Try it again... Tripod help. Benro Travel Angels?

[kMayer]

Don't mean to make another thread but needed to ask some more questions.

- $100-150 ish. Just need it for landscape shots, sports here and there, and maybe some portrait work.

- Heaviest lens would probably be the 70-200 f4 with 40D. Possibly a flash when I get one. Other lenses include Tokina 11-16 or Sigma 10-20 f4-5.6, whatever I decide to get and a 50mm 1.4. More down the road, but I'll upgrade to a nicer tripod as I expand my arsenal of glass and gear. Just needs to be able to support those. Not a 4/500mm lens or anything heavy like that.

- Want to be able to attach it to a backpack. It doesn't need to be the lightest tripod out, but something decently light and small would be nice. I'm not a tall guy either.

I was looking at the Benro Travel Angels. Are they nice? Worth the price?

Thanks.
km

[Snow001]

Definitely worth the price and a bang for the buck IMHO. Fits in my carry on. I would have gone for the 5 leg aluminum version of the 069M8 model (I wanted the shortest form factor 13+") If it was in stock when I needed it. I can however only speak for the legs with the B-00 ballhead. Which moves the price to around $200. I opted for the combination that support "13.2 lbs" The price goes down as the head weight capacity goes down. For what you need them for, You can go with the BH-1 or BH-0. There is a healthy number of satisfied Benro users here. been using mine for almost a year now and I carry it with me all the time when I travel.

[kMayer]

Thanks for the reply.

This doesn't say what ball head it is, but it says it supports 13.2 pounds which would be plenty. Price isn't bad and I'm ordering a lens from Amazon this week anyway.

http://www.amazon.com/Benro-TRA268-Magnesium-Aluminium-Section-Supports/dp/B001VEIZYC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1262647013&sr=1-2

What about this one?
http://www.amazon.com/BENRO-TRA069-Travel-Angel-TRA/dp/B0027VSQ2O/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1262647013&sr=1-4

[troypiggo]

I got one of the travel angels without a head and bought this YH430 ball head off ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280414383381). Only $35, and it's pretty close to a Manfrotto 486RC2. Very happy with it. Compact, light, cheap. Not as sturdy as the Manfrotto 055PROB/488RC2 combo, but fraction of the length and weight. Plenty fine for travel I reckon.

[kMayer]

Okay so I'm leaning towards a Benro Travel Angel. Just a matter of what size/head combination.

[Snow001]

The TRA069 model I believe (based on the price) comes with the BH-00 Ball head and the which is rated at 4.4 lbs (according to B&H) Unfortunately, it is currently out of stock with them so you are on the right track by buying it from Amazon. I have purchased several items from Ace Photo Digital and my experience with them has been great. This (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0027VSQ3I/sr=1-1/qid=1262667802/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1262667802&sr=1-1&seller=)model is an inch longer but has a ballhead rated at around 8 lbs.
One note however if it makes a difference to you is that it looks like the ballhead that comes with the legs has its own quick release system and may not be Arca compatible (I dont know if this is factual). I know the B-00 model is Arca compatible, and it looks like the B-0 & B-1 are as well. I have the carbon fiber model and that came with the arca compatible head B-00 head. I would check out B&H's selection so you can get the exact specs.

[kMayer]

Thanks for the reply.

So, the BENRO TRA169 Travel Angel tripod w/ BH-0 is rated at about 8.8 lbs. Would that be sufficient enough for the set-ups I listed above? I think it would. Seems like the right tripod for my needs at the moment. Compact, fairly cheap, sturdy enough, and decently light.

[gotak]

Thanks for the reply.

So, the BENRO TRA169 Travel Angel tripod w/ BH-0 is rated at about 8.8 lbs. Would that be sufficient enough for the set-ups I listed above? I think it would. Seems like the right tripod for my needs at the moment. Compact, fairly cheap, sturdy enough, and decently light.

8.8 lb is pretty heavy. It'll be on the extreme end of portable in terms of carrying for say a hike or a day out in a city. The pounds adds quickly when you start adding kit.

[kMayer]

8.8 lb is pretty heavy. It'll be on the extreme end of portable in terms of carrying for say a hike or a day out in a city. The pounds adds quickly when you start adding kit.

I mean it's supposed to support about 8.8 lbs. That would be one heavy tripod if that was the case though!

[gotak]

Ahh ok got confused. Was reading and replying on the iphone.

[jubu]

I'm leaning towards the TRA169 as well, as my primary uses will be for the occasional landscape shot during trips, vaca, etc. The size seems perfect for it.

[kMayer]

Ahh ok got confused. Was reading and replying on the iphone.
No problem!
I'm leaning towards the TRA169 as well, as my primary uses will be for the occasional landscape shot during trips, vaca, etc. The size seems perfect for it.
Yeah, that's my main uses too. Occasional portraits here and there, etc. As soon as I get the extra cash I'm going to go for it. I just bought a Sigma 10-20 f4-5.6 on Amazon with the 10% off code.

[itmfl]

i'm also looking to get the Benro travel angel as a "travel" tripod, one that would be easier to bring around on outings and trips. on a recent trip, my cousin brought a Benro travel angel and it worked very well for it's uses. i forgot what model # it was but there are plenty of models to choose from to match your needs.

btw, what is this Amazon 10% discount code?

[itmfl]

question...

would a Manfrotto 488RC2 ballhead fit on any Benro travel angel tripod?

[troypiggo]

It would fit, but might be a little top heavy I reckon.

[kMayer]

btw, what is this Amazon 10% discount code?

It's just for select Sigma lenses.

[jdang307]

i'm also looking to get the Benro travel angel as a "travel" tripod, one that would be easier to bring around on outings and trips. on a recent trip, my cousin brought a Benro travel angel and it worked very well for it's uses. i forgot what model # it was but there are plenty of models to choose from to match your needs.

btw, what is this Amazon 10% discount code?
Select sigma lenses, and coincidentally Benro products as well but no travel angels.

25% off.

Benro - http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=br_lf_m_1000470081_grlink_1?tag=slickdeals&ie=UTF8&plgroup=1&docId=1000470081
Discussion - http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1791535

I wish there was a travel angel on there, i'd buy it in a heartbeat. Torn between the C-157m8 they have on sale ($190) or a C-058m8 not on sale, for a bit more.