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Manfrotto ONE Photo Aluminium Tripod Review

With several world-renowned tripods to their name, Manfrotto has once again turned their attention to developing a new support for photographers. The latest model arrives as part of the ONE series, which launched in 2025 with a hybrid creator carbon fibre range.

Before diving in, watch Gareth’s hands on video review below, which highlights some of the best features it offers.

Fast forward to 2026 and a dedicated photo tripod was released, which we initially compared in our Manfrotto ONE Photo Vs ONE Hybrid Tripod, covering all the specs and comparisons. For this Manfrotto ONE Photo Aluminium Tripod Review, I got my hands on the ONE Photo Aluminium Tripod with XPRO Ball Head. This model is positioned as a mid-range solution that aims to combine speed, precision, and stability in a relatively affordable all-in-one kit for enthusiasts and professionals alike.

That sounds like precisely what photographers want, so join us as we find out whether it hits the mark and deserves a spot at the top of your next tripod shortlist.

Key specs and innovations

The Manfrotto ONE Aluminium with XPRO Ball Head picked up TIPA's 2026 best tripod award, and it is easy to see why. Manfrotto has rethought an essentially classic design from the ground up, with the Aluminium tripod inheriting a number of features from the more expensive carbon hybrid series, making it quick and easy to use.

These include:

• New Xtend leg technology, developed for the ONE hybrid release in 2025
• 90° centre column, easy to switch between vertical and horizontal orientation
• New non-round leg profile for added rigidity
• Triple locking Arca-Swiss compatible ball head
• Removable rubber feet with spikes built into the legs
• Manfrotto's Easy Link thread for accessory mounting
• Supports payloads of up to 12 kg
• Weighs 3.665 kg

While supporting a camera with a tripod is nothing new, there are some clever features here, which are well worth exploring.

How does Manfrotto’s Xtend leg technology work in practice?

It was quite jarring when I first released the Xtend leg mechanism, as I wasn't expecting it to be quite so forceful or noisy. Once you get used to it though, it is quicker than either lever or twist locks, as there's only one mechanism to contend with.

The single Flip Lock lever releases all three rounded rectangular-shaped leg sections, allowing for very quick, albeit quite loud deployment. If you need a specific height, you can guesstimate by allowing the legs to hit the ground, then adjust all three before locking off each lever independently.

On top of the new Xtend system is a bold leg angle selector switch, which looks chunky enough to operate with gloves during cold weather. These make reassuring audible clicks as the legs hit each angle, so you can position the tripod on uneven terrain while maintaining a fast setup.

I'm not sure how the Xtend leg joints will hold up over years of use, particularly if the tripod sees regular exposure to seawater or wet conditions. The mechanism sits inside a boxy plastic housing, so there's no easy way to inspect it. Worth keeping an eye on over time, and something I'll revisit if I get more hours with it. Manfrotto does back the system with a 10-year warranty on registration, which at suggests confidence in its longevity.

With the legs covered, let’s look at the 90º centre column functionality.

How well does the 90º centre column work?

Manfrotto tripods have featured a 90° centre column before, and it remains a very handy feature for overhead shots, macro, product photography, and other close-up work. It's also useful for dialling in just the right angle for your composition, though I would be wary of reduced stability when used this way.

That said, as you can see pictured here, it had no trouble balancing my Sony A7R V and 100-400mm GM lens without any signs of toppling over. The key caveat is to avoid using a heavier setup with the centre column fully extended horizontally, as this could cause the tripod to tip.

The 90° feature is extremely convenient to use, with just a button press at the base of the centre column to engage extension and rotation. Despite the general clunking and noise this tripod tends to produce, the column itself moves smoothly and feels robust.

That brings us neatly onto some of the other features you'll encounter in the field.

How does the ONE Photo tripod handle on location?

Aside from quick leg deployment and simple switching from vertical to horizontal orientations, there are some additional features photographers rely on for location shooting. Our video and photography tripod guide goes into more detail, however these include capturing images from low down, remaining stable on different terrain and reliably supporting your camera equipment.

The ONE Photo tripod does the first with ease thanks to the centre column, which allows you to get as low as 10 cm without needing any tools. This improves on many centre column systems, which can take some time to undo, adjust and redo each time, although it's worth noting that there was a little flex when positioned very low. That's the first box checked.

As far as shooting on different surfaces goes, this Manfrotto photo tripod boasts removable rubber feet, which expose hidden metal spiked feet in the legs, catering to both hard and soft or muddy terrain. I believe you can also remove the spikes and add tripod snow shoes too, but I didn't test that feature. The only consideration here is that you make sure to look after the removable rubber feet and not lose them. I used this tripod while making a guide to the next UK Solar Eclipse and it worked a treat.

How stable is the tripod?

One of the advantages of aluminium is the stability it offers at a lower price point vs carbon fibre. When locked off, the ONE Photo tripod was indeed stable, with a 12 kg payload that all but matches the carbon fibre hybrid version.

That said, 12 kg isn't the highest by today's standards, especially when compared to most Gitzo or other premium tripod brands. Despite this, while shooting on location I was confident as it held my quite heavy full frame setup perfectly well. When extending the centre column, beware of instability creeping in, especially when windy, which is a general shortcoming of using a centre column, rather than specific to the ONE.

For most photographers 12 kg should be more than enough, so long as you don't intend to shoot with a super telephoto prime as well as a handful of accessories all at once. Some recommend a 3x rule, whereby a tripod needs to offer 3x the payload of your kit weight, which is something to bear in mind.

That moves us towards the ball head, which is one of three options for this model.

Is the XPRO Ball Head easy to use?

The XPRO Ball Head has been around for over 10 years and is a prime case of if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Arca-Swiss compatibility is the headline feature for me, as I shoot with an L-bracket, though it also comes with a camera plate if you need one.

The head itself is very simple to use. Secure locking keeps slippage to a minimum, a friction control system helps when working at tricky angles or with heavier lenses, and a pair of bubble levels makes it easy to keep things straight.

Smooth panning, distinctly sized and shaped controls that quickly become second nature, and a dedicated 360° panning lock round out a well-specified head in a 0.5 kg package.

What is the Manfrotto ONE Aluminium best for?

When you first pick up this Manfrotto camera tripod you instantly notice the 3.665 kg weight. This deserves consideration if you plan on hiking for landscape photography or other genres where you need to move between locations on foot. It's perhaps best suited to drive-by shooting, studio work and easy-to-reach locations.

There's a lot to like here, from the quick leg deployment and versatile 90° column to the tried-and-tested Arca-Swiss compatible ball head. That said, the weight of the system is a real caveat and makes it impractical for some use cases. If that isn't a concern, it offers a stable, reasonably priced solution for pure stills photographers who rarely shoot video.

If you lean towards hybrid content creation, compare this with Manfrotto's ONE Carbon Fibre Tripod, which brings additional features for filmmaking. Alternatively, if you hike to capture landscapes or need to support very heavy lenses for wildlife and other outdoor subjects, the Manfrotto MT055CXPRO3 055 3 Section Carbon Fibre Tripod could be a better match. It offers a higher payload, lower weight and shorter closed length, albeit at a slightly higher cost once you add a ball head.

Click the ONE Photo Aluminium Tripod With XPRO Ball Head link to learn more and reserve yours, or browse our full range of Manfrotto tripods, heads and accessories.

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By Nick Dautlich on 10/06/2026

Nick Dautlich

Senior Content Writer and Product Reviewer

Nick Dautlich is the Senior Content Writer and Product Reviewer at Park Cameras, with over 15 years of photography experience. A Sony Imaging Professional and expert reviewer, Nick has worked with major brands such as Canon, Sony and Nikon. His work is also featured on Vanguard World UK’s website, Capture Landscapes, and Shutter Evolve. Nick’s photography includes National Trust projects and magazine covers and he is passionate about landscapes and storytelling. Nick also enjoys hiking and teaching his children about nature. Learn more on his profile page.