Mefoto globetrotter

The biggest MEFOTO is still quite small

The Globetrotter is the biggest and most heavy-duty in MEFOTO’S ‘Classic’ range of tripods. It’s available in a range of bright colours (as well as black) and there’s also a carbon option that sheds 400g in weight. The aluminium kit tips the scales at a moderate 2.1kg, yet has the largest overall load rating in the group, at 12kg.

The tripod folds down to just 41cm, making it the secondsmallest in the group. That’s thanks to the combination of five-section legs that swing upwards for stowage. Despite the thinnest leg sections having a diameter of just 15mm, the tripod remains impressively rigid even at its maximum height of 165cm, and feels worthy of its hefty load rating.

Following current fashion, one of the legs can be removed and used in conjunction with the centre column as a monopod. There are only two lockable leg angles instead of the usual three, but it’s still a worthwhile feature that you can make effective use of.

There’s no pivot function nor a secondary short centre column supplied with the tripod. On the plus side, you do get a set of interchangeable metal spikes and rubber pads, along with a highquality padded soft case.

Performance

The brilliantly engineered ball head has independent friction control and a pan only release. It’s almost identical to the impressive Benro B1 head in looks and performance. Twist-action leg section clamps are quick to release and tighten, which is just as well because there are 12 of them in total. Overall, the Globetrotter is a smart buy for anyone who wants a ‘full-sized’ tripod that packs away into a surprisingly stout package.