50 20 July 2019 I http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk I subscribe 0330 333 1113Testbench ACCESSORIES
At a glance
● 165cm max height
● 46.5cm folded length
● 1.7kg weight
● 14kg load capacitySERIOUS landscape photographers tend to
become obsessed with resolution, and gravitate
towards high-megapixel full-frame cameras
and top-notch lenses, which often means using
large, heavyweight kit. But this also comes with
a need to use small apertures, low ISOs and
light-sapping fi lters such as polarisers and
neutral density gradients. At this point, a properly
sturdy support becomes essential, but it also has to
be relatively lightweight and ideally not cost the earth.
Over the past few years, we’ve been impressed by
the way Chinese tripod maker Benro has progressed to
become a genuinely high-quality brand. It may not offer
Gitzo-level desirability, but its products work really well
and are vastly cheaper. This Series 2 Carbon Fibre iFoto
kit (model FIF28CIB2) is a case of point: it’s big, sturdy
and versatile, yet reasonably priced for what it offers.
You get four-section twist-lock legs, with relatively
large 28mm-diameter top sections for extra strength.
Each can be set independently to one of three positions
via large, easy-to-use angle locks, then reverse folded
around the centre column and head to give a shorter
packed length. The leg with the foam-rubber carrying
grip can be unscrewed and attached to the centre
column to form a full-size monopod that’s easily long
enough for a 6ft-tall photographer.
The supplied IB2 ball head is a hefty item that easily
secures large cameras and lenses. It features a
separately locking panning base along with a useful
friction control knob, and it locks down securely without
a shift in the camera position. The quick-release clamp
uses the Arca Swiss dovetail pattern and boasts a
particularly well-designed unlocking screw, which has to
be pulled back and twisted to fully release the camera.
The one fl aw is that there’s no short column option for
low-angle shooting. Instead you have to invert the
centre column and sling the camera
underneath the legs, which isn’t the most
practical approach. But the tripod is
seriously strong, and in my tests had no
trouble holding a full-frame DSLR with a
battery grip and large telephoto zoom,
while staying impressively stable even with
the centre column fully extended.Ve r d i c t
Selecting a tripod is all about fi nding a compromise
between competing factors, height versus folded length
and weight versus load capacity. This Benro Series 2
Carbon Fibre iFoto kit strikes a great balance, being tall
and strong yet neither overly heavy nor too large when
folded. It’s a fi ne option for users of relatively heavy kit
ALL PRICES ARE APPROXIMATE STREET PRICESlooking for a sturdy, reliable support.
If you prefer a conventionally folding tripod,
take a look at the Benro Mach3 range. The
four-section carbon-fibre TMA28C tripod is
a similar size to the Series 2 iFoto, but has
a longer folded length at 53cm. It is more
expensive at £269 without a head, but has
the advantage of including a short centre
column for low-level work.BENRO MACH3 TMA28C
Benro Series 2 Carbon
Fibre iFoto tripod kit
Andy Westlake tests a sturdy,
excellent-value tripod kit
● £249 ● http://www.benro.eu.comBubble level
The quick-release clamp
includes a spirit level
to help set your
camera straight.RecommendedSpikes
The standard rubber feet
can be exchanged for
metal ground spikes, which
can be useful when
shooting landscapes.Hook
A sprung, retracting
weight hook on the end of
the centre column can be
used to hang a bag for
increased stability.
a shift in the camera position. The quick-release clampa shift in the camera position. The quick-release clamp
uses the Arca Swiss dovetail pattern and boasts auses the Arca Swiss dovetail pattern and boasts a
particularly well-designed unlocking screw, which has toparticularly well-designed unlocking screw, which has to
be pulled back and twisted to fully release the camera.be pulled back and twisted to fully release the camera.
The one flaw is that there’s no short column option for
low-angle shooting. Instead you have to invert the
centre column and sling the camera
underneath the legs, which isn’t the most
practical approach. But the tripod is
seriously strong, and in my tests had no
trouble holding a full-frame DSLR with a
battery grip and large telephoto zoom,
while staying impressively stable even withSelecting a tripod is all about finding a compromiseIf you prefer a conventionally folding tripod,
take a look at the Benro Mach3 range. TheBENRO MACH3 TMA28C
increased stability.Carry bag
A nylon carry bag is
included, with a usefully long
shoulder strap. But it lacks
an internal pocket for tools
or ground spikes.