Photo Plus - USA (2019-07)

104 http://www.digitalcameraworld.com

SUPERTEST

CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL Aluminium

ALTERNATIVE MATERIAL Carbon,

1.41kg, £149/$219

WEIGHT 1.64kg

FOLDED HEIGHT 35cm

MAX, MIN OPERATING HEIGHT 148cm,

35cm

MAX MONOPOD HEIGHT 152cm

HEAD ADJUSTMENTS Lock, pan, friction

BALL HEAD Benro IB0

QUICK-RELEASE PLATE Arca-Swiss type

LOAD RATING 8kg

SPECIFICATIONS

BENRO IFOTO

19AIB0 £99/$119

The new kid on Benro’s block, it’s a thoroughly

modern design that’s both hardy and portable

previous winner of our

travel tripod tests, the

Benro GoPlus Travel

FGP18A is one of our

favourites. This new model in

the iFoto ‘FIF’ range has the

same maximum load capacity

of 8kg and, while it doesn’t

reach such a lofty height or

feature a pivoting centre

column, it’s lighter, folds down

to little more than two-thirds of

the height, and is half the price.

Like some of the other latest

travel tripods, the new Benro

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two-section extending centre

column, both of which enable a

small folded height. In this case,

it’s just 35cm, although that’s

still 3cm longer than the Benro

Slim Travel and Sirui tripods on

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has a greater maximum

operating height of 148cm and

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other tripods. The heavier-duty

ball head also adds an

independent panning lock and

friction adjuster, lacking on the

smaller Benro tripod’s head.

As with most competitors,

you can detach the centre

column and one of the tripod

legs, joining them together to

create a monopod complete

with ball head.

Performance

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legs and a two-section centre

column, the iFoto remains rigid

and resistant to vibrations, even

at its maximum operating

height. All of the controls and

adjustments are slick and

smooth. As a travel tripod, it’s

a top performer that strikes a

balance between carrying size,

rigidity and great value.

FEATURES

VERDICT

01

The quick-release

plate has a safety

locking mechanism.

02

Three controls on

the leg include a

main clamp, panning

lock and adjustable

friction damper.

03

The two-section

centre stays solid at

max extension.

04

There’s a spring-

loaded weight hook

on the bottom of the

centre column.

05

Padding is fitted to

the detachable leg

which can be used

as a monopod.

FEATURES

BUILD & HANDLING

PERFORMANCE

VALUE

OVERALL

01

03

02

05

04

A

e measure the maximum

operating height of each

tripod and its folded height

for carrying. We also measure the

combined weight of each set of

tripod legs and head, using

electronic scales, and measure

the diameter of all leg sections,

from the widest to the thinnest,

using electronic digital callipers.

We check the ease of use,

smoothness and precision of all

available adjustments in each set of

tripod legs and heads. This ranges

from adjusting leg sections and pivot

facilities (where available), to the

locking mechanism of the ball

head, as well as independent pan

and friction damping adjustments,

where fitted.

To check overall stability, we shoot

with a wide range of DSLR camera

bodies fitted with wide-angle,

standard, telephoto and macro

lenses. We look for good resistance

to flexing and vibrations throughout

the whole range of operating heights,

including the tallest available

settings with the legs and centre

column fully extended.

HOW WE TEST

From small to tall, we check out the full range

of tripod features and facilities

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