Manfrotto Element Traveller Tripod Big Carbon Fibre I Unboxing & Overview

[@alanm.6096]

A couple points for new users to be aware of: - one, the screw that attaches the mounting plate to the ball head protrudes a tad too far. That implies some Arca plates may not seat properly within the clamp. You can replace that screw with a smaller round-head bolt (M6 - 1.0 x 20mm) that provides much better clearance. A touch of locking adhesive is also helpful with it. - the screws holding the legs to the tripod come loose very easily. So keep those allen wrenches in your camera bag as even one day's use can loosen those screws significantly. As with all tripods: ensure everything is tight before you go out for your day and revisit the tightness when returning. Discovering issues is better at home rather than in the field. And, to deal with the 'flimsiness' of this lightweight tripod, do what many pros recommend. Heavier cameras and longer lenses mean that the camera has to 'settle' a bit after readying for the shot...so always set the camera's timer to 10 secs to provide that needed time. Patience is a virtue when you have that one-in-lifetime-shot in the viewfinder.

[@equipeoutdoors]

Just ordered two of these to use when out climbing. I was using my two A7iii for doing bouldering and climbing footage, but for the most part I’m shooting for social media, and trying to carry the cams with the lenses and two 055 carbons was just too much. So I bought two Insta360 one rs cams, which I’ve been using for a while now on the tripod based selfie sticks, but the rougher the ground the less likely it is that the stick solutions would stay level. Started to bring out my 55 and 190 carbon tripods and they were great all bar the fact that they were just too big. These look perfect for mounting up the action cams. Seems like a little overkill but these will work great on the rough ground.

[@ItsWillLee]

There's two allen keys of the same size so you can tighten the bolts on the legs, you will need to use one on each bolt otherwise it will not tighten down. This is a good light tripod for hiking and travel, but does have some cons. I have found it transmit vibrations in moving water in a brook or at a seascape, in slow moving it's not bad and the hook is there to add weight to help stabilize it.. but the main problem is the small diametre of the legs or at least the smallest legs, if you need to fully extend this tripod, it's like it's on stilts and very shaky and catches a lot of vibrations. I ended up buying an Innorel 90Carbon, it's a B E A ST !!!

[@joejoe570]

nice review! esp small and large comparison, But small can carry 8 kilos too, it wont fall down just like that

[@entropytango5348]

Great video, keep it up

[@caseycheung8079]

Thanks for your video. When you said you can screw off the rubber feet and put on the spikes, do you need to install the spikes separately? Or by screwing off the rubber feet, the spikes are exposed? Since your video had a jump cut at that part of the video, it doesn't clearly explain that. Thank you!

[@petewatsonphotography3507]

Hi Casey The spikes are separate to the feet so you’d have to unscrew the rubber feet and screw on the spikes after the rubber feet have been removed.

[@caseycheung8079]

@@petewatsonphotography3507 Great, thank you much!

[@marilyntipidtips]

Ang galing nyo naman po sir Salamat po sa pag share nang video Stay Safe po..

[@attilasom2012]

Nice staff. Cheers mate.👍

[@shazzam532]

HI Pete. Good review thanks. One question can I completely remove the Ball head and replace it with a geared head and Arca swiss plate? Many thanks ..

[@bgo4719]

Any special reason why you haven't used it in any of your other videos? I ordered one for my D850 today. Really miss having something lighter than my heavier tripod. But would love to hear why you haven't used it that much ( Atleast in your videoes)

[@petewatsonphotography3507]

Hi Bgo_Photo It’s been used in all my videos since I’ve purchased it. I just use it on the video camera rather than the Nikon which is why you never see it on camera. Mainly because I’m walking up hills most of the time and it’s lighter to carry up there when I’m shooting B-roll while the heavier tripod is on my backpack. It’s a great tripod, particularly for the money. I would however recommend getting an arca Swiss L bracket if you don’t already have one particularly if your going to use it in a portrait orientation.

[@bgo4719]

@@petewatsonphotography3507 Ah okay. Mistery solved! I already got a L bracket. So really looking forward for testing out today. Will be a easier one to carry and maybe it can even be used for Trolltunga adventure this summer! Thanks for a good reply :)

[@xxOzzie63xx]

Really good informative video, thanks very much. Looking at getting a new tripod for my Canon 7D MK 2 plus my lenses, so nice it takes heavy equipment. Wii have to take a look at that. Will subscribe to you.

[@petewatsonphotography3507]

Thanks Ozzie pleased you found it informative. Thanks for the sub.

[@agp24432]

Nice overview Pete looks as if it will do the business, i recently purchased a new tripod i went for the Vanguard veo carbon its nice and light to carry when wild camping but for ultimate stability i prefer my Manfrotto 055 pro trouble is it weighs a ton.i think travel tripods are always a compromise.

[@petewatsonphotography3507]

Alan Prince Absolutely Alan. I use my 190 Go as my main photography tripod for maximum stability. This is mainly for using with my vlogging / b-roll camera and my Fuji for the timelapes. It’s difficult getting the balance right for stability versus weight. You’ll always have to compromise somewhere. Thanks for watching.

[@nikolaos3610]

Great video!!! 👏👏👏 Thanks!!!

[@straitjacketstudios]

I purchased the Manfrotto Element MKELEB5GY-BH. I am having issue using the included Arca Swiss ball head, because the allen bolt protrudes so much outward at the top of the ballhead that the flat surface of all of my lens collar plates cannot slide into the gap appropriately, blocked by the protruding bolt. The protruding allen bolt does not allow the plate to sit flush where it can be tightened. You can see what I mean at 10:50 in the video when you remove the plate. Notice the bolt protruding out at the top. I have tried to tighten (and loosen) the bolt to make it flush but it is not movable. Can you please advise how this ball head is supposed to work with the Arca Swiss plates?

[@ItsWillLee]

ya that bolt is designed that way as a safety stopper in case your clamp came loose it's "supposed" stop your camera from completely falling, but don't ever trust to it! Some plates have small bolts in the bottom also protruding slightly for the same reason. and yes they can sometimes interfere with each other.

[@motox4452]

There's a solution here in youtube from a russian boy

[@Cavalier_Steve]

Good little overview Pete, think it may be a bit over the top for my iPhone though...

[@petewatsonphotography3507]

Steven Watson Haha!! I thought I’d do Just because there only 2 other videos on the carbon fibre version and they weren’t very informative so I thought I’d do one.

[@SarahSakura]

Could you please tell me what L-bracket you use?

[@erikleypoldt8275]

At Full low is the centre column too long, in that it hits the ground in turn not allowing you to drop it any lower?

[@petewatsonphotography3507]

Erik Leypoldt yes that correct. However once the head is removed you can turn the centre column upside down and re-fit the head so you’ll be able to achieve a low angle that way.

[@CarterWong91]

Not sure if you'll see this, but do you think the stock ball head would support a 1dx mark ii with smaller lenses?

[@petewatsonphotography3507]

Carter Wong Vlogs Hi Carter I can’t see why it wouldn’t. I’ve just checked the spec on the 1dx mark ii and the body only weighs just over 1300grams and even adding a bigger lens like 24-70mm f2.8 lens is well within your maximum pay load of the tripod. So it should be fine. Although I would get a better/bigger foot plate for that size camera though just make sure it’s an arca Swiss foot plate.

[@CarterWong91]

Pete Watson Photography thanks for the reply! Cheers!

[@nevhaycox2289]

Hi Pete, Please can you tell me what L bracket you use on your D800?

[@petewatsonphotography3507]

Nev Haycox Hi Nev it’s made by Neewer and I got it from Amazon however I’ve just looked and they don’t seem to do it anymore. But there looks like some alternative options on there. The ones that you get from Warehouse Express are overpriced if you ask me. I think the ones off of Amazon are around £20.00 so a lot more reasonably priced. I hope this helps. Thanks for watching.

[@SrKulay]

Hey there, quick question: do you think it would work well with a Manfrotto MVH500AH video head? My camera and lens are at around 1.5kg and the head is 900gr so the total load would be under 2.5kg - Is it sturdy enough to have a fluid video head on it that does pans and tilts? Thanks in advance!

[@petewatsonphotography3507]

Tiago Dias To be honest I’m unsure if it would fit. With regards to sturdiness for a pan and tilt fluid head probably not. I’d want something a little heavier so it would be rock solid.

[@paulcomptonpdphotography]

Nice looking tripod I like them features

[@chinhvannguyen1685]

nice, I want to buy to shoot bracketing on nikon d7100

[@hindustanishakil2465]

Hello sir

[@himzo05]

Looks the same as Chinese carbon tripods like Zomei etc... Even the ballhead ???

[@neontetr4551]

Nice video, pro t shirt.

[@MrL33ton]

Thanks 👍

[@kriscu16]

Is there a short column available for this when shooting ground level?

[@ianprice2441]

I was wondering the same myself. Good video

[@kriscu16]

@@ianprice2441 i emailed manfrotto and they said no

[@ianprice2441]

Thanks good info

[@motox4452]

You can remove the column and attach the ballhead directly to the body