Review: Benro C2680T travel tripod

thanks peter those are good points. i have gone back and forth trying to choose between the two. not having done it, it is not real clear to me how much difference there would be to me in attaching/reattaching the ballhead to the gitzo vs folding and unfolding the legs on the feisol, plus telescoping/untelescop​ing the gitzo legs is supposedly faster than on the feisol.

that is a good point about the diameter of the p0. i had not caught that. actually that would narrow the weight difference, i.e. i could go with the 10 oz p0 on the gitzo vs a 16-20 oz head on the feisol.

Benro have finally published a page on the English language version of their web site that maps the characters in their labels to what they mean. Many thanks to Gordon (member klr.b) who posted the link in another thread a couple days ago.

Here's the link: Benro Model Naming System. The page can be a bit slow to load sometimes.

Thanks for a super review of this tripod but I have a question not particularly related to this review.

peter_n wrote in post #12441903

What are those white plastic thingies inside the tripod legs called? I have the cheaper non-CF version of this benro tripod and I lost those in two of the legs. Now whenever I pull out the legs, they get pulled completely so I have to hold them in place first then tighten the knobs before I can use them. This can be very annoying as you can imagine. Can those be purchased somewhere? Thanks!

bongEstrella wrote in post #12871581
Thanks for a super review of this tripod but I have a question not particularly related to this review.

What are those white plastic thingies inside the tripod legs called? I have the cheaper non-CF version of this benro tripod and I lost those in two of the legs. Now whenever I pull out the legs, they get pulled completely so I have to hold them in place first then tighten the knobs before I can use them. This can be very annoying as you can imagine. Can those be purchased somewhere? Thanks!

You could call them and try to order them. Their contact info is here. I believe they're called locking bushings (or sleeves). There aren't many parts so as long as they can look at a diagram, I'm sure they can figure out what you need.

bongEstrella wrote in post #12871581
What are those white plastic thingies inside the tripod legs called?... Can those be purchased somewhere?

Yes, they're variously called ALR (anti leg rotation) sleeves or anti-twist sleeves or split bushings. I think most people just call them white sleeves.

As Gordon suggests I'd email or call Benro USA, they should be able to help you source the part. Failing that I'd contact the dealer I bought the tripod from. I bought my tripod directly from China and I found the two sellers I dealt with there very helpful.

Thanks guys! I'll contact benro today and see if they can help me. Thanks again.

what do you guys think of the newer c2691t compared with the 2680 reviewed here?

RiaGurl wrote in post #12937057
what do you guys think of the newer c2691t compared with the 2680 reviewed here?

I'm not a big fan of how skinny that last fifth section is. It is a bit taller, and yet more compact when folded, though. The "1" at the end of the model number C2691T means that you can detach one leg and use it as a monopod. There is a newer model that I saw pictures of. It ends in a "2" (C2692TB1) which means the center column can be directly attached to the monopod leg. I'm not sure if you need the extra height, but it's a nice option for the taller folks. Since it's new, there's a jump in price, but I'm seriously considering the C2682TB1. I don't need the B1 ball head, so hopefully one of the sellers will split a set for me.

Peter: Thanks for the excellent review and info: I actually changed my order from Benro A2690T to CF-2680T. I just received my Tripod from Holgacamera (Expedited shipping from HK - MD took about 6 days) and its absolutely excellent in every respect for my needs. Thanks again.
Sanjay

RiaGurl wrote in post #12937057
what do you guys think of the newer c2691t compared with the 2680 reviewed here?

My first tripod was a 5 leg section Slik and my personal experience with it was that 5 sections is one section too many. All of my tripods since have been 4 section and I've been OK with all of them. The big advantage of the C2680T is that the fourth section has a wide enough diameter that it takes standard Benro/Gitzo/RRS removable spikes and feet, and that's a major plus against the equivalent Gitzo. You don't get that with a 5-section leg.

The C2691T has the removable leg that doubles as a monopod, but that leg is shorter than a regular monopod and can be quite awkward to use. I'm not particularly impressed with the so called "transfunctional" tripods that Benro and other manufacturers make for this reason. Additionally in the case of Benro the tolerances are very tight where the legs rotate on the lower part of the main casting; they've done a real quality job there. As a result it's a bit fiddly to position the leg exactly opposite the threaded rotating cylinder sitting in the casting joint so you can insert the bolts. I wouldn't like to be doing that on a regular basis. If I really wanted a monopod I'd buy a regular monopod.

starlights wrote in post #12938898
Peter: Thanks for the excellent review and info: I actually changed my order from Benro A2690T to CF-2680T. I just received my Tripod from Holgacamera (Expedited shipping from HK - MD took about 6 days) and its absolutely excellent in every respect for my needs. Thanks again. Sanjay

Glad to hear you've had a good experience Sanjay! I take it that you bought the kit so are you keeping the Benro B1 ballhead?

peter_n wrote in post #12941774
The big advantage of the C2680T is that the fourth section has a wide enough diameter that it takes standard Benro/Gitzo/RRS removable spikes and feet, and that's a major plus against the equivalent Gitzo. You don't get that with a 5-section leg.

I think all but the smallest C069 model will take the spikes.

klr.b wrote in post #12937640
I'm not a big fan of how skinny that last fifth section is. It is a bit taller, and yet more compact when folded, though. The "1" at the end of the model number C2691T means that you can detach one leg and use it as a monopod. There is a newer model that I saw pictures of. It ends in a "2" (C2692TB1) which means the center column can be directly attached to the monopod leg. I'm not sure if you need the extra height, but it's a nice option for the taller folks. Since it's new, there's a jump in price, but I'm seriously considering the C2682TB1. I don't need the B1 ball head, so hopefully one of the sellers will split a set for me.

C2692TB1 i dont see this anywhere. please provide a link i dont even see it on benros site.

i dont need the monopod, but i am worried about having 5 legs now. i am looking to upgrade from an aluminum tripod from bogen. i don't mind the ballhead as i would have to buy a separate one anyway and the idea of the whole package for around $370 from holga site appeals to me. also thinking about getting the markins antitwist qr plate to work with that b1 ballhead that comes with it, instead of the nonantitwist plate.

what other downfalls would there be to the 5 section?

it also lists only 2 positions, i thought it should be 3, like the tripod reviewed in this thread??

RiaGurl wrote in post #12942284
C2692TB1 i dont see this anywhere. please provide a link i dont even see it on benros site.

i dont need the monopod, but i am worried about having 5 legs now. i am looking to upgrade from an aluminum tripod from bogen. i don't mind the ballhead as i would have to buy a separate one anyway and the idea of the whole package for around $370 from holga site appeals to me. also thinking about getting the markins antitwist qr plate to work with that b1 ballhead that comes with it, instead of the nonantitwist plate.

what other downfalls would there be to the 5 section?

it also lists only 2 positions, i thought it should be 3, like the tripod reviewed in this thread??

This is the listing I saw originally...link 1
Now this guys selling it for the same price but throwing in extras...link 2

Peter's C2680T also has 2 leg angle positions.

klr.b wrote in post #12942105
I think all but the smallest C069 model will take the spikes.

Corrected again! You are right Gordon I just checked the spec. of the C2691T and those 15mm sections have removable feet; thanks!

RiaGurl wrote in post #12942284
what other downfalls would there be to the 5 section? it also lists only 2 positions, i thought it should be 3, like the tripod reviewed in this thread??

The more sections in a leg, the less rigid it is. Many users prefer 3-section legs for this reason, but a 3-section leg doesn't work very well for a travel tripod. The C2680T travel tripod I reviewed above has two angles.

Are you thinking of getting a universal plate rather than a camera-specific plate?

im wondering why it's not on benro's site.

are these benro's on ebay you linked legit? i know that benros is the cheapmans gitzo, but are these ebay listings for 370-420 vs amazon or bh photos listings a benro knockoff or something?

i am thinking of getting the markins quick release plate because it is antitwist. i am going to mount it to the grip of any of my camera bodies. in a way it's generic. looking at the markins 50 or whatever it is called.

i am guessing it will work with the b1 ballhead. heaviest lens camera combo might be the abr800 ringflash with the gripped 7d and 100mm.

the newer c2692t that is linked, if that is the same as the 91 specwise, then that is probably a beter deal albeit a bit more. i like getting newer stuff. i hope being 5 section that it's not less rigid.

it seems like even though the last legs are less thick than the 2680, it is still thicker than gitzo's 12mm.