Benro DP70 Indexed Panorama Clamp Release

Athough the Benro DP-70 Panorama "Head" (as called by Benro) was first introduced in September 2014 during the Photokina Show, there was neither much publicity about it hence. Nor is there any reference to it in the international Benro website(s).

Despite the fact, that it is not actually a Panorama Head but rather a Panoramic Arca-Swiss® compatible QR clamp, which nevertheless may be the base of a Benro Multi Row Panorama Head, it is worth mentioning since it features a most innovative indexing mechanism.

Benro Updated Combination Series Carbon Fiber Tripods

An updated version of Benro's top series of Combination Tripods has reached some on-line stores after their announcement and display at the recent China P&E Show in Beijing (April 25-28, 2014).

The updated version seems very influenced by the latest Gitzo® Systematic Series from which it has "borrowed" many characteristics both optically and functionally especially on the top platform and leg spider design.

Create a Leveled Panoramic Rotator via the SCV-Flip-Kit - Part Three

This is the third article on the Create a Leveled Panoramic Rotator via the SCV-Flip-Kit theme aiming to help with more ideas on the implementation of the Desmonf SCV-FK Flip Kit.
Therefore, this third part is an addendum to the previous two articles in order to present the use of the enhanced Desmond SCV-FK Flip Kit along with a lower budget and more common ball head like the Benro B-2. Due to the resemblances, readers of the previous articles may find some parts sounding familiar or identical.

The refined idea of an inverse mounted ball head equipped with a panning base, which automatically gives to it leveling base attributes, as well as how I arrived to designing the SCV-FK Flip-Kit is fully described and explained in the original article.
Therefore, in order to avoid repeating myself, please refer to the original article Create an Economy Leveled Panoramic Rotator via a Ball Head Flip-Kit if you find difficulty comprehending the process or the purpose.

New Benro Aerometal Travel Angel II Series Tripods

In the process of preparing an upcoming traveler tripod review, my research for comparable models revealed the new Aerometal Travel Angel II series from Benro.
The quite marketing oriented "Aerometal" stands for Aerospace industry type metal denoting light weight and strength.

In this Aerometal series, Benro® has adopted the long used by Sirui® and Triopo® metal formation technique of forging in place of casting for their tripods' center leg hub (spider).

Changes in Benro B Series Dual Action Ball Heads Model Numbers

A recent research I conducted in the Benro ball heads range, revealed a change in the Dual Action B Series line-up that will be somehow confusing for most B series head owners and prospective buyers alike.

This change is found only in the Chinese Benro website, which actually is the most up to date for new releases of products among all Benro related websites all over the word.

Using Mutli Row Panorama Head Ver. II

Most of the functions of the second version of my Multi Row Panorama head design - extensively described in Create a Multi Row Panorama Head Ver. II - are very similar to its original version.

However, there is some differentiation between the two versions with the added versatility of the removable vertical rail and the change of the Nodal Slide rail.

Therefore, in this article I shall concentrate more on the operating differences that make this second version Panorama head more versatile and easy to use.

You can still refer to the original version Using a Multi Row Panorama Head, for the description of basic functions.

Assemble a Compact Benro Multi Row Panorama Head

Sometimes none can tell how things are meant to happen. Circumstances act in peculiar ways, deviating us from our original course, but most of the times this deviation lead us to new acquaintances, friendships and learning. Well this is not an article about life or philosophy, but this is what comes to my mind thinking about Benro's Multi purpose brackets...

When I first acquired the Benro PC-0 Panorama Clamp about two years ago, just upon its release in the market then, I had also asked for the original MPB L brackets Benro had in their catalogs. Receiving an answer that Benro MPB line was not in production yet, I had to suffice with an alternative low cost solution like the Giottos MH-680 VR Sliding Plate for my Single Row Panorama head.

That was not bad for starters but what I had in mind to do, led to its limitations very soon.

Benro A-298 EX (A2980F) Versatile Transformer Tripod Review

Choosing a tripod is quite a hard task. I have read numerous posts and discussions with advice for the best selection. Somehow everyone seems to suggest his/her choice is the best, while others try to show off of their expensive equipment.

Well, there is no tripod good enough for all tasks, so you cannot have a combination of a studio tripod sturdiness, a traveler tripod transportability, a versatile tripod functionality, plus longevity and just spend a few dollars or euros.

Benro MPB10 Multi Purpose Nodal Rail Review

As I have described in the Benro MPB150T Multi Purpose L Bracket Review, these brackets had been announced in Benro's catalogs about two years ago, but it was only in the past year that they appeared on the shop selves.

Benro MPB150T Multi Purpose L Bracket Review

Benro MPB150T is the smaller of the two Multi Purpose L Brackets currently available in Benro's line of Multi Purpose Brackets.

Although these brackets had been announced in Benro's catalogs about two years ago, it is only in the past year that they appeared on the shop selves.

Benro C3770T Combination Carbon Fiber Tripod Review

by Jan Kyster

My story...
A little over a year ago I came across a Nikon D70s with the 18-70mm kit lens. Less than $300 for a mint camera with 2000 shots in the bag... couldn’t resist and thought it would be a great training kit before buying my "dream" camera. After all I hadn't touched photography since around 1978...
For night photography I needed a tripod and got a Vanguard Alta+ 263 with a PH-32 pan head. Fine kit for the D70s.
In February this year I was finally able to purchase both the Nikon D300s and the carefully selected Nikkor 16-85mm lens.
Also found a Manfrotto ball head - again for practice - before handing out the $500 I (back then!) thought one would have to pay for a quality ball head.
I then learned you will need a nodal kit for making "perfect" panoramas and besides that, I also found the Vanguard tripod was a bit too small for the new camera.
So I found a Gitzo tripod and a Markins ball head with a RRS pano-kit...at $1900... I was in shock!

New Benro gear Blog in the block!

A new very interesting blog started out in May 2012, with original News, Previews and Reviews mainly on Benro photographic support gear.

The DC-Photography-Reviews blog is maintained by a member of my Recommended Sellers page Mr. D.Chan of DC's Photo Stuff (Photo Tomato) on eBay, well known to many photography enthusiasts, as a Benro seller.

New! 2nd Generation Benro Carbon Flat Traveler Tripods

A completely redesigned series of Flat folding tripods has been introduced by Benro.
The new series discriminates from the old one by a 2 at the end of the code name e.g. C2182T instead of C2180T. But this is a minor detail to the whole lot of changes.

Create a Multi Row Panorama Head Ver. II

Almost a year ago, I had presented the construction from scratch of an Arca Swiss® compatible Multi Row Panorama Head in my article Create a Multi Row Panorama Head, with different parts from various manufacturers.

The experience gathered during this time, brought up some new requirements.
First, the fixed structure of the vertical rail made it difficult to accommodate in a bag and I'm not really fond of unscrewing and screwing on the spot taking care of alignment.

Second, some limitations of my Economy Nodal/Macro Rail showed up, such as the need to unscrew the clamp in order to remove the index bar, or put a second one on.
So, a few modifications had to be made, that would refine and make the Panorama Head more versatile.

A Tribute to Excellent Service.

Sometimes we meet persons in our path that stand out from the crowd.
Personally, when I meet such a person who is dedicated to his/her cause or profession and excels by all criteria, I feel obliged to come out and declare it, for others to know and praise him/her so to keep up the good effort.
I have quite a long experience with ebay transactions, and I have purchased a lot of items through ebay, not always happy with the outcome, especially with goods from China where, when something goes wrong, I have heard a lot of excuses among other things.

Benro B-2 & B Series Ball Heads Tips

Having used the Benro B-2 Ball Head for over a year now, permits me to have a more clear aspect about its strengths and weaknesses.
During this time it had a little dip in the mud, a little exposure to direct sun at 45 oC and a few bumps with other fellow photo equipment in the trunk of my car although bagged.

Alignment Error on early Benro PC-0 and PC-1 Panorama Clamps

Although a long time has passed since I have been successfully using both Benro PC-0 and PC-1 panorama clamps, it was only the past summer, in the process of thinking of improvements on my Multi Row Panorama head, that I realized and pinpointed an offset error between the clamp (the top part) and the rotator base.


Both PC-0 and PC-1 panorama clamps in my possession proved to have the same alignment issue due to the degree indexing marks on their base.


As I consider myself one of the early adopters of these otherwise finely engineered panorama clamps, quite a few things had to be checked, especially for the current status of the products.

Benro MA-96 EX Fliplock Aluminiuim Monopod Review

Sometimes, in tight situations when a tripod is bulky to use, comes the solution of the monopod.

Having used or tested various monopods of different design and brands, I came up with some prerequisites.

Benro B-2 Ball Head Torque Test

Speaking of a ball head like the Benro B-2, the manufacturer gives us a maximum load in the specification.

What is this load meant for, and how was it measured?


Since there is not any clarification about that, to my humble knowledge up to now, but a vague idea that a ball head can withstand a load of equipment up to the max load in specification.


To be on the safe side, a common rule of thumb is to buy a ball head that can withstand 2-3 times the weight of the equipment that will be used.


In order to clarify all the above I decided to conduct a test on a more meaningful basis.

Create an Economy 5-Way Precision Head

Speaking of pan heads, a 2-way head usually used for videography is able to pan and tilt backward-forward. A 3-way head has the extra ability of tilting sideways left-right enabling horizontal leveling or vertical positioning of a still camera for portrait framing.
If a 3-way head can cover all possible positions what would make the two extra moving axis of a 5-way head needed for, and which are these extra axis?
A 5-way head should in addition to the 3-way head be able to pivot its top plate and offer also fore-aft or lateral adjustment on that plain.
This gives an answer to the 3-way head issue when tilted in any way than its vertical position. Then, if you pivot the base  the camera/lens move in an arc instead of pivoting.
This may change the hole perspective, depending on the lens focal length, items may seem more distant or closer and/or go out of focus.

Nowadays, one can find 5-Way heads in the market, but, but... the price tag is BIG.