Manfrotto 290 Xtra Aluminum 3-Section Tripod Kit with Ball Head MK290XTA3-BHUS

Did a lot of research before buying this tripod and for the price it’s an amazing product. Have used it on several occasions so far including hiking and camping and seems to stand up to Mother Nature quite well. It’s fairly lightweight, may not be best for long hikes depending on the person or gear you have to carry it but I knew that going into the purchase. It can be adjusted to be almost completely flat on the ground and at its highest point it’s tall enough for me to use without bending or crouching (I’m 5 foot 11). The ball head is great too for the price point. Easily adjustable and haven’t had and slips or anything to cause me to think it’s not secure. If you’re looking for a mid range price on a tripod I definitely recommend this one. In addition if you register it on their website the warranty is extended for 10 years. Read more

I originally bought one of the off brand $100 carbon fiber tripods trying to save some money. I shoot with a d750 and some larger lenses occasionally but some reviews said it could handle pro gear decently. It was a decent tripod for the price but just not enough to trust pro gear on. There was waaay too much flex in the legs fully extended and didnt feel sturdy. The metals and plastic seemed cheapo too... This one however is awesome. No leg flex, light but sturdy, quality metal, the leg locks are plastic but definitely quality, and the ball head is nice too. If you are deciding between something like this and a cheaper tripod, spend the extra money Edit 3/24/18: I accidentally left it leaning against the back of my house for a good two weeks fml (its been very cold and windy, as well as over 1 ft of snow this past week). I just brought it in and i see nothing wrong with it! No rusted screws or metal anywhere. I will update once i use it again. Read more

I first joined the Manfrotto family with one of their BeFree travel tripods. The quality, the ease of use, and the durability impressed me. I wanted a bigger and more functional tripod, and after a lot of wrangling decided to try this tripod out. I can say I am very happy I did. It does not weigh a lot, and in my mind breaks down easily. Not as compactly as my BeFree but enough for me. It sets up and breaks down quickly and easily, and most of all i just like the work that goes into it. The locks work amazingly, the look and feel is quite good, and overall I am quite impressed. The Ball head is fairly basic and soon I may find a better and more functional one. But for now its good and the quick release works great. Read more

I love my Manfrotto tripod and ball head. Its the perfect balance between the ultra cheap and $1000+ options. Its very solid, it has some weight to it but that helps it stay very solid. I've had it for about 2 years and have not babied it, but it has taken the abuse pretty well. Never had any issues with it and dont expect any for many years. It holds my d7100 with the 300mm F4 prime lens perfectly fine(5lbs total)...which means it works great with most setups that are lighter than that. Read more

Excellent Tripod. I bought both this and the 055 pro3 and I can say that the 055 does not have that much on this. Yes it is "slightly" bigger and a little classier but not enough to justify the cost. I feel this is a great bang for your buck as the head alone cost $80 meaning these legs are only $100 compared to $235 for the 055. If you don't need the fancy horizontal angling of the camera then this is the model to go with. Very sturdy and the ball head is great. Read more

I purchased this tripod for my granddaughter, after having used the same model for years. I decided against the carbon fiber for several reasons, first the cost difference, second the fiber is only 10oz lighter, so basically no difference, third I heard (may not be true) that salt water could damage carbon fiber and I live near the Gulf Coast and have been known to stand in the surf to take pictures of birds. The ball head that is included is also a plus. It works well for all but the heaviest of my telephoto lenses. I assume there are better tripods for twice the money, but this one works well for my needs. I am sure it will work for her. I recommend it for those just starting out through someone in the gifted amateur class of photographer. If you make your living doing photography you might consider a higher priced model, but for the vast majority of people this is a great one to use. Read more

The 3-axis head is a bit awkward and I really wish that Manfrotto would just sell a pistol-grip option right out of the box on Amazon instead of making you buy it separate, but the weight and the usability of this tripod are amazing. If you've got some extra cash for a solid bit of gear, this is it. Read more

Pros - Weight and Size Cons - Poorly constructed, used twice and the adjustment mechanism inside the handles that hold them on failed. While still functional, for the price it needs to be constructed MUCH better. Read more