Manfrotto PIXI Mini Tripod Kit with Smartphone Clamp, Black (MKPIXICLAMP-BK)

This little tripod is simple, sturdy, and convenient. I like the push button ball head release. If the larger version of this tripod had a push button release, I would have purchased it instead. For a heavy camera or for adjustable pressure for moving the ball head while filming, a screw release would be in order. However, for this dinky tripod and its limited carrying capacity, it's not suitable for those applications. Nor was it designed for those applications. I love the push button release so much, I wish they made a standalone ball head just like it. Using the push button, I can hold the tripod and press the release with one hand, and hold and adjust the camera with the other. With a screw release, as on the larger version, I need three hands; one for the screw, a second to steady the tripod, and a third for the camera. This one wins hands down.Yeah, there are always folks who use a screwdriver to pound 16d nails into teak decking on a fiberglass boat, and they are certain to whine endlessly about how substandard their experiences are. This little tripod can handle more weight than specified, so long as you don't set it on a slanted surface or tilt the camera way over. If you do such a thing, it'll tip over instead of defying the laws of physics. However, it most likely won't break under such circumstances unless you are hell bent on abusing it. Anything will break if you try hard enough.I bought the combo version which includes the cell phone holder because it wasn't that much extra cost, and I like having the extra flexibility. I like that this little tripod fits easily in a pants pocket, so I can securely set my camera on a rock, thick post, paint bucket, or whatever, and don't have to lug around a full-size tripod. Sure, there are other small tripods that can wrap around tree branches and so forth. There are even little ones with extendable legs. For setting atop a relatively even surface, this sets up faster, so I can get the shot.

For it's class of tripod it is by far the sturdiest and well built I have encountered. Not really a surprise from Manfrotto. Great build quality and surprisingly lighter weight than I expected. One very interesting thing is the the tripod head design which is a single push button that actuates the locking mechanism against a grooved aluminium sphere. Works really well as you can quickly make any pan tilt adjustment, let go of the button and it's a super solid lock that wont budge. The grooves are a very clever idea. Other larger tripod heads can offer this kind of locking stability (with a lot more hardware and weight) but for a mini pod this is very unusually good. Handles a full size DSLR camera with a 250mm telephoto lens no problem.

I got a similar unit with a selfie stick set and my wife and I loved it so much, we found another. We couldn't find any besides the Manfrotto but considering their reputation, I didn't mind paying a premium. We both film for YouTube and this allows us to use our cell phones as well as attach the tripod directly to a camera. I've seen the Gorillapods people use for vlogging and most users consider those problematic. The Manfrotto is rock solid and works just as well as a tripod as it does a grip. The ball head lets you position the camera at whatever angle is comfortable and keeps the camera level if the tripod is on an unlevel surface. The only downside is I can't wrap the legs around a pole or railing like a flexible tripod but I don't really miss that feature.

I've owned a few Manfrotto tripods in the past including another mini similar to this one. I feel they are sturdy and this model works as a nice table top holder for a camera phone or DSLR, I use it for both. I use the tripod for learning features or working on set up of my DSLR, in addition of course to taking photos. It brings it up off the table and you can adjust the angle by pressing the tripod button and moving the camera into a new position.There are some limitations to the tripod if you want to use it for other purposes, such as using it with longer lenses or much larger, heavier cameras or where you might need height adjustments. (My Canon 70D works but can't move it to the most forward down position, it becomes somewhat unstable). The ball also can not adjust the camera to a 90 degree angle, it has a limited range.The legs open/close (come together) but are not adjustable, which is fine, if I need adjustment, I'd use other tripods. On one tripod Pixi I bought a while ago, the leg broke, legs are only held in by 2 short plastic pegs on each side of the leg.In regard to the cell phone adapter , the one piece included in the package, you can only use it in to hold your phone in the horizontal position. I bought it because this was less expensive than others that did not include it, but I also bought a more versatile tripod adapter. I've included the product I bought in my photos. This tripod adapter for phones is better as it has a 360 degree rotation.

This is probably my favorite, most stable and useful mini tripods I’ve ever owned. I purchased this (my second one) after the first one which totoally impressed me. Manfroto is amazing and IMHO the best in class tripod maker. I have full sized tripods from them also and, for me - they have become my standard. Whether you are uding this tripod on a table or are grouping the legs and using it a a mobile vlog cam - it’s awesome and worth the extra cost