Has anyone got Benbo Trekker Tripod

Shutterman

Shutterman

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Hi

Has anyone got forst hand knowledge of the Benbo Trekker 2 tripod.

I have a Manfrotto carbon fibre and pistol grip head but it is a pain to switch to low lever work.

I have been informed that the Benbo tripods are ideal for low level work and are not a pain to reconfigure...

Would like to hear some owners views on this piece of kit if we have any here.

Cheers

Nigel
 
I don't own one, but i've tried one out in jessops, and to say it was like wrestling with an octopus is an understatment.... Thats why i don't own one!!!!:lol:
 
Twentyten said:
I don't own one, but i've tried one out in jessops, and to say it was like wrestling with an octopus is an understatment.... Thats why i don't own one!!!!:lol:
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Thanks for the info

I had heard they were a little unwieldy and take some getting used to. But on a plus side they are meant to be very versatile pods that can be wrestled into very low perspective, with out the need to disassemble to center column.

Anyone else with views.

Cheers

Nigel
 
Have you looked at this variant: http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1009632

I've got an old Uniloc Major 1600 (without the hinged lower head mount shown for the "System").

I don't find the setup a problem, but you have to remember that just because you can stick the legs anywhere doesn't mean you'll get a stable position.

The tightening knobs are a bit of a pain and slower than my Manfrotto, and the adjustability of the latter is all I need.

You may wish to consider the 131DD accessory arm: http://www.morrisphoto.co.uk/ProductDetails~man~Manfrotto~productID~5649~categoryid~158.html
 
Shutterman said:
I had heard they were a little unwieldy and take some getting used to. But on a plus side they are meant to be very versatile pods that can be wrestled into very low perspective, with out the need to disassemble to center column.
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That just about sums it up to be honest. To start with they are a bit cumbersome but when you get the hang of it they're very quick to set up. The single bolt release allows the legs to go into virtually any position you care to choose and you can set the whole thing up to be virtually on the ground if you want. Great for macro and landscape stuff.

Stability is good as well, it easily holds my MkIII and 100-400.
 
I've used a Benbo Trekker for the last 14 years and its still going strong even after being immersed in streams, sea and mud. As to use it seems strange at first, the trick is to hold and support it by the main stem just under the camera then position and adjust the legs as needed and lock before letting go, it does not take long once you are used to it and in conjunction with a ball and socket head takes me about 30 seconds to set it up for a ground level photo. :)
 
I have an older Trekker 1 and it works very well. You an just about stick in any postion really low down, up against a tree etc etc plus as Paul-S points out, they are very weather proof.

Do take a little getting used to and when you first pick it up and undo the central lock, watch your finger :D
 
I used a benbo trekker for about 8 years. By year 6 a lot of the paint on the legs had blistered off, meaning that it was difficult to set up quickly. I had been so happy with it that I decided to buy another - however I found that the new one was not the same quality as the first. I don't know if it was by then being built down to a price but it seemed more wobbly. One thing I do know is that they had added an extra section at the top of the centre column which was made of plastic and guaranteed to add wobble.

I returned the new one via the retailer, and Paterson (the distributor) actually put new legs on the old one for me. However over a period of time I found that the "locking" mechanism on the legs was so imprecise you never knew whether it was going to fold up on you unexpectedly while in use.

I think you can guess what my advice would be..... I got out the cheque book and bought a Gitzo 2531EX which has all the versatility of the Trekker and probably more, and is superb quality in materials and manufacture.

But in general terms, once you get used to the way they work they're absolutely fine.
 
Shutterman said:
Hi

Has anyone got forst hand knowledge of the Benbo Trekker 2 tripod.

I have a Manfrotto carbon fibre and pistol grip head but it is a pain to switch to low lever work.

I have been informed that the Benbo tripods are ideal for low level work and are not a pain to reconfigure...

Would like to hear some owners views on this piece of kit if we have any here.

Cheers

Nigel
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I've got a very similar design one that I don't use any more - if interested in doing a deal, let me know and you can view/take it on the 19th

If you are interested, I'll go find it to see what make it is cos I can't remember off-hand, it is brill though and yes, legs go all akimbo until you get used to it :lol:

DD
 
Okay - I found it - it's a Uni Loc 1600, see http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1009624 for more details

Mine is a bit battered on the legs, though this doesn't affect it at all as the leg extensions are on the inside (very clever that methinks)

Although this is the lightest in their range, it's still a sturdy 6lbs or so without a head and the sealed legs/spike are ideal for water/sand/mud sort of crap

DD
 
I have a monster old Benbo 2 tripod. These tripods are a bit unwieldy in that unlike conventional tripods, the legs don't close together, they close side by side, which makes them a bit awkward and bulky to carry.

They're a tripod you really have to get used to. I went from hating mine to loving it. The secret is to just undo that locking bolt enough to pull the legs into position. Slacked off too much and it's like wrestling with a set of manic bagpipes. The legs are sealed so you can stand them in water up to the height of the first leg section which is a big plus.

Most of the rotating column centre columns we see on modern tripods are really shamelessly copied from the Benbo, who were first with the idea. A fantastic tripod, but probably not for everyone.
 
Thanks for all the insight chaps...

I think I will be having at look at Diddydaves uniloc when I go to the talk on the 19th.

Do not mind it being unwieldy at all that just about sums me up anyway.

Many thanks

Nigel
 
Shutterman said:
Thanks for all the insight chaps...

I think I will be having at look at Diddydaves uniloc when I go to the talk on the 19th.

Do not mind it being unwieldy at all that just about sums me up anyway.

Many thanks

Nigel
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It will probably be better built than the newer trekkers.
 
CT said:
I have a monster old Benbo 2 tripod. These tripods are a bit unwieldy in that unlike conventional tripods, the legs don't close together, they close side by side, which makes them a bit awkward and bulky to carry.

They're a tripod you really have to get used to. I went from hating mine to loving it. The secret is to just undo that locking bolt enough to pull the legs into position. Slacked off too much and it's like wrestling with a set of manic bagpipes. The legs are sealed so you can stand them in water up to the height of the first leg section which is a big plus.

Most of the rotating column centre columns we see on modern tripods are really shamelessly copied from the Benbo, who were first with the idea. A fantastic tripod, but probably not for everyone.
Click to expand...

It amazed me, actually, that Uniloc could so shamelessly copy the Benbo principle - unless, of course, they bought the rights to do so....


I used to carry a Benbo mk1 round in a rucsac, even though it didn't actually all fit in. One day out in the wilds someone did genuinely mistake it for a set of bagpipes.:lol:
 
CT said:
Slacked off too much and it's like wrestling with a set of manic bagpipes.
Click to expand...
PML, that is a perfect description! I have both the trekker and an enormous benbo studio type thingy where the name bit is missing. I'm getting used to them but there again I've nothing else so I would be.
And I'm glad to learn that the bottom section can go in water, I didn't know that! (Both mine 2nd hand).
 
Pippy_Neville said:
PML, that is a perfect description! I have both the trekker and an enormous benbo studio type thingy where the name bit is missing. I'm getting used to them but there again I've nothing else so I would be.
And I'm glad to learn that the bottom section can go in water, I didn't know that! (Both mine 2nd hand).
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The Benbo actually has a lot going for it. Apart from the sheer adaptability of it, those large side -mounted leg lock knobs make it very easy to raise and lower the height one leg at a time, even with very heavy gear mounted on it. The large version has to be pretty well the perfect studio tripod I'd have thought. You just don't want to carry it far - I think it's about 9lbs without a head.
 
jerry12953 said:
It amazed me, actually, that Uniloc could so shamelessly copy the Benbo principle - unless, of course, they bought the rights to do so....
Click to expand...

I think you'll find that Benbo was bought out and the original staff started up Uniloc.
 
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