Benbo 1 Tripod

Comments about Benbo 1 Tripod:

I tried the Tracker Kit with ball head, but it wasn't quite up to the job. This one holds the 5D Mark II with 28-300 mm lens solidly and well.

It operates a little differently than other tripods, for when the clamp is loosened, everything comes loose. This is both its' strength and weakness. It allows placement of the camera in, say, a formal garden or a museum in a manner allowing the camera to be among the flowers or over a railing.

No matter how the unit is positioned, I have not yet had any wobble or shake. However, the clamp handle is large and strong for a reason: it needs a little beef to get it tight enough to hold. It is this strength that put this one head and shoulders, or at arms length, apart from all the others.

It can be unstable if the middle leg is positioned improperly. Extend the center column in the same direction as the middle leg to improve the balance.

When the center column clamp is loosened, the camera can rotate freely, surprising the unwary user. Hang onto the camera until you get used to the way it works.

It is a good, heavy, outdoor tripod.

Comments about Benbo 1 Tripod:

I use this tripod for food photography. It gives me just about any position I need. I read that it was hard to use, but I find it very simple to use for my work, which is mostly at the side of my table. I can get over or in tight for great food shots. No other tripod will do this.
My only complaint is its weight. But I really don't move it very far. So that is not a big issue for me.

Comments about Benbo 1 Tripod:

I have used this tripod for over 2 years for macro and nature photography. It can adjust to most any position as advertised, but it is not stable especially considering its 7.5lb weight. The fittings that attach the leg tubes were loose until I drilled and installed 6 to 8 screws at the top of each leg. This improved the stability. Paint was on some of the sliding surfaces on the head making setup and adjustment extremely difficult. I removed the paint and smoothed the surfaces helping adjustment considerably. With any heavier lens/camera situation it is impossible to rotate the support center tube to a non-vertical position unless the camera is directly over the tube. Otherwise the camera just creeps off position no matter how tight the tensioning knob. I use a D300 and 70-200 f2/8 lens with a diopter.

Comments about Benbo 1 Tripod:

I have been using the original version of this tripod for over 20 years with no problems! It has its share of dings and scratches but still works as well as the day I got it. I did extensive macro photography for years and the Benbo was indispensable. It can be set up on steep hillsides,or almost any terrain since each leg can be set at any angle and the center support rotated and extended as needed. Contrary to some other reviews. after a few uses I had no trouble setting up or using this tripod. FOR MACRO WORK A BENBO IS A MUST HAVE.

While the Benbo is stable and can be used for landscape etc photos, I find a regular carbon fiber tripod lighter and easier to use.