Manfrotto Logo

Manfrotto, an Italian enterprise, has a distinguished reputation for producing high-quality camera tripods, heads, monopods, and other camera support equipment. The company was founded in 1961 under the banner of the Vitec Group, where it initially ventured into creating lighting stands for studio use.

The brand introduced its first Manfrotto-branded camera tripod in 1972, explicitly designed to cater to the needs of professional photographers. Manfrotto became an industry innovator, bringing forth unique tripod features such as the 90° column, horizontal column, and fluid video heads.

A significant turning point in the company’s history was its acquisition in 1989 by the Vitec Group based in the UK, which retains ownership of Manfrotto today. Despite this change in ownership, the company headquarters remains firmly established in Cassola, Italy.

Manfrotto offers an array of product lines catering to a wide spectrum of users, from ordinary consumers and photography enthusiasts to seasoned professionals. It operates several brands, including Manfrotto, Gitzo, Lastolite, and Kata. The brand is recognized for its high-quality, durable products, typically priced higher than its competitors.

Despite the higher price point, Manfrotto’s products are in high demand among professional photographers and videographers globally. The company manages manufacturing facilities in Italy and China and maintains distribution centers in the USA, UK, China, and Germany.

Manfrotto shares the tripod and supports the market with competitors like Vanguard, Slik, Benro, and Sirui. Keeping up with the evolving needs of photographers, the company has recently diversified its product range, delving into new sectors like bags, LED lights, and smartphone accessories.