[sweet_sac]

Hey guys and gals,

Since I left my old crappy tripod behind when my flat got evacuated a few months back (thanks to some quickly worsening structural damage) I am now in a position to look at getting something a little bit better than what I previously had.

Been looking at the benbo trekker, I reckon I can snaffle it for around £70-80 on ebay, I really like the versatility of the tripod and the fact that the centre column can be spun around etc. I do intend to get a macro lens at some stage so this would seem like a good option for the future.

Are there any other similar tripods (pricewise) out there I should be looking at? I would say my ceiling is £100.

[Dutchie]

A manfretto is just under the £100 at onestop digital

[Markulous]

Originally Posted by sweet_sac

Been looking at the benbo trekker

Well, I'd recommend the Benbo (I've the Trekker Mk1 - off eBay!).

It does take getting used to with the weird one lever to control direction of legs and centre column but I really like it (and it is good and light - tho' maybe a tad long when closed up but that's the 2 section legs)

[sweet_sac]

Thanks for the replies guys...

Is the trekker the only one in that price bracket that gives me the adjustable centre column? I had looked at the Manfrotto 190Pro but it was quite expensive if I recall correctly!

[Markulous]

You can get others - I had a Cullmann which was very small (didn't extend full height) and perfect for macro work (legs independantly angles and centre column could be reversed. Sadly, I dropped it!

[sweet_sac]

My Benbo Trekker mk1 + 360 head arrived today - £74 inc pnp from ebay.

It's an absolute monster, certainly can't see it blowing over anywhere. Now all i need is for the rain to stop and I might get some outdoor shots!

[Dutchie]

Oh but that sounds like a good buy Keep us upto date what you think of that tripod.

[sweet_sac]

Will do dutchie!

[Steve400]

sweetsac what do you think of that tripod?

im in search for one atm!

Steve

[sweet_sac]

Steve,

Quite liking it i am! It's the mk1 version so its heavier than the newer mkII. Rather than having a weight hook at one end its got room for heads at both ends which is pretty handy. The centre column is really flexible and with a good tripod head you could pretty much get any angle you wanted.

There's a central locking system on the tripod which means that when you loosen it ALL the legs are moving freely. This is quite different from the regular tripod and can be a bit annoying when u dont prepare for it but its also really handy for quickly moving the legs in to place.

In short, really flexible bit of kit, very solid too.