Benro Tripod ???

Hey guys, well I am in search for a new tripod and I cam across this one on B&H.. It's a Benro A-168M8 with B-O ball head.. I don't need anything spectacular, just something to take portraits to nature to landscapes. Something that will hold my XTi + 17-55mm and 70-200mm F/2.8 IS that will I hopefully be getting within a month But just let me know if it is a good tripod that will suit me well for what I am using..
Here is a link to it on B&H:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ravel_Angel_Alu​minum.html

Cole_S

I have a benro tripod and I love it. Had it for a few years now. I dont know about the model you mention but what i would say is that their ballheads are pretty much the worst I have ever seen. I had one and it broke, after a battle they replaced it, the replacement broke 1 day after i received it......

The tripod will probably be good but i'd stay clear of the ballheads if i were you..

I owned the C-169 M8 with B-0 ballhead for a bit, but do not believe that the B-0 ballhead will be able to hold the 70-200 f/2.8 lens sufficiently. I did not feel like it held my 5D2 w/24-105 well, and the 70-200 lens is much heavier. I now have the C-269 w/B-1 ballhead and I believe it would be a better fit.

I did a review of the C-269 M8 here https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=664575

dandig wrote in post #7661765
I have a benro tripod and I love it. Had it for a few years now. I dont know about the model you mention but what i would say is that their ballheads are pretty much the worst I have ever seen. I had one and it broke, after a battle they replaced it, the replacement broke 1 day after i received it......

The tripod will probably be good but i'd stay clear of the ballheads if i were you..

Thanks alot. Greatt warning!

5teve wrote in post #7661911
I owned the C-169 M8 with B-0 ballhead for a bit, but do not believe that the B-0 ballhead will be able to hold the 70-200 f/2.8 lens sufficiently. I did not feel like it held my 5D2 w/24-105 well, and the 70-200 lens is much heavier. I now have the C-269 w/B-1 ballhead and I believe it would be a better fit.

I did a review of the C-269 M8 here https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=664575

Haha I've read your review already But now to try to find a deal on one... Ugh, more searching!

tripod is is good. Not sure about ballhead. Don't know if their new design (new generation) improve on the problem yet.

I have an Induro that is absolutely awesome, basically a rebadged Benro. I also own a Gitzo, so I have seen both sides of the fence.

I have the Benro C-228 with the Q3 head and it's great. Light weight and sturdy.

Thanks guys.. I will be searching around some more

I'd look at Feisol instead. Benro has a very checkered past. Do some searches. Feisol, on the other hand, has a great reputation for customer service, performance - and a big one for me - they look like they do their own R&D and development (not a knockoff).

I'd also not look at Benro ballheads until a lot of people weigh in with them being good. There have been some problems.

For example - http://www.tomwebsterp​hoto.com/Essays/Benro/​benroks2.htm

Not to say that you won't get a great one, but there is definitely higher risk with this than with Feisol, manfrotto or Gitzo.

The problem with knockoffs is that they usually look great - paint, finish etc.. but whether they are actually good or not can be a crap shoot. Some of the things that are said about these is that the composition of the CF is more epoxy (bad) than CF (good for damping), that the layup results in a whippier leg (laid up like a fishing rod), and that the leg locks are suspect, the adhesive between the spider and leg tubes can let go, and they have had issues in being loose or not as rigid as they ought to be.

So, my suggestion would be to look at Feisol over Benro. YMMV.

J.

like i said, Benro triods GOOD. Benrod ball heads.... BAAAD.

Mmmm. I'd say "Benro triopods maybe."

Here's some interesting reading from naturscapes:

http://www.naturescape​s.net …8&hilit=gitzoda​ve#p888348

and then (read down aways to the discussion of the constuction)
http://www.naturescape​s.net …vid+fisher+benr​o#p1048068

J.

Cole_Schmitt wrote in post #7661533
Hey guys, well I am in search for a new tripod and I cam across this one on B&H.. It's a Benro A-168M8 with B-O ball head.. I don't need anything spectacular, just something to take portraits to nature to landscapes. Something that will hold my XTi + 17-55mm and 70-200mm F/2.8 IS that will I hopefully be getting within a month But just let me know if it is a good tripod that will suit me well for what I am using..
Here is a link to it on B&H:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ravel_Angel_Alu​minum.html

Cole_S

check out benro tripods on ebay....you'll probably get a better deal. i bought mine there, as well as a benro monopod, and love them both .

ed rader

When I get back from Florida, I will start my search I just want to try to find a combo so I don't end up spending $400+..

JohnJ80 wrote in post #7718422
Mmmm. I'd say "Benro triopods maybe."

Here's some interesting reading from naturscapes:

http://www.naturescape​s.net …8&hilit=gitzoda​ve#p888348

and then (read down aways to the discussion of the constuction)
http://www.naturescape​s.net …vid+fisher+benr​o#p1048068

J.

Could you expect that Gitzo Product Manager, Bogen Imaging US will told something positive from Benro or any another competive?

and yes, i have a Gitzo.

Take it for what it's worth. My bet is that it is pretty factual in terms of the relative performance and the construction/spec issues. For technical marketing, if you don't have proof when you make claims you lose huge. They are not that stupid if they are going to be putting that forth. Besides that, you don't see Benro refuting it anywhere either - again, if you don't have proof that they are wrong, you are foolish to try.

Finally, if you choose not to believe this, then why would you believe what Benro says about how great their stuff is? Skepticism goes both ways.

J.