Shopper : The description says Arca-Swiss "style" QR but is it truly Arca-Swiss compatible? I asked Benro and they basically said 50/50, it might me compatible with some, might not. Ridiculous answer.DAVID B : It does work with Arca Swiss plates. As others have said, it may feel unsteady, but given this is a travel tripod, at least for me, it fits the bill perfectly.THOMAS C : It is Arca-Swiss compatible.
I have used it with no problem.MICHAEL P : Benro's QR clamp works fine with all of my Kirk made Arca Swiss plates. It appears to be pretty much in keeping with the standard Arca Swiss clamp dimensions so my guess is that most Arca Swiss plates will work.J. KYLE T : I don't know if this is Arca-Swiss, but it holds the camera plates from the RRS plates on my camera. I am pleased with the tripod head, but not the tripod. The upper extension (post) is not retractable and makes the tripod feel unsteady to me.ANDREW R : Several manufacturers use the Arca-Swiss style QR plate as a "defacto" standard, however the quality and tolerances vary. Some plates may not be interchangeable with all "Arca-Swiss" style platforms.
Shopper : I am thinking of this for my first tripod. My use case:
1. portraits - simple with my wife, daughter and I on the family couch using either a timer/remote
2. ability to travel easily with (family trips to inlaws, parents and some vacations if needed)
3. Some night time/long exposure photography
I am new to the dSLR world (Canon t3i) and not looking to "go all pro" - but I do want a decent/solid tripod without breaking the bank...
Is this a tripod worth considering - or would something else be better?KENNETH F : An excellent choice, IMO . Lightweight, stable, easy setup. I would definitely recommend it.EMMA L : I love this tripod...I have a much larger and more expensive tripod but I find that this has become my 'go to' tripod. It is so light and small and I now take it everywhere when I travel. The stability is excellent in all but its most extended positions and the ball head is good quality, as such it is excellent for low light/long exposure condition photography.LAWRENCE N : This is a nice travel tripod because it is lightweight, collapses into a very small package. The only downside is that it only expands to about 51" in height.
I love the tripod but because you will always have to stoop to frame the photo I don't think I'd recommend it if it was going to be your only tripod.DAVID J : I settled on this tripod after a fair amount of research looking for just what I wanted. I was very pleased my my recent purchase. I was interested in a tripod that was lightweight and small, so that it would successfully pass through the TSA as acceptable carry-on baggage, and that it would be light enough to carry while hiking in Colorado. It served both functions well while also serving as a fully functionable and stable tripod for nighttime photography. I'd recommend it.Buck H : I tries this one, and it's a good compact tripod. However, I ultimately went with the Sirui T-005 tripod instead for the same money. The reasons for me were that it folds down to be smaller (about 12") and it is lighter. For me the key was a light, compact tripod for travel (otherwise I wouldn't take it). I have used it for long exposures with success (with mirror lockup and the timer/remote). I would say the benro is slightly more steady. The Sirui's center hook is goo as well, from which I'd hang a bag if I needed more weight for stability. The height of the two is essentially the same.
The one thing I don't like about the Sirui is the quick release plate because it is slick. I ordered the Benro QR plate to replace it.
My camera is a Canon 60d, lens is 1.5 lb.
I wrote a review of the Sirui, but I'm not sure it is posted yet.
JUNE D : How do I mount my camera onto this tripod? I've taken the plate off and screwed it onto the bottom of my camera. But when I try to mount the camera w/plate onto the base of the head it won't get seated correctly. In fact, it won't slide in at all...looks like a screw is in the way. Please help, as otherwise think I'm going to love this tripod.J. KYLE T : Perhaps it is the mounting plate on the tripod. It must be opened wide enough with the tightening screw, or the camera plate will not fit down snugly into the mounting plate groves. This could be designed better.
Hope that helps.MARCUS P : I had the same issue initially.. You actually don't slide it in. Open the gap as mucyaws it can go on the tripod head. Then you 'drop' one of the sides of the plate attached to the camera against one of the sides of the open gap. Then you drop the other side and close the gap by screwing in the knob. Sorry it is hard to explain in writing, just know you don't slide it in from the side, you 'drop' it in. The reason you can't slide it in is that those screws on each side of the plate are actually safety devices to prevent the camera from sliding off, once attached.EMMA L : Hi June,
I too found it difficult to mount the plate onto the base of the head by sliding it in. The way I mount my camera is to completely loosen the knob that changes the size of the opening on top of the head, place the plate into the mount and then retighten the knob to lock the plate into place.
I have been using this tripod for the last three weeks and have found it an excellent purchase. I have another tripod that is larger but I found I never wanted to haul it around with me all day, this tripod fits easily into my backpack and I have it to hand when an opportunity arises.
Hope this helps,
TomANDREW R : From the from the user guide for this tripod/head:
"When used properly, the Quick Release
Lock offers two levels of security for your
gear. To remove the Quick Release Plate,
turn the Quick Release Locking Knob
counter-clockwise. A partial opening of
the clamping mechanism allows the Quick
Release Plate to slide on the Mounting
Platform for proper balance and positioning.
Two Stop Screws (removable) on the bottom
of the Quick Release Plate provide this first
level of security. An additional counterclockwise
turn of the Quick Release Locking
Knob opens the clamp fully so that the
Quick Release Plate can be tilted out to
be removed. Reverse the process and
tighten the Quick Release Locking Knob
to secure the Quick Release Plate."
