Manfrotto Befree 3-Way Live Advanced

£187/$279 And now for something completely different

This recently launched Befree Advanced kit comes with a 3-way head rather than a ball head. As such, it has independent locking handles for both tilt and swivel functions, as well as a locking knob for panning. This would normally mean that extending handles would ruin the slimline form factor needed of a travel tripod but they fold in nice and tight, so you can still swing the legs up to encircle the head for compact stowage.

The kit is designed to be useful for photographers and videographers. As such, the 3-way head features Manfrotto’s ‘fluid drag system’, which aims to deliver smooth control for both panning and tilt movements. Three spirit levels are fitted to help keep everything on the level.

Below, the legs are a standard fare, with four sections in each leg and a single-section centre column. Flip locks are fitted for the extending leg sections, rather than the more usual twist-action locks.

Performance

Resistance to flexing and vibration is good, on a par with the other Manfrotto tripod here, which also has four leg sections. The 3-way head enables precise adjustments and smooth panning and tilt movements.