Features
Handling
Performance
Verdict
Specification
Benro's Slim tripods are compact, lightweight and available in both carbon fibre and aluminium. They're designed to be slim when folded down to minimise bulk. Benro claims they offer fantastic value for money, so let's see how they perform.
Benro Slim Carbon Fibre & Aluminium Tripods Features
The Benro Slim tripods come with a complimentary Allen key for maintenance and are boxed with a high-quality carry bag with drawstring cord. They have 4 leg sections with a max height of just under 1.5m. They can bear a load of 4kg. The only difference between the carbon fibre model and the aluminium model is the weight of the tripod itself - the carbon fibre model weighs just 1kg while the aluminium model weighs 200g more at 1.2kg.
Both feature a ball head with a removable top plate (unscrew to release). There is an extendable centre column which can be unscrewed and flipped around to give you better low-level coverage. There's a hook for you to add weight to the tripod for added peace of mind and stability.
The legs are screw lock and have trendy blue grips. 3 different leg angles are available and these are adjusted by pulling out the section that says 'Benro' on it at the top of each leg. The feet are made of pointed rubber and should provide good grip on a variety of surfaces. There is a spirit level on the collar and also on the head mount so you can ensure everything is straight.
As the name suggests, these tripods are very slim and the girth of the legs is less than usual to enable the tripod to fold down smaller.
Key Features
- Compact
- 4kg max load
- 4 leg sections
- 3 leg angles
- Ball head
- Reversible centre column
- Lightweight
Benro Slim Carbon Fibre & Aluminium Tripods Handling
The tripod is ergonomically designed, with a twisting collar to adjust the height of the centre column and easy to operate teardrop knob for the ball head. There is not a rubber stopper around the tripod neck, so it can drop with quite a bang if loosened too much.
The legs feature smart-looking blue grooved metal grips for tightening and loosening the legs. It should be noted that when you unscrew the legs fully for cleaning, care should be taken because there is nothing stopping the leg becoming detached from the tripod fully.
The legs are smooth to operate and it's easy to adjust the leg angle by pulling out the Benro clip, however, this in not spring loaded as with more premium tripods and so it needs to be pushed back in when the desired angle is selected.
Benro Slim Carbon Fibre & Aluminium Tripods Performance
The chunky blue base plate is easy to remove and screw into the camera, with two rubber strips for added grip. When a camera is mounted care needs to be taken when loosening the ball head because it can go from having plenty of friction to being loose quite quickly. The max height of just under 1.5m is a comfortable operating height for most.
The tripod remains sturdy on a variety of surfaces despite the thinner leg structure. It's actually surprisingly sturdy in terms of buckle and wobble. In their most upright position, the legs aren't that wide apart with may leave it susceptible to being easily knocked over. This can be combatted by mounting a heavy counterweight on the hook on the bottom to add some sturdiness. The next angle down on the legs is quite a fair way down, making quite a difference in the height and spread between the first two steps.
With a 4kg max load, the tripod would struggle with a large DSLR and long lens but a relatively compact DSLR with mid/zoom lens would be fine. We mounted a Canon EOS 600D with the new Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 prime lens, and everything felt sturdy and balanced.
Value For Money
The carbon fibre model of this tripod is available for £120 and the aluminium version is available for just £80. This is superb value for money considering the build of the tripods and the included features, like the Arca-Swiss style removable top plate and the good quality drawstring carry bag.
Other slimline carbon fibre tripods of a similar specification include the Manfrotto BeFree Carbon Fibre Travel Tripod available for £249. It has clip lock legs and doesn't feature an Arca-Swiss head. The aluminium version of the same BeFree tripod costs £139.
If you are looking for something different, take a look at the Best Tripods of 2017 we've reviewed.
Benro Slim Carbon Fibre & Aluminium Tripods Verdict
Benro's Slim tripods, in both Carbon Fibre and Aluminium, offer fantastic value for money, undercutting big name rivals with similar offering massively. The price point means that you miss out on some small touches like a foam or rubber grip on one leg and rubber stops on legs and centre column for shock absorption. If you can live without these things and want a compact tripod that offers a fair height and stability then you can't go wrong with these.
They are nicely designed and come with a low-key shoulder bag, ideal for slinging on your back for short adventures. This tripod would be great for beginners who want brand confidence but don't want to break the bank.
| Benro's Slim Carbon Fibre and Aluminium tripods are offered at a fantastic price point ideal for beginners and those that want a lightweight and slim no-frills support. |