Benro Tripod

[lennyl]

use your hands and ears to feel the difference
and know why i decided to buy a gitzo/manfrotto/slik

Can you elaborate please? Just curious since I never had the good fortune to own a Gitzo. I have a Manfrotto monopod and a Benro tripod (as well as a Slik tripod for video camera).

The Benro leg joints (at least on mine) are supposed to be moisture and sand resistant (I didn't try to test it to destruction, so I can't validate their claim, but I know they're at least somewhat airtight, so makes it a little challenging sometimes to extend / retract - they don't drop out like the 681B leg).

 

[ortega]

Can you elaborate please? Just curious since I never had the good fortune to own a Gitzo. I have a Manfrotto monopod and a Benro tripod (as well as a Slik tripod for video camera).

The Benro leg joints (at least on mine) are supposed to be moisture and sand resistant (I didn't try to test it to destruction, so I can't validate their claim, but I know they're at least somewhat airtight, so makes it a little challenging sometimes to extend / retract - they don't drop out like the 681B leg).

don't take my views as truths

try it out for yourself
your benro and your manfrotto
listen and feel with your eyes closed
then tell us the difference

 

[ZerocoolAstra]

don't take my views as truths

try it out for yourself
your benro and your manfrotto
listen and feel with your eyes closed
then tell us the difference

I compared 2 more or less equivalent models from Benro and Manfrotto.
In terms of feel, I actually found no noticeable difference, but the price is a good 50% different!! Don't forget that Benro prices (from Jack at Peninsula Shopping Centre) usually include the tripod bag.

 

[ahguan]

Benro is value for money for the kind of quality that you get. i paid <400 for a 163 height carbon legs with a 12kg load head

legs maybe a bit stiff but not a problem for me

btw no commissions for me just sharing what i feels makes economic sense to me

 

[denniskee]

Can you elaborate please? Just curious since I never had the good fortune to own a Gitzo. I have a Manfrotto monopod and a Benro tripod (as well as a Slik tripod for video camera).

The Benro leg joints (at least on mine) are supposed to be moisture and sand resistant (I didn't try to test it to destruction, so I can't validate their claim, but I know they're at least somewhat airtight, so makes it a little challenging sometimes to extend / retract - they don't drop out like the 681B leg).

don't take my views as truths

try it out for yourself
your benro and your manfrotto
listen and feel with your eyes closed
then tell us the difference

would like to highlight 1 point, it may not be fair comparing a manfrotto (they dont use twist and lock system) and benro (with twist and lock system).

 

[ortega]

i was comparing a $400+ benro against a $800+ gitzo
i ended up buying the gitzo

and i spent many many weekends going to different shops trying out the tripods
if you happen to see me offline, ask me about it

 

[Dream Merchant]

i was comparing a $400+ benro against a $800+ gitzo
i ended up buying the gitzo

and i spent many many weekends going to different shops trying out the tripods
if you happen to see me offline, ask me about it

No need to ask.

Let me bollow can liao! :bsmilie:

 

[hazmee]

I have a Benro CF travel angel series. I paid 400+ plus and got it from Orient Photo.

Things that I like about the Benro:
1. Cheap

Things that I don't like about Benro:
1. The locking device isn't smooth. Mine has already started squeaking and can't lock in place at times.
2. For S$400, I could have bought a Manfrotto with more useful features.
3. I don't know if it will last heavy usage.
4. Upon closer inspection, the materials used for Benro tripods are not even close to what you can get with say a Manfrotto.

If I were to turn back time, I would have paid the extra $300 for a Gitzo and never have to look back at any other tripod again. Don't ever bother with Benro ballheads. Read here: http://www.tomwebsterphoto.com/Essays/Benro/benroks2.htm

 

[yyD70S]

Thanks for the heads up, hazmee. I am almost on the verge of going along that route. Now I have to do more research...

and hopefully find the equivalent of the Benro Travel Angel series... need something my (serious; not family holidays whereby I make do with a table-top tripod) travel needs...

1-kg tripod + xxx head
supporting a max. of 3kg setup on potrait mode
average height

Haiz... good things really don't come cheap.

 

[tjhan]

Wow, that link was enlightening. Kinda confirms the suspicion. How would you guys rate the below 200 dollar Manfrottos from Cathay?

 

[ortega]

I have a Benro CF travel angel series. I paid 400+ plus and got it from Orient Photo.

Things that I like about the Benro:
1. Cheap

Things that I don't like about Benro:
1. The locking device isn't smooth. Mine has already started squeaking and can't lock in place at times.
2. For S$400, I could have bought a Manfrotto with more useful features.
3. I don't know if it will last heavy usage.
4. Upon closer inspection, the materials used for Benro tripods are not even close to what you can get with say a Manfrotto.

If I were to turn back time, I would have paid the extra $300 for a Gitzo and never have to look back at any other tripod again. Don't ever bother with Benro ballheads. Read here: http://www.tomwebsterphoto.com/Essays/Benro/benroks2.htm

just as i tought, thanks for confirming
lucky i listened to my instincts

 

[ortega]

Thanks for the heads up, hazmee. I am almost on the verge of going along that route. Now I have to do more research...

and hopefully find the equivalent of the Benro Travel Angel series... need something my (serious; not family holidays whereby I make do with a table-top tripod) travel needs...

1-kg tripod + xxx head
supporting a max. of 3kg setup on potrait mode
average height

Haiz... good things really don't come cheap.

the travel angle is a direct copy of the gitzo traveller series

 

[Wzierbovsky]

Someone else did a similar tear down, but his conclusions were somewhat different:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=2804792#post2804792

If you read the thread till page 5-6 onwards you'll see thread turning quite bitter, with Tom Webster getting quite agitated.

 

[lennyl]

I have a Benro CF travel angel series. I paid 400+ plus and got it from Orient Photo.

I got the Benro aluminum tripod because I'm not planning to use this one for long hikes. The equivalent Manfrotto costs 2 times more. Locking for the leg works fine. The legs slide in and out a little stiffly - but you can feel that it is from vacuum suction, not friction or metal against metal. It's very sturdy, material looks about equivalent to the Manfrotto, and I haven't seen an equivalent Gitzo in a store so I can't compare against that.

For my needs and for the price I paid for it (about US$60, IIRC) I'm very happy with it.

One good product does not mean the entire product line is good, of course. I'll keep your experience in mind if I'm shopping for CF legs.

 

[drewdam]

i will suggest if u r buying benro, try those with quick lock type...i have bad encounter with tht twist&turn...it just cannot lock the legs even at close position..oya, not only happen on one leg but 2 legs...and happen when during overseas vocation...

i changed to 190xproB when back from holiday.

 

[egnaro]

I have benro monopod... sometime i find pretty hard to twist and lock... somehow it just doesnt lock, so you have to twist more round... anyone experience this?

 

[hazmee]

I have benro monopod... sometime i find pretty hard to twist and lock... somehow it just doesnt lock, so you have to twist more round... anyone experience this?

I am experiencing this as well. Mine is only three months old.

Actually, for the price I paid, a S$400 Manfrotto tripod is much better build and offers more value than say my Benro CF travel angel series. Cheap doesn't necessarily mean it can't be better than the competition. I would rather spend part my money on something that not only does the job but does it well. Then again, your mileage may vary. Happy shopping!

 

[egnaro]

i am considering over Benro versatile and Gitzo explorer... after some thot, comments and feedback, my decision is quite clear now.

Gitzo I am coming soon....

 

[lennyl]

I have benro monopod... sometime i find pretty hard to twist and lock... somehow it just doesnt lock, so you have to twist more round... anyone experience this?

Hasn't encountered this on mine, one year old, not used a lot (a few times a month). I'll definitely keep an eye on it, that sounds disturbing.

Is your monopod CF or aluminum?

 

[egnaro]

Hasn't encountered this on mine, one year old, not used a lot (a few times a month). I'll definitely keep an eye on it, that sounds disturbing.

Is your monopod CF or aluminum?

aluminum, self standing type... a bit heavy for monopod... btw be it alu for CF, this shdn't happen.