Benro rhino tripod

[prglassma]

I hear a lot of talk about a lot of different kinds of Tri pods from manfrotto, Gitzo, Sirui, Peak Design, etc. There are a number of reviews on YouTube about Tripods. I saw so many reviews that I got very confused on what to buy. So I made a decision and went with the benro rhino series 3 with the V 30 ball head. Was it the most expensive but it wasn't the least expensive either. This thing is a lightweight Tank. It holds up to 44 pounds. It works great and I love it. I doubt I'll have to buy another tripod ever again. The funny thing is is that you never hear anybody talk about benro really. Highly recommended.

 

[MaraLee]

I have the same one, and I love it. It's VERY solidly built, and I like the safety catch on the ball head. With the big lens attached to my camera, I'm really paranoid about it coming off the tripod, but it's secure on the Benro. We have a Manfrotto, too, but the Benro has the Arca Swiss quick release that's compatible with my Peak Design system.

 

[prglassma]

Do you think it is built better then the Manfrotto?

 

[MaraLee]

Ours is an older aluminum travel Manfrotto, and my Benro is carbon fiber, so it's not a fair comparison. I would say if they were of the same model comparison, they would be of comparable build quality.

 

[dmiller68]

I wish I would have saw this thread earlier. I almost asked about tripods. I just bought a MeFOTO GlobeTrotter 64.2" Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod

I hope I'll be happy with it. I have had success with the aluminum MeFOTO I have now.

 

[MaraLee]

I wish I would have saw this thread earlier. I almost asked about tripods. I just bought a MeFOTO GlobeTrotter 64.2" Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod

I hope I'll be happy with it. I have had success with the aluminum MeFOTO I have now.

I'm sure you'll like the one you've just bought. There were reasons you chose it, right?

 

[Rhino]

I wish I had seen this earlier. I just wrote an endorsement for Vanguard, though I know Benro makes a fabulous product!

"Not sure about how everyone "else" values a decent or even great tripod. For those of us just starting or experienced, a decent tripod and monopod (to be discussed later) are important when shooting in low light or you need to be still when taking photos...or you just need another hand and can shoot remotely.

I use the Vanguard Alta Pro series. I have both the pistol grip and ball head. I just happened to come across the pistol grip on day while perusing a pawn shop. They had no idea what they had and I got a great deal. They are by no means the highest end of the spectrum, but very good!

So what's the most valuable thing to me (besides it's ratings and stability)? I like that I can bring the head to almost floor level! I use change the center tube to reach to the side instead of just sticking straight up. This comes in handy for doing things like macros (flowers, insects, etc.) and getting very low to the ground shooting from the "worm's eye" view.

Great tripod for the money!"

 

[dmiller68]

Well I thought I would add a quick thought about the tripod that I got. The real test will be when I go to Alaska in the next couple months but so far I have to say I have been very impressed.

MeFOTO GlobeTrotter 64.2" Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod

It can go super tall and amazingly be very stable at max height, I basically was taking moon shots at 50-70 degrees with my Sigma 150-600 with the EF converter and 1.4x tele with my "R" body. with no sway or movement at all. It is pretty lite being carbon fiber and titanium. It is pretty compact folded up. So overall I'm a happy camper. I can recommend it at this point but like I said end of July will be the true test hiking in the Alaska wilderness.

 

[Sandra]

I keep hearing how light the R5 is with the 100 - 500 and that it can be used hand held.... but I have a constant hand shake from years of asthma sprays and just cannot hold them still, or get those amazing sharp shots. So, I'm looking for a great tripod setup for bird photos (and everything I shoot). I think I'm almost settled on the Benro, not sure which is best but like the rhino and the bat models. I don't Like ball heads as I'm frightened the lens will drop forward so looking at the Benro GH5C gimbal. Does anyone have any experience of using a gimbal With the R5?

 

[Rowley54]

I use the Benro Gimbal with a R6 , once you get used to the gimbal you'll never dream of going back to a a ball & socket!

 

[Sandra]

I use the Benro Gimbal with a R6 , once you get used to the gimbal you'll never dream of going back to a a ball & socket!

Thank you, that is exactly what I needed to hear

 

[RedCobra]

I keep hearing how light the R5 is with the 100 - 500 and that it can be used hand held.... but I have a constant hand shake from years of asthma sprays and just cannot hold them still, or get those amazing sharp shots. So, I'm looking for a great tripod setup for bird photos (and everything I shoot). I think I'm almost settled on the Benro, not sure which is best but like the rhino and the bat models. I don't Like ball heads as I'm frightened the lens will drop forward so looking at the Benro GH5C gimbal. Does anyone have any experience of using a gimbal With the R5?

Consider a Monopod with a tilt head.

 

[Sandra]

Consider a Monopod with a tilt head.

Yes I am interested in a monopod, I've seen some of the Benro tripods also convert to a monopod which sounds a sensible Idea. I'm not sure about using a tilt head for bird photography but would like one for other subjects. The wish list keeps growing

 

[MaraLee]

Yes I am interested in a monopod, I've seen some of the Benro tripods also convert to a monopod which sounds a sensible Idea. I'm not sure about using a tilt head for bird photography but would like one for other subjects. The wish list keeps growing

My Benro Rhino does convert to monopod, which I use for flexibility, but I take the ball head off. This limits my angles, of course. I do need to find a good alternative that's not too expensive as I don't use it that often. The ballhead would be fine for just the camera and, say, a 50mm lense, but with a larger lens, the grip, a bracket, etc., it gets too heavy to trust on the monopod.

 

[Sandra]

That's helpful. I'm looking for something to hold the R5 and 100 - 500 plus x2 extender steady. I like the idea of a gimbal, the videos showing the balance are very convincing. I think the Benro rhino tripod (plus monopod conversion) with a ball head, and a gimbal in addition will cover all options. Thank you Unless someone has another suggestion of course.

 

[MaraLee]

That's helpful. I'm looking for something to hold the R5 and 100 - 500 plus x2 extender steady. I like the idea of a gimbal, the videos showing the balance are very convincing. I think the Benro rhino tripod (plus monopod conversion) with a ball head, and a gimbal in addition will cover all options. Thank you Unless someone has another suggestion of course.

I like the video, too. The tripod is nice and sturdy. We have the R5 and R6, and the 100-500 as well, although we don't have extenders. I can only imagine the balance issues with that combination. The VX30 ballhead will tend to sag if used in portrait position for extended periods, so I got an L bracket. Problem solved there. But like you say, the gimbal seems ideal.

 

[RedCobra]

Yes I am interested in a monopod, I've seen some of the Benro tripods also convert to a monopod which sounds a sensible Idea. I'm not sure about using a tilt head for bird photography but would like one for other subjects. The wish list keeps growing

The till head allows you to tilt the camera up and down. While you pan by rotating the monopod. Whereas a loose ballhead (for tracking a bird) allows the cam to flop sideways. I use this one,

Sirui L-10 Monopod Tilt Head

Buy Sirui L-10 Monopod Tilt Head featuring Monopod Tilt Head, Calibrated Markings for 90-Degree Tilt, Built-In Bubble Level, Arca-Compatible Quick-Release Base, Weighs Only 11.6 oz, Supports Up to 33 lb. Review Sirui null

www.bhphotovideo.com

but there are others. I use the

Leofoto MP-365C 5 Section CF Travel Monopod Carbon Fiber 69" Tall 1/4" & 3/8"​

Heavy duty, no flex. With the arca plate on the lens foot and the Sirui tilt head I easily use a Canon 10-440 L IS with the 1.4x extender on this rig.

I used to use the Benro gimbal head on the monopod, but found it easier to use the tilt head and rotate the monopod for panning. When I move to a new location, I just put the monopod on my shoulder and go.

 

[MaraLee]

The till head allows you to tilt the camera up and down. While you pan by rotating the monopod. Whereas a loose ballhead (for tracking a bird) allows the cam to flop sideways. I use this one,

Sirui L-10 Monopod Tilt Head

Buy Sirui L-10 Monopod Tilt Head featuring Monopod Tilt Head, Calibrated Markings for 90-Degree Tilt, Built-In Bubble Level, Arca-Compatible Quick-Release Base, Weighs Only 11.6 oz, Supports Up to 33 lb. Review Sirui null

www.bhphotovideo.com

but there are others. I use the

Leofoto MP-365C 5 Section CF Travel Monopod Carbon Fiber 69" Tall 1/4" & 3/8"​

Heavy duty, no flex. With the arca plate on the lens foot and the Sirui tilt head I easily use a Canon 10-440 L IS with the 1.4x extender on this rig.

I used to use the Benro gimbal head on the monopod, but found it easier to use the tilt head and rotate the monopod for panning. When I move to a new location, I just put the monopod on my shoulder and go.

Nice! And it's $10 off through tomorrow.