masjah Posted June 8, 2012 Share #1 Posted June 8, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Anyone had any experience with this range please? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 8, 2012 Posted June 8, 2012 Hi masjah, Take a look here Benro Travel Angel Tripod. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
wda Posted June 8, 2012 Share #2 Posted June 8, 2012 John, it was on my short-list. In the event I chose a less well-known model by Velbon called the ULTRA REXi L. which is only 36cm compacted. I added a Giottos MH-1001 B&S head which adds a little. I find it very quick to extend, once you learn to grip the bottom lock and unlock the whole leg in one swift action. This sturdy combination meets my travel needs perfectly. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted June 9, 2012 Share #3 Posted June 9, 2012 No I'm afraid not, John. Pete. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenPatterson Posted June 9, 2012 Share #4 Posted June 9, 2012 I purchased the Benro C0681T Travel Angel and have been pretty happy with it. I bought a Gitzo, but there were some delays so I picked this up to fill in, thinking that you can never have too many tripods. The carbon fiber construction and locking mechanism for the legs is very similar to the Gitzo 1541T, and the ability to detach a single leg for a monopod is cleaver, strong and does not detract from the basic tripod function at all. The unit comes in a very nice and rugged canvas case (unlike Gizto) which is easily attached to a bag or pack. The only thing I'm not thrilled with is the Benro B00 head that is included with this unit. While it is strong enough for an M9 it's a little quirky. The base plate attaches to the camera, and then is held onto the ball head by a screw thread bracket that snugs up against the base plate. While you are holding the camera and threading this it can be a little precarious. The Gitzo solutions are superior in this regard, as the base plate slides into the head and then in locked in place with a cam lever. For a basic lightweight travel tripod that folds into a small package but still accommodates photography while standing this is a winner. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted June 9, 2012 Author Share #5 Posted June 9, 2012 Stephen - that's very helpful - thank you. PS: I see that this thread has been moved out of the Bar. That's fine - I put it in the Bar originally because it was a non-Leica query. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted June 11, 2012 Share #6 Posted June 11, 2012 Anyone had any experience with this range please?I bought a Benro C2680T about 21 months ago as a backup to my Gitzo 1541T travel tripod. Pretty soon it replaced the Gitzo and became the primary because it's taller than the Gitzo, has removable feet so you can use spikes, is sturdier and has better usability especially their implementation of the leg section twist locks. Benros were originally Gitzo copies but in some ways they have improved a bit over the original. If you care to read the details I broke mine down and wrote a review of it after about 10 months of use. I've taken mine on several trips and it has stood up to the (ab)use I've given it pretty well. They are well made, reliable (so far) and apparently durable. I sold the Gitzo 1541T a few weeks ago. If you're buying a travel tripod I strongly recommend the Markins Q3T ballhead. It was specifically designed for the fold back design of travel tripods like the Benro range. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike51 Posted June 11, 2012 Share #7 Posted June 11, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) For packing in a suitcase, I've been using a Benro C0680T (carbon fibre) tripod with a Benro B0 ball head. I find this system remarkably good with an M9. However, I invested in a Really Right Stuff BM9-B base plate to overcome having to screw on to the camera a separate quick release plate. Admittedly, it wasn't cheap, but works very well. Incidentally, I think the Benro C0680T is no longer in production. Nevertheless, not long ago I was at a photographic show and Benro were exhibiting. As far as I could see, they have newer models very similar in specifications to mine. Mike. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted June 11, 2012 Author Share #8 Posted June 11, 2012 Peter and Mike - thank you. It's looking as if peoples' experiences are very positive. I would be using it just for holidays not involving the car, since my big tripod would do otherwise. I couldn't really justify a Gitzo to myself on this basis, given the cost. My main tripod is a Manfrotto carbon fibre 055 series, with the junior gear head, and their new L bracket. This suits my architectural photography very well, but clearly is not exactly very portable! I've also got a Gitzo monopod, but, though it's better than nothing, a tripod it isn't! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted July 20, 2012 Author Share #9 Posted July 20, 2012 Well, a Benro Travel Angel appeared magically for my birthday, and I have to say I am rather impressed with it; well made, folds up very compactly, basic but OK ball head and nice little bag included in the outfit, and excellent value for money Will fit in a carry on suitcase I think. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted July 20, 2012 Share #10 Posted July 20, 2012 HBTY HBTY HBDJ HBTY. Pete. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mctuomey Posted July 21, 2012 Share #11 Posted July 21, 2012 I bought the alum version last year, replaced the stock head with a Markins, and have used it on several trips. Fits well in my carry-on roller. So far, so good, but I haven't run it through anything like harsh conditions, nor have I had it apart for cleaning. For me it's premature to judge a tripod's quality until I have years on it, but I like the Benro enough to continue to use it (with a proper head of course). Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted July 21, 2012 Author Share #12 Posted July 21, 2012 I bought the alum version last year, replaced the stock head with a Markins, and have used it on several trips. Fits well in my carry-on roller. So far, so good, but I haven't run it through anything like harsh conditions, nor have I had it apart for cleaning. For me it's premature to judge a tripod's quality until I have years on it, but I like the Benro enough to continue to use it (with a proper head of course). Mike Point taken - though for my purposes (esentially holiday air travel) it's not going to get hammered at all; one never gets something for nothing in this world, but, given its very modest cost, I think I can already say I'm happy with it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted July 21, 2012 Share #13 Posted July 21, 2012 Congrats! Which model did you get? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted July 21, 2012 Author Share #14 Posted July 21, 2012 Congrats! Which model did you get? Peter, it's the aluminium A1680T tripod with ball head (BH0 I think it is) and soft bag included in the outfit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jip Posted July 21, 2012 Share #15 Posted July 21, 2012 I like my Bilora Biloret 2017 best... made in germany, long time ago! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mctuomey Posted July 21, 2012 Share #16 Posted July 21, 2012 Mike Point taken - though for my purposes (esentially holiday air travel) it's not going to get hammered at all; one never gets something for nothing in this world, but, given its very modest cost, I think I can already say I'm happy with it. For travel and relatively light usage, I expect it will service you well, Mike. Safe travel and good shooting! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayewing Posted July 21, 2012 Share #17 Posted July 21, 2012 The Benro tripods seem to be quite sturdy. I have a Benro C-227 n6 which I bought three years ago. It is not ultra portable but is quite sturdy and light enough to carry moderate distances. It lives in the boot of my car when not in use at home for macro work. I use it with the Benro KS-2 ball head and after three years of regular usage it is in excellent condition. I came with a strong bag which is long enough to take the tripod with the ball head fitted and a set of spikes with two spanners and an Allen key in a neat pocket. I think the model I have has been superseded. The Benros appear to be well designed and made so if I was in the market for a lightweight tripod I would certainly consider their offering. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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