Beware, Benro = Junk

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Steve A
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p.1 #1 · Beware, Benro = Junk

Against my better judgement I purchased a couple of Benro Carbon fiber tripods and Ball heads, what a joke.

These tripods are Direct Gitzo knockoofs, they look very similar but believe me the materiials that these products are made out of are not the same.

I have had constant issues with both of these tripods, the locks that you pull out to change the angle of the legs, have broken off, they are made out of pot metal so as soon as you put a little weight on the legs while extended snap the pull outs breakoff.

When you pull the legs out to adjust the length they are supposed to lock and not turn when you tighten them that does not work,both the KS1 and KS2 ball heads have locked up after a couple of months of use.

These products are made from cheap materials, I could go on and on about the problems I have with these tripods, the Carbon fiber legs are quality, however all of the components that hold everythnig together is cheap, BEWARE.

Steve

Apr 28, 2008 at 01:08 PM

MichaelBarkley
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p.1 #2 · Beware, Benro = Junk

If I could add my antithesis of that experience,

I use a Benro A-328 tripod - the aluminium one, plus a KB-2 ball head, and to me it is very rugged. I have inadvertently applied much too much pressure to the legs and they have held up perfectly, including the locks.

Maybe the Carbon ones aren't as good, because I find this very sturdy and a pleasure to use. There is absolutely zero leg creep when tightened, and I don't mean over tightened, I mean just tightened.

I am sorry yours was soo terrible, it is a total bummer, but I must offer my opinion as my tripod has held up very well in the last year.

Mike

Apr 28, 2008 at 01:51 PM

dcains
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p.1 #3 · Beware, Benro = Junk

Shocking!

Apr 28, 2008 at 02:16 PM

Ben Horne
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p.1 #4 · Beware, Benro = Junk

I see a gitzo in your future. Some things are just worth it.

Apr 28, 2008 at 06:03 PM

henryp
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p.1 #5 · Beware, Benro = Junk

Same discussion here

Henry Posner
B&H Photo-Video

Apr 28, 2008 at 09:27 PM

DanBrown
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p.1 #6 · Beware, Benro = Junk

henryp wrote:
Same discussion here

Henry Posner
B&H Photo-Video

Ah, yes, same poster. We haven't had a "BEWARE" post in a while.

Apr 29, 2008 at 03:10 AM

dcains
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p.1 #7 · Beware, Benro = Junk

I like a good "beware" thread every once in a while.

Apr 29, 2008 at 03:25 AM

John Hanon
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p.1 #8 · Beware, Benro = Junk

I am very happy with my benro c-296 tripod, but I had 2 poor experiences with their ballhead and switched to RRS.

Sorry for your bad experience, but benro legs are not as bad as many would like us to believe.

Apr 29, 2008 at 12:12 PM

Steve A
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p.1 #9 · Beware, Benro = Junk

John Hanon wrote:
I am very happy with my benro c-296 tripod, but I had 2 poor experiences with their ballhead and switched to RRS.

Sorry for your bad experience, but benro legs are not as bad as many would like us to believe.

Beware, when you open the legs at a wider angle by pulling out the cams to adjust the angle, DONOT put any downward pressure on the legs, the cams will break right down the middle, they are made out of cast pot metal and cannot support any downward pressure, two of mine snapped off.

I'm having a machine shop custom make new cams for my C358N6 legs out of aircraft grade aluminum, that should fix that problem. Oh and the black anodize is peeling off all of the hardware.

Steve

Apr 29, 2008 at 01:07 PM

JohnJ80
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p.1 #10 · Beware, Benro = Junk

Does your ballhead experience compare to this:

http://www.tomwebsterphoto.com/Essays/Benro/benroks2.htm

I'm interested if your experience is similar to this and if you would agree with this teardown.

J

Apr 30, 2008 at 05:01 AM

Steve A
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p.1 #11 · Beware, Benro = Junk

JohnJ80 wrote:
Does your ballhead experience compare to this:

http://www.tomwebsterphoto.com/Essays/Benro/benroks2.htm

I'm interested if your experience is similar to this and if you would agree with this teardown.

J

The Products Benro produces are Junk Period, the materials they use are inferior.
I will say this the carbon fiber legs of their tripods are up to snuff, unfortunately all the hardware that holds everything together is Junk pot metal, the meterial is porus and brittle, it breaks very easily.

I'm surprised as hell that B&H would sell this stuff, I'm betting it won't be long before they are going to have a lot of complaints and Warranty issues.

I am in no way affiliated with any of the companies that these knockoofs represent, I work hard for my money, I just don't want to see anyone else get burnt by the crap that Benro manufactures.

Steve

Apr 30, 2008 at 01:50 PM

SSISteve
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p.1 #12 · Beware, Benro = Junk

I have had a Benro CF tripod and one of their ballheads for the last 1 1/2 years and have never had a problem with either. Both have worked very well so for me they are not "junk."

Steve

Apr 30, 2008 at 08:31 PM

Mario Moschel
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p.1 #13 · Beware, Benro = Junk

I own a Benro Carbon tripod (don't knwo which one) and it is very lightweight and very stabile. Only issue is the locking mechanism which is not as good as Gitzo's original one I know from an old aluminium Gitzo.

But: 80 percent of the Gitzo quality for half the price ...

Mario

Apr 30, 2008 at 09:04 PM

bbudman
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p.1 #14 · Beware, Benro = Junk

One of my local retailers sells the Benro and Induro lines of tripods and heads right along with the Gitzos. The bottom line is there is more profit in selling them which incourages the dealers to push them because accessories are where they make their money.

Now when it comes to the pro shooters they will not even try to sell them on these lines but for the everyday customer that really requires a lightweight solution to hold their XTI w/18-55 kit lens there is no reason to buy a $600 tripod and $450 head. So, Induro and Benro have a place in the market. On the other hand anyone that can afford a $6000 Canon telephoto lens should have no problem with buying a $1000-$1500 tripod and head.

I realize everyone is different and requirements vary depending on your equipment and it's use. If you are happy with your gear then thats all that matters, but if you have a heavy investment in high end glass like I do then you can understand that spending a few more dollars now will be well worth it in the end.

May 01, 2008 at 03:39 PM

Smiert Spionam
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p.1 #15 · Beware, Benro = Junk

Their heads are fine as an inexpensive option. What gets me is my local camera store selling the identical Induro-labeled version for $200-250. That's a rip-off.

May 01, 2008 at 05:03 PM

Steve A
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p.1 #16 · Beware, Benro = Junk

SSISteve wrote:
I have had a Benro CF tripod and one of their ballheads for the last 1 1/2 years and have never had a problem with either. Both have worked very well so for me they are not "junk."

Steve

Your Lucky, I hope it does'nt happen but if something breaks on it try and get parts......lol

Steve

May 01, 2008 at 08:57 PM

Steve A
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p.1 #17 · Beware, Benro = Junk

These guys rip off Gitzo and Acra Swiss designs and we Support it to save a Buck, China is kicking our ass and laughing all the way to the bank, I'm ashamed of myself for going there.

Try Benro service the Mac Group, Benros supposed parts and service, the 1st thing they ask you is where you purchased your benro, then they will tell you that Benro is gray market and they don't support them they support induro the American version......lol.

Hey B&H, who services Benro in the USA if it's not Benro's service dept.

Steve

May 01, 2008 at 09:34 PM

Steve A
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p.1 #18 · Beware, Benro = Junk

henryp wrote:
Same discussion here

Henry Posner
B&H Photo-Video

Henry Who may I ask who does the warranty work on the Benro products you sell.

Steve

May 01, 2008 at 09:54 PM

DIS Ottawa
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p.1 #19 · Beware, Benro = Junk

I have an Induro C214 tripod and Benro head. The Induro tripod is great for the money, about half of the cost of a Gitzo, and has served me very well so far. I don't doubt the Gitzo legs are somewhat better but I doubt they're twice as good. The Benro head was a cheap one; it has worked well but I did replace it with a RRS BH40 as I found some images weren't as sharp as I wanted when using my 5D and 100-400mm.

The Induro/RRS combination is cost effective and rock solid.

May 01, 2008 at 10:18 PM

bbudman
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p.1 #20 · Beware, Benro = Junk

Here is an interesting story. Anyone looking to invest in a platform should be well informed prior to purchasing. As I said, for lightweight gear I would not see much of a problem but for the big glass it just isn't worth it! No offense to anyone here but I beg to differ on Gitzo. I think they are 100 percent better as I have never had one of mine fall apart.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=318800

Edited on May 02, 2008 at 03:21 AM

May 02, 2008 at 03:19 AM

Steve A
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p.1 #21 · Beware, Benro = Junk

Beware if you use long glass on these tripods, The C358n6 is rated for 22lbs,

last weekend My tripod developed another serious, serious problem.

I have a wimbery full gimbal attached to my MK3 with 500mm F4 IS lens attached, I usually carry the tripod over my right shoulder with camera and lens attached, I came to a clearing set the tripod down and looked through the camera, locked the gimbal on the target, something wasn't right the camera and lens were not locked, somehow there was quite a bit of movement in the column and plate that the camera is attached to the column.

When I got home I disassembled the tripod and started to inspect the column, I thought maybe the bushing that locks the column wore out, the problem was much more serious than that.

In the end on the center column there's a bushing that's glued in, there is a small pin that helps to retain it in the end of the carbon fiber tube, the bonding material broke loose which inturn allowed the plate to move around on the end of the column.

The only thing holding my rig on the tripod was a glued in bushing aprox 1/2 in long and 5/8 dia

When I saw this I was in shock that Benro's engineer's would design something so poorly, if they had made the bushing 2 in's long and bonded and pined three place around the O.D. of the column it would have ten times the holding power.

Beware if you own one of these, another serious issue with these.

Steve

May 06, 2008 at 02:43 PM

claudermilk
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p.1 #22 · Beware, Benro = Junk

I have a question here. Not meant to be an ass or picking or anything, just curiosity. With a Mk III body, a 500mm lens, and full Wimberley, why did you choose to go with a Benro legset? These have gotten almost universal bad press around here.

This looks like another cautionary tale we can refer back to & point out that Thom Hogan is right in his article we frequently reference.

May 06, 2008 at 04:43 PM

Steve A
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p.1 #23 · Beware, Benro = Junk

claudermilk wrote:
I have a question here. Not meant to be an ass or picking or anything, just curiosity. With a Mk III body, a 500mm lens, and full Wimberley, why did you choose to go with a Benro legset? These have gotten almost universal bad press around here.

This looks like another cautionary tale we can refer back to & point out that Thom Hogan is right in his article we frequently reference.

I purchased these legs before I purchased the forementioned camera and lens, I wanted a stout tripod for my 30D and 400 so I skimped and purchased the Benro C358N6 didn't have enough money for a Gitzo at the time, I know big mistake, live and learn, at my age, I should have known better

Steve

May 06, 2008 at 07:39 PM

rebelxtnewbie
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p.1 #24 · Beware, Benro = Junk

bbudman wrote:
One of my local retailers sells the Benro and Induro lines of tripods and heads right along with the Gitzos.

I always thought Benro and Induro were the same company??

I think the issue with Benro from what I heard is the quality control. The legs itself are good but the joints are the weak spot and some are not assembled up to standard. That's why you'll hear stories of them breaking at the joints.

Not from experience though so just take that with a grain of salt. For me, I bought at Gitzo cuz I didn't want to risk breaking $6000 worth of gear just to save $100-$200 bucks.

May 06, 2008 at 07:50 PM

claudermilk
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p.1 #25 · Beware, Benro = Junk

Steve A wrote:
I purchased these legs before I purchased the forementioned camera and lens, I wanted a stout tripod for my 30D and 400 so I skimped and purchased the Benro C358N6 didn't have enough money for a Gitzo at the time, I know big mistake, live and learn, at my age, I should have known better

Steve
Ah, makes more sense now.

From what I recall it's not just the joints that fail; I've read of a few spiders breaking as well. There's been enough reports of enough problems I personally wouldn't trust any single part of the assembly. As we are seeing here, the more Steve is flogging himself by continued use of the tripod, the more parts are failing. Before long I expect he'll have nothing but a pile of busted pieces on the floor. Oh, and AFAIK Induro is just a new US-market name for Benro, the more to confuse people (and probably to try and hide from the awful rep the Benro name has gotten...nice try).

May 07, 2008 at 05:15 PM


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