|
|
|
Benro C-298 Carbon Fibre Flexpod
|
|
|
|
Reviews
|
Views
|
Date of last review
|
|
1
|
1714
|
Sun October 14, 2007
|
|
 |
|
Recommended By
|
Average Price
|
Average Rating
|
|
100% of reviewers
|
£130.00
|
10.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
supersize
|
|
Description:
|
Carbon Fiber Pipes
Multi-layered carbon fiber, guaranteed high strength & durability; excellent vibration absorbance; extremely light weight
Angle Adjustment
Flexible and simple angle adjustment
Offset Center Column
Discretionary angle & height, best for macro
Anti Rotation Leg System
Innovational Anti-Rotation-Leg system, provides individual section rotation, super fast one-hand operation
Spirit Level and Compass
Incomparably convenient for instant horizontality & directions
Patented Dust & Water Resistance Locks
Needless maintenance
Changeable Feet
Interchangeable rubber feet and stainless steel spikes, adaptable to any surface
Spongy Cover
NBR spongy cover, gives comfortable and firm grip as well as avoiding collisions
Hook
Increases stability by putting weights on the hook
Bonus Padded Tripod Bag and Strap
High quality and padded material, great value
Package includes:
• The tripod
• Spikes
• Padded carrying bag and strap
• Quick-fixing tools (simple wrench and hex key)
• Manual
|
|
Keywords:
|
Benro C-298 Carbon Fibre
|
|
|
|
|
Author
|
|
VinnyP
Forum Regular
Registered: February 2006
Location: Surbiton Surrey
Posts: 842
|
|
Review Date: Sun October 14, 2007
|
Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: £130.00
| Rating: 10
|
|
Pros:
|
Lightweight, flexible, stable reasonably priced.
|
|
Cons:
|
Struggling but the zip on the bag is a bit flimsy
|
|
This is now my trecking pod of choice for landscapes wildlife macro or urban use. They make 4 versions this is the carbon fibre 4 section model. It weighs 4 pounds folds to 21" yet extends to 5'5" add a head QR and a camera and the maximum height is too high for me at 6'3". In normal use I don't have to extend the column but even when I do it's not overly long, stiff and well supported. Whilst we are on the trecking part the non twisting legs and twist locks are fast and easy to use making it quick and easy to erect and fold. It comes with a snug padded bag the strap of which converts to a tripod strap to carry it without the bag. One of the legs is sleeved for cold weather carrying (not such a problem with CF) and there is a level and a compass (you can never have too many gadgets  ) on the collar.
It's plenty sturdy enough rated at 18lbs, at the trade shows the reps are forever swinging from these to show just how sturdy, Google will find a few pics I am sure. All I can say is I am happy to plonk any of my kit on it. It is lightweight so wind could be an issue especially with lighter lens/body combos but you have a centre column hook to weigh it down with your bag or some rocks in the carrying case if you are in that way inclined.
It is very versatile. Each leg can be angled independently and the centre column can be swung horizontally or reversed for macro, overhead or low angle work. Minimum height is 8" you can get down to ground level by reversing or swinging the centre column quite easily. Well, easy enough to get the camera down, not so easy for this photographer's knees and elbows; roll on live view.
It is also very well made indeed no finishing marks on the carbon fibre which is even with thin stiff walls. The locks are positive and smooth and the knobs for the centre column are covered with textured rubber. They are sealed against dust and water. The feet come with rubber caps and spikes together with tools to change them that all neatly fit in a pouch in the carry case. There is an optional shorter column which is very occasionally useful.
There are some things that may concern people. It's made in China and clearly at the very least "borrows" some design ideas from leading manufacturers. I spend a fair bit of time in China and it is possible to buy cheap rubbish, but China has also made IBM thinkpads and hard drives for years, and they are the most reliable you can buy. A "cheap rubbish" tripod in China would be less than a pound. This was £130 in a high street licensed Nikon dealer in Shanghai They had several models and I couldn't see any quality control issues at all. It is about £200 here and I just bought one for a friend on Ebay for £160. I am genuinely struggling to find a downside but the zip on the bag is pretty flimsy compared to the monster job on the (equally monstrous) Manfrotto tripod case but that case was an extra £40! This is included but would not be suitable for a big 3 way head. it is fine with a largish ball head and a quick release.
So in conclusion I honestly think this represents the best balance of weight, stability and value. It's as good as legs costing well over twice the money so if it gets bashed up I can replace it and still be quids in.
|
|
|
|
|
All times are GMT +1. The time now is 16:27.
