Iceland is a magnificent landscape, abundant with photo-worthy scenes wherever you drive. However, getting to and photographing the imaginative scene you have come to find can pose quite the challenge if you lack essential and quality equipment. In collaboration with Manfrotto, I took a Befree Carbon Travel Tripod on my Icelandic journey.

Iceland provided the perfect testing ground for a travel tripod, offering extreme climate, including high winds, frequent downpours, and rough terrain.

As an adventure enthusiast, I could not pass up the amazing opportunities for hiking in Iceland, but carrying a tripod is something that feels unnecessary under usual circumstances (for my style of photography), however, I found myself inclined to take the tripod, even with the weight of my two cameras and several lenses.

Being only slightly over 2.4 pounds, the tripod makes for a perfect and unburdening companion on photographic missions. Moreover, I found that the overall size of the tripod was immensely advantageous as it could easily fit vertically into my backpack, which left enough room for all of my other photographic equipment, a major improvement from my former tripod which could only fit diagonally.

Throughout my time in Iceland, I extensively used the tripod in variable weather to photograph waterfalls, cabins, and foggy landscapes, and the tripod did not disappoint. Even with the weight of my A7Rii camera with its 24-70mm G Master lens or my video setup using a Zhuyin Crane Gimbal, the tripod did not once feel unstable or unbalanced amid the gusting winds.

I found that the dual-locking mechanism on the head of the tripod provided me with much more confidence in the setup as I was quite positive that the camera would not somehow fall due to an unsecured or faulty quick release plate. I can say, unbiasedly, that the tripod exceeded my standards for a travel tripod. It was extremely lightweight and compact which made it suitable for my exploratory excursions and it was quick and easy to setup and use even while in difficult
weather conditions.

The tripod was very user friendly, in fact, my Iceland trip was my first time ever using this tripod and since I’ve returned, there has been no loss of performance or noticeable damage on the tripod aside from normal wear. This tripod has quickly become a principle component of my daily setup.

– Zach