for a guy who shoots in front of his garage this video was extremely well done. thorough and you can really tell that you aren't lazy when it comes to cutting and really getting in to show people what you are talking about. hope to see more videos soon.
Wow, I clicked the link for this video expecting to see one of those shallow overviews on this Benro (which I'm considering buying) and I was VERY pleased with what I saw. Fantastic comparison, very thorough, and done in a way that I couldn't do better myself. It has everything I expected to see -- and more. So I just wanted to take the time and say thank you for helping me (and by "me" I mean "myself and everyone out there who may be in the same predicament"). Like Lucille said, "deciding on a tripod is one of the most trying decisions" you have to face as a photographer (no wonder everyone has more than one tripod). So, again, thank you so much for this video. If I could, I'd "like" it twice. Two thumbs up!
Exactly the review I was looking for. I too was struck by the comperable functionality and a review on tech radar even reviewed both. They picked the manfrotto though didn't really explain fully why. I disagreed with their assessment before finding your review which helped me solidify my choice. Thanks for the good work!
Hi Adam, just to say thanks for a thorough review. On the basis of your vid I bought the Benro featured in your video and I love it to bits. Thanks for going to the trouble of producing a great review.
I was saving every penny for manfrotto! and here your review suddenly changed my mind and now I bought Benro...it will be shipped tomorrow.. thank you so much for the review! :)
I would have love a stability comparison too. Stability is the biggest reason that you buy a tripod for so I think it should be part of the review (there are only a few reviews about tripods that test the stability, which is a shame :( )
Great video, thanks! An informative review, but what I like most is your video editing - the occasional added caption and time lapse are really cool and helpful :)
Great review. I was just about to pull the trigger on the Manfrotto, when I came across your review. After a little more research I ended up buying the Benro A2970F with the BH2 Ball Head. Fantastic compo and I'm a happy camper.
I picked this up in January and can confirm it is a great set of legs. I have had no problems so far. I have used it quite often and am very happy with it. I am using a Mongoose gimbel head and love it. Nice review!
Hey, just want to leave a message to thank you for the effort in making this video. I really appreciate it. I suppose it helped many guys out there on which tripod to buy!
I am so glad that I found your review...it is extremely helpful. I was ready to jump on a 055XPROB...just because its "the Manfrotto." SOLD on A2970F! Thanks for the review!!
At last. A review that covers the practical points we need. It was a toss-up between the Benro, Silk Road and the Alta pro. Benro it is. Thanks for doing this.
Thank you for the review! I went with the Benro, and I am very happy with it so far. I also highly recommend a Sirui ballhead. It fits perfectly on the Benro, and it holds twice as much weight as the Benro B-1 ballhead. It is also about $65 cheaper than the Benro ballhead. I recommend it to everyone. Thanks again.
Great video, thanks for posting. I looked at both of these tripods and ended up buying the Benro A2970F and love it. Both are solid, but the Benro is tall at 58.1" with the column all the way down, several inches taller than the Manfrotto. Always better to adjust the legs to shorten if needed then raise the center column. The Benro is also lighter and rated for higher loads (22lbs vs 15). The Manfrotto 055XProB is the more well known tripod, but IMO the Benro A2970F is the better tripod.
Thanx. It is a little late but good news is I bought the Benro based on your review. Thanx for the great vid. I almost bought the Vanguard Alta Pro instead. Your review convinced me the Benro was better. Happy photographing to you!
Thank you sir! Excellent side by side. For anyone wondering about a head the Benro S8 looks awesome if you're lookin into pro video fluid heads. It's competitor is the Manfrotto 504HD but actually has better counter balance stops. I watched a 20 min demonstration of the two on UA-cam. Try searching Benro S8 vs Manfrotto 504HD. The biggest catch is the Manfrotto uses it's well known status to up the price while the Benro stays modest, the Manfrotto head goes for about $389 USD while the Benro goes for $188 USD it's a steal. Plus Manfrotto is red and black while Benro is blue and black so it's easy to keep from confusing the two. I'm doin a lot of research right now for a 15 pound cinema rig so just thought I'd share my notes!
I ended up getting the Feisol carbon fiber CT-3441S with their CB-40D ballhead. I love it - it's relatively light, very sturdy, rather short when folded, and tall when unfolded. The ballhead won out over Gitzo and other prime brands in tests the Germans did!
Good feedback. I agree with the case being too small. I would've liked it had it been bigger, but I like that they include one in the cost. I have not experienced the other problem but I would like to check it out. Thanks again for your feedback.
@Seattle354 I agree. I actually ordered the Manfrotto from a place where it was out of stock. I think I would have been happy with the Manfrotto, but happier with the Benro, so I am glad I got it.
@@contatofelipesoares I've changed Benro's leg's parts for... maybe 19Eu, sold Manfrotto, put to recycle broken Gorilapod and... Yes - Benro still my main tripod. Not only 11 months after comment, but 5 or 6 years.
Thanks for the excellent review. Very will done. I compared the Benro vs the Manfrotto 055 at the store and came to the same conclusion. I purchased the Benro A1980F which is very similar in function to the A2970F. I have used it at a number of weddings and events and I am very pleased with its performance. I use a Manfrotto 496RC2 ball head on it because I like the Manfrotto quick release system.
Okay. A2980f in India is for 8,400 Rupees on Flipkart.com ... Around $US 160. Stuff is generally costly here due to import duties etc. I think ill go with the 2970 one only, for its height and 3-sections. Might get their HD-2 panhead. U know, buying a first tripod isnt easy. Thanks again, man. Really good review!
Thanks a lot sir. I came across the benro versatile before and i was gonna get the 055xprob but after i saw that smooth swivel on the benro, i now am gonna get the benro. And the travel angel is also sweet.
I'd prefer the Manfrotto just because this center column is right in the center and not one sided like on the Benro. The Benro uses 3 knobs that could possibly fail while the Manfrotto on this center column only uses one knob. However I'd choose the twist lock version. (Just because of my fingers. I tend to hurt myself with the other system.)
Sorry for the late response. I have not had to do any readjustments to the flip lock levers thus far and they are holding up quite well. If they someday loosen it would just take a quick tightening from an Allen wrench I think.
Great review, helped me decide on the Benro over about 20 tripods that I've been researching. Paired it with a Smith-Victor BH8 Ball Head which I feel is a killer combo.
The tripod leg is constant diameter until the very top where it flares outward. The diameter of the flared out portion at the top of the leg is approximately 1 5/16 inches (just barely larger). I got this by measuring the circumference (4 3/16 inches) and using it to calculate the diameter (circumference divided by pi), so it is not a perfectly accurate calculation.
Honestly, I do not know. I haven't looked into the A2980F, but the leg sections sounds like a good bet. I know the "A" stands for aluminum (as opposed to carbon fiber) and that the F refers to flip lock legs (as opposed to twist lock), but I don't know what the difference in number refers to.
I suppose it is because I use a Canon MP-E with a focusing rail and a large flash. Things get really heavy and unbalanced then. I've had balancing issues just trying to photograph something on a table. I threw out the Benro tripod case and got a large/x-large Tamrac tripod case. The case is just perfect for the tripod with the head attached, and there's just enough extra room that my monopod can also fit in it for storage. Only down side is no padding, but not really a big deal.
Yeah, I have had a few other people recommend vanguard. I have since looked at some reviews and it would have been nice to have one to review alongside these two.
Thank You for that!! Awesome comparison/review btw. Im trying to decide wether to get this Benro or Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT at the moment and because Ill be doubling this tripod for video with a fluid head I figured I would see which one had the "beefier" legs.... as it seems both tripods head on the same just about, except that the Vanguard is on sale for $99 as of today... decisions, decisions! Vanguard lists the diameter on the 263AT as 26mm...
Terrific review. I'd go for the Benro too. The fact that the horizontal bar on the Manfrotto hangs beyond 90 degrees is a dealbreaker for me. Does the Benro arm stay perfectly parallel once you attach a DSLR to it? Thanks a lot!
addendum... the benro 2980 is very stable tripod...looks like it is gonna last for years and years ..it is made of aluminum and magnesium..the material that does the panning movement like the one shown in this video,is made of magnesium..i
Yeah, they both look pretty comparable. Is the A2980F only sold in Europe? I'm in the US and couldn't find it on their site, but did find it for 99 Euros. It also looks like the center column flips horizontally which was something I really wanted. As for tripod heads, I am no pro. It seems they make them primarily for video OR photography. I went to a local photo shop and they recommended an "in between" head. Not sure if it is really "in between" or if the salesman just wanted a sale...
Great video, excellent review. I balance between the two models but I think I will eventually settle for the Benro. My only doubt is whether it will couple well with a Manfrotto 498rc2 head.
more leg sections means less stability. Don't know how much. I'm also looking for a new tripod in this price range, and the benro is high on my list. I probably won't choose the manfrotto because you only put the center column in one angle and the benro (and vanguard) can do any angle. Also with manfrotto you don't get a bag or spikes, which you have to buy (expensive) extra, witch adds atleast 50-100 dollar extra...
Your excellent review convinced me that this was the tripod I needed. As you stated, this is a good quality product and should give me all the flexibility I need (relative amateur) for many years. Too bad that the spiked feet are not built into the legs. Swapping out the feet to accommodate various terrains is a minor inconvenience but, I'll just plan my shoots more carefully.
Interesting point on macro stability, but I find if I cantilever the central column in alignment with a leg, it is really not a problem. Might you be off the alignment causing the stability issue?
Now that you have had these for over a year I was wondering how well those flip levers are holding up for locking the legs sections. I have a 30 year old Bogen and it has the thumb screws for locking the legs and they are still working perfectly.. Any issues with slippage on the lever locking style legs? Have you had to re-adjust them at all since you first got the tripods? Are the legs section diameters larger on the Benro or the Manfrotto? Great review BTW. THANX!!
This is one of the best reviews/comparisons I've ever seen -- excellent and thorough although I believe you didn't mention anything about the weight of the two. I'm looking for a light-weight tripod that is high enough (I'm also 6'4") to carry around. Have been looking at the Gitzo GK1580TQR5 Series 1 6 X Carbon Fiber Traveler Tripod Kit - would love to see a review by you of this.
Can you please tell me if the hinge of center column knob on the Benro A2970F which allows you to articulate the arm to various angles has "teeth" or "detents" which allow the assembly to better grip the column when set at interval angles, or is it just a friction based mechanism. Thanks and great review!
Nice. That's good to know. My head BARELY fits into the case, but it's nothing special and I am sure when I upgrade I will need to do something else. Do you have a site where you display your pictures? I'd be interested to see what you've done.
Great review thanks, I chose the Benro as I do a lot of outdoor macro work. I find it sits well with the legs horizontal, maybe the Manfrotto which sits lower would be less stable on uneven ground forcing you to put one leg back to the next click.
Excellent video, im a owner of the same Benro model, im very happy with this tripod, and the Ball Head, perfect for a macro shots. Best regards abino83.
Great review. Exactly what I was looking for. If it wasn't for this I probably would've already ordered the manfrotto 055xprob -no I have a huge decision to make. I know that the spikes that the Benro offers is very key to my decision because I didn't know that the manfrotto would not have spikes on the bottom of the legs. Also the functionality of the Benro as far as using the center column have a swing arm in multiple positions is clutch. Honestly after seeing this review the only thing that I like about the 055x is the capability to extend legs all the way to the ground and the grips on the side of the legs! Q: Vanguard 263 AB or benro model in this video?
I am facing teh same challenge at the moment :D I read some bad opinions about the long-term experience of the Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT. Which one did you get in the end? A2970F or MT055XPRO3/MT055XPROB?
Great review! Thanks a lot :) It's awesome that you included how tall you are as a reference (I'm 6'6" so that helped big time). Do you know if it's possible to remove the center column on the Benro and attach a ball head directly? Thanks in advance.
for a guy who shoots in front of his garage this video was extremely well done. thorough and you can really tell that you aren't lazy when it comes to cutting and really getting in to show people what you are talking about. hope to see more videos soon.
Wow, I clicked the link for this video expecting to see one of those shallow overviews on this Benro (which I'm considering buying) and I was VERY pleased with what I saw. Fantastic comparison, very thorough, and done in a way that I couldn't do better myself. It has everything I expected to see -- and more. So I just wanted to take the time and say thank you for helping me (and by "me" I mean "myself and everyone out there who may be in the same predicament"). Like Lucille said, "deciding on a tripod is one of the most trying decisions" you have to face as a photographer (no wonder everyone has more than one tripod). So, again, thank you so much for this video. If I could, I'd "like" it twice. Two thumbs up!
You are welcome! Good luck in your decision making process.
7777g
Thank you. This is the best review I've seen on tripod comparisons. Great work.
Your the man. All of a sudden it got cinematic af halfway through. Sweet POV shots and close ups. Nice review, thank you.
Thanks!
Exactly the review I was looking for. I too was struck by the comperable functionality and a review on tech radar even reviewed both. They picked the manfrotto though didn't really explain fully why. I disagreed with their assessment before finding your review which helped me solidify my choice. Thanks for the good work!
Hi Adam, just to say thanks for a thorough review. On the basis of your vid I bought the Benro featured in your video and I love it to bits. Thanks for going to the trouble of producing a great review.
I was saving every penny for manfrotto! and here your review suddenly changed my mind and now I bought Benro...it will be shipped tomorrow.. thank you so much for the review! :)
I would have love a stability comparison too. Stability is the biggest reason that you buy a tripod for so I think it should be part of the review (there are only a few reviews about tripods that test the stability, which is a shame :( )
One of the best review I have ever seen. Thanks.
Thanks for the review. I was sold on Manfrotto just because of the name but will definitely check out the Benro.
Great video, thanks! An informative review, but what I like most is your video editing - the occasional added caption and time lapse are really cool and helpful :)
Great review.
I was just about to pull the trigger on the Manfrotto, when I came across your review. After a little more research I ended up buying the Benro A2970F with the BH2 Ball Head.
Fantastic compo and I'm a happy camper.
I picked this up in January and can confirm it is a great set of legs. I have had no problems so far. I have used it quite often and am very happy with it. I am using a Mongoose gimbel head and love it. Nice review!
Hey, just want to leave a message to thank you for the effort in making this video. I really appreciate it. I suppose it helped many guys out there on which tripod to buy!
@massbrutality - No problem at all. It was fun to do and I am glad you enjoyed it!
You are welcome! Thanks for the vote of confidence! I was afraid my video would be too long, but I wanted to be sure it was thorough.
I am so glad that I found your review...it is extremely helpful. I was ready to jump on a 055XPROB...just because its "the Manfrotto." SOLD on A2970F! Thanks for the review!!
You are welcome! Glad it helped!
At last. A review that covers the practical points we need. It was a toss-up between the Benro, Silk Road and the Alta pro. Benro it is. Thanks for doing this.
Thanks!
Really helpful review, thanks for putting in the time and effort - influenced me to pick up an A2970F with confidence, thanks!
you are welcome. thanks for the comment!
Thank you for the review! I went with the Benro, and I am very happy with it so far. I also highly recommend a Sirui ballhead. It fits perfectly on the Benro, and it holds twice as much weight as the Benro B-1 ballhead. It is also about $65 cheaper than the Benro ballhead. I recommend it to everyone. Thanks again.
Great video, thanks for posting. I looked at both of these tripods and ended up buying the Benro A2970F and love it. Both are solid, but the Benro is tall at 58.1" with the column all the way down, several inches taller than the Manfrotto. Always better to adjust the legs to shorten if needed then raise the center column. The Benro is also lighter and rated for higher loads (22lbs vs 15).
The Manfrotto 055XProB is the more well known tripod, but IMO the Benro A2970F is the better tripod.
Thanks a bunch for this review. Deciding on a tripod is one of the most trying decisions and this video definitely helped. Cheers!
You are welcome! Glad it was useful.
Thanx. It is a little late but good news is I bought the Benro based on your review. Thanx for the great vid.
I almost bought the Vanguard Alta Pro instead. Your review convinced me the Benro was better.
Happy photographing to you!
Thank you sir! Excellent side by side. For anyone wondering about a head the Benro S8 looks awesome if you're lookin into pro video fluid heads. It's competitor is the Manfrotto 504HD but actually has better counter balance stops. I watched a 20 min demonstration of the two on UA-cam. Try searching Benro S8 vs Manfrotto 504HD. The biggest catch is the Manfrotto uses it's well known status to up the price while the Benro stays modest, the Manfrotto head goes for about $389 USD while the Benro goes for $188 USD it's a steal. Plus Manfrotto is red and black while Benro is blue and black so it's easy to keep from confusing the two. I'm doin a lot of research right now for a 15 pound cinema rig so just thought I'd share my notes!
Awesome. Sounds like a good review.
I ended up getting the Feisol carbon fiber CT-3441S with their CB-40D ballhead. I love it - it's relatively light, very sturdy, rather short when folded, and tall when unfolded. The ballhead won out over Gitzo and other prime brands in tests the Germans did!
Thank you very much for this fantastic review....still doing comparisons between a few but your review was very helpful!
@dators77 I am glad it helped. Send on some photos or videos when you get it! i would love to see your work.
Good feedback. I agree with the case being too small. I would've liked it had it been bigger, but I like that they include one in the cost. I have not experienced the other problem but I would like to check it out. Thanks again for your feedback.
Much required review! Kudos to you, my good man!
Why thank you!
Thank you! I was initially afraid it was too long, but I really wanted to do a thorough job. I appreciate your comment!
Excellent video and comparison! Your video helped me choose the tripod I needed, and that is the Benro A2980! Cheers and meery Christmas!
@Seattle354 I agree. I actually ordered the Manfrotto from a place where it was out of stock. I think I would have been happy with the Manfrotto, but happier with the Benro, so I am glad I got it.
You are welcome! I am glad it helped!
Great review! I was inclined to get a Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT, but your review tipped the scale. Thanks!
You are welcome! I am glad it was useful. I would be interested to see some of the pictures/videos you have gotten using it.
Thanks for the review. Helped me to understand them better.
After Your review I buy Benro. this was third my Tripod. Now i have + Gorilapod + Manfrotto. This Benro with Velbon PHD-65D head is my main tripod.
Hi, Gedas St. After 11 months of your comment, does the Benro G2970F stay well? Some part of the Benro is plastic?
@@contatofelipesoares I've changed Benro's leg's parts for... maybe 19Eu, sold Manfrotto, put to recycle broken Gorilapod and...
Yes - Benro still my main tripod. Not only 11 months after comment, but 5 or 6 years.
@@GedasSt Great. Thanks.
Thanks for the excellent review. Very will done. I compared the Benro vs the Manfrotto 055 at the store and came to the same conclusion. I purchased the Benro A1980F which is very similar in function to the A2970F. I have used it at a number of weddings and events and I am very pleased with its performance. I use a Manfrotto 496RC2 ball head on it because I like the Manfrotto quick release system.
Okay. A2980f in India is for 8,400 Rupees on Flipkart.com ... Around $US 160. Stuff is generally costly here due to import duties etc.
I think ill go with the 2970 one only, for its height and 3-sections. Might get their HD-2 panhead.
U know, buying a first tripod isnt easy. Thanks again, man. Really good review!
Great review. Thankyou. Youhave helped me decide on the Benro. The infinitley adjustable centre column decided it for me.
You are certainly welcome!
Thanks a lot sir. I came across the benro versatile before and i was gonna get the 055xprob but after i saw that smooth swivel on the benro, i now am gonna get the benro. And the travel angel is also sweet.
I'd prefer the Manfrotto just because this center column is right in the center and not one sided like on the Benro. The Benro uses 3 knobs that could possibly fail while the Manfrotto on this center column only uses one knob. However I'd choose the twist lock version. (Just because of my fingers. I tend to hurt myself with the other system.)
Hey Man, thanks for the review, it helps me a lot.
Wow, you are welcome! I am glad it came in useful to you! I hope you have liked your decision! Let me know how it's gone for you.
Sorry for the late response. I have not had to do any readjustments to the flip lock levers thus far and they are holding up quite well. If they someday loosen it would just take a quick tightening from an Allen wrench I think.
Great review, helped me decide on the Benro over about 20 tripods that I've been researching. Paired it with a
Smith-Victor BH8 Ball Head which I feel is a killer combo.
I would be interested to see some of your work!
You are welcome. I am glad it was helpful. Let me know what you decided to get.
thank you for your review. keep up your good work....
Thanks a lot for the review....very helpfully....
Thanks for your good review. Help me to understand them better.
Just picked this one up ... Thanks for the review and comparison
The tripod leg is constant diameter until the very top where it flares outward. The diameter of the flared out portion at the top of the leg is approximately 1 5/16 inches (just barely larger). I got this by measuring the circumference (4 3/16 inches) and using it to calculate the diameter (circumference divided by pi), so it is not a perfectly accurate calculation.
Well, I hope you like it! I have really liked my Benro!
No problem. Let me know how it goes. I would love to see some of your work (photos or videos).
Honestly, I do not know. I haven't looked into the A2980F, but the leg sections sounds like a good bet. I know the "A" stands for aluminum (as opposed to carbon fiber) and that the F refers to flip lock legs (as opposed to twist lock), but I don't know what the difference in number refers to.
I suppose it is because I use a Canon MP-E with a focusing rail and a large flash. Things get really heavy and unbalanced then. I've had balancing issues just trying to photograph something on a table. I threw out the Benro tripod case and got a large/x-large Tamrac tripod case. The case is just perfect for the tripod with the head attached, and there's just enough extra room that my monopod can also fit in it for storage. Only down side is no padding, but not really a big deal.
Yeah, I have had a few other people recommend vanguard. I have since looked at some reviews and it would have been nice to have one to review alongside these two.
Thank You for that!! Awesome comparison/review btw. Im trying to decide wether to get this Benro or Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT at the moment and because Ill be doubling this tripod for video with a fluid head I figured I would see which one had the "beefier" legs.... as it seems both tripods head on the same just about, except that the Vanguard is on sale for $99 as of today... decisions, decisions! Vanguard lists the diameter on the 263AT as 26mm...
Terrific review. I'd go for the Benro too. The fact that the horizontal bar on the Manfrotto hangs beyond 90 degrees is a dealbreaker for me. Does the Benro arm stay perfectly parallel once you attach a DSLR to it? Thanks a lot!
Thank you for the review, it really helped
You are welcome!
this video lead me to buy the benro A2980 F and paired it with manfrotto 498 RC2 ballhead....a great combo, looks very solid overall.
addendum... the benro 2980 is very stable tripod...looks like it is gonna last for years and years ..it is made of aluminum and magnesium..the material that does the panning movement like the one shown in this video,is made of magnesium..i
thank you for this wonderful review!
Thank you. This helped me decide on the Benro.
Thanks. My mother-in-law and wife work quite hard on that garden.
Yeah, they both look pretty comparable. Is the A2980F only sold in Europe? I'm in the US and couldn't find it on their site, but did find it for 99 Euros. It also looks like the center column flips horizontally which was something I really wanted.
As for tripod heads, I am no pro. It seems they make them primarily for video OR photography. I went to a local photo shop and they recommended an "in between" head. Not sure if it is really "in between" or if the salesman just wanted a sale...
Thanks for this...i was about to buy manfrotto 190 n its expensive....this benro is in my spending range for tripod... Thanks for the great review....
Great video, excellent review. I balance between the two models but I think I will eventually settle for the Benro. My only doubt is whether it will couple well with a Manfrotto 498rc2 head.
On the Manfrotto, when using the center column horizontally, you should adjust your camera's angle using a ballhead etc.
merci pour cette review ! i chose the Benro.
Thanks for the info. For some reason, the flip lock legs is what appealed to me. I never really tried twist lock.
Excellent thorough review. Thanks!!
more leg sections means less stability. Don't know how much. I'm also looking for a new tripod in this price range, and the benro is high on my list. I probably won't choose the manfrotto because you only put the center column in one angle and the benro (and vanguard) can do any angle. Also with manfrotto you don't get a bag or spikes, which you have to buy (expensive) extra, witch adds atleast 50-100 dollar extra...
Very nicely done. Thanks for the great information.
Good review. I would've liked a demo on the sturdiness though.. Would have greatly helped..
Good advice. I don't yet have a heavy setup.
Awesome review. Thank you!
You should do more of these ;)
Thank you!
Thanks for watching!
Your excellent review convinced me that this was the tripod I needed. As you stated, this is a good quality product and should give me all the flexibility I need (relative amateur) for many years. Too bad that the spiked feet are not built into the legs. Swapping out the feet to accommodate various terrains is a minor inconvenience but, I'll just plan my shoots more carefully.
Best comparision ever! Thanks buddy, you helped me to save 100 Euro! )
Thanks for your video. I'm deliberating over the Benro and this may of helped... Cheers.
Interesting point on macro stability, but I find if I cantilever the central column in alignment with a leg, it is really not a problem. Might you be off the alignment causing the stability issue?
Now that you have had these for over a year I was wondering how well those flip levers are holding up for locking the legs sections. I have a 30 year old Bogen and it has the thumb screws for locking the legs and they are still working perfectly.. Any issues with slippage on the lever locking style legs? Have you had to re-adjust them at all since you first got the tripods?
Are the legs section diameters larger on the Benro or the Manfrotto?
Great review BTW. THANX!!
Thanks for putting some time to make this video
This is one of the best reviews/comparisons I've ever seen -- excellent and thorough although I believe you didn't mention anything about the weight of the two. I'm looking for a light-weight tripod that is high enough (I'm also 6'4") to carry around. Have been looking at the Gitzo GK1580TQR5 Series 1 6 X Carbon Fiber Traveler Tripod Kit - would love to see a review by you of this.
Excellent review, thanks!
Exellent review. This Benro smooth movement of central column might be nice addition to filmaking if you had proper head.
.
Can you please tell me if the hinge of center column knob on the Benro A2970F which allows you to articulate the arm to various angles has "teeth" or "detents" which allow the assembly to better grip the column when set at interval angles, or is it just a friction based mechanism. Thanks and great review!
THX! very useful review! The Benro looks like great
Nice. That's good to know. My head BARELY fits into the case, but it's nothing special and I am sure when I upgrade I will need to do something else. Do you have a site where you display your pictures? I'd be interested to see what you've done.
You are welcome. Did you buy it mostly for photos or videos?
Great review thanks, I chose the Benro as I do a lot of outdoor macro work. I find it sits well with the legs horizontal, maybe the Manfrotto which sits lower would be less stable on uneven ground forcing you to put one leg back to the next click.
I would like to see some of your macro shots!
Good. I hope you like it. I still don't have a super nice video head. Do you use your ball head mostly for photography? Of video?
I wish I had the Vanguard to review alongside these other two. Maybe I'll do one in the future.
I am glad it helped.
Various viewers and recommended that tripod. I wish that I had reviewed one next to these other two! Maybe next time.
Hi, thank you for video. How do you see your decision after using some time? Would you still choose the Benro?
you should compare the Vanguard Alta Pro 263 AT with the Benro. they both have multiple angle features.
Excellent video, im a owner of the same Benro model, im very happy with this tripod, and the Ball Head, perfect for a macro shots.
Best regards abino83.
Great review. Exactly what I was looking for. If it wasn't for this I probably would've already ordered the manfrotto 055xprob -no I have a huge decision to make. I know that the spikes that the Benro offers is very key to my decision because I didn't know that the manfrotto would not have spikes on the bottom of the legs. Also the functionality of the Benro as far as using the center column have a swing arm in multiple positions is clutch. Honestly after seeing this review the only thing that I like about the 055x is the capability to extend legs all the way to the ground and the grips on the side of the legs!
Q:
Vanguard 263 AB or benro model in this video?
I am facing teh same challenge at the moment :D I read some bad opinions about the long-term experience of the Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT.
Which one did you get in the end? A2970F or MT055XPRO3/MT055XPROB?
Great review! Thanks a lot :) It's awesome that you included how tall you are as a reference (I'm 6'6" so that helped big time). Do you know if it's possible to remove the center column on the Benro and attach a ball head directly? Thanks in advance.
I hope you like it!