--- product_id: 1150504 title: "Manfrotto MKBFRA4-BH Compact Lightweight Tripod for Travel Photography (Black)" brand: "manfrotto" price: "$36.61" currency: USD in_stock: false reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.us/products/1150504-manfrotto-mkbfra4-bh-compact-lightweight-tripod-for-travel-photography-black store_origin: US region: United States of America --- # Compact 15.75 in folded length Lightweight 3.09 lbs aluminum build Supports up to 8.8 lbs payload Manfrotto MKBFRA4-BH Compact Lightweight Tripod for Travel Photography (Black) **Brand:** manfrotto **Price:** $36.61 **Availability:** ❌ Out of Stock ## Summary > πŸ“Έ Elevate your travel shots with the tripod that’s as ready as you are! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Manfrotto MKBFRA4-BH Compact Lightweight Tripod for Travel Photography (Black) by manfrotto - **How much does it cost?** $36.61 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Currently out of stock - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.us](https://www.desertcart.us/products/1150504-manfrotto-mkbfra4-bh-compact-lightweight-tripod-for-travel-photography-black) ## Best For - manfrotto enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted manfrotto brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - β€’ **Effortless Setup:** Unique folding mechanism and quick-release plate let you go from pack to shoot in under a minute. - β€’ **Rock-Solid Stability:** Supports cameras up to 8.8 lbs, ensuring sharp, blur-free shots even with heavy lenses. - β€’ **Versatile Positioning:** Patented leg angle selectors offer two inclinations for perfect framing in any environment. - β€’ **Travel-Ready Compactness:** Fits effortlessly into carry-on luggage and backpacks for on-the-go creativity. - β€’ **Premium Italian Craftsmanship:** Sleek aluminum design with robust rubber grips for style and durability that stands out. ## Overview The Manfrotto MKBFRA4-BH is a premium, lightweight aluminum tripod designed specifically for travel photographers. Folding down to just 15.75 inches and weighing only 3.09 lbs, it fits easily into carry-on luggage and backpacks without sacrificing stability. With a maximum payload of 8.8 lbs, it supports professional DSLR and mirrorless cameras with heavy lenses. Its patented leg angle selectors and quick-release plate enable fast, versatile setup, while premium Italian design ensures durability and style on every adventure. ## Description Product Description Compact lightweight tripod for travel photographyBefree is a new and innovative tripod dedicated to photographers who love to travel. Compact, light and portable Befree is the ideal travel companion. From the Manufacturer Befree is a new and innovative tripod dedicated to photographers who love to travel. Compact, light and portable Befree is the ideal travel companion. A high quality tripod that fits into carry-on luggage and backpacks; it's a dream come true for any photographer on the go. Thanks to the unique folding mechanism the legs fold perfectly around the head and quick release plate attachment. In the closed position it is only 40 cm long. Its small size and portability don't mean compromise on sturdiness and image quality. The Manfrotto Befree delivers sharp images by keeping your camera steadily locked in the desired position. Its new aluminum ball head is solid, quick and simple to operate. The Manfrotto Befree has a maximum payload 4 kg (8,8lb), guaranteeing stability and sturdiness even with longer zoom lenses. The new patented leg angle selectors quickly allow you to select between two inclinations offering maximum versatility for camera positioning. Premium Italian design and finishing make Befree stand out from the crowd. The perfect accessories to express each photographers individual unique photographic style. Specifications: 1/4 attachment Rapid Center Column Closed Length 15.75 in Color black Column Cross Section three-faceted Column Tube Diameter 22mm Leg Angles 25Β°.51Β° Leg Cross Section D shape Leg Sections 4 number Legs Tube Diameter 22.5. 19. 15.5. 12 mm Material aluminum Maximum Height 56.69 in Maximum Height (with Center Column Down) 48.43 in Minimum Height 13.39 in Plate Type 200PL-14 Load Capacity 8.82 lbs Weight 3.09 lbs Review: It's the complete package. - I took this tripod with me to the big island of Hawaii 2 weeks ago. I packed it horizontally into a laptop case by pac safe. The size was a definite seller for me. The ease of using the tripod was excellent. You do have to unfold the legs around the center column, then engage the levers that allow it to stand like a normal tripod. This took at the most, about 40 seconds to do. The more i used it the quicker it was to setup. The leg clasps are awesome, strong, sturdy, and reliable. I consider myself a advanced hobbyist, and not a professional. It survived the mixed weather of the island the day we drove around it. The inclimate weather provided challenges, but the robust construction, well appointed rubber feet, and ease of use made even my more challenging shots with a still camera. Video was a different story. There is not a fluid cartridge, so video shots in motion required the handler to loosen the ball head while maintaining contact with the camera body. You cannot pad the videocamera without holding the camera, it will just flop down, damaging your camera and the tripod. By no means was a fluid camera pan possible. Static video was great though. I have a canon vixi a hf g30, and r50. I used the r50 because it was lighter and easier to transport. While you can replace the ball head with a micro video head, it would require unscrewing the head if the legs were to be folded up for transport home. The mere 3 lbs of weight of the tripod sounds light, but it has substance, and feels solid in my hands. It is absolutely perfect for stills. I would HIGHLY recommend making this your travel tripod. The case is padded, thin, but padded. In my mind, the padding is enough to protect the tripod without making it bulky. To be honest, you kind of forget the padding is there. That is how well engineered the whole package is. The rubber grip on the upper part of one leg was a nice surprise. I could not see the rubber grip on the carbon fiber version that recently came out. I was debating getting both, the aluminum pictured here and the carbon fiber, but the aluminum is quite sufficient for travel. It's only 3 pounds! Get one. Ok, I'm done typing. Review: A nice little travel tripod with a few minor flaws - This tripod does exactly what it promises: A good, lightweight tripod for travel. It easily collapses into a size that will fit into carry-on luggage with room to spare. The legs flip to the open position quickly and firmly - just move the lever on each leg to the open position and flip it around. The locking levers on the sticks are nice and firm and don't have a ton of give when all of them are extended. The center column locks sturdily enough but like any tripod when it's fully extended things feel a bit tippy. TIP: The instructions show how to collapse the tripod with the head straight vertical...this ONLY works if you remove the QR plate FIRST (there are notches in the plate to allow the legs to fit around it). But if you want to store it with the QR plate attached with a little fiddling you can position the deck so it fits between the legs when they collapse. The ball head is sturdy enough for most travel uses. I have a Nikon D3 and it's fine with a 14-24, 24-70 and a 70-200/2.8 (collar mount). I even tried it with a 300/f4 not on the collar mount and it was sturdy enough - although you're not going to be shooting stars with it. One ding is the head is it has no real friction adjustment - the lock is your only friction. But it locks firmly with no real bounce so it's not bad for positioning. The quick-release has a locking tab to keep it from opening unexpectedly. You can trigger the tab with one hand with a little practice. Unlike other Manfrotto RC2 QRs this one does NOT lock open - you have to activate the tab both when mounting and unmounting the camera. It holds the camera steady when the lever is fully engaged - but you have to make sure it is or it'll wobble. Another ding is the QR locking lever is inexplicably plastic instead of metal like every other RC2 QR in existence. It will probably break if you drop the tripod on it and I would be wary using it in extremely cold temperatures. It's a shame they didn't make this very important piece out of metal like every other component in the head. The pouch that comes with it is nice and compact and will keep your clothes from getting any dirt or oil from the tripod. It's a shame they didn't include a little sewn-in pouch to hold the included adjustment wrench - would have been a nice touch for a $200 tripod. All in all I'm happy with this tripod. It has a couple of flaws but they're workable. It's lightweight and fits in carry-on luggage - which were the primary constraints for me. ## Features - Light and compact design. The special design of this tripod with head ensures your camera stays firmly locked in position. - Supports up to 8.8lbs - Designed to fit into carry-on luggage and backpacks ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | ASIN | B00COLBNTK | | Aspect Ratio | Unknown | | Audio Recording | No | | Best Sellers Rank | #2,853 in Complete Tripod Units | | Brand | Manfrotto | | Color | Black | | Compatible Devices | Camera | | Customer Reviews | 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,589 Reviews | | Features | Compact, Lightweight, Portable | | Folded Size | 15.8 inches | | Global Trade Identification Number | 00719821362364, 08024221621334 | | Has Self-Timer | No | | Head Type | Ball Heads | | Item Length | 110 Centimeters | | Item Weight | 4 Grams | | Manufacturer | Manfrotto | | Manufacturer Part Number | MKBFRA4-BH | | Material | Aluminum , Rubber | | Material Type | Aluminum, Rubber | | Maximum Height | 144 Centimeters | | Media Type | ProductImage, EnhancedContent | | Minimum Height | 34 Centimeters | | Model Name | MKBFRA4-BH | | Model Number | MKBFRA4-BH | | Number of leg sections | 3 | | Special Feature | Compact, Lightweight, Portable | | UPC | 750408393227 719821362364 688281395659 | | Unit Count | 1.0 Count | | Water Resistance Level | Not Water Resistant | | Weight Limit | 8.8 Pounds | ## Product Details - **Brand:** Manfrotto - **Color:** Black - **Compatible Devices:** Camera - **Item Weight:** 4 Grams - **Material:** Aluminum, Rubber - **Maximum Height:** 144 Centimeters - **Model Name:** MKBFRA4-BH - **Special Feature:** Compact, Lightweight, Portable - **Tripod Head Type:** Ball Heads - **Weight Limit:** 8.8 Pounds ## Images ![Manfrotto MKBFRA4-BH Compact Lightweight Tripod for Travel Photography (Black) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/712onNH-NlL.jpg) ![Manfrotto MKBFRA4-BH Compact Lightweight Tripod for Travel Photography (Black) - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51pVbKoc-5L.jpg) ![Manfrotto MKBFRA4-BH Compact Lightweight Tripod for Travel Photography (Black) - Image 3](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61JM0dqUbRL.jpg) ![Manfrotto MKBFRA4-BH Compact Lightweight Tripod for Travel Photography (Black) - Image 4](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61i9-D8+cVL.jpg) ![Manfrotto MKBFRA4-BH Compact Lightweight Tripod for Travel Photography (Black) - Image 5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71DWioV+FCL.jpg) ## Questions & Answers **Q: Does the center column have any hook to add additional weight to increase stability?** A: No - I have looped the camera bag strap around the centr column to add weight. It's surprisingly stable - it is not meant to be a rock solid all purpose tripod. It's for travel - I took it all around Germany/Austria etc. and it did very well - it even kept my 6D w/28-300 L series relatively calm for long night exposures. That being said - it is not rock solid and does better when the legs are not fully extended. Highly recommend for travel - but if you're looking for stability - you're going to have pay much more for some carbon if you're looking to keep weight down and stability at the maximum. Hope this helps... **Q: can the ball head be rotated for doing panoramas?** A: The ball head will move in any direction, so it can be rotated for panoramas. **Q: Can you replace the ball head with a different one?** A: Yes. It has a standard thread mount. I use alternate heads on it all the time. **Q: Does this tripod come with the quick-release plate (200 PL) ?** A: Yes. The tripod comes with the RC2 adapter AND the 200 PL plate. ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ It's the complete package. *by B***2 on August 2, 2014* I took this tripod with me to the big island of Hawaii 2 weeks ago. I packed it horizontally into a laptop case by pac safe. The size was a definite seller for me. The ease of using the tripod was excellent. You do have to unfold the legs around the center column, then engage the levers that allow it to stand like a normal tripod. This took at the most, about 40 seconds to do. The more i used it the quicker it was to setup. The leg clasps are awesome, strong, sturdy, and reliable. I consider myself a advanced hobbyist, and not a professional. It survived the mixed weather of the island the day we drove around it. The inclimate weather provided challenges, but the robust construction, well appointed rubber feet, and ease of use made even my more challenging shots with a still camera. Video was a different story. There is not a fluid cartridge, so video shots in motion required the handler to loosen the ball head while maintaining contact with the camera body. You cannot pad the videocamera without holding the camera, it will just flop down, damaging your camera and the tripod. By no means was a fluid camera pan possible. Static video was great though. I have a canon vixi a hf g30, and r50. I used the r50 because it was lighter and easier to transport. While you can replace the ball head with a micro video head, it would require unscrewing the head if the legs were to be folded up for transport home. The mere 3 lbs of weight of the tripod sounds light, but it has substance, and feels solid in my hands. It is absolutely perfect for stills. I would HIGHLY recommend making this your travel tripod. The case is padded, thin, but padded. In my mind, the padding is enough to protect the tripod without making it bulky. To be honest, you kind of forget the padding is there. That is how well engineered the whole package is. The rubber grip on the upper part of one leg was a nice surprise. I could not see the rubber grip on the carbon fiber version that recently came out. I was debating getting both, the aluminum pictured here and the carbon fiber, but the aluminum is quite sufficient for travel. It's only 3 pounds! Get one. Ok, I'm done typing. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ A nice little travel tripod with a few minor flaws *by D***8 on April 23, 2014* This tripod does exactly what it promises: A good, lightweight tripod for travel. It easily collapses into a size that will fit into carry-on luggage with room to spare. The legs flip to the open position quickly and firmly - just move the lever on each leg to the open position and flip it around. The locking levers on the sticks are nice and firm and don't have a ton of give when all of them are extended. The center column locks sturdily enough but like any tripod when it's fully extended things feel a bit tippy. TIP: The instructions show how to collapse the tripod with the head straight vertical...this ONLY works if you remove the QR plate FIRST (there are notches in the plate to allow the legs to fit around it). But if you want to store it with the QR plate attached with a little fiddling you can position the deck so it fits between the legs when they collapse. The ball head is sturdy enough for most travel uses. I have a Nikon D3 and it's fine with a 14-24, 24-70 and a 70-200/2.8 (collar mount). I even tried it with a 300/f4 not on the collar mount and it was sturdy enough - although you're not going to be shooting stars with it. One ding is the head is it has no real friction adjustment - the lock is your only friction. But it locks firmly with no real bounce so it's not bad for positioning. The quick-release has a locking tab to keep it from opening unexpectedly. You can trigger the tab with one hand with a little practice. Unlike other Manfrotto RC2 QRs this one does NOT lock open - you have to activate the tab both when mounting and unmounting the camera. It holds the camera steady when the lever is fully engaged - but you have to make sure it is or it'll wobble. Another ding is the QR locking lever is inexplicably plastic instead of metal like every other RC2 QR in existence. It will probably break if you drop the tripod on it and I would be wary using it in extremely cold temperatures. It's a shame they didn't make this very important piece out of metal like every other component in the head. The pouch that comes with it is nice and compact and will keep your clothes from getting any dirt or oil from the tripod. It's a shame they didn't include a little sewn-in pouch to hold the included adjustment wrench - would have been a nice touch for a $200 tripod. All in all I'm happy with this tripod. It has a couple of flaws but they're workable. It's lightweight and fits in carry-on luggage - which were the primary constraints for me. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A great tripod for travel *by C***S on April 13, 2014* I received this just the other day and took it out the next day on a 6 mile hike through a local redwood forest. (A dark area to photograph!). I then used it at a beach area, and then took it to a small-venue concert last night and used it to hold my D90 for video recording. Here is what I found: This is a sturdy and well-built tripod. It can fold up into a neat and short package if you bring the legs 180 degrees around, but I find that extra step is not needed. It comes with a nice carrying case, but also not needed. I carried this through a 6 mile hike, with the camera attached and legs partly extended, and found it was a very convenient way to travel. I used a D90 with either the 16-85 VR lens or a 60 mm Micro and they felt very secure in the rc2 plate (or whatever it is called). I felt that with reasonable care I was not going to lose my camera and held onto strap also just in case. When I came to a potential scene, I simply extended the legs and set up. The idea of strapping it on and off the backback seemed exhausting and unnecessary.. The ball head works well, but required me getting used to it. It held perfectly with the above gear and even an SB900 speedlight attached - even in the portrait position. It moves pretty smoothly, but last night I took it to the concert place and I could not smoothly pan the scene while shooting video. (It clearly is not designed for video). If I left it alone or just changed the zoom it was great, however.To be honest I am thinking about one of Manfrotto's heavy, smooth, ballheads with the hand grip - like the 322, 324, or 327. It's just moree money and weight, however. By the way, I did use a timer or a remote clicker for all the shots. This rig is not like the big tripods that exists in studios. Tap on this to press the shutter and it oscillates. I can't imagine one that would not without being much, much heavier. The problem with tripods is that they are tripods and not nearly as convenient as shooting handheld. However, I am learning that there is no substitute for a still camera. This tripod will not disappoint you if you bring it home. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - πŸ›’ **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** β€” Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** β€” Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - πŸ’° **No Hidden Fees** β€” All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - πŸ”„ **15-Day Free Returns** β€” Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - πŸ”’ **Secure Payments** β€” Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** β€” Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.us/products/1150504-manfrotto-mkbfra4-bh-compact-lightweight-tripod-for-travel-photography-black](https://www.desertcart.us/products/1150504-manfrotto-mkbfra4-bh-compact-lightweight-tripod-for-travel-photography-black) --- *Product available on Desertcart United States of America* *Store origin: US* *Last updated: 2026-07-07*