Digital SLR Photography

Build qualityFeaturesStabilityValueOverall``````Build qualityFeaturesStabilityValueOverallSPECIFICATIONSSPECIFICATIONSVERDICTVERDICTThe unique design works betterthan anything else on uneventerrain, and the tilting column isvery solidly engineered. Possiblythe most underrated Gitzo.``````A very good medium-sizedtripod, even without the extrafeatures cleverly incorporated byBenro. It's a great pieceof design,with no downsides.ALMOST ALL TRIPODSfollowthe same basic designwith preset leg angles.This is idealfor level surfaces,but on uneven ground thelengthof each leg has to beadjusted to get the tripodproperly upright. The GitzoExplorer is different, and each legcan be individually set to any angle from 0-90°,lockingfi rmly with a large leverat the top. Onagentle slope, that's all you need to do, or onsteeper terrain, adjust the leg lengths as well. Aftera few minutes familiarisation, it's actually a veryeasy wayof setting up accurately and with theoptimumfootprintfor maximum stability.The tilting centre-column swings downthrough 180° as well as sliding androtating.In a nutshell, the Gitzo Explorer can get intoawkward positions,at any angle or on anylevel, more quickly than just aboutanything else – perfectfor macro. It'ssimilar to the Benbo (not Benro) designin thisrespect, but somewhat easier.The other thing that sets theExplorer apart is its sheer strength andrigidity, even with the tilted columnhangingoff to one side, thanks to itsrobust mechanism. Despite all this,Gitzo has managed tokeep theweight down to under 2kg.I### F THE BENRO MACH3 TMA38Cis a bit plain Jane, try the FGP28C.On topof a strong basicspecification withfour-sectionlegs and a 135cm standardheight, there's a fully articulatingcentre-column, a detachable legthat turns into a monopod, and it'satraveller-type design that closes smallfor transport.With travellers, the legsfold up and back over thehead, the centre-column slides up, and the headnestles in the space between the upturned legs.This substantiallyreduces the closed length byabout 15cm, down to a petite 49cm. The onlycaveat is some bigger ball heads won't allowthe legs tofold back completelyfl ush. Weused the excellent Arca-Swiss P0 ball head,and that was just about perfect.The articulating centre-column pulls upand tilts right down through 180°, lockingat 15° increments, as well as sliding backand forth androtating 360°. It's wellimplemented, versatile and solid. Benrohas increased the leg angle to 27°fora biggerfootprint and, extra stabilitywhen the column is tilted out.For a monopod, unscrew theleg, remove the centre column,and join them together.The max. heightof 178cm isamplefor most needs.GitzoExplorerGT2351EXBenroGoPlusTravelFGP28CBESTFEATUREIngenious designpacks inloads ofextrafeatures``````BESTFEATUREVariableleg anglesare excellent onuneven terrain``````Streetprice:£470Normalheight:138cm(legat25°)Extendedheight:168cm(legat25°)Minimumheight:GroundlevelLengthclosed:67cmLegsections/angles:3/variable0-90°Standardlegangle:n/aLegdiameters:28,24,20mmLeglocks:CollarsCentre column:Tilting,adds30cmheightMonopodoption:NoAccessories:StoragebagWeight:1.92kgLoadrating:12kg(claimed)Warranty:SevenyearsWebsite:www.gitzo.co.ukNove mber2016Digital SLR Photography 113Premiu mtripods\GearStreetprice:£320Normalheight:135cmExtendedheight:165cmMinimumheight:GroundlevelLengthclosed:49cmLegsections/angles:4/3Standardlegangle:27°Legdiameters:29,25,22,18mmLeglocks:CollarsCentre column:Tilting,adds30cmheightMonopodoption:Yes,82 -178cmAccessories:Shoulder&storagebag,spikesWeight:1.63kgLoadrating:14kg (claimed)Warranty:Five yearsWebsite:www.benroeu.com