Manfrotto 057 Carbon Fiber Geared Column Tripod

The 057 is the largest of Manfrotto's carbon fiber photo tripods, sized for long lenses and view cameras where a 20 kg safety payload and a 39 mm top leg tube are the reason to buy. The geared center column is the other reason: framing is set by turning a crank in millimetres rather than loosening a collar and hoping the rig stops where it was pushed. A column adapter takes the camera down to 23 cm for ground level work.

Both versions share the same castings, flip locks, 3/8 in top screw, 80 mm upper disc and 23, 50 and 75 degree leg angles. The 3-section reaches 157 cm and folds to 62 cm at 3 kg; the 4-section trades a little folded length for 205 cm of height at 3.7 kg.