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Had a look at the Benro tipods at and after the minimeet on Saturday. First thoughts are that I am impressed. I primarily use a Gitzo 1348 with Gitzo 1321 self leveller and RRS BH55 pro ballhead.

The first impression was where is the Benro, I can see all the Gitzo's but what about the Benro? The Benro is almost indistinguishable from a Gitzo. These two brands are very very close in design and construction, to the point that without the label most people couldn't tell the difference.

Here is a photo with the Nikon 200-400 VR mounted on the Benro KB-2 (?) ballhead.



In physical appearance I only found a few differences between the Gitzo and Benro A) The Benro has a compass and levelling bullseye, the Gitzo just has a levelling bullseye B) The Benro has wider leg adjustment tabs at the top of the legs C) The Gitzo uses acorn nuts on the top of the legs, the Benro uses standard nuts

The nuts and tabs (Benro labelled Benro, Gitzo with Gitzo) can be seen in this photo:


Whilst I didn't really use the tripods at the Minimeet, I did have a decent play and must say I found the Benro tripods very good and comparable with Gitzo at a mere fraction of the price. The range isnt as wide yet, but if you after a classic tripod (as 95% are) at a very good price, you cant go past these if they meet your needs. If I didn't already own a Gitzo I would buy one of these.

They also have a range of ballheads, which can be seen in the photos below. I believe it was the KB2 which was on, a very comparable unit to the Markins. At a very cursory glance this looks to be a good unit, with a small amount of creep (which could have been operator error), should be equivalent to a Markins M10, but really needs to be properly reviewed. I know Steve (Killa) and MJ are both doing reviews so wont try to second guess there comments.




In use

Thanks for this, and I'd have to agree having not seen a Gitzo or a Benro before the mini-meet, I would have had no idea which was which if it wasn't for the badges. I was most impressed with both tripods, but when you consider the cost (which for most is a big factor in picking tripods) you can't go past the Benro for most applications.

Glen,
Thanks all for your works and comments, lot of members are waiting to see this.
Just a small correction, the KB-2 is equivalent with the Markins 20, the ball of the Markins 20 is 40mm and the ball of the KB-2 is 50mm, the ball on the RRS BH55 is 55mm.

On the pic #2:

Benro C327 with Benro KB-2 vs Gitzo 1325 with Markins 20 with all section of legs extended, they are similar height, except the Benro C327 have a center column and it can be extended, the G1325 does not have the center column but the G1321 with leveling base can be added with the damage of US$150.00 + shipping.

Glen,
It is so beautiful, isn't it?
If you have Gitzo, no harm to have Benro as your second lady.
If you don't have Gitzo, forget about Gitzo, as Glen and Thanh can tell you
no difference of the two ladies if you mask the faces of both.
-------------
Regards
Poon

Poon wrote:Glen,

no difference of the two ladies if you mask the faces of both.
-------------
Regards
Poon

Poon,

You sound like you have been with out me when I was a young man. I agree, no difference (or nothing which justifies the money) The Benro are great tripods for the money. I would happily have one.

Poon wrote:Glen,
It is so beautiful, isn't it?
If you have Gitzo, no harm to have Benro as your second lady.
If you don't have Gitzo, forget about Gitzo, as Glen and Thanh can tell you
no difference of the two ladies if you mask the faces of both.
-------------
Regards
Poon

It's not going to matter whether it carbon fibre or aluminium if you lady finds out that you have been running around behind her back

Andrew, I think Poon means you cant tell between Gitzo or Benro if they had a paper bag over their head. They really are identical, down to having the same slogan on the packaging, both in French and English.

Great review, and great photos I'm kicking myself I couldn't make it to the meet

The Benro looks great and the KB ballhead looks rather chunky!

Excellent review Glen and I might just add that I was impressed too

Glen wrote:Andrew, I think Poon means you cant tell between Gitzo or Benro if they had a paper bag over their head. They really are identical, down to having the same slogan on the packaging, both in French and English.

I could imagine that they are very identical.

Ive heard some funny stories about identical product appearing on the market after only being in production for a few weeks.

Check these out

Image 1

image 2

image 3

image 4

image 5

Excellent review Glen

I was impressed too, as an intermediary step to buying a big Gitzo tripod next year, I purchased the Benro C227 $380.00 equivalent to the Gitzo G1227.

The C227 is a 3 legged thing that has thin legs opposed to thick ones
it's compact and light enough to take around with you without it becoming incumbersome to you.

I can't wait to get it.

Huynhie, can you get me a sample of that car from image 1 and I will put on the badge from my old car! Amazing

Glen wrote:Huynhie, can you get me a sample of that car from image 1 and I will put on the badge from my old car! Amazing

I'm with you here Glen; waiting to see the 1027 variant of the Benro to complement the 1325

huynhie wrote:

Glen wrote:Huynhie, can you get me a sample of that car from image 1 and I will put on the badge from my old car! Amazing

I'm with you here Glen; waiting to see the 1027 variant of the Benro to complement the 1325

Benro has the C027, identical to the one I have G1027.

Andrew, that would be a nice pair, like Poon I think there is room for both in someones kit. I will wait a bit longer for the 0027 eqivalent, but was very impressed with the Benro. Was really surprised with how good their ballheads looked.

I've gotta check the height of my 055ProB to see what size Benro I need.

petal666 wrote:I've gotta check the height of my 055ProB to see what size Benro I need.

Perhaps the C327 will suit you at most, coz you have few big lenses and I recommend
Will you do group buy in OCAU?

-does anybody know if the centre column can be reversed mounted for macro work??

the website's next to useless.

genji wrote:-does anybody know if the centre column can be reversed mounted for macro work??

the website's next to useless.

How?
It can be reversed as we tried at early hour on Saturday,
WendellT did that, but the leg of the tripod can be shift to difference angle (degree), you may try it out once you received the C227.

Birddog114 wrote:How?
It can be revesed as we tried at early hour on Saturday,
WendellT did that, but the leg of the tripod can be shift to difference angle (degree), you may try it out once you received the C227.

thanks birddog

i remember the question was asked in the other thread but i never read a reply to it.

i thought this thread would be the best place to ask questions about the Benro's.