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Why Are Benro/Gitzo Explorer Style Tripods Not More Popular?

  
 
roofdweller49
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p.1 #1 · Why Are Benro/Gitzo Explorer Style Tripods Not More Popular?


They seem like a convenient way to do macro or tabletop work, but I'm not sure flexibility they bring compared to a more traditional set up.

I wonder why Gitzo discontinued their Explorer line and the Benro just seems to be a niche use tripod



Sep 04, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Abbott Schindl
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p.1 #2 · Why Are Benro/Gitzo Explorer Style Tripods Not More Popular?


I can't speak for Gitzo, but I had an Explorer GT2531EX and sold it because the tilting column didn't work for me. It was fine as long as the head was over a leg, but didn't balance when the head faced the other direction. Just not a practical thing for me. That, and the fact that the tilting mechanism added noticeable weight to the unit, and the pivoting mechanism seemed to detract from overall rigidity. Just my experience.


Sep 04, 2025 at 05:21 PM
tsdevine
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p.1 #3 · Why Are Benro/Gitzo Explorer Style Tripods Not More Popular?



I have the GT2540EX, which I don't use much anymore, but it was great for outdoor macro work (especially close to the ground). While I don't do that much anymore, I still would probably grab it and use it for that purpose. But for my other tripod use cases, I don't see much advantage.



Sep 04, 2025 at 08:03 PM
EB-1
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p.1 #4 · Why Are Benro/Gitzo Explorer Style Tripods Not More Popular?


Yes, they are sort of a one trick pony and may be useful as a 3rd or 4th tripod after the more normal ones.
I suspect that in general people use fewer tripods and are less interested in high IQ so the low volume types die in the market.

EBH



Sep 05, 2025 at 07:58 AM
RT--
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p.1 #5 · Why Are Benro/Gitzo Explorer Style Tripods Not More Popular?


When I first got into photography I bought one of these tripods because the additional adjustability seemed like a useful feature to have. Turns out, it couldn't really do the things the ad said, because hanging a camera at the end of a horizontal pole is very wobbly.


Sep 05, 2025 at 12:37 PM
 


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davidrwilliams
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p.1 #6 · Why Are Benro/Gitzo Explorer Style Tripods Not More Popular?


...and the leg clamps on the Gitzo design were a hazard, with them constantly pinching my fingers and hands as I closed them.


Sep 05, 2025 at 07:50 PM
roofdweller49
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p.1 #7 · Why Are Benro/Gitzo Explorer Style Tripods Not More Popular?




RT-- wrote:
When I first got into photography I bought one of these tripods because the additional adjustability seemed like a useful feature to have. Turns out, it couldn't really do the things the ad said, because hanging a camera at the end of a horizontal pole is very wobbly.


Yeah I'm curious what the largest camera and lens set up you can mount on the end of one of these when it's horizontal and not have it fall over.

The no angle stops on the legs would stress me out too. I could never get surveyors' style tripods leveled out without having to try multiple times



Sep 10, 2025 at 02:40 PM
Abbott Schindl
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p.1 #8 · Why Are Benro/Gitzo Explorer Style Tripods Not More Popular?


roofdweller49 wrote:
Yeah I'm curious what the largest camera and lens set up you can mount on the end of one of these when it's horizontal and not have it fall over.


Whenever I had my Canon 1D series camera + almost any lens, I found that I needed a counterweight on the opposite side of the column, which made it a bit awkward.



Sep 10, 2025 at 11:00 PM
theredkni463
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p.1 #9 · Why Are Benro/Gitzo Explorer Style Tripods Not More Popular?


I love my Gitzo bag as they were decently priced for the quality i paid for. however, I found the tripods from them especially the carbon fiber ones to be really quite expensive for what they are. I think the majority of the people are staying away due to the pricing.


Dec 04, 2025 at 04:13 AM







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