Benro or Vanguard?

Depends where you live.

I have only tried out one RRS tripod and I was impressed - very nice piece of kit. However, in the UK, RRS tripods are silly money! Here is a link to a 3 series RRS:

https://www.photospeci​alist.co.uk …25rAhGEAQYAiABE​gKy4PD_BwE

Very pretty and an excellent tripod - but it costs more than I paid for my Gitzo GT4542LS + GT2531 + GT3320BS + GM2541 (all bought new) + my G1550T (used) and my Sirui P424 (new). Yes I shop very carefully but 3 brand new quality tripods, 2 brand new quality Mono pods + a used quality traveller tripod vs a single tripod? RRS is good but it ain't that good!

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #18768768
Gitzo, RRS, Induro Grand series; https://www.indurogear​.com …cts/grand-induro-tripods/

For that lens you want series 3 or larger (3, 4, or 5) in Gitzo or Induro.
I'm not clear on the RRS numbering.

I agree Induro is a less expensive option to Gitzo or RRS. Induro has the same parent company as Benro, but is designed to compete with the higher end. Not the same as Gitzo or RRS, but similar attention to details for less.

NDAPhoto wrote in post #18776581
Induro has the same parent company as Benro, but is designed to compete with the higher end.

Induro is marketed more in the US than Benro, but I wouldn't classify it as high end. I own both brands and they are nearly identical - they even share many of the same parts.

Mark-B wrote in post #18779894
Induro is marketed more in the US than Benro, but I wouldn't classify it as high end. I own both brands and they are nearly identical - they even share many of the same parts.

CyberDyneSystems and I were specifically referring to the Induro Grand Series. Like many companies they have more than one line. The high end of Induro sells for hundreds more than the closest Benro product and they are not the same.

They are Grander...

Some cool reviews;
https://www.the-digital-picture.com …-Carbon-Fiber-Tripod.aspx

Note, Bryan is comparing to the latest Gitzo and Induro models. My Induros (plural) are all one genration older, and the grands are very close to the latest Gitzo, but are, IMHO much nicer and better than my older circa 2005 Gitzo. Much better. So a certain amount of catching up and leapfrogging is taking place.

http://gvisions.org/In​duro_CT404.html
The above review is of the "pre-stealth" generation which is what I have. Great stuff. My guess is the newer ones are even better.

Arty was a late convert to the Induro tribe, I like to imagine I played a part ;
http://www.birdsasart-blog.com/2015/10/17/in​duro-tripods/

Note, at the time he wrote that, the Gitzos were a few generations behind where they are now. Some of the current Gitzo enhancements were first seen on Induros

NDAPhoto wrote in post #18776581
I agree Induro is a less expensive option to Gitzo or RRS. Induro has the same parent company as Benro, but is designed to compete with the higher end. Not the same as Gitzo or RRS, but similar attention to details for less.

Are they?

My most expensive Gitzo was $473 in your money. That is for a new GT4542LS - bit of a monster - but I use long lenses.

I cannot afford Induro/Benro which is why I use Gitzo.

The current model GT4543LS is $960 here in the U.S.
The current Induro GIT404L, which is also a Series 4 FWIW, is $650, but you don't have to go back far to when that was more like $400 USD.

I live in "Ripoff" Britain so I am not entirely certain of what is available in the US.

For what it is worth my Gitzo purchases are as follows:

GT2531 £300 new, GT 3320BS £189 new, GT4542LS £375 new, GT3530LS £400 new, GM2541 £90 new, G1550T £140 used, G1329 Mk2 + G1318 centre column £100 used, 3 x Gitzo tripod (dust) bags new £8 for all three, 2/3 series leg reducer kit (new) £10, Gitzo spiked foot set for 2/3 series tripods £12 new, two 3 series Systematic Top Plates £13 each used. I am sure I have missed one or two but you get the picture.

Naturally I have sold some of this gear on as I have progressed. The bottom line is that I have purchased multiple Gitzo tripods and accessories for somewhat less than I can get the imitations.

Just what I have found/done

I've got a Benro FTA19C (probably one step above the one you listed); solid for my needs...but that's just using my 90mm macro on an A7RIII. I would probably be comfortable with my 70-200mm on it, but anything larger and I'd have to think long and hard before commiting to using it. A 400mm f2.8 is roughly the cost of a used car in most markets; I'd probably go for something more substantial if I had a lens of that caliber. Supposedly the Feisol's are nice alternatives to the Gitzo/RRS tripods.

johnf3f wrote in post #18783842
Are they?

Yes. BH Photo in New York had some big discounts on Induro Grand models in the past, but I have never seen Gitzos discounted similarly in the US. While I have two older Gitzos, I bought them in used excellent condition. Like luxury cars, I think you have to compare them side by side, not by the price tag in any country.

SailingAway wrote in post #18783851
The current model GT4543LS is $960 here in the U.S.
The current Induro GIT404L, which is also a Series 4 FWIW, is $650, but you don't have to go back far to when that was more like $400 USD.

And if you buy the older generation when the newer model is coming out, you can get them for half that price.. (why I have three, a 4 series grand, 2 series grand, and a non grand 3 with center column. Oh and the first one I got many years before is a "0" series ultra light, which is how I learned to love my Induros.

Anyway, obviously there is a difference in what you pay based on location, availability, and based on new vs. used.

I believe CDS convinced me to get my first Induro. He was not wrong.

NDAPhoto wrote in post #18779929
CyberDyneSystems and I were specifically referring to the Induro Grand Series. Like many companies they have more than one line. The high end of Induro sells for hundreds more than the closest Benro product and they are not the same.

The Grand series is a systematic style tripod so the differences between that and the other Induro products are the feet and the removable top plate. Aside from that, you are getting the same carbon fiber tubes with the same foam wrap, same rubber leg locks, same magnesium spider. The actual quality of materials and manufacturing is the same as every other carbon fiber tripod Induro makes - which is the same as every carbon fiber tripod that Benro makes. As far as price, there is only a $95 difference between the most expensive Induro legs (GIT304 / $575) and the most expensive Benro legs (TMA48CXL / $480).

I would have recommended both brands equally at one time, but after Induro discontinued their aluminum tripods and increased the price on their carbon fiber tripods, I feel that Benro is a better value for the money. Good news is you can't go wrong with either one - I've been using both brands for nearly a decade and both perform equally well.

Mark-B wrote in post #18784522
The Grand series is a systematic style tripod so the differences between that and the other Induro products are the feet and the removable top plate. Aside from that, you are getting the same carbon fiber tubes with the same foam wrap, same rubber leg locks, same magnesium spider. The actual quality of materials and manufacturing is the same as every other carbon fiber tripod Induro makes - which is the same as every carbon fiber tripod that Benro makes. As far as price, there is only a $95 difference between the most expensive Induro legs (GIT304 / $575) and the most expensive Benro legs (TMA48CXL / $480).

I would have recommended both brands equally at one time, but after Induro discontinued their aluminum tripods and increased the price on their carbon fiber tripods, I feel that Benro is a better value for the money. Good news is you can't go wrong with either one - I've been using both brands for nearly a decade and both perform equally well.

It’s a strange argument like saying a Toyota is a Lexus or a Lexus is a Toyota because they share parts. Apparently, you’ve been making this claim since 2012. If you choose to ignore the product catalog and price list from each brand, overlook the Induro Series 4 and Series 5, refrain from doing any product search at BHPhoto.com, along with dismissing many photographers who have told you they share parts but are different, good for you.

I have a total of 3 Benro tripods which, despite resemblance of Gitzo, all have various problems.