fiber versions.
The aluminum and carbon fiber versions of the Befree GT XPRO come with a Manfrotto 496 Center Ball head, which has an independent pan axis and friction control. You also get a dedicated Befree bag to carry the tripod around in.
The Manfrotto Befree GT XPRO aluminum version will go on sale at a recommended retail price of £269.95/$289.99, while the carbon fiber version will be £409.95/$429.99.
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Rod is an independent photography journalist and editor, and a long-standing Digital Camera World contributor, having previously worked as DCW's Group Reviews editor. Before that he has been technique editor on N-Photo, Head of Testing for the photography division and Camera Channel editor on TechRadar, as well as contributing to many other publications. He has been writing about photography technique, photo editing and digital cameras since they first appeared, and before that began his career writing about film photography. He has used and reviewed practically every interchangeable lens camera launched in the past 20 years, from entry-level DSLRs to medium format cameras, together with lenses, tripods, gimbals, light meters, camera bags and more. Rod has his own camera gear blog at fotovolo.com but also writes about photo-editing applications and techniques at lifeafterphotoshop.com
