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This new tripod from Manfrotto is trying to win your loyalty by offering to do everything you’d want a tripod to do. If you have various workflows and want to minimize your gear options, this might be for you.
Tripods are simple when your workflow is simple. But for any complex shooting process, tripods play a pivotal role in making the process easy, smooth, efficient, and/or successful. Specialized creative work often requires specialized tools, which is why tripods come in various shapes and sizes; some even bend over and detach. The Manfrotto ONE is a tripod that aims to unify all of the features that you need on your tripod and let you shoot comfortably from any height and angle.
The Manfrotto One
Manfrotto is a brand that tends to stick to what works and what the industry has gotten used to. While the brand releases updates of their tripods every couple of years, they usually come as improved or revised versions of older models that many practitioners have gotten accustomed to. Earlier this year, we reviewed the Manfrotto 055 and 190 legacy edition tripods that presented the familiar form factor of the well known tripod models but in an updated and more minimalistic approach. The Manfrotto ONE, however, is a complete re-imagination of the Manfrotto tripod for the sake of combining multiple capabilities into one.
The Manfrotto ONE is a lot of things, and we’ll talk about them one by one. But for starters, what it is not is compact. The Manfrotto ONE is a large heavy-duty tripod not typically for traveling creatives but for those who require height and stability. Fully compressed and without a head, it is 27.8 inches (70.5 cm) long. It can go up to 67.1 inches (170.5 cm) when all three sections and the center column are fully extended.
This maximum height also does not yet include the height of the head that one would use. When all the legs are fully spread apart and the center column is removed, it can go as low as just 7.5 inches (19 cm) from the ground, allowing for low angle shots whether for stills or video recording. The carbon fiber version weighs 3.1 kg while the aluminum version weighs 3.5 kg. Both versions have a maximum payload of 15 kg of camera gear; however, this can be limited by the capacity of the head used with the tripod.
This 3-section tripod follows a different format compared to how most tripod sections are made. Typically, the uppermost section is the thickest and envelops the thinner sections. On the Manfrotto ONE, the outermost section moves down to be the middle section when fully extended. The upper section comes out of the outer section, while the lowest section is the thinnest. The single lock on each leg moves along with the middle section, which keeps it within comfortable reach of the user when leg adjustments have to be made. This singular lock comes in the form of a large vertical lever that releases all three sections when disengaged.
On the proximal end of each leg is a sliding lock similar to what can be found on most other tripods that allows the legs to open wider for low angle shooting. However, for this to happen, another feature on the center column has to be utilized.
Modular Center Column
The center column is longer in proportion than what other tripods have, and this is probably because of two things. First, the longer center column contributes to the higher maximum working height, which can be beneficial for the user. Second, it becomes less of a hindrance for low angle shooting because it can be removed anyway.
On the upper fifth of the center column is a horizontal lever lock. When unlocked, it allows for about 80% of the length of the center column to be removed by sliding out the distal part from its inner thread. Once removed, the remaining length of the center column is short enough to make way for a near-flat configuration of the legs.
On the other side of the central joint next to the knob for the center column is a metal vertical lever that unlocks the built-in leveling bowl that houses the center column. This allows for easy leveling of the center column and the camera even when the legs are on uneven ground. While this may be an unnecessary motion when using a ball head, this feature is a must-have for shooting video with fluid heads that don’t have as much tilt range.
When the center column is fully extended upwards, it can be unlocked by pressing a button on the distal end, which allows the entire column to pass through the opening. Once extended further, the center column can then be turned 90 degrees, which allows for it to take a horizontal position. This can come in handy for shooting flat-lays and overhead shots as well as positioning past an obstacle like a railing or ledge. While the tripod is significantly heavy enough, if additional counterweight is needed, the third corner of the central joint is a hook that can hold bag straps or sandbags.
Xchange Mounting System
At the very top of the column is a modified mounting platform that doesn’t have the usual 3/8-inch screw. Instead, it comes with sliding locks that move with the surrounding circumference and act like a spring-loaded twist lock. This quick-release mechanism for mounting the tripod head is called the “Xchange” system, which allows for swift changing of the head attachment. The 500X video head offered in tandem with the Manfrotto ONE is natively compatible with the Xchange and locks into place when pressed down on the platform. However, for any other tripod head with a 3/8-inch thread, Xchange adapters are available to make them fit seamlessly with the quick-release mechanism.
The 500X Fluid Head
The Manfrotto ONE is available as just the tripod legs or in combination with Manfrotto’s new 500X fluid head. This head, as mentioned above, is the first tripod head made to be natively compatible with the Xchange system. It weighs 1.2 kg and can hold 5 kilograms of camera gear while keeping smooth motion and stability. On the right is a knob that controls the counterbalance system that applies friction to the tilting motion of the fluid head. On the other side is a friction knob that adjusts the friction and counterbalance, while near the base of the head is a small pan knob that allows for 360-degree panning movement controlled by the adjustable panning arm.
A small yet impactful feature that Manfrotto added to the 500X head is the addition of a button on the top platform that unlocks it along with the 500PL clamp to make a quick turn from horizontal to vertical. This basically makes the top platform similar to a folding L-bracket that is connected to the tripod head instead of the camera plate. This then allows the user to quickly shoot vertical without the need for additional tools and attachments, able to adapt to the vertical format for social media-bound production.
Application and User Experience
Using the Manfrotto One is definitely a unique experience. Though it’s definitely not for everyone, it can be quite a versatile tool for photographers and videographers who have different approaches to shooting. The unique leg architecture and the singular lock make it easier to extend the legs whether for big adjustments or for small shifts. While the lock is very sturdy, the edge of the lock that comes into contact with the user’s fingers is rough and unpleasant to pull on. This can be easily improved by adding a rubber grip to the edge for a smoother tactile experience.
The central joint of this tripod is probably the most feature-packed that we’ve ever seen. It has adjustments that can benefit both photo and video workflows; the center column can go horizontal or, alternatively, can be reduced in length. While the leveling bowl is generally more popular for videographers, it also offers an additional control point even for those shooting stills with a ball or geared head. Lastly, the Xchange system definitely provides a unique experience for anyone who needs to shift to a different tripod head and would benefit from the process being quick and easy. As of this review, only the 500X video head is natively compatible with the Xchange mount without the need for an adapter; however, we look forward to seeing evolutions of Manfrotto’s tripod heads that will be compatible with this as well.
Overall, it’s a tripod that offers to adjust to whatever the user requires and even goes as far as being quick to disassemble and change up. The overall concept and the combination of features are definitely impressive and provide a unique experience; however, it would be hard to deny that we’d love to see more compact versions of this tripod for on-the-go workflows.
What I Liked
- Singular lock (per leg) and unique leg sections
- Able to extend high and shoot very low
- Horizontal center column
- Swift modifications with the Xchange mount
What Can Be Improved:
- Some locks and levers are rough and sharp on the hands
- More head options that are natively Xchange compatible
- Compact versions for outdoor and travel use