#PICKTORIAL REVIEW SERIES#

Mind you, all of these examinations are purely anecdotal as I went to my local camera store, grabbed a sample of every compact travel tripod they offer, and performed the same series of tests and examinations.Īccessories: Includes a 30mm aluminum ARCA compatible adapter plate with D-ring, 4mm hex wrench to adjust leg hinge tension and a nylon, drawstring storage bag.Ĭonclusion: While the Benro lacks the finesse and refinement of the Gitzo Traveler series, what you get in return is a tripod that’s been distilled to the essentials and then executed properly. Unlike most of the other brands, you can add ballast to help counter this. With the center column fully extended, you may encounter some sway depending on your camera and lens combination but no more than you would with the competition. With the center column down, the Benro doesn’t sway or exhibit any balance issues. Compared to other travel tripods of similar size and price, the Benro was far more rigid than all of the others in my twist test. Considering the extensive gulf in price between the two, the Benro compares quite favorably. The legs and spider are thinner than the Gitzo’s yet shows very little give when twisting at the top of the legs when fully extended. Stability: Compared side by side with a Gitzo Traveler Series 0, the Benro comes in a very close second. That screw can be inverted to expose a 1/4″ screw for compatibility with smaller heads or even direct camera attachment. Speaking of which, the ball head is replaceable and attached with a 3/8″ screw. This raised the weight rating from 8.8 lbs to 13.2 lbs at the cost of increasing the total weight of the tripod by a few ounces but the trade-off is worth it, IMO. Not my favorite style of ball head so I immediately replaced it with a Benro IB0 dual action ball head with friction control.

On the spider is a fluid level a second one is on the ARCA-Swiss compatible clamp.īall Head: The head is the smallest in their single action INx series, which feature a single locking lever for both ball and panning. The 8.8 lb weight rating actually refers to the ball head. Yes, this tripod is strong enough to accept ballast to increase stability. The hook can be unscrewed for removal, allowing you to invert the center column for low angle shots. The center column is aluminum, it’s height controlled with a butterfly nut at the base of the spider to tighten and a gear hook at the bottom end for adding ballast.

The feet are rubber and aren’t removable or interchangeable. The legs are much thinner than you may be used to but the tighter weave and extra thickness of the walls give it more rigidity than you’d expect. Some may complain at the lack of rubber grip surfaces but the ridges provide more than enough purchase to reliably lock and unlock the segments. Legs are 4 sections of woven carbon fiber tubing with aluminum twist locks, with ridges for grip and anodized in their signature blue.

2.2 lb Total Weight (Carbon Fiber version)ĭesign: The basic configuration is classic.

57.6″ Max Height with Center Column raised.

While it may stick up higher than others while stowed on your backpack, the reduced bulk gives it a thinner profile that’s less obtrusive and likely to fit in the water bottle pocket if your backpack has one, hence the “Slim” name. However, Benro uses a compact magnesium spider that not only shaves off weight, but creates a much skinnier profile when folded at only 3.2″ wide. Folded, it stands at nearly 20″ with ball head this is where an inverted leg setup would’ve greatly benefitted portability, as the length betrays the 2.2 lb total weight. The redeeming feature is the price: $139 for what should be a quality, carbon fiber and magnesium tripod. Right off the bat, I was unsure if the Slim Carbon would be a good fit for me as it features a traditional design whose legs only fold one way, creating a much longer tripod while stowed as compared to the competition. This will be the third Benro tripod I’ve bought with my own money and while the ProAngel didn’t work out after a couple of months of use, my Adventure Series 2 Carbon has held up quite well, along with my Adventure Series 3 Aluminum and Mach3 Series 2 Carbon Monopods. This time choosing not to ignore my better judgment, I decided to give the Benro Slim Carbon Travel Tripod (TSL08CN00) a shot. So, if you read my previous gear review on the Manfrotto BeFree Compact Carbon Travel Tripod, you’ll understand that I needed to replace that turd quickly.

Picktorial review