The mini tripod came packaged well, as with all Manfrotto products it arrived in perfect condition. The packaging is nicely designed in Manfrotto's usual style and it screams quality from the moment you look at it.
Once I got it out of the packaging it was clear that this is no cheap bit of plastic. The tripod is solid and sturdy. Although it is made from plastic it is very good quality plastic and it's clear that it will last a lifetime if cared for. The ball head is easy to operate but a little stiff which is imperative to keeping the camera stable whilst on the tripod. I wouldn't recommend greasing the ball had as it may lose the grip. Once again I will reiterate the stiffness is imperative to keeping the ball head where you position it when the camera weight is added to the top. Any bad reviews based on this are simply because they haven't realised that.
The tripod is easy to use. You simply screw it into the tripod screw underneath your camera. Once your camera is in its very easy to adjust the ball head using the red button and is very sturdy and secure.
In terms of weight, my dslr and my favorite walkabout lens weigh roughly 1.2kg - 1.5kg off the top of my head and my lens is a 16-85mm, and even at 85mm yjr tripod is perfectly secure as long as you keep one of the legs positioned under the lens for extra support. If you try to face the camera as far down towards the floor as you can with the lens extended to 85mm then it starts to topple, but in the real world you would never do that as you wouldn't be able to focus that close to the floor at 85mm even with a macro lens.
The legs seem sturdy, and incredibly well made as always from Manfrotto, they are definitely sturdy enough to stand up to time. I should imagine that the ball head will die before the legs of the tripod. They are easy to adjust, and have little rubber feet on the bottom which gives the tripod just that little bit more sturdiness.
Amazingly cheap and the quality is not at all compromised for the price. Well worth a buy. Small enough to always carry in your camera bag for those times when you don't want to carry a full sized tripod, or just want a quick setup for a quick shot. Excellent bit of kit and it'd always going to be there when you need it unlike a full sized tripod. Also gives a low down perspective which isn't always perfect, and won't always be useful, but there's always benches, walls, tables, car's etc. Another bonus is that those low down shots give a nice perspective that we don't normally see with the human eye.
Couldn't recommend enough.
| Package Dimensions L x W x H | 21.9 x 6.6 x 5.7 centimetres |
|---|---|
| Package Weight | 0.22 Kilograms |
| Product Dimensions L x W x H | 18.5 x 7.6 x 7.6 centimetres |
| Item Weight | 6.7 Ounces |
| Brand | Manfrotto |
| Colour | Black |
| Included components | Manfrotto PIXI Mini Tripod Black |
| Model year | 2013 |
| Part number | MTPIXI-B |
| Size | Tripod Only |
| Style | Made in China |
| Guaranteed software updates until | unknown |
