Thoughts on a Couple of Benro Tripods

Just wondering if anyone has used these tripods and what their experiences are. Also, would either of these hold up a 5D2 and 70-200 II without me worrying too much?

Benro C-2691 Travel Angel Carbon Fiber Tripod with B1 Ballhead

Benro Travel Flat C1190T with a B1 Ballhead

I'll bow to users of these models, but without having used them and just looking at the specs they don't seem like particularly great buys. They both have 5-section legs and I think that's one section too many; my first tripod was a 5-section and I quickly learned I'd made a mistake. The 1190T has a 2-section center column, yes a center column is a necessary evil in a tripod, but a 2-section center column is an unnecessary evil. The 2691 has the monopod leg which many people don't like because they're shorter than regular monopods, but I think this is an expensive tripod kit at $536 plus shipping. Both of these tripods have Benro B-1 heads, but while Benro have improved their heads in recent years, you can do better for less money. I like Benro tripods a lot but I'm not a fan of their ballheads.

You can reduce your cost quite a bit by buying direct from China. You cut out the middlemen & the overhead and you can get an excellent Benro travel tripod for $200 less than the C-2691 and a quality ballhead for less than $200 as well. For an inexpensive but quality ballhead I'd suggest the Photo Clam PC-33NS from RBC for $179 or if you want to go top quality it's the Markins Q3T which is the best travel ballhead you can get at $310.

I think one of the best Benro travel tripods is the C2680T, available directly from China for $326 total. This tripod has 4-section legs and is very competitive with the Gitzo 1541T/1542T travel models. I bought one ten months ago, have used it extensively, and reported back on it's utility and compared it with the Gitzo 1541.

There are excellent Benro tripod solutions that aren't sold here in the US. Their systematics are terrific and half the price of the Gitzos. This C2680T and a Photo Clam ballhead will set you back $505 plus whatever Kerry charges to ship the ballhead. That would be a really solid rig that you could use for a long, long time.

I would like to know where Peter can get a Carbon 269 for $200. You can get the aluminum version for $200. I have owned a c268 and c269. The 269 is really sturdy!! equal to the 268. THe 269 is as sturdy as my C258ex or sturdier. Which are both sturdier than a Manfrotto 055cxpro. Quality of components is equal to Bogen, and the are serviced by the Mac group in USA. I have sold them both on FM beacuse of a shoulder injury, the twist motion kills me, I have gone to flip locks. That being said I am considering selling my c258ex and purchasing the flip lock version of the c269.
The b1 head is a nice head! I prefer a seperate drag contol. Very close to KIrk BH 3 ball head quality, not quite but 1/3 of the price. Hope that helps.
As a fair reflection of the 055cxpro their column can go horizontal making it not as sturdy as a trade off. I dont like the benro system of horizontal columns, they are clunky all the time.

I had the 268 and it was very nice. It could handle your setup no problem. It was just a bit too short for me so I made a 1" folded size sacrifice to fix that.

Avoid the fold flats they are a pain

why's that?

fotografur wrote in post #12639220
Avoid the fold flats they are a pain

I have the 2691 and love it. I take it everywhere I go. Got it with the B-1 head on eBay from a Chinese seller. There are tons of sellers out there with very strong ratings.

Yeah, I was going to get it off ebay.

ender, how do you find the weight of the 2691 and b-1. It says 3.8 lbs and do you find it ok?

fotografur wrote in post #12638572
I would like to know where Peter can get a Carbon 269 for $200.

Not quite sure why you asked this question but (a) you can't buy a 269 for $200 but you can get one from the same eBay vendor for $326 - the same price as my C2680T, and (b) why would you want a 5-section leg tripod anyway?

Look reliable but the cost is a bit exaggerated. I would recommend this if the budget was right.

Its much lighter than my old aluminium manfrotto. I think one of my old manfrotto heads weighs more than the entire setup. I take it everywhere, its clipped to my bag. I have also used the monopod option a few times, worked out well. The Travel Angel is really a good moniker. Its a godsend to travel with. I want to be able to hike with my tripod and not worry about the weight, the Benro fulfills that need/want. One of my best purchases in a while. I've had it for a year now and it almost always goes with me when I go out shooting.

ender78 wrote in post #12639918
I have the 2691 and love it. I take it everywhere I go. Got it with the B-1 head on eBay from a Chinese seller. There are tons of sellers out there with very strong ratings.

ender78 wrote in post #12641834
Its much lighter than my old aluminium manfrotto. I think one of my old manfrotto heads weighs more than the entire setup. I take it everywhere, its clipped to my bag. I have also used the monopod option a few times, worked out well. The Travel Angel is really a good moniker. Its a godsend to travel with. I want to be able to hike with my tripod and not worry about the weight, the Benro fulfills that need/want. One of my best purchases in a while. I've had it for a year now and it almost always goes with me when I go out shooting.

My experience with 2691 is exactly the same, almost to the letter!

I have the A version and I am kicking myself for not spending $100 more for carbon fiber, but I still use it much, much more often than Manfrotto.
Monopod option I use quite often and I am actually happy how it works, although for my height 5'9", it is juuust about the right length!
I`d be happier if it was an inch or two longer.

Two inches longer ... classic