Benro C-157M8 Any Good?

I am just a beginner photographer, so I have no crazy requirements just yet. Just want a good decent tripod. Was going to cheap out and get a sub-$100 Slik but held out for a bit. Been eying the Chinese Carbons, Feisol, Fancier/Weifeng, Induro etc.

Well I came across the above mentioned Benro C-157M8 on sale. Less than $200 for the legs. Since Benro seems to have a pretty decent reputation I am considering giving it a shot. I know the ball heads I should stay away from, but this is only for the legs.

Not much information out there on the legs, I did find the C-158M8 at B&H which is apparently almost the same except four sections instead of 3, which is a bit heavier
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ripod.html#spec​ifications

There is also this ebay seller which has a nice handy chart below for reference.
http://cgi.ebay.com.sg …ewItemQQitemZ20​0302784010

My shooting will be very basic, a lot of indoor shooting in my home (food photography for myself), on the beach (San Diego) and various landscape stuff

I have a Benro carbon 'pod I bought on eBay a couple years ago and LOVE it!

jdang307 wrote in post #9337328
I am just a beginner photographer, so I have no crazy requirements just yet. Just want a good decent tripod. Was going to cheap out and get a sub-$100 Slik but held out for a bit. Been eying the Chinese Carbons, Feisol, Fancier/Weifeng, Induro etc.

Well I came across the above mentioned Benro C-157M8 on sale. Less than $200 for the legs. Since Benro seems to have a pretty decent reputation I am considering giving it a shot. I know the ball heads I should stay away from, but this is only for the legs.

Not much information out there on the legs, I did find the C-158M8 at B&H which is apparently almost the same except four sections instead of 3, which is a bit heavier
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ripod.html#spec​ifications

There is also this ebay seller which has a nice handy chart below for reference.
http://cgi.ebay.com.sg …ewItemQQitemZ20​0302784010

My shooting will be very basic, a lot of indoor shooting in my home (food photography for myself), on the beach (San Diego) and various landscape stuff

i had one and loved it but i eventually upgraded to a lightweight gitzo .

you can't beat the benro for the price. it has features that my gitzo doesn't like set screws to lock the ballhead and removeable feet so you can install spikes which along with a carrying case come with the tripod.

ed rader

I checked it out and the folded length of the 3 section is quite long, so I think I'm leaning towards a C-058 M8. Too bad the amazon sale doesn't have more Benro's included. 25% off is nice. But generally good words about the Benros.

Now I need a decent head to go with it. So many things about heads my head spins