Manfrotto 058B Triaut Camera Tripod - Replaces 3251 and 3051 Black

So strong and so tall or short. This is too good of value not buy when you’re in the market for an excellent tripod. I wanted a ProMediaGear TR424 42mm Series 67, but it cost like twelve hundred bucks, too much for my budget. This tripod is a great second choice and from all my research the Manfrotto tripod is as good as the Pro Media Gear tripod. It is heavier than a carbon fiber tripod, of course, but sometimes that is not a bad thing. It is rock steady and the primary extension legs shoot out and extend at the touch of a button. The secondary legs are of the twist variety and our a pain to extend, but I don’t use them that often. They’re there though when you need to get super high. I am very happy with this purchase and would recommend it to anyone. Read more

This is my 4th 058 Manfrotto tripod that I am buying in 20 years. I have absolutely no complaints beside the fact that it could even be built more tough. Every 5 years I replace this tripod with the same new one because of plastic knob that broke, or legs that are sticky and do not glide easily. It is heavy, but I like this. It is the best tripod that money can buy. Read more

...if you're an architectural or landscape photographer or if you have particularly heavy equipment. If feels like you could park a Humvee on it when you have the camera mounted. It's steady as a rock. I'm an architectural photographer who needs to work with all parts of the camera level: tripod, head, and camera. The base level adjustments allow you to level the legs from the base (at camera level) which makes getting the legs level fast and easy. You can also raise it to a tad over 8 feet (extensions purchased separately can take it even higher). I love the geared center column because it allows for micro height adjustments and is also dead on steady when tightened down. Negatives: I haven't quite mastered on how to securely tighten the smallest leg extensions. They want to slip if they're not extended all the way. Secondly, weight. This is not a tripod that you'll want to haul miles along a trail for landscape photography unless you have a horse or an assistant with a strong back. Read more

I have wanted this tripod for a long time after seeing how Sandy Puc, the baby photographer uses hers. She whips hers around like nobody's business, so you need to be aware that there is definitely a learning curve that involves a good amount of time to be able to maneuver it with the fluidity that she does. I don't think I will EVER be able to maneuver it as easily as she does, but being five feet tall, the tripod is almost as big as me. What surprised me was the weight and bulk of the unit, which delivers much more stability then tripods I have used in the past. I can easily and quickly mount my Nikon D3 on it with a 70-200mm lens and not worry that it will tip or blow over, even when I have adjusted the legs at weird angles. But the weight and bulk also is what makes it more difficult to use, which is why you will really need to practice with it to be able to utilize it both effectively and quickly. This certainly isn't an issue if you shoot landscape/nature photography, but it IS an issue if you shoot portrait photography. I don't want to be fumbling with my tripod in front of clients, so practice, practice, practice! It will be well worth it in the end. Read more

I bought a used copy of the 3251 on eBay for $150. When it arrived, one of the legs did not function. Fortunately, I was able to dismantle it and free up the part that had jammed. A little lubricant and it was working again as good as new. I like this tripod for taking indoor studio portraits and outdoor shots of the moon with a 1000mm equivalent lens that has to be rock steady for clear photos yet tall and maneuverable enough to follow the moon trajectory between shots. As the other posts here suggest, this is a heavy beast that you can't really take into the field unless you can drive in. In short this is the best large tripod I will ever have. Read more

WOW....received this tripod right before leaving for a shoot in Belize, and it has been the most durable tripod I have ever used in my 18 years as a professional photographer! It has now traveled with me in 3 different countries and held up through many baggage checks here in the states! It's easy on/off head allows for quick removal while photographing events or families and children and the legs go in and out with just a touch of a button!...it's a little heavy....but helps build muscle :) overall.....you will not be disappointed! ARose PPA Certified, Master Photographer Read more

Great tripod. Sturdy and a bit heavy if you not use to the weight. Not a tripod you want to carry around with you everywhere for example on trails for hiking. However, this model does have a strap that attaches to the tripod where you can carry it on either shoulder vs. slinging it over your shoulder with your hands to carry. The quick release buttons is fantastic. Now I do not have to adjust each section of each leg. This is by far one of the greatest features of this model tripod. Happy shooting!!!! Read more

As others have said in reviews, this thing is a monster! Definitely in the "studio" class of tripods and not something you necessarily want to carry around with you hiking. When you need stability, this bad boy is it. We bought this to lug around unfortunately haha, we use it with a Manfrotto video head because we needed some extra height and flexibility to mount a Kessler slider too. The fast deploy legs are what we use when grabbing slider shots and it works great in that respect, provided I have enough strength to carry it around :). The height and stability are the other important factor, and I can crank my camera way over people's heads now that my other tripods just couldn't reach. Solid build quality as you would expect from Manfrotto. Know what you are getting into though, 18 pounds without anything loaded onto it is nothing to sneeze at, and if you never carry the tripod with you then what's the point of having it? For studio or specialized shots where you need the stability, this can't be beat, I love it! Read more