Benro A-0691 Travel Angel Alum. Tripod (Trans-Functional) W/B00 Ballhead

Comments about Benro A-0691 Travel Angel Alum. Tripod (Trans-Functional) W/B00 Ballhead:

I've had this tripod for a little over a year now and have been very pleased with it. I hike a lot and needed something lightweight enough to carry long distances. It has stood up to being in water, sand, dirt and grit on almost a weekly basis without any of the knobs or twist locks losing any performance or functionality.

I've used this with success for long night shots (3+ hours) and short (30s) exposures in gust winds) with sharp results. You just have to be careful and know its limitations.

Be warned that it does jiggle slightly when fully extended, especially with the center column at the full height. If there is any bit of wind and especially if you've got a heavy setup you will not get sharp pictures. Even in calm conditions I've had to turn on mirror lockup because the shutter has induced noticeable motion blur.

The ballhead has held up well over the year but it does tend to droop a bit after positioning. I have not noticed any creep after the initial droop.

I'd give it five stars but the extra height afforded by the center column and extra leg segments is only useable in the most calm conditions and careful handling of your equipment. If you keep leg extensions short and the center column down it provides a pretty solid setup. I'd buy one again if I needed to replace my current tripod though. For the price (a year ago, anyway) it was a great deal on dollars/pound.

Comments about Benro A-0691 Travel Angel Alum. Tripod (Trans-Functional) W/B00 Ballhead:

This tripod is indeed lightweight however I experience consistent ball head creep with a very light Canon SX50HS 1.2 lbs/551g. There is NO way I'd put an SLR on there let alone anything with a lens. In addition as another reviewer said the plate will not hand tighten securely and is constantly coming loose. It is light, but isn't worth the huge trade-off in functionality. I wasn't expecting it to hold a big SLR, but I certainly was expecting it to hold my small camera for hiking. Very disappointed. I do not recommend this tripod.

Comments about Benro A-0691 Travel Angel Alum. Tripod (Trans-Functional) W/B00 Ballhead:

This tripod works perfectly for what I needed - a lightweight, compact tripod to carry with me when I go hiking. I couldn't justify the expense of a carbon fiber tripod. I had the chance to try one out and, despite some issues, decided to purchase it. I've been using it for nearly 8 months now in various conditions (some quite abusive) and think the world of it. I've used it for exposures lasting from a few seconds to half the night both in remote, uncontrolled environments and at home with great success. I most often use it to photograph water features and star trails.The cons:Vibration. This is a lightweight tripod and so it won't be rock steady. Waiting a minute or two and remote shutter release are essential for a heavy setup (eg D800, 80-400mm at ~2,317g). The built in timer works for lighter setups (eg D90, 18-105mm at ~1,040g). Vibration can be further mitigated by keeping the center column low or attaching a weight to the hook at the bottom of the column. This is the main problem that made me reluctant to buy. But I've learned that you just have to be patient and methodical. I've missed some shots because of this but mostly I was to blame for not taking my time.Ballhead adjustment knobs. The knob to adjust the bullhead and the knob to connect the camera feel very similar (especially with gloves on). I find it easy to get them mixed up and wish they were easily distinguishable to the touch. Fortunately there are some bolt heads that hold the footplate in position or my camera would have been dumped more than once.The pros:Lightweight. Yes, there are lighter tripods out there but you pay for that. This strikes a good balance between weight and cost.Easily configurable. The tripod is a breeze to expand and collapse and configure really in any way you want. The joints articulate smoothly. My tripod has been exposed to its fair share of dirt, sand, mud and water yet continues to function smoothly.Smoothly articulating ballhead. The ballhead that comes with this tripod is small, compact and smooth to operate.Compact. This tripod collapses down to a size that is easily manageable. It's still going to take up some room but I can either stash it in my pack or strap it to the outside. Typically I carry it strapped to the outside, sans case.This gets four stars for the issue I have with the ballhead knobs. The vibration issue isn't a ding against the rating in my mind, it's what you get for a lightweight tripod at this price range. I'd certainly buy one again if my current tripod got broken.

Comments about Benro A-0691 Travel Angel Alum. Tripod (Trans-Functional) W/B00 Ballhead:

Right, Travel Angel A-0691. I bought this for backpacking and international travel shoots. It is extremely versatile (decent max height, can be inverted for macro/ low angle perspective shots, panoramas, and so on). Monopod construction is perfectly simple assuming you aren't lacking hands. Quick release works very well. All the bits have a quality feel about them. Knob operation is quite smooth. The tripod packs down tighter than an origami contortionist. Comes with an adequate carry case (it won't go to bits if you, say, carry the tripod in it). If I was forced to moan about something, I suppose it'd be the stability (bit wobbly as it is not made of girders like some Gitzo beast of burden). For the purpose of being a lightweight, compact place to prop your camera, this thing is properly good.

Comments about Benro A-0691 Travel Angel Alum. Tripod (Trans-Functional) W/B00 Ballhead:

I wanted a travel tripod that was compact, solid and light. It's not as light as some other, but it's solidly built, multi-functional and packs down very nicely. This tripod works great in the studio too!

Comments about Benro A-0691 Travel Angel Alum. Tripod (Trans-Functional) W/B00 Ballhead:

I really wanted to like this.

I bought this to attach to my backpack and carry when on day hikes shooting wildlife and landscapes. My carbon fiber Manfrotto 055 can be cumbersome for such use. Unfortunately everything about using this tripod is a hassle. The awkward twist tension legs, the screw-in release plate and ball head which doesn't seem to want to behave lead to an experience which slows me down so much it's not worth the hassle. I'm also not a fan of the short height and flimsy bottom leg sections. After several attempts to use this on hikes I'm back to lugging my big Manfrotto around.

On the plus side, it seems to be solidly constructed (hence two stars instead of one) and if all you're looking for is something that can fit in your suitcase for very occasional use this may be okay for you.

I'm perplexed by the positive reviews here. I wish I had returned this in time. If you are planning to use this on day hikes, I strongly recommend against buying it.

Comments about Benro A-0691 Travel Angel Alum. Tripod (Trans-Functional) W/B00 Ballhead:

Product is great. Small, compact, great for traveling, ball head is smooth. WHen the legs are fully extended tripod is some what unstable.

Comments about Benro A-0691 Travel Angel Alum. Tripod (Trans-Functional) W/B00 Ballhead:

I purchased this tripod to replace a heavy Manfrotto "cast iron" beast used for hiking. There were several concerns about this tripod: stability, weight, quality and ease of use. On a whole, I am very pleased with the tripod. Benro did an excellent job in terms of quality and stability. The ball head (B00) isn't my favorite, but it handles the 5D and 70-200mm f4 lens just fine. With any longer lenses, I would recommend using a remote shutter release and mirror lockup as the tripod takes some time to settle.

Hiking with this tripod was wonderful! A six pound reduction in weight (the Manfrotto was about 9 lbs), but with almost the same height and versatility as my old tripod , was much easier on the back and knees. The compact size, when folded, was another perk. However, it does not setup and take down as quickly as a simple 3-section tripod.

Time and use will truly tell the truth behind quality and performance. For now, I am very pleased and will consider a Benro product in the future.

Comments about Benro A-0691 Travel Angel Alum. Tripod (Trans-Functional) W/B00 Ballhead:

I got this tripod for going out of the country. It is perfect so compact and easy to take down and put up!

Comments about Benro A-0691 Travel Angel Alum. Tripod (Trans-Functional) W/B00 Ballhead:

Used with panasonic LX5 and Canon EOS dSLR with 70-200L, 17-55 f2.8 and 100mm macro lens on remote stays in north woods wilderness.
Plusses: Easy to set up, positive locking of legs. Good ballhead. Quite stable with center column down. Easy to carry on long hikes.
Minuses: Ballhead doesn't want to stay secure on column. Translates significant motion with column extended or when using a long lens, especially if pointed downward. The quick release plate is a non-standard size that isn't widely available so if you use multiple cameras don't forget to buy extras.

Comments about Benro A-0691 Travel Angel Alum. Tripod (Trans-Functional) W/B00 Ballhead:

great for travel & lightweight. Overpriced

Comments about Benro A-0691 Travel Angel Alum. Tripod (Trans-Functional) W/B00 Ballhead:

Was looking for a tripod that was lightweight for travel. Would have preferred to have been able to use the monopod with out having to disassemble the tripod and then rebuild the monopod. overpriced!

Comments about Benro A-0691 Travel Angel Alum. Tripod (Trans-Functional) W/B00 Ballhead:

this tripod folds up small and is light to carry with, the ball head is very convient to use, I used it to take some landscape photos when the light is not bright, it's a nice tripod!

Comments about Benro A-0691 Travel Angel Alum. Tripod (Trans-Functional) W/B00 Ballhead:

I just returned from a 20 day shoot in the backcountry of Wyoming. Weight was a huge issue so I got this tripod. It held up great as my primary tripod and is still going strong. It is very compact! Be careful in the wind though.

Comments about Benro A-0691 Travel Angel Alum. Tripod (Trans-Functional) W/B00 Ballhead:

Seemed very well built but it was very stiff and hard to open legs, maybe with time it would work better, ballhead worked great, this was my 1st Arca-Swiss-style clamp it also worked great and camera felt very secure (Nikon D7000 w/70-200 2.8 VR II lens). I ended up returning this tripod just because of my personal likes and dislikes not because it wasn't a good tripod. I would highly recommend it to someone that likes the Arca-Swiss style quick release system and the twist turn legs, just didn't work for me.

Comments about Benro A-0691 Travel Angel Alum. Tripod (Trans-Functional) W/B00 Ballhead:

This is a marvelous tripod for travel. Very compact and solid as a rock.

Comments about Benro A-0691 Travel Angel Alum. Tripod (Trans-Functional) W/B00 Ballhead:

I'm only using a point and shoot camera (Canon G12) but wanted something to hold the camera steady. This tripod certainly fits the bill! Fast and easy to set up and take down. The ballhead works great.

For a heavier SLR camera I'd probably recommend the A-1691 tripod with the BO ballhead.

Comments about Benro A-0691 Travel Angel Alum. Tripod (Trans-Functional) W/B00 Ballhead:

This is a very light tripod and ball head. It benefits markedly from added weight from hook. In general I found it comfortable to carry, easy to set up and the ball head holds my camera and 80- 200mm lens well.
The leg locks are easy to tighten and hold well. I was unable to remove a monopod leg on my tripod.
Altogether I am pleased with its purchase and recommend it.

Comments about Benro A-0691 Travel Angel Alum. Tripod (Trans-Functional) W/B00 Ballhead:

This multi-functional tripod is great for travel. . . lightweight, sturdy, folds to fit easily in suitcase or backpack. Haven't used the monopodd feature yet, but great so far as a tripod. Easy to use and setup quickly.

Comments about Benro A-0691 Travel Angel Alum. Tripod (Trans-Functional) W/B00 Ballhead:

It's light, compact when folded and reasonably priced. Some stability is sacrificed but it's a small price to pay for the compactness and affordability.