Question by linuxtuxguy: What is a Benbow Tripod?
I have seen a few references on the web to a type of tripod called a “Benbow Tripod.” I am guessing it is named after Admiral John Benbow (although I don’t know for sure.)
So what exactly is a Benbow Tripod and what does it look like?
Best answer:
Answer by Jens
What is Google?
“Benbow”, is probably refering to Benbo, which is a tripod brand of Paterson:
http://www.patersonphotographic.com/benbo-tripods.htm
What do you think? Answer below!
http://www.photographyreview.com/mfr/benbo-tripods/tripods/PRD_88738_3114crx.aspx
Summary:
Imagine watching the English trying to put up a deck chair on a beach on a very windy day and you will have some idea what living with a Benbo is like. Its eccentric design is a love or hate affair. Erecting a Benbo is not a joy, it is a skill mastered after many years of fighting a four legged moster with a will of its own! Having said that it is in fact a versatile tripod that is usefull in all terrains, all surfaces and is sturdy. The build quality is excellent, but the downsideis that it is heavy and a little cumbersome. It is superb for still life and macro work, but my biggest criticism of the tripod is the low tripod height once erected, with the centre pole down. Okay so the centre pole is long, but with a long lens (E.g. Sigma Bigma 50-500mm) it wibbles about in the wind. I have had my Benbo about 3 years now and would not replace it for macro work, but I am looking for a taller tripod for those windy days.
Strengths:
Strength and build quality.It is a solid, rugged and strong design made from aluminium, but it feels as heavy as steel. It has a unique design that will allow you to erect it upon any terrain quite easily and quickly. I like the big knobs to tighten the legs as this can be done easily with big thick gloves on when temperatures drop below zero. It is superb in shallow water and in muddy/boggy conditions. I would recommend this tripod for the macro user, marsh dwellers, residents of Blackpool/Eastbourne and similar and for people who enjoy wrestling with giant squid. I would not recommend this for people who don’t have a sense of humour, or are short tempered or who own a huge lens and live in a windy area.
Weaknesses:
It could do with a foam covering for the lower legs so that it can be carried on cold days without freezing your skin onto the metal surface. (I have actually stuck some self adhesive foam on all 3 of my tripod legs. It does the job, sort of) It could also do with having three section legs and being much taller. I would also like to be able to remove the centre column and replace it with a really short one so I could get really low and shot macro from very low angles.