Manfrotto 161MK2B Super Pro Tripod Black

Comments about Manfrotto 161MK2B Super Pro Tripod Black:

This is a very well made piece of kit. The built quality is much higher than the general Manfrotto stuff that you buy and will last easily years of professional abuse.

The tripod is the sturdiest that I have ever tried and this is partially due to its weight which makes it bolt on the floor. It is very versatile since it can be adjusted from very low to be erected extremely tall. The legs can be spread apart in many different angles, do to those bars which attach the centre column to the legs. However, there is no marking for them by the manufacturer. I have placed my own markings in order to be able to adjust it to the place quickly.In other words, you need to mark those bars, in order to know how far you have to push the legs out to get a balance between the legs.

As I mentioned, its is a very heavy piece of equipment. When I shoot on location, I have my assistants, carrying it for me and its a tad difficult once you want to move the tripod in order to change the composition, again due to its weight. (you have 9kg of the tripod+ 3-4 kg of the lens+camera+ the head, so every time, you want to move it even slightly, you have to lift a good 12kg+)

Finally, it has the centre column which is very smooth to operate and it is as stable as the rest of the tripod. I often use this tripod with a bar attached on top of it where on one side I have my laptop and on the other side, my Arca Swiss Z1 ball head. It can handle any weight load without breaking a sweat.