Manfrotto Befree vs Mefoto Roadtrip Tripod: What is the best travel tripod?
All things change to the good. Multiple scenic parks are reopened in Arkansas. In several days, rains and thunderstorms stop. They give way to sunny, hot summer weather. Nothing prevents you from traveling and taking incredible nature/landscape shots. Let’s compare Manfrotto Befree vs Mefoto Roadtrip tripods. A compact, lightweight accessory is useful in your trips. It supports your camera, letting you capture panoramic images. Which one do you prefer? These brands are well-known in the US market. But they are not equally reputed and renowned. Understanding pros and cons of their leading products make your choice easier.
Benefits of Manfrotto Befree Tripods
Manfrotto is a leading, dominant brand on the market. Selecting a suitable tripod, I would start with it. Why? Italian quality is reliable. Lino Manfrotto founded the company at the end of the 1960s. He was a photo reporter. So he designed top-quality accessories that meet the needs of every photographer.
Best Representatives of the Manfrotto Befree Brand
| Image | Title | Prime | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
Top Top | Manfrotto Travel Befree Live Aluminium Tripod Twist, Video Head, Black, Compact (MVKBFRT-LIVEUS) | PrimeEligible | Check Price |
 Top | Manfrotto MKBFRTA4B-BHM Befree Advanced 2N1 Travel Tripod with Monopod, Twist Lock, Tripod Bag, Plate and Ball Head Included for Canon, Nikon, Sony, DSLR, CSC, Mirrorless, Up to 8 kg, Aluminium | PrimeEligible | Check Price |
 Top | Manfrotto Befree Advanced Tripod MKBFRLA4BK-BH Befree Travel Tripod, Lever Lock with Ball Head for Canon, Nikon, Sony, DSLR, CSC, Mirrorless, Up to 8 kg with Tripod Bag, Lightweight Aluminium, Black | Prime | Check Price |
They are not uniform. So, the range of Manfrotto products is huge. It includes dozens of unique professional solutions. Above all, BeFree series targets travelers and photographers. It’s a perfect, intense collection. They are easy to carry because sturdy, lightweight, and versatile.
There are several collections within Manfrotto Befree series. Each tripod from GT, 2N1, Live, and α product line is special. Let’s focus on Advanced models.
| Befree Advanced Model | Weight, lbs | Base Type, in. | Top Screw Diameter, “ | Material | Max. Height, in | Payload Weight, lbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M-Lock Black | 3.28 | 1.57 | 3/8 | aluminum | 59.06 | 17.64 |
| M-Lock Red | 3.28 | 1.57 | 3/8 | aluminum | 59.06 | 17.64 |
| M-Lock Blue | 3.09 | 1.02 | 1/4 | aluminum | 56.69 | 8.82 |
| Lever Lock (QPL Travel) | 3.51 | 1.57 | 1/4 | aluminum | 59.45 | 17.64 |
| M-Lock Carbon | 2.76 | 1.57 | 3/8 | carbon fiber | 59.06 | 17.64 |
Slight differences are available even within the same product line. Aluminum vs carbon fiber tripod is more durable and affordable. But when it’s raining, carbon fiber material is preferable. It’s corrosion-resistant, strong, and vibration-absorbing. Carbon fiber tripods are lightweight, comfortable to touch.
Manfrotto Befree Advanced vs Mefoto Roadtrip
Original BeFree tripods are perfect. These photographer accessories are popular. Enhanced versions are even better. They feature large, reliable ball heads. Ability to carry heavier loads matters. Mefoto Roadtrip carbon fiber tripod supports loads up to 17.6 pounds. It’s only a bit:
- Taller (61.6 inches).
- Heavier by weight (3.10 pounds).
- Easy-to-adjust.
It comes with an Arca-Swiss-type ball head. This accessory is quick-release, heavy-duty. Twist lock enable handy grip. Anti-rotation legs are also handy to use. 5 leg sections and 360-degree rotation are basic advantages of the model. In windy conditions, the tripod remains stable due to the bubble level on the top. It prevents uneven ball head movements. Hang additional weight (a heavy object) to the recessed hook. It improves stability.
Best Spokesmen of the Mefoto Roadtrip Brand
| Image | Title | Buy |
|---|---|---|
Top Top | MeFoto RoadTrip Lightweight 61.6" Carbon Fiber Tripod/Monopod, w/Case, Twist Locks, Dual Action Ballhead w/Arca Swiss Plate for Mirrorless/DSLR Sony Nikon Canon Fuji - Black (C1350Q1K) | Check Price |
 Top | MeFOTO Roadtrip S Lightweight 59.4" Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod/Monopod w/Case, Twist Locks, Dual-Action Ballhead w/Arca Swiss Plate for Mirrorless/DSLR Sony Nikon Canon Fuji - Black (RTSCBLK) | Check Price |
 Top | MeFOTO BackPacker Classic Lightweight 51.2" Aluminum Travel Tripod Kit w/Case, Twist Locks, Double Action Ballhead w/Arca Swiss Plate for Mirrorless/DSLR Sony Nikon Canon Fuji - Black (A0350Q0K) | Check Price |
Manfrotto Befree Advanced vs Mefoto Roadtrip
The first is more compact, lightweight, and reliable, as well as, it’s sturdy and versatile. As a travel tripod – ideal: it’s small, portable, and stylish. But, at the same time it’s robust and heavy-duty. Coming with a 494 ball head, 200PL PRO plate, it’s flexible. Fast and precise camera positioning is useful during a trip. The center ball head is also panoramic, 360°.
Both lever and twist (M) lock options are available. They make adjustments and setup easy and secure. The camera support is easy to position. Its vertical and lateral tilt range is wide. BeFree Advanced features a ballast hook. Additionally, Manfrotto tripods come with a great, 10-year-long warranty. You only need to register your product online. MeFoto brand (Benro Company) provides a 5-year-long warranty.
How to Take Landscape Pictures in the Rain?
Are you going to visit Arkansas? Spring is commonly a busy month for tourism. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration analyze the climate. The department assumes the ideal weather is from the 19th of March till the 27th of May. Daily temperature that is between 55 and 70 degrees F is the most comfortable.
It would be perfect, but for heavy rains and thunderstorms. Do you want to visit one of the picturesque Arkansas State Parks? All of them are available for visitors again. If you can’t wait for the weekend, take a trip right now. Overcast skies are not a handicap. Quite naturally, best travel tripod for mirrorless camera is essential. In dim lighting conditions, it helps you to avoid blurred images.
I would also advise you to:
-
- protect yourself and your equipment from the rain;
- layer your shots;
- prefer long exposures;
- capture water reflections;
- select large camera aperture (f/8-f/14);
- use natural light to make raindrops visible.
Boots and a raincoat protect you from rain and wind. Keep your camera and its lens dry. Spray the legs of your best tripod for travel to keep the water out. It lets you take a moody image that shows the beauty of rain. Capturing a rainbow or a storm front approaching is an amazing experience. Just don’t forget about safety. Find a suitable indoor shelter. Get inside and stay there during a thunderstorm.
Final Words
Are you comparing Manfrotto Element vs Mefoto Roadtrip? Your choice depends on your budget and your preferences. A carbon fiber tripod from Element collection is available. This product is even taller and easier to position than MeFoto products. Every model is unique, able to meet your specific photographic needs. But both brands are reliable and reputed. They provide durable, feature-rich, handy tripods. Select the one you like and take you amazing, sharp photos in all weather.
Mefoto tripod is so strong and sturdy that it can hold a camera that weighs a ton! 🤣 This reduces shaking because of a stiffer tripod will lead to less blurry pictures! I can even shoot at night with flash because the shutter speed is increased!
Tripods are great for your camera or smartphone when you want to get the perfect angle for a selfie. Everyone loves selfies. If you’re on a hike, traveling, or just trying to get a good shot for your blog, you need one of these.
Tripods are cool. You can take a closer look at things (if you want). You can use it as a cool photo rig. It’s sturdy. It’s like a tent but for photography. You can attach your camera or phone to it.
What does it mean to be an influential brand? For Manfrotto, it was creating the very first professional camera tripod in the 1950s, and building on that success to develop and manufacture a full line of high-quality photographic equipment ever since. Today, the company has a full catalog of tripods, monopods, heads, lighting kits and accessories that are widely used in the professional photography world. If you’re looking for the best, Manfrotto has you covered.