Customer Reviews

TRAB069 Travel Angel Tripod Kit

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I recently started doing panographic photography, and my old tripod wasn't cutting it anymore. When I put the weight of the pano head and my Pentax K-x on the old tripod it was all over the place, it just couldn't hold the weight and its position. I bought this as a replacement because I travel a lot. The Benro easily holds the weight of the pano head (Nodal Ninja MKII plus a leveler) and camera easily, and this is quite a bit of weight. It is a very impressive and small tripod for the price. Its easy to recommend this one.

This tripod is exactly what I've been looking for in terms of size and weight. I've been searching for a tripod that folds ups under 14" yet maintains an acceptable expanded height. If I had an unlimited budget I would opt for the carbon fiber version to drop the weight, but this is still much lighter than my full size tripod I've been using.

This fits in my carryon luggage and is barely noticeable (in terms of weight) when attached to my camera backpack (Tamrac Adventure 9). My main use for this tripod is at Walt Disney World where I do not want to lug around a large tripod. I've had the opportunity to use it there a few times already and it exceeded my expectations.

It also comes with a nice carrying bag with shoulder strap.

UPDATE
This tripod continues to exceed my expectations. I no longer sit and debate whether I should take a tripod with me as it is hardly noticable. I even found a way to fit it inside my Tamrac Adventure 9 bag!

I just received this tripod, which I had purchased for a pending European trip. I'm VERY favorably impressed. I bought the Benro for use with my Rolleiflex TLR.

This smallest model might not be a normal choice for a medium format camera, but the Rollei (and any twin lens reflex) is fairly light and, because it has a leaf shutter and no moving mirror, produces very little vibration when the shutter is released, thus it requires a fairly light tripod--However I don't think I'd use this Benro for a medium format SLR.

The tripod is somewhat taller than my VERY old Gitzo Totolux, which weighs about 50% more. To my amazement, the Benro seems slightly steadier than the Gitzo (which MIGHT be an indication of wear on the Gitzo, which I bought used, years ago). I had intended to use this tripod only for travel (the Gitzo being SLIGHTLY too large to fit in my carry-on bag), but it may replace my old Gitzo entirely. A twin lens reflex, with it's waist-level finder, doesn't require a very tall tripod, but this one is tall enough for use with an eye-level finder as well. It should be adequate for my DSLR as well and I only expect to need my largest tripod (a 50's Tiltall) for my medium format SLR

The tripod seems to be quite well made.I was also impressed by the ball head, which is no where near as flimsy as I had expected and moves very smoothly. It should be more than adequate for my Rollei (which, like any TLR, concentrates it's weight directly over the ball)Also,Benro seems to have changed the design of it's quick release plate. I had read criticisms of an Allen wrench being required, but, although Benro still provides the wrench, the screw is grooved to work with a coin as well.

I don't know if the Benro will hold up as well as my old Gitzo (which just might be almost as old as I am) but I have high hopes for it. Perhaps I'll report back after extended use.

One minor quibble about Amazon's description for this tripod. Amazon implies that the "removable rubber and stainless steel spike feet" are included. They are NOT. Having read about this Benro model elsewhere I didn't expect this accessory to actually be included, but Amazon should revise their misleading description.

This tripod is just what I was looking for, small and compact, yet sturdy enough for the camera and lens (Nikon D200 & 18-200 Nikkor VR) . No problems as long as you lock down all the legs properly. Leaving just one loose put your camera and lens in jeopardy. For a tripod just over 13" folded it has amazing strength when fully extended. The carbon fiber version is a bit lighter but for the money I am very pleased.When necessary I have larger and much heavier Manfrorro tripods which are better but not easier to travel with. The ball head is every bit the weakest point of the whole outfit, It clamps down without creeping, but you need to tighten it well. The ball head does go with the rest of the outfit but I would prefer one that is more beefy.