Tripod thread.. Benro B1

[bpalme]

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I'm looking to get a decent lightweight tripod. I've narrowed it down to the Benro C2691T. Fits my budget and many people say it's almost as good as the Gitzo similar version. The ballhead I'm looking at is the B1. I feel pretty good about the tripod but not much about the ballhead on the internet... so does anyone here have any experience comparing it to the Markins, RRS heads?

My use would be mainly M9 and maybe Noctilux as heaviest lens. Compromise of stability and lightweight travel with some long exposures.

 

Side question:

I will be using a cable release for bulb exposures. I try to press it as softly as I can but I think it still induces some vibration. Anyone care to share techniques to minimize vibration?

[wattsy]

Side question:

I will be using a cable release for bulb exposures. I try to press it as softly as I can but I think it still induces some vibration. Anyone care to share techniques to minimize vibration?

 

If subject allows I tend to use the 2 second self-timer on the M9 to trigger the shutter on a tripod. Works fine for me.

 

I've never tried it but I'd imagine a combination of using the self-timer and a cable release would result in the minimum amount of vibration before the shutter opens.

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello bpalme,

 

Thoughts which might be helpful:

 

If you take a long, strong nylon string - say 1.5m - & tie a large loop @ either end you can put 1 end over the large ball head on your sturdy tripod & tie the other end snugly to something either heavy or strongly attached to something under the center of the tripod. That way a 40 gram 100 kilo test nylon cord can be as effective as carrying a 20 kilo weight & it is more stable than hanging a photo bag which has no contact w/ a solid support on the same tripod. Takes less space also.

 

Another thought:

 

Some people take a large, oversize, very flat piece of something - ie: posterboard - very evenly colored w/ very flat black pigment & hold it in front of the lens shade w/o touching it w/ the camera set @ "B". Then they release the shutter w/ a cable release - prefereably 1 like a Kodak #1 which has an automatic "T" instead of "B" -, let the camera settle down, move the black card, make the exposure, put the card back in front of the lens shade w/o touching it, push the release on the Kodak # 1 to close the shutter, & then take the card away from in front of the lens shade a second time. Somewhat less vibration to the system.

 

If you don't have a Kodak #1 or equivalent cable release Barnacks w/ slow shutter speeds w/ either a "Z" or a "T" on the front dial will do as well.

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael

[250swb]

There are many really good travel tripods around now and I'm sure the Benro will work very well. I have one that is very similar, a Feisol Traveller. But for conditions outside when it is windy some weight hung from it, or indeed a heavier tripod is essential. Its not that travel tripods aren't rigid, but the whole thing is so light a good gust can move it. I use a heavier tripod.

 

And I use a cable release in cases where timing is essential, but otherwise always use the camera's self timer, set to two seconds.

 

Steve

[noeffred]

I just bought a Sirui G-10 ball head which I have to say is really good and was pretty cheap.

 

Traumflieger: 33 Kugelk

 

It is said to dampen vibrations from mirrors or shutters quite well.

[ldhrads]

I have the B1 bullhead on my benro travel angel. It's a great combination, especially for..... travel. It's very light, takes up little space and it's quick and easy to use. The ball head is suitable for the M9 with no problem. If you are using B exposures, I would indeed use the self timer or a cable release. I was very frustrated using the M9/Visoflex/Telyt 280 combination on the travel angel because I did introduce shake into the photos I was taking. It would have made much more sense to trip the shutter with a cable release in that situation and perhaps a heavier duty tripod would have helped, but for what it's worth, it's a great combination and an easy to use bullhead.

[peter_n]

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The ballhead I'm looking at is the B1.

The B1 had a terrible reputation but I think Benro have improved it over the last couple of years. I think you can do better, though it will cost a bit more. The Photo Clam is a mid-range ballhead that many users like, the Markins Q3T is the best ballhead you can get for a traveler tripod. It's also the most expensive as well.

 

I'm a little uneasy about your tripod of choice. Benro make good tripods, but from experience the C2691T has one leg section too many. Having used a 5 leg section tripod I can tell you that they're not the most stable and by definition you're looking for stability in a tripod. A 4-section leg is the most I would go up to in a travel tripod.

 

Secondly the "transfunctional" aspect of this tripod doesn't work very well. You'll find that when you take the leg off and make your monopod it will be too short. This is an issue with all these designs. Benro have realized this and released the C2692T, which allows you to remove the center column and screw it into the top of the removed leg. But how stable is that? It's not a good solution either. I think if you really want to use a monopod, just get one of the excellent Manfrotto pods, they aren't expensive and are more rigid and of a good height.

 

I'd look for a good regular 4-leg section tripod like the Benro C2680T. I've used one of those for a year and it's well designed and constructed and very stable. You can read my detailed thoughts on the tripod here. The C2680TB1 kit can be bought for $351 with free shipping. I know someone who bought the kit and sold the unused B1 for $95 then bought a Photo Clam ballhead and is very pleased.

[D&A]

Hi pbalme,

 

Sent you an e-mail with some comments and a questions (regarding Benro). Thanks!

 

DAve (D&A)

[bpalme]

Hello bpalme,

 

Thoughts which might be helpful:

 

If you take a long, strong nylon string - say 1.5m - & tie a large loop @ either end you can put 1 end over the large ball head on your sturdy tripod & tie the other end snugly to something either heavy or strongly attached to something under the center of the tripod. That way a 40 gram 100 kilo test nylon cord can be as effective as carrying a 20 kilo weight & it is more stable than hanging a photo bag which has no contact w/ a solid support on the same tripod. Takes less space also.

 

Another thought:

 

Some people take a large, oversize, very flat piece of something - ie: posterboard - very evenly colored w/ very flat black pigment & hold it in front of the lens shade w/o touching it w/ the camera set @ "B". Then they release the shutter w/ a cable release - prefereably 1 like a Kodak #1 which has an automatic "T" instead of "B" -, let the camera settle down, move the black card, make the exposure, put the card back in front of the lens shade w/o touching it, push the release on the Kodak # 1 to close the shutter, & then take the card away from in front of the lens shade a second time. Somewhat less vibration to the system.

 

If you don't have a Kodak #1 or equivalent cable release Barnacks w/ slow shutter speeds w/ either a "Z" or a "T" on the front dial will do as well.

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael

Great tips thanks!

 

The B1 had a terrible reputation but I think Benro have improved it over the last couple of years. I think you can do better, though it will cost a bit more. The Photo Clam is a mid-range ballhead that many users like, the Markins Q3T is the best ballhead you can get for a traveler tripod. It's also the most expensive as well.

 

I'm a little uneasy about your tripod of choice. Benro make good tripods, but from experience the C2691T has one leg section too many. Having used a 5 leg section tripod I can tell you that they're not the most stable and by definition you're looking for stability in a tripod. A 4-section leg is the most I would go up to in a travel tripod.

 

Secondly the "transfunctional" aspect of this tripod doesn't work very well. You'll find that when you take the leg off and make your monopod it will be too short. This is an issue with all these designs. Benro have realized this and released the C2692T, which allows you to remove the center column and screw it into the top of the removed leg. But how stable is that? It's not a good solution either. I think if you really want to use a monopod, just get one of the excellent Manfrotto pods, they aren't expensive and are more rigid and of a good height.

 

I'd look for a good regular 4-leg section tripod like the Benro C2680T. I've used one of those for a year and it's well designed and constructed and very stable. You can read my detailed thoughts on the tripod here. The C2680TB1 kit can be bought for $351 with free shipping. I know someone who bought the kit and sold the unused B1 for $95 then bought a Photo Clam ballhead and is very pleased.

Thanks.. yeah the more I read the more I realized I going to need something a little more sturdy... even for travel.

I think I'm going to just spring for the higher end stuff.

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Again bpalme,

 

Another thought:

 

For the last # of years I have found using a small very sturdy table tripod w/ a large ball head a better choice than using the same large ballhead w/ a full sized sturdy tripod in most situations. Don't forget the cable release.

 

After years of practice looking for or creating appropriate spots to put a small table tripod securely I now routinely find such places where I used to think there were none.

 

Add to that:

 

As a chestpod: I gain 2 stops.

 

Also less to carry.

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael

[peter_n]

Thanks.. yeah the more I read the more I realized I going to need something a little more sturdy... even for travel. I think I'm going to just spring for the higher end stuff.

Not a bad idea. I use a Gitzo 3541LS with an Arca-Swiss Z1 head and if I have a car on my travels that's the one I take. It's an excellent tripod. I use the lighter Benro when I know I'm going to be carrying it all day (and night).