Using the Manfrotto 055/501 video tripod (MP011, MP021, MP031, MP041, MP051)
Remove the tripod from its case
The arm
Loosen the bolt that attaches the tripod arm to the head by a couple of turns before raising the arm up into operating position. If it's not loosened sufficiently, the teeth get worn off and the arm will not stay in position.
The legs
Keeping the legs together, undo the bottom 3 leg locks and extend all 3 legs part way. Lock those 3 leg locks, then unlock the top 3. Extend the tripod to a reasonable working height then lock it again and spread the legs. This is the most efficient way to get a reasonably level tripod.
The mounting plate (large rectangular)
Release the small lever on the top right side of the head and slide the rectangular mounting plate towards the back. It will catch on the safety before it comes out all the way. Press in the red button on the left to release the safety and fully remove the mounting plate. Turn your camera upside down and attach the mounting plate to the bottom of the camera. Slide the camera back onto the tripod head and tighten the lever on the right side of the head.
The head
There are locking levers and tension adjustments for pan (left and right) and tilt (up and down). Release the pan lock (at the bottom of the head) and adjust the pan tension using the knob in the centre of the head (underneath the mounting plate). Release the tilt lock (at the left side of the head) and adjust the tilt tension using the knob on the right side of the head. Any time you're not actually supporting the camera arm, be sure to lock the tilt lock to prevent the camera from tipping.
Special features
For low angle shots you can spread the legs out further by release the catch at the top of each leg. For extremely low angles, you can take apart the centre post by unscrewing it from the bottom (except MP051 which has a different centre post design).
Packing up
The mounting plate goes back on the tripod (it does not stay on the camera). The head should be stored in its normal position (not tilted). Loosen the tripod arm, move it in tight to the legs and tighten it in that position.
Using the Manfrotto Compact Tripod (MP016, MP026, MP036, MP046, MP056, MP066)
Remove the tripod from its bag
The legs
Keeping the legs together, undo the bottom 3 leg locks and extend all 3 legs part way. Lock those 3 leg locks, then unlock the top 3. Extend the tripod to a reasonable working height then lock it again and spread the legs. This is the most efficient way to get a reasonably level tripod.
The mounting plate (small rectangular)
Release the lever on the back of the head and lift the rectangular mounting plate. Turn your camera upside down and attach the mounting plate to the bottom of the camera. Open the lever, place the camera back onto the tripod head and tighten the lever.
The head
The pan lock is located on the right side of the tripod head. The tilt lock is the tripod arm. There is a third lock that lets the camera plate pivot 90 degrees for shooting vertical shots with a still camera.
Packing up
The mounting plate goes back on the tripod (it does not stay on the camera).
Using the Manfrotto 144/136 Tripod (MP061)
Remove the tripod from its bag
The arm
Loosen the bolt that attaches the tripod arm to the head by a couple of turns before raising the arm up into operating position. If it's not loosened sufficiently, the teeth get worn off and the arm will not stay in position.
The legs
Keeping the legs together, undo the bottom 3 leg locks and extend all 3 legs part way. Lock those 3 leg locks, then unlock the top 3. Extend the tripod to a reasonable working height then lock it again and spread the legs. This is the most efficient way to get a reasonably level tripod.
The mounting plate (hexagonal)
Pull back the lever on the left side of the head while pushing the lock with your left thumb. Lift off the hexagonal mounting plate. Turn your camera upside down and attach the mounting plate to the bottom of the camera. With the lever open, place the camera back onto the tripod head and press down (like a ski boot) until the lock snaps back into place.
The head
At the left side of the head there is a tilt lock lever. Loosen it a quarter turn and you should be able to tilt up and down. The large knob pointing straight back is the tilt tension adjustment. The small silver screw below that (at the bottom of the head) is the pan tension adjustment. Any time you're not actually supporting the camera arm, be sure to lock the tilt lock to prevent the camera from tipping. There's another lock further down that lets you raise the tripod centre post.
Packing up
The mounting plate goes back on the tripod (it does not stay on the camera). The head should be stored in its normal position (not tilted). Loosen the tripod arm, move it in tight to the legs and tighten it in that position.
Using the Manfrotto 144/200 Tripod (MP071)
Remove the tripod from its bag
The arm
Loosen the bolt that attaches the tripod arm to the head by a couple of turns before raising the arm up into operating position. If it's not loosened sufficiently, the teeth get worn off and the arm will not stay in position.
The legs
Keeping the legs together, undo the bottom 3 leg locks and extend all 3 legs part way. Lock those 3 leg locks, then unlock the top 3. Extend the tripod to a reasonable working height then lock it again and spread the legs. This is the most efficient way to get a reasonably level tripod.
The mounting plate (small rectangular)
Use your right thumb to pull back the lever at the back of the head and lift off the small rectangular mounting plate. Turn your camera upside down and attach the mounting plate to the bottom of the camera. Hold the lever open, place the camera back onto the tripod head and push the plate lock lever back into place.
The head
At the right side of the head just below the arm there is a tilt tension adjustment bolt. Lower down and to the left you'll find the pan tension adjustment. Any time you're not actually supporting the camera arm, be sure to lock the tilt to prevent the camera from tipping. There's another lock further down that lets you raise the tripod centre post.
Packing up
The mounting plate goes back on the tripod (it does not stay on the camera). The head should be stored in its normal position (not tilted). Loosen the tripod arm, move it in tight to the legs and tighten it in that position.