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January 2018_InSync June 2005.qxd

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17 B e n r o A 3 7 3 F t r i p o d k i t - reviewed by Robert Render Harrison My review sample came with the 75mm base Benro BV4H head, which has three click settings for both pan and tilt drag, plus '0' for zero drag, which you might use for super-fast action, like flying birds - but keep your hand on the pan handle until you apply the pan and tilt locks! These locks are very positive, and don't nudge the head out of position when applied. Counter-balance has 5 click stop positions, plus '0,' useful initially for camera balancing, moving it back and forth on the sliding plate, which offers an ample 4" of movement. There's an extra 1/4" tripod screw, mounted below the top of the head, with a 3/8" screw alongside, which can be screwed into a hole alongside the tilt lock if desired for quicker access. Or you can mount an arm to hold a monitor into that thread, or the one on the other side of the head. The 12 .5" pan handle, which can be mounted on either side of the head, extends by 7," and doesn't slide right off. You can buy an extra pan handle. While you're at it, buy a spare tripod plate. Readily left on a cam- era after a shoot, they tend to migrate. Where they end up, I don't know, but this does happen. A spare sliding plate in the tripod bag could save a shoot. It's Manfrotto 501/504 compatible. The illuminated bubble, operated by a prominent red button, switches off automatically after ten seconds. The CR2032 battery is accessed by prying the battery drawer out with a key. I couldn't remove it with my thumb- nail, so at least it won't fall out in use. Benro provides a spare battery. The 'sticks' are of the tubular, 3-section variety, so it's called a 2-stage tripod. The legs are non-rotating, with quick release clamp locks and rubber feet, which can be unscrewed and replaced with metal spiked feet, sup- plied in a kit that also includes two Allen wrenches for leg and clamp lock adjustment. Construction is of some aluminium, some magnesium, according to a label on the legs. The leg clamps can be snapped shut, or operated silently when necessary by closing them more slowly. At full extension of 57," the legs are sturdy for a tripod of this design. Remember, this is a spreader-less tripod, designed for light weight and easy carrying, and thanks to the leg locks, easy to set up on uneven surfaces. I was quickly able to mount two legs on the kitchen counter, using no leg extension, while the third leg was fully extended. Why? A hummingbird was perched on a tree just outside the window. The tripod has its own bubble level indepen- dent from the one in the head. There are three leg spread positions, but the widest/lowest setting can't be used due to the length of the clamp nut, which is an inch too long. An advertisement says this tripod goes down to 12" so maybe mine had the wrong clamp nut. There's a comfortable soft rubber grip on the upper part of one leg; I'd like them on all three, for very cold weather. A high quality carrying bag with the distinctive Benro blue piping, shoulder strap, and properly placed grab handle, balanced to account for the head weight at one end, is supplied. Handling cameras up to 8.8 pounds, it worked very well with my little Sony FDR-AX53, with an Audio- Technica mic atop. I wouldn't hesitate to take this little Benro tripod kit travelling with me; at $400 street price, it's a solid, well-made unit that should give years of service. You can get one in carbon fiber for extra money, but remember that if you really mistreat a tripod, like getting a leg slammed in a car door (it happens!) that carbon fiber can shatter; aluminum doesn't. So this is a great travel tripod for arduous conditions. It will work well with lightweight cameras, DSLRs and camcorders. www.benrousa.com

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