Review: Benro C-269 Tripod with B-1 Head (and pictures)

The more sections, the smaller they'll collapse to for a given assembled height. On the other hand, the last section has to be fairly thin, or the first fairly fat, for everything to work right. It's usually the former, and the thin section gets pretty bendy.

5 leg sections allow the tripod to fold up smaller. In the case of this model the difference between the 4 and 5 leg sections equates to around 2" of length when folded. With more leg sections, however, you sacrifice a bit of stability. I have not noticed any stability issues at all with the 5 leg sections, and in fact often times this tripod is tall enough with even only 4 leg sections expanded. Also, the fifth leg section on this model is still somewhat thick and sturdy, much more so than the C-169 or C-069 models.

I have not found a clear answer on this after much research, so I'd greatly appreciate any help you could provide. Is the "Maximum Height: 60.9" (154.7cm)" to the top of the ball head where the camera attaches?

Ryan

I just measured and yes the maximum height is up to the top of the the plate on the ball head where the camera would attach.

Thank you for verifying that for me!

5teve, thanks for your review. I was looking seriously at a Benro Tripod and with all your information, and some follow-up replies have pretty well sold me on one.

Do they have one that has same Folded Length: 14.7" (37.5cm) but not Carbon Fiber made ?!
I really love yours but looking for something cheaper than this that has same Folded Length.....

atu wrote in post #7954347
Do they have one that has same Folded Length: 14.7" (37.5cm) but not Carbon Fiber made ?!
I really love yours but looking for something cheaper than this that has same Folded Length.....

They do make the same versions, but in aluminum instead of carbon fiber. The difference in model number is that they start with an 'A'. So in this case the equivalent aluminum model would be the A-269. http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ravel_Angel_Alu​minum.html

It is about $230 cheaper.

I'm currently looking into the A-269 from B&H, but they sell it with either a B-1 head or a BH-1 head. Can someone please explain the difference and give an opinion on whether the extra cost is worth it?
Thanks!

stormchaser2b wrote in post #8005627
I'm currently looking into the A-269 from B&H, but they sell it with either a B-1 head or a BH-1 head. Can someone please explain the difference and give an opinion on whether the extra cost is worth it?
Thanks!

I think the difference in the heads is the B-1 has 3 separate knobs to lock it down and adjust ball tension, whereas the BH-1 has a single knob.

I have the A269 + B-1 head and love it...

Ryan

biketx wrote in post #8005852
I think the difference in the heads is the B-1 has 3 separate knobs to lock it down and adjust ball tension, whereas the BH-1 has a single knob.

I have the A269 + B-1 head and love it...

Ryan

Looks like only 1 supplier that I can find in the UK - annoying. Your review has pretty much sold me on the C269

There are a couple of companies on Ebay that sell these direct from Hong Kong with free shipping. Customer support would certainly be lacking, but you can be pretty confident that you will get it in good shape. One of the issues with Benro is local support. I haven't needed anything for mine so for me minimal risk.

5teve, thanks so much for this review, I think you have the same situation as me with the criteria and especially price! Have you used this setup with a 24-70 f/2.8 L on your 5D Mark II yet? That is the lens I have and just wonder if you get the same results and feel comfy with that lens and this tripod setup?

And also with the A vs. C model, the carbon would be lighter than the aluminum model? I'm not sure if the $230 difference is worth it for me, since weight isn't that big a factor for me, no hiking trips etc...that I plan.

Lastly, wondering about the 5D Mark II video usage, when I want to dabble in shooting some film, would this setup be good but maybe switch out the head for a different one? Like say a Manfrotto 501HDV Fluid Head?
Then I would have a good solution for still photos and video?

To answer your weight question it looks like there is about a 0.6lb difference between the A-269 and C-269 (lighter one).

ChrisMc73 wrote in post #8054497
5teve, thanks so much for this review, I think you have the same situation as me with the criteria and especially price! Have you used this setup with a 24-70 f/2.8 L on your 5D Mark II yet? That is the lens I have and just wonder if you get the same results and feel comfy with that lens and this tripod setup?

And also with the A vs. C model, the carbon would be lighter than the aluminum model? I'm not sure if the $230 difference is worth it for me, since weight isn't that big a factor for me, no hiking trips etc...that I plan.

Lastly, wondering about the 5D Mark II video usage, when I want to dabble in shooting some film, would this setup be good but maybe switch out the head for a different one? Like say a Manfrotto 501HDV Fluid Head?
Then I would have a good solution for still photos and video?

I have not used this setup with the 24-70 f/2.8 on it, but the setup should be more than enough to hold that lens. I have used my 70-200 f/2.8 on it and it holds the camera/lens combination without any problems at all. I checked the specs of both lenses and the 24-70 is 33.6 oz, while the 70-200 is 42.2 oz.

The tripod legs are definitely sturdy enough if you wanted to try shooting some video, and I'm sure the Manfrotto head would work great. I haven't attempted, however, to remove the B-1 head so am not sure how easy it is to remove.

In terms of the A vs C model and the price difference. It really depends on how important you value the weight savings. For me I wanted a tripod that was sturdy, compact and as light as possible so was willing to spend extra for the carbon model.