Tripods and monopods are tools in photography that can’t go overlooked, no matter your skill level. They’re essential for learning and accomplishing more complex frames, whether it’s for astrophotography or long exposure shots. However, many beginner or intermediate photographers face a steep hurdle in finding a tripod or monopod series that has the features and build that they need, without hurting their wallet. Enter the Manfrotto Element MII series — the successor to the Manfrotto Element Big tripods and monopods. It’s a lightweight, sturdy, and portable range of tripods and monopods for the traveling, on-the-go creative or photographer.
The Manfrotto Element MII series includes three product versions: The Element MII Tripod, the Element MII Mobile Bluetooth Tripod, and the Element MII Monopod.
I spent a week testing all three in the Southwest United States, from Sedona and the Grand Canyon, to Monument Valley and Vermillion Cliffs National Monument. This series definitely impressed with features, payload, portability, and reliability in the field. Let’s walk through the highlights.
Element MII Tripod
Tripod ball head:
- An aluminum, Arca-Swiss compatible ball head, engineered for the smoothest movements when framing a desired shot. It firmly locks equipment exactly where you need it.
- High-quality polymer plates that are strong yet lightweight and compatible with Arca-type and Manfrotto RC2 head attachments.
Tripod legs:
- Newly-developed twist locks for easy adjustment of the tripod’s five sections.
- Patented, leg angle selectors, which offer quick and easy switching between two shooting angles. They position your camera with extreme accuracy.
- Load hook to attach a bag or additional weight for increased stability in windy conditions.
- Branded rubber leg warmer for maximum comfort in use.
- Rubber feet with excellent ground grip for traction when you need it.
Tripod overall:
- Solid, stable, and reliable aluminum build with a great payload. At a max weight of 17 lbs, it handles everything from compact cameras to full-frame mirrorless and DSLR cameras with a 200mm lens.
- Good looking and eye-catching colors and graphics, in red, blue, and gray.
- Comes in a padded bag for easy storage and transport.
The Element MII Mobile Bluetooth Tripod takes this series even further, offering both an aluminum and carbon fiber option, for an even lighter, more travel-friendly build.
And staying true to its name, the Element MII Mobile Bluetooth Tripod comes equipped with a Manfrotto MCLAMP (see it above). This universal smartphone clamp is designed to attach a smartphone to the camera mount for shooting mobile stills and videos. It also includes a Manfrotto Bluetooth Remote Control that works over 90 feet away, and provides even more control when creating content with your mobile device.
Element MII Monopod
Finally, we have the Element MII Monopod. It features:
- Same solid, stable, and reliable aluminum build as the MII tripods
- 1/4″ to 3/8” camera mount attachment on top
- Twist locks for easy adjustment of the 4 sections
- Rubber grip and wrist strap for on-the-go comfort
And of course, all tripods and monopods in the Element MII series are made in Italy, with the premium quality you expect from Manfrotto.
Hands-on performance:
In the field, the tripods and monopod were outstanding. They supported both my Canon EOS R5 and R6, with everything from a wide-angle lens to a super-telephoto lens, like my 100-400mm. They handled the high payload very well, with no concern of falling or compromising.
In regards to the stability and traction of the Element MII series, I was also impressed. I was in a lot of rocky, sandy, snowy, and icy conditions in the high desert, at elevations of 6,000 to 8,000 feet, and the rubber feet handled very well. The patented leg angle selectors also made it easy to select and control the position of my tripod. This came in extra helpful when I needed to shoot lower or higher, keeping the tripod’s center gravity balanced.
And while I didn’t experience strong, windy conditions during my trip, the screw-on load hook allows for quick and easy adjustment of centered weight, which is incredibly important during inclement weather.
Final thoughts:
All in all, the Element MII series from Manfrotto was incredibly impressive. The feature-packed, lightweight, and portable tripods and monopods are reliable and sturdy, holding almost any gear carry in the field. This series was priced and designed for beginner and enthusiast travel and on-the-go creatives, but even professionals could use this series as a backup tripod option.
If you’re a creative who makes content with your smartphone, the Element MII Mobile Bluetooth Tripod provides the Manfrotto MCLAMP and Bluetooth Remote Control, along with the lightweight and durable tripod build. This makes creating content with your mobile device a breeze.
If you’re a beginner or enthusiast photographer or content creator looking for a new tripod to take your content to the next level, or a professional photographer looking for a portable, lightweight, backup tripod, I highly recommend the Manfrotto Element MII series, for your future outdoor adventures. It’s one of the best series of tripods and monopods in this segment and price point that I’ve ever tested.
Feature photo by Nathan Lee Allen
