Post by Ding Carpio on Jan 2, 2008 20:41:46 GMT
Posted a “first glance” in the Bird Photography Gear Forum about the Benro C298n6 when I just got this tripod. Now that I’ve taken it to a number of sorties (Candaba, Boso-boso, UP), I’d like to report my observations below.
As I already mentioned, I bought the Benro C298n6 from Aperture Trading (Banawe) for P13k cash (List price is P14.5k). This tripod belongs to the Benro HVC Flexpod series. Its specs and photos are in this Benro webpage: www.benro.cn/Product/1/pa5.html
Aside from its 4 sections, I have not verified the numbers (heights and weights). I can say, however, that it is much lighter than my previously considered Manfrotto 055MF4.
Overall first impression is that it is well made. One gets the feeling that it is a high quality product when handling it. The castings seem tough and sturdy. The legs feel supple.
On the field, I like the 4 sections because I can close it down to a short length and sling it diagonally across my back when hiking. It comes with a rather sturdy bag (which I wish was in camo). The bag has a small internal pocket that can store the accessories. Accessories include 3 steel spiked feet, a hex key (for tightening three screws in the head mounting plate), and a wrench tool for removing/tightening the main tripod head screw.
The center column can be locked with two knobs: one for locking the column’s vertical movement while the other is for rotating the column’s axis into a horizontal orientation. The center column can also be inverted so that the camera hangs from the tripod instead of sitting atop it. I think it’s cool to be able to do these although I have yet to find an appropriate situation (I’m sure I eventually will).
There’s a hook on the center column so that one may hang a heavy object to weigh down the tripod in case it’s too windy. Not sure how helpful this would be. I can imagine that, if the wind is strong enough to require the tripod to be weighed down, it would create too much vibration on the long birding lens anyway. Perhaps it would be more useful for counterbalancing really super-telephotos like the Sigmonster or any 600mm-or-greater lens.
I observed that the C298n6 is very stable. I think the general characteristic of carbon fiber is that it maintains strength while still acting as a good vibration-absorption material. I recall my old tennis days when my first-hand experience with carbon fiber is that it combines the feel of wood and the power of steel racquets. This same strength and vibration-free features can be observed on the tripod. Seems that Benro has also one-upped Gitzo by producing this tripod with 8 layers of carbon fiber (vs Gitzo’s 6) and Benro claims having the strongest, highest intensity carbon fiber in the market. On the manual is a photo of a man hanging on the tripod to demonstrate its strength. While this may be possible, I obviously preferred not doing this test.
The twist-type leg-locks took some getting used to for me since I had been using flip-locks before. One gets used to it. I can see the advantage on this locking design as it provides a more water-resistant, less-mud-prone leg design while keeping the whole unit robust. Benro’s leglock grips are also generous in size yet requires little twisting and little effort to lock in place. When slung on my back in a bag, I keep the lower legs unlocked for quicker set-up.
I found the spirit level very useful especially for us who usually shoot on uneven ground.
The spiked feet are also very useful. Once I replaced the rubber flatfeet with them, I kept the spikes on. I usually dig in the spikes into the mud with the lower legs extended even for a short length. I hesitate digging in with the lower legs completely recessed since that means mud may get into the leg joints. While Benro maintains its plastic bushings in the leglocks are water-resistant, no sense risking mucking it up.
Negatives? I observed three:
Overall, I’m in love with the tripod. It’s the lightest I’ve seen for this category and relatively costs less. For now, it’s perfect for my use.
Here's a photo of it in action in Candaba courtesy of Manny Illana:
If you intend to get one, ask Aperture if they already carry the new Benro line: Travel Angel Tripod. The website’s specs show that this new line is lighter and can be folded smaller (more leg sections). You may want to compare this new line with the C298n6 if mobility is a prime factor for you.
Hope this little review helps!
As I already mentioned, I bought the Benro C298n6 from Aperture Trading (Banawe) for P13k cash (List price is P14.5k). This tripod belongs to the Benro HVC Flexpod series. Its specs and photos are in this Benro webpage: www.benro.cn/Product/1/pa5.html
Aside from its 4 sections, I have not verified the numbers (heights and weights). I can say, however, that it is much lighter than my previously considered Manfrotto 055MF4.
Overall first impression is that it is well made. One gets the feeling that it is a high quality product when handling it. The castings seem tough and sturdy. The legs feel supple.
On the field, I like the 4 sections because I can close it down to a short length and sling it diagonally across my back when hiking. It comes with a rather sturdy bag (which I wish was in camo). The bag has a small internal pocket that can store the accessories. Accessories include 3 steel spiked feet, a hex key (for tightening three screws in the head mounting plate), and a wrench tool for removing/tightening the main tripod head screw.
The center column can be locked with two knobs: one for locking the column’s vertical movement while the other is for rotating the column’s axis into a horizontal orientation. The center column can also be inverted so that the camera hangs from the tripod instead of sitting atop it. I think it’s cool to be able to do these although I have yet to find an appropriate situation (I’m sure I eventually will).
There’s a hook on the center column so that one may hang a heavy object to weigh down the tripod in case it’s too windy. Not sure how helpful this would be. I can imagine that, if the wind is strong enough to require the tripod to be weighed down, it would create too much vibration on the long birding lens anyway. Perhaps it would be more useful for counterbalancing really super-telephotos like the Sigmonster or any 600mm-or-greater lens.
I observed that the C298n6 is very stable. I think the general characteristic of carbon fiber is that it maintains strength while still acting as a good vibration-absorption material. I recall my old tennis days when my first-hand experience with carbon fiber is that it combines the feel of wood and the power of steel racquets. This same strength and vibration-free features can be observed on the tripod. Seems that Benro has also one-upped Gitzo by producing this tripod with 8 layers of carbon fiber (vs Gitzo’s 6) and Benro claims having the strongest, highest intensity carbon fiber in the market. On the manual is a photo of a man hanging on the tripod to demonstrate its strength. While this may be possible, I obviously preferred not doing this test.
The twist-type leg-locks took some getting used to for me since I had been using flip-locks before. One gets used to it. I can see the advantage on this locking design as it provides a more water-resistant, less-mud-prone leg design while keeping the whole unit robust. Benro’s leglock grips are also generous in size yet requires little twisting and little effort to lock in place. When slung on my back in a bag, I keep the lower legs unlocked for quicker set-up.
I found the spirit level very useful especially for us who usually shoot on uneven ground.
The spiked feet are also very useful. Once I replaced the rubber flatfeet with them, I kept the spikes on. I usually dig in the spikes into the mud with the lower legs extended even for a short length. I hesitate digging in with the lower legs completely recessed since that means mud may get into the leg joints. While Benro maintains its plastic bushings in the leglocks are water-resistant, no sense risking mucking it up.
Negatives? I observed three:
- My Bogen 3421 head keeps getting locked too tightly. Yesterday, I had to spray WD40 to help me unlock it. But this could either be the head or me twisting it too much.
- Wrong compass orientation. My north points south. It’s more of an irritation, really since I usually travel with a real magnetic compass. Also, I usually observe where the sun is so, most times, know roughly my orientation. I could bring it back to Aperture to change it but the trouble is not worth it.
- The website mentions the legs have an Anti-Rotation feature. “Each leg section will not rotate even if they are unlocked”. Not really true. The top three sections do not rotate. The lowest section does. I can’t imagine how this untruth-in-advertising can be a showstopper, though.
Overall, I’m in love with the tripod. It’s the lightest I’ve seen for this category and relatively costs less. For now, it’s perfect for my use.
Here's a photo of it in action in Candaba courtesy of Manny Illana:
If you intend to get one, ask Aperture if they already carry the new Benro line: Travel Angel Tripod. The website’s specs show that this new line is lighter and can be folded smaller (more leg sections). You may want to compare this new line with the C298n6 if mobility is a prime factor for you.
Hope this little review helps!
