In this article, we will be taking a look at what we feel are the best tripods for Sony A6500 cameras currently available on the market right now. After researching the various tripods currently on the market suitable for the Sony A6500 we managed to settle on three to feature in this article.
We have tried to choose a number of tripods that we feel will be within the budgets of the majority of our readers while also being able to provide the vast majority, if not all the functionality they will require.
Click Here To Check For Prices On High-Quality Tripods For Your Sony A6500!
Table of Contents
The Zomei Z699C Tripod
The Zomei Z699C comes with a fully adjustable ball head as shown in the image to the right. Although the resistance level on the panning feature of the tripod head is adjustable, all levels offer a nice and smooth pan for your Sony a6500.
This will allow you to get those beautiful slow pans when recording video or those epic looking panoramic vista photographs. Additionally, the head of the tripod also has a number of compass bearings marked on it to allow you to accurately and easily mark your start and stop points.
The head also has a firm and secure ninety-degree notch to allow you to lock your a6500 in at a right angle if you need to do any overhead photograph or anything like that.
The head of the Zomei Z699C tripod also has a clear and easy to see spirit level to help you ensure that your tripod head is level for photographs and video.
The vast majority of camera and lens combos will leave the spirit level bubble visible to your unlike some of the competing tripods at this price point where cameras can cover it once attached.
The tripod also comes with a standard quick release plate included as standard to allow you to quickly and easily mount or unmount your Sony a6500 from the tripod as and when required. That said, if you have multiple cameras that you plan to use with this tripod in addition to your a6500 then you may want to invest in a Zomei Quick Release Plate (Click here to check for product prices and availability).
These additional Zomei quick release plates can be fit to your other cameras to allow you to quickly switch between your a6500 and your other cameras via the quick release plate system rather than having to waste time during your photography session.
The image above shows the twist lock leg system of the Zomei Z699C that is actually very effective, quick, and easy to use when compared to some of the other twist lock leg systems on other tripods even at higher price points.
We know many people prefer the flip lock leg system as it tends to help save you time on your set up and debuilding of your tripod. From what we have seen through this is often down to people wasting time with their twist lock legs. Rather than unlock each lock on the leg individually. Wrap the palm of your hand around all of the locks on one leg when in the position of the image above and unlock them all at once.
The legs on the Zomei Z699C also come with a solid and secure ratchet leg locking system to help ensure that the legs stay in place when you fit your Sony a6500 and lens to the rig. The ratchet help to add an additional layer of protection that takes no additional time or effort on your part to use.
The feet of the tripod are made from pointed rubber making the tripod ideal for both indoor and outdoor use rather than being forced to choose a tripod for one or the other. Although this is an increasingly popular feature on modern tripods, we just thought we would point it out.
The Zomei Z699C also has a detachable leg that you can remove, attach to the main body and use as a monopod as shown in the image to the left. Unlike some tripods, the Zomei detachment system is very quick and very easy to do allowing you to quickly and easily switch between tripod and monopod modes.A
All you have to do it untwist the leg of the tripod that has the additional rubber ring around the top of it. This leg is easy to identify as it is the only one of the three legs that has this additional ring system on it.
Once you have detached the leg, you unscrew the body of the tripod and attach them together. To reverse the process and go back to monopole mode you simply repeat the process in reverse. Full instructions on how to do this are provided in the included manual with the tripod if you are unsure of what to do.
As the Zomei Z699C is made from carbon it is a very light tripod, especially for its size and functionality. This helps to make it an ideal product for travel photography if you are going to be traveling around with your Sony a6500.
Click Here To Read Independent Third Party Reviews Of This Product!
Click Here To Check For Prices On This Product!
The video below offers an additional third-party, independent review for the Zomei Z699C to offer our readers an independent opinion of the product.
The Manfrotto MKBFRA4-BH Travel Tripod
That said, there are a number of photographers who have chosen to pick up the Manfrotto MKBFRA4-BH even with its higher price point. Its excellent build quality and performance have helped the tripod earn a solid reputation within the photography and videography community even with its higher price tag.
As you would expect, the Manfrotto MKBFRA4-BH comes with a fully adjustable ball head so that you are able to fully customize the position of your Sony a6500 during your session.
The securing locks on the head are very firm and safe when tightened being able to hold heavy camera and lens combinations without issue.
Additionally, the Manfrotto MKBFRA4-BH also has a ninety-degree groove on the head for any overhead or verticle photography needs you may have.
The tripod also includes a standard removable quick release plate to attach to your camera. Again, you are able to pick up additional Manfrotto quick release plates (Click here to check for product prices and availability) for any other cameras that you may own in addition to your a6500. This can save a large amount of time during your photography sessions be allowing you to quickly and easily switch between your cameras on the tripod without issue.
Rather than using a ratchet system like the tripod above, the Manfrotto MKBFRA4-BH also comes with secure locks at the top of each of the legs to ensure that the legs of the tripod are secure before adding your a6500 and lens to it.
These locks are very quick and simple to use while also providing you with that little peace of mind that your camera rig is safe on the tripod. Once in position, the legs are firmly locked in position and will stay that way to help prevent the legs accidentally slipping and the full tripod falling over.
Speaking of the tripod legs, we would like to mention that the Manfrotto MKBFRA4-BH does not have a detachable tripod leg that you can use for quick and easy monopod functionality like the Zomei Z699C Tripod (Click here to check for product prices and availability) covered above. If you think that you will need a monopod during your photography sessions then we would recommend that you go with the Z699C rather than the Manfrotto.
That said, some photographers have reported using the full Manfrotto tripod as a monopod by only extending a single leg of the tripod. We would not recommend that you do this as the balance would be off and the additional weight of the other tripod legs at the end of the rig could become a pain when holding it for extended periods of time.
The Manfrotto MKBFRA4-BH comes with a flip lock leg locking system as shown in the image to the left. If you are not a fan of the twist lock system then this could be a major selling point for you.
As you would expect from any good flip lock system, the legs are quick and easy to set up and retract while being firm and secure once locked in place.
The additional leg locks we mentioned earlier at the top of each of the legs add additional security for you and help ensure that your camera rig is as safe as possible while on the tripod.
Click Here To Read Independent Third Party Reviews Of This Product!
Click Here To Check For Prices On This Product!
The Zomei Q555 Tripod
Again, the Zomei Q555 Tripod comes with a fully adjustable ball head rather than a pan head as shown in the image to the left.
For its price, the head of the tripod offers surprisingly smooth panning for any slow pan video or panoramic photographs. The resistance levels of the head are totally customizable too so you are able to change it as you see fit.
The base of the head also has a number of compass bearings on it to help keep your panoramic photographs as accurate as possible with as minimal effort required.
Although the Zomei Q555 Tripod does have a leg locking system included, it is low level as you would expect from a tripod at this price point. Although we were unable to find any reports from photographers who mentioned the leg locks had failed on them, we would not recommend that you trust it with heavier camera and lens combinations and pick up either of the tripods above instead.
That said, for lighter cameras like the Sony a6500 with a light to mid-range lens, the Zomei Q555 Tripod could be the ideal fit for you and your needs. The feet of the tripod are again made from pointed rubber meaning that it is suitable and stable in both indoor and outdoor locations too.
The Zomei Q555 Tripod can quickly and easily be switched to inverted mode as shown in the image to the left. This allows you to get some very low angle photographs for your session while still having the stability of the tripod at your disposal. Depending on your photography niche, this could be very useful to you.
When in regular upright mode, the Zomei Q555 Tripod also has a counterweight hook at the base of the center spine to allow you to add additional weight to help increase the stability of the tripod when in windy conditions.
Although some people choose to invest in some photography sandbags, most people choose to just use their backpack or some other heavy object they have with them and hang it off the hook.
Click Here To Read Independent Third Party Reviews Of This Product!
Click Here To Check For Prices On This Product!
The video below offers an additional third-party, independent review for the Zomei Q555 to offer our readers an independent opinion of the product.
Related Articles
Click Here To Read More Of Our Articles About Tripods!
2 Of The Best Selfie Sticks For Sony A6500 Cameras!
The Best Gimbal For Sony A6500 Cameras On The Market!
6 Quick And Easy Ways To Prevent Sony A6500 Overheating Issues!
6 Tips To Improve Your Sony A6500 Street Photography And Videography!
