Benro/Feisol update after a couple of years, anyone?

[mickeyjuice]

G'day all,

looking to buy a new tripod/head to cart around town with me, and also to use for a wedding in December. (I've got a Slik 700/800 combo which is good, but it's a) a bit heavy, and b) in storage in Perth

Chasing CF this time around, and I was going to buy a Feisol before the AU$ tanked, but still may anyway. (Got a bunch of lighting grear, and I guess we can't get everything...) I think the real reason I didn't get it at the time was I was so confused by what I really needed in a tripod - lightish, 4-section.

Or I might bet a Benro from Sydney.

Anyway, we've discussed these a bit a couple of years ago on this forum, and I'm just wondering how they're holding up now they've had a bit of a beating. (Yes, I saw Antman's comment re the Feisol, but also want to see how others are traveling.)

(FWIW, a gripped 5D MKii and a Sigma 120-300/2.8 wiould be the heaviest rig I can see being used on it.)

Thanks muchly.

[gstark]

I would choose the Benro over the Fiesol in terms of tripods.

As to the PP tanking ... doesn't matter what you buy in this realm: everything's imported and will be affected in the same way, to a similar extent, eventually.

The only other thing might be for you to wander in to Camera Exchange and/or Vanbar, and see if they have anything suitable and suitably priced. You're really trying to find stock that was imported and paid for about two to four months ago, but I have no tips on how you can find that.

[DaveB]

Which Feisol are you considering?

I've got a little Feisol CT-3402 that's going great guns. Not really hefty enough for the 120-300/2.8, but I've been using as my travel/emergency tripod for a couple of years (think 5D + 17-40/24-105). I much prefer my big Gitzo (for higher viewpoints, bigger gear, etc) but when space is at a premium the Feisol works fine.

[radar]

I've had a Benro C-127 tripod and a KB-1 ball-head now for over two years. The current model is the C-157 N6. I have been very happy with the tripod, it has been around the world, been on numerous hikes, both short and long. It is my tripod of choice when I have to carry a tripod over any distance. It is carried outside my pack so it gets a fair bit of weather but still performs nicely. You should also look at the Induro tripod range, I have a alloy version and it is very nice but this is the bigger version that I use from my car or when I want something really solid.

As for the KB-1, it has been okay but not great. It has always been a bit stiff to use, both for the ballhead and the pano base. That is one thing I'm looking at replacing, likely to be an Acratech Ultimate, mainly for it low weight and good ratings that I have read over the years.

Induro are actually made by Benro but to the specs are from the Mac Group in the USA. Have a look at http://www.indurogear.com/ . They are sold by L&P in Australia.

The gear you mention would be quite heavy so make sure you get a good ballhead to go with your tripod. You may also want to go to something like the Benro C-257 N6. I believe the 3-section tripods offer you a bit sturdier support but that is just my opinion

cheers,

André

[who]

The 3 section also have the advantage of being a bit quicker and less hassle to setup with one less leg section.

The disadvantage is they are a bit longer when packed down.


I recently has a US buying splurge when in the mid 80c US area on Gitzo CF tripod & RRS ballhead - is very nice to use, but the BH-55 is possibly a bit heavy to carry long distances. I went Gitzo as I saw a couple of their tripods in Brissy and loved the quality and feel..... I haven't had the opportunity to play with the Benro due to changes with work @ end of last year canning my bi-monthly trips to Sydney (not sad either about stopping spending 9 hours travelling for about 6 hours training )

Next buy if the dollar comes back might be a Markins Q3 ballhead as a lightweight option.

The other benefit with the Gitzo I bought (GT-2530LVL) is it will do everything I am likely to do/need in the next few years at least as it is solid as a rock

[Pa]

have a look at these...i've bought some gear off them..no problems..

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Benro-Tripod-Bas ... 286.c0.m14

[Matt. K]

I'm very happy with both of my Benro tripods. I treat them gently but work them hard and they do a great job. When all is said and done a tripod is just 3 sticks in the ground.

(Now running for cover)

[Mr Darcy]

(Now running for cover)

No good. The triffids will get you anyway

[mickeyjuice]

Thanks for all the info guys, much appreciated.

I've been reading and absorbing, but not wanting to pollute the thread with my thoughts

Photo-Shop-Studio was where I was planning on getting the stuff, indeed.

I'm thinking this combo should do exactly what I'm chasing: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Benro-Tripod-Tra ... 286.c0.m14

(Thinking about it a bit more, it's unlikely that I'll have the 120-300 on it - that usually lives on the monopd. 5DMKii with the 70-200 and (maybe) a 550EX would be about it.

Tripod - Travel Angel C-169 - weighs 1kg, holds 8kg, folds to 355mm, max height is 1460

Head - B-0 Ball Head - weighs 290g, holds 8kg

Yeah, think that seems like it's pretty good - I'm very weight sensitive due to a dud neck. Anyone think that's a bad choice?

Thanks again.

[radar]

The only thing I would question is your choice of the C-169, it has 5 sections. The C-168 has 4 sections which will make it more stable. A bit longer folded and does go quite as high but also lighter, if you want to go for weight.

You may also want to look at the B-1 instead. The B-0 is actually quite small and for a 5D with 70-200 it would struggle, imho.

Cheers,

André

[robert]

I got a 4 section Feisol CT3441S and am very happy with it, It has a similar weight to your travel angel (1kg) but is bit longer folded- 43cm. It does have a higher unextended height by 7 or 8 cm, (and also max height) and is quoted as having 10kg load.

http://www.feisol.com/english/feisolen.htm keep clicking till you find it- couldnt copy direct link?

with the dollar it has jumped a bit in price- $300 + $33 USD. Very fast post and apart from one of the rubber grips on a leg lifting a bit no issues with quality.

For some pictures see viewtopic.php?f=5&t=32870&p=358256&hilit=feisol#p358256

I also considered the travel angel but am happy with the Feisol. now I still need a new lightweight head. i will try out an RRS BH25 when (if) the dollar rises again. For your gear i would recommend the Markins Q3- weighs 385g and holds 30Kg. From what I've read the quality of Markins rivals anything out there.




Robert

[mickeyjuice]

The only thing I would question is your choice of the C-169, it has 5 sections. The C-168 has 4 sections which will make it more stable. A bit longer folded and does go quite as high but also lighter, if you want to go for weight.

A good point. (Not part of a package, but you only spend the money once, right?)

You may also want to look at the B-1 instead. The B-0 is actually quite small and for a 5D with 70-200 it would struggle, imho.

A question re tripod heads, then - the B-0 is rated to 8KG, which is less than the 5D, 550 and 70-200. Does the rating count for the package sitting on the head, or the 'effective' weight given the reality of it not being perfectly centred above the head? Otherwise, wouldn't the B-0 be OK? (The cost and weight differential isn't great, I'm just wondering.)

with the dollar it has jumped a bit in price- $300 + $33 USD.

Yeah, that's a bit killer right at the moment. Maybe I should wait for the dollar to get to parity

[radar]

You may also want to look at the B-1 instead. The B-0 is actually quite small and for a 5D with 70-200 it would struggle, imho.

A question re tripod heads, then - the B-0 is rated to 8KG, which is less than the 5D, 550 and 70-200. Does the rating count for the package sitting on the head, or the 'effective' weight given the reality of it not being perfectly centred above the head? Otherwise, wouldn't the B-0 be OK? (The cost and weight differential isn't great, I'm just wondering.)

that's what the manufacturer rates their weight handling. That probably is true when the tripod and ballhead are perfectly levelled and no sideways strain. But once you put the camera/lens out of that perfect alignment, which is most of the time, in a lot of ballheads the size of the B-0, you will start seeing some creeping or instability. I have the equivalent of the B-1 and with my D200 and 70-200, it's just barely enough. Bear in mind that my ballhead is a couple years old so YMMV.

Cheers,

André

[mickeyjuice]

that's what the manufacturer rates their weight handling. That probably is true when the tripod and ballhead are perfectly levelled and no sideways strain. But once you put the camera/lens out of that perfect alignment, which is most of the time, in a lot of ballheads the size of the B-0, you will start seeing some creeping or instability.

Thanks, that's exactly what I was meaning. How can choosing something as basic as a tripod be so complicated?

[DaveB]

Regarding the B-0 and B-1 heads, do they have a separate panning control knob? It's not visible on any of the online photos I've seen, and not mentioned in Benro's materials.
That makes me think that the main ball-release knob also frees the head to swivel. I have an old Manfrotto head that works like that, and while it's smaller and lighter than a head with "all" controls, it does limit the flexibility (e.g. panning for a pano shot).

Can someone who's seen one of these heads "in the flesh" comment?