In 2011, Benro launched the second generation of the
innovative Flat Folding Tripods. Similar to its ancestor, it inherited
the compact and portable advantage of the Flat series: less than 6cm
thin when folded.
Surely, new features were added to make it more functional:
- Monopod conversion ability
- 3 Levels leg angle adjustment ability
- Extremely low minimum height!
Where to Buy?
|
Opened, neatly balanced design. |
Folded, thin and portable. |
Specifications of the whole series
From the chart above, we could know the basic properties of the tripods:
- Material: Carbon Fiber / Aluminium
- Max. Leg Thickness: #1 / #2 thickness
- Tripod Design: "1" = Flat Folding Tripods
- Leg Sections: "8" = 4 Sections / "9" = 5 Sections
- Extra Function: "2" = Monopod conversion with "head + center column + leg" mechanism
- Lock Type: Twist Lock
- Bundled Head: B0 / B1
To be simple, there are 8 models for selection in total, with different materials / thickness / sections
General Features
Folded, with ball head. |
Close up - Upper part. Both tripod body and ball head are with bubble level. |
Side view (ball head is detached) |
3/8" mounting screw (connecting ball head and tripod), please note that it's not removable. |
Front of upper part, ball head is detached. |
Twist Lock |
Extendable center column (it's now in contracted state), for increasing tripod height. |
Center column is attached to tripod for extra height. |
Still need more height? The center column is extendable! |
Feature Highlight 1 - Multiple Leg Angles Selection
Unlike traditional tripods, the Flat series tripods don't need any short center column to achieve high, medium or low leg angles! It is really a great advantage for low angle shooting, macro shooting and wild life shooting.
Angle Selector - 3 leg angles available |
Highest Angle |
Medium Angle |
Lowest Angle. Wow! Extremely low!! |
Feature Highlight 2 - Monopod Conversion
Actually, converting to a monopod is just a simple operation: screwing out a leg, and attaching it to the ball head, done!
And if you need a longer monopod, just adding the center column between the head and the leg, that's it!
Foamed leg, ball head & center column are the elements for monopod conversion |
Close up - detaching the foamed leg from the tripod body. |
Demo 1 - Short Version Monopod (Ball Head + Foamed Leg) |
Demo 1 - Short Version Monopod Done! |
Demo 2 - Long Version Monopod (Ball Head + Center Column + Foamed Leg) |
Demo 2 - Long Version Monopod Done! |
Ball Head Details
Benro B series ball head is bundled. |
4 knobs controlling: Main Drag Knob / Damping Knob / Panoramic Knob / Quick Release Knob |
Top View - with Spirit Bubble Level |
New safety design, prevents sudden dropping of equipment. |
Accessories & Packing
Accessories: Hexagonal Wrench / Allen Key / Steel Spiked Feet |
Interchangable Feet: Rubber feet for flat surface Steel Spiked feet for rocky, muddy, sandy surfaces |
Steel Spiked feet for rocky, muddy, sandy surfaces |
Original tripod bag and packing box |
Verdicts
We have summarized the pros & cons of the tripod for buyers' consideration.
pros:
- Thin and portable
- Light weight
- High steadiness (by the center-column-free design)
- Convertible to monopod
- Flexible leg angles (3 levels)
- Extremely low minimal height
- Interchangable feet for different surfaces (rubber and steel spikes)
- Detachable ball head
cons:
- When tripod head is attached, it's not as short as traveler tripods (i.e. reverse folding tripods).
- Only accepts tripod heads with 3/8" base screw diameter.
- Tripod head cannot be upside-down (usually used in films or books reshooting).
Although flat tripods are not uncommon among the industry, but with the
monopod conversion and flexible angle selection features "all-in-one"
makes the Benro Second Generation Flat Tripod outstanding. It's one of
the best tripods from Benro so far.
Thank you for reading. I hope you find the article useful. :-)
Disclaimer
DC-PHOTO-REVIEW is a technical blog channel focusing on Photography Equipments, running by D. CHAN from Hong Kong.
All rights reserved, and no unauthorized usage permitted.
Welcome to visit our eBay store to purchase:
I run online business and technical blog to support my growing family. If you find this blog is useful, the biggest help is to purchase your gears from our eBay store. Help me help you! :-)
|
Can't find one or a review of one in the US. Only ebay store. Would be interested in a C2182 or A2182 for a big lens with gimbal head. Would like to see if the 12kg is a practical real world capacity for such a travel friendly design. The v2 series with leg locks, bubble level, and monopod looks very promising. If you looking for a user review in the US and have demo unit in the states, send it to me and I'll youtube and dpreview it. :) Seth
ReplyDelete