Benro C128 & C328n6 Teardown

[squiress]

Certainly generated some interesting discussion with the KB-2 teardown. Most of that centered on quality. With Benro tripods, the issue is the comparison with Gitzo. I would prefer that these images be helpful to someone considering buying a Benro tripod and not the basis of an IP dispute. YMMV. I have certainly enjoyed them for the time I have had them (C128 - almost a year, C328n6 - about four months). The C328n6 carbon fiber tripod has an ALR system and max load of 10kg. Max height of 173.5cm/68.3". It weighs 2.3kg/5lbs for a load to weight ratio of 4.3. The C128 carbon fiber tripod has a max load of 5kg. Max height of 148.0cm/58.3". It weighs 1.4kg/3lbs for a load to weight ratio of 3.6. Enjoy!:D

Stew

[squiress]

These pictures show the 328 leg knobs on top and the 128 knobs on bottom. The earlier version (not n6) has legs that rotate. A complaint I've heard a lot is that the rubber grips split and fall off. The n6 version above has a totally different knob with a much thicker rubber grip. And of course the n6 has non-rotating legs. Also in the background are the weight hooks that are screwed into the bottom of the center column. There is a rubber bumper above the hook to cushion the legs when they are closed.

[squiress]

The upper picture is one of the male leg lock pieces on the 128. It appears to be attached to the tube with some kind of adhesive. The lower picture is the leg that goes into this upper piece. You can see two smaller rings that are installed in notches around the inner tube. These appear to be plastic or possibly Delrin and stabilize the upper end of the leg within the tube. The larger ring to the left is the compression ring that locks the leg. The lowermost segment knob is what failed on this tripod. It skipped a thread and loosened after about 6 months. I fixed it with a piece of tape, much like using teflon tape to stop leaks in water pipe joints.

[squiress]

These two pictures show the difference associated with the 328 compared to the 128. The n6 non-rotation is pretty simple. It looks like nylon was used here and the compression pieces are more complicated, probably to support the weather resistent features of the joint. The male knob attachment appears to be pretty much the same as on the 128. The longer white wrap on the end of the tube in the upper picture acts as both shim for stability and guide for non-rotating leg segment. The white dot is one of two that go into depressions on the leg segment to fix the leg into position. There is a male guide that runs the length of the inside of the outer tubes that the split runs along. Seems to be pretty effective. Not sure how any of this will wear in the long haul.

[squiress]

The upper pic shows the white band described in the previous post and the hole it goes into in the leg segment. The white seen through the hole is the next inner tube's shim. The lower pic shows the two weight hooks unscrewed from the center column. The column is invertable by removing both the hook and the plastic cap between it and the column.

[squiress]

The first picture shows the two center columns. Both have a notch ( 328 ) or v ( 128 ) to make them non-rotating when in the collars. The weight hooks and end caps have been removed from the left ends. The lower picture shows the top plates. There are some kind of rubber pads on cast aluminum plates that are held to the column by the 1/4-3/8 stud.

[squiress]

The upper shows the added feature on the 328 of head locking screws that can be employed with the provided hex allen wrench to lock the head to the top plate. The lower pic is of the bottom of the columns. A piece of aluminum (cast) has been threaded and inserted by pressing or adhesive. In the 328 threaded piece you can see a tiny dot of flashing or a drip that didn't get cleaned out. Doesn't affect function at all, and really the only bit of workmanship I can take issue with in the stuff that matters.

[squiress]

These two pictures show the tops of the columns disassembled. The 1/4-3/8 stud is reversible, and appears to be stainless. These parts appear to be pretty similar between models. The lower picture again highlights the head clamping screws on the 328, as well as a pin near the end of the column that helps hold the aluminum plug in the tube (not on the 128 ).

[squiress]

Upper is the two locking collars for the center column. There is quite bit of sticky lubricant on the next couple of groups of pictures. These machined castings are quite nicely done. Anything that looks untoward is lubricant. The lower picture is the throat of the 328. The black post in the bottom of the throat is the guide for the notch in the column. Also visible is the compass and level. The former is for decoration, the latter is quite effective.

[squiress]

These pictures show the yoke of the 328. The bolts acting as hinges for the legs also appear to be stainless (not the 128 ). I did not remove them because they appear to be hammered/crimped to lock them. Also visible are the leg clips that, when pulled out, allow the legs to flatten out. Lastly in the upper picture you can see the snap ring with a knurled piece going into the yoke. Very weak attachment as we'll see in a moment. Above that piece is the plastic/Delrin insert that acts as a guide for the column. The lower picture shows most of that better, and the compression sleeve in front of the yolk is back in the throat in the lower picture.

[squiress]

Sorry for the first picture that shows the snap ring splayed inside the knurled knob. The ring is aluminum and drilled and spread through the knurled knob. This is is a joke of an attachment and I will replace it with a ring with something in stainless that attaches with a nut. The knurled part will probably be fine. One review of an Induro tripod had this ring come out the first day he used it. The lower pic is of the 128. Not much difference here except no ring, and leg hinge bolts are probably steel and also hammered/crimped to lock nuts.

[squiress]

Top picture shows throat of 128. Again lub is present. Very nicely machined in all aspects. The lower pic shows the underside of the yoke with the legs spread. Of note here is that each leg is bolted to the hinge flange (328 as well). These CF tubes may also be glued to the flange, but I doubt that either of these tripods will ever have a leg come out of the flange due to failed adhesive.

[squiress]

Finally I wanted to show off the 328 feet. The upper is the threaded end of a lower segment. Besides the allen wrench, and the hex wrench for leg bolts and 1/4-3/8 stud, Benro also provides the three steel (stainless?) spike tips with the tripod. I priced these for a Gitzo today and they were ~$8 a piece. The lower photo shows the pack of add-ins that came with the 328.

[squiress]

Upper shows spike in place, lower - rubber foot. I paid ~$180 for the C128 and ~$380 for the C328n6, shipped. They also come with very nice padded cases.

Hope this has been helpful. Once again I now know how to maintain these as a result of the teardown. I hope you find the info useful.

Stew

[CyberDyneSystems]

Thanks for the info on this!
Added to the FAQ thread :)
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=53864

[abcdang]

did you notice a difference in the carbon fiber thickness between the n6 and older version? it is supposed to be 1mm vs 1.5mm

[squiress]

I had intended to check the wall thickness, but didn't. Pretty easy to do. Will get it back out here later today.

Thanks

Stew

[René Damkot]

In the image of the centerposts, I see a difference in thickness...

[squiress]

In the image of the centerposts, I see a difference in thickness...

That I did note, however I think that this wall thickness might be stouter still and tripod dependent depending on load rating. They looked more than 1.5 or 1.0mm to me. The 1.5mm to 1.0mm I took to mean leg wall thickness.

Stew

[abcdang]

i meant mean wall thickness.
i do know that in comparison to the gitzo 1227, the benro 227n6's smaller legs have a larger diameter, so they must be 1mm as compared to 1.5mm on the gitzo. They both have the same 28mm upper diameter. I want to compare benro m series to the c series though, the m series claims only 6 layers vs 8 layers of CF.

[johnaussie]

That I did note, however I think that this wall thickness might be stouter still and tripod dependent depending on load rating. They looked more than 1.5 or 1.0mm to me. The 1.5mm to 1.0mm I took to mean leg wall thickness.

Stew

Thanks so much for the detailed breakdown. I have just bought the c328n6 tripod. Was hoping you might be able to answer a couple of questions:

1. If you remove the center column and are left with the collar thread sticking up from the center base, is there any kind of ballhead base mount that can be used to establish a flat base to then mount another brand ballhead (like a Markins or RRS). I wish to remove completely the center column and just use the platform base to attach a ballhead, but think that unless I can get rid of the collar ring, I may have to attach some kind of threaded base to build back the platform to a flat surface. Does Benro make a Ballhead base to attach to this Tripod?

2. How do the legs snap out to spread? I can only get the three legs to snap out to a normal standing position. How do I swing them out further to an almost horizontal position to get the tripod down to say 12 inches high?

Your input would be very helpful. Thanks in advance--

John