Benro S8 review + tests (fluid head)

[@cpca3]

Great video - I've watched 5 other videos about this head and yours is the first that showed the results in action. Thanks a million!

[@ONeillKeeganJay]

Thanks a lot

[@backafterdawn1]

My goodness, thank you for actually putting your camera on the S8 head! Showing what it can do! Cheers

[@ONeillKeeganJay]

thanks a lot !

[@Bassmunchkin1]

Keegan thank you very much for your time in creating a great tutorial.

[@ONeillKeeganJay]

You are welcome, do they still sell this tripod ?

[@Bassmunchkin1]

@@ONeillKeeganJayI've no idea mate, I have the Innorel GT324C carbon fibre tripod and I have now decided to buy the Benro S6Pro Video Head. I've been trying to decide between that and the Manfrotto and I came across this review tonight of the two of them and my decision was made. so I'm ordering it now - Amazon £219, arriving this Saturday. I decided on the S6 as my heaviest kit is only 2.2K

[@johnburton3763]

504HD has the same clicking sound when panning with the counterbalance engaged. Sounds like sticky fluid coming unstuck--maybe a very thick lubricant inside the mechanism. It doesn't seem to jar the movement though. I wonder if the same is true of higher-end models, like Miller's top fluid heads.

[@ONeillKeeganJay]

Thanks for the info, I never had that problem with higher end heads.

[@drouleau]

My tripod came with the leveling bowl, which was cool. You actually don't need to press the quick release button to insert the plate - at least I don't have to on my S8, I can just push the plate in. The locks aren't that great if you lock everything off and then try to forcefully move the head....which nobody should really do in the first place....but otherwise, they work perfectly fine with your gear on there and your rig properly counterbalanced. As far as dust getting on screw threads, I'm not sure why that would be a big deal. I've had another Benro tripod/head that I use for photography out in some pretty brutal conditions (submerged in water, in rain, mud, snow, sand, etc), and never had a problem in 4 years now.....I don't think dust is going to really have any affect.

[@ONeillKeeganJay]

Thanks for your feedback, I still get the plate stuck most of the time when I slide it in, I have been used to professional video tripods and never used those types of plates before so maybe I shouldn't compare. The locks are nowhere close to what I was used to and won't cope with the higher weight range recommended or certain angles during camera movement. I'm glad you say the dust issue hasn't been a problem for you on your other Benro products as I invested for my personal use in this equipment but I was just noting the differences I saw coming from higher end fluid heads. I'm still very happy with my purchase and think you can't beat it for the price, but putting heavier gear on it could cause some little issues while using it, photographers using very big telephoto lenses will love it though ! I think you bought the full Benro s8 kit but the head is available on it's own, I bought everything separately because I couldn't find good prices in Europe (my legs are the c3770tn version) that's why I recommended the leveling bowl.

[@drouleau]

Yeah, it's definitely not a professional grade tripod/head by any means (and by professional grade, I mean throwing an Arri rig on it), but for the price I paid ($445 US for the A373F), it's reallllllly hard to beat. When I ordered mine, the item online didn't have any mention (or pictures) of the leveling bowl, so when I opened up the package and saw it, I was excited. I've used my Nikon 200mm F2 VR2 on this thing, and it balanced quite well (it's a pretty front-heavy lens).....I managed to counterbalance it with zero movement in any tilt direction without locking it off, which I was pretty happy about. Benro makes a pretty solid product for the price...like I said before, I've beaten the crap out of my other one, and it's held up without issue (other than having to tighten up the legs once, but that's not a big deal).

[@Kazanchev]

My Pan Drag control wheel doesn't work, I can't move it, it's just stuck (large blue wheel). Please help! Edit: I've loosened it with an Oil Filter Wrench.

[@yonoko6901]

when you pan.. at the end of the movement... does it tend to go back a little bit with the movement? or the end of the movement it stops completely motionless? thanks

[@ONeillKeeganJay]

Yonoko6 I haven't had that elastic effect on horizontal pans, it could happen with tilts if you don't setup your counterbalance right in relation to the weight that is on the head.

[@yonoko6901]

thx a lot. few years ago I bought an old manfrotto fluid head and I'm really unhappy with it. I mean making a fluid slow pain without unwanted accelerations and without elastic effects is a miracle for me and I'm looking for an affordable alternative. talking again about benro s8 and horizontal pan do you enjoy the starting movement... of the acceleration? I mean when you start the panning does that moment feels very fluid and very much gradual? because this part of the movement is almost impossible to accomplisg with my actual manfrotto head (I have to do a lot of attempts to goal it because I get unwanted ugly accelerations).

[@ONeillKeeganJay]

Yonoko6 the pans you see from 2:50 to the end of the video where taken in max 2 or 3 attempts, professional heads are better but this is still very good, the only thing is that I love to have a lot of resistance and I have to use the s8 at full drag all the time.

[@RickTorres]

Very nice review...and video examples!

[@ONeillKeeganJay]

Rick Torres thanks a lot

[@ClaesFeldt]

All in all, where you happy with it ? I´m just choosing between this one or Manfrotto MVH502AH. Please let me know.

[@byzantiomaulana9616]

What tripod did you use with the benro s8 in this video?

[@supremkiller]

Very professionnal! Good job Keegan.

[@TheLaura1655]

thanks , that was useful with the panning and tilting. I recently bought the s8 to replace it with the s4 which i thought was jerky in panning. How though do you remove thos heads from the tripod. Have no instructions. thnks.!

[@ONeillKeeganJay]

TheLaura1655 There is a simple locking mechanism on the tripod legs + a security knob on mine, it depends on wich type of legs you have I guess, It's usualy pretty simple.

[@TheLaura1655]

thanks, so you remove the head from the tripod by a device on the legs.? all 3 legs? where is that located? my tripod is A58OT. I bought that initially with the S4 head and it doesnt look big enough for the S8 but they assured me in the shop it would be ok.. Anyway where is the location and ...the security knob......where is that located . many thnks!

[@ONeillKeeganJay]

You need 75mm capable tripod legs, I can't find your tripod's info, there has got to be a screw somewhere on the part that assembles the legs together and maybe a little security knob or else in case it comes loose. I'm sure it's not really too complicated and you should be able to do it without any tools.

[@TheLaura1655]

thankyou!

[@TimetoShinePhotographybyMike]

Hi there, I have a question : Does a sliding plate that comes with Manfrotto 501head be used with this head?

[@ONeillKeeganJay]

Time to Shine photography I do not have Manfrotto gear so I can't really help sorry.

[@FeedMe411]

+Keegan Jay O'Neill yes it accepts 501 and 504PL plate

[@TimetoShinePhotographybyMike]

Thank you

[@lyndonalvarez3365]

Thanks for your time spent to put this together, it's difficult finding a nice tripod at a decent price. Working for a local news station we have nice but very expensive tripods.. I guess you get what you pay for :)

[@ONeillKeeganJay]

I'm used to Sachtler and O'Connor tripods too and the S8 is miles away from them, but the price is too ! It is very good for dslr small rigs witch is what I use for my personal work. Thanks for the comment.

[@theclassicsportscar2897]

Thanks for the video, ok some I'm hooked on the S8. Keegan an you tell me please please the make and model of your camera cage as it looks exactly what I really need to take light, microphone, remote and monitor.

[@ONeillKeeganJay]

The Classic Sports Car Its a pro aim C cage, but I wouldn't buy it as all the knobs are plastic and of poor quality. I'm sure you can find other ones by searching "camera C cage" in different places.

[@XLJagon]

You've got some mad pan/tilt skills. Thanks for the review.

[@ONeillKeeganJay]

Thanks a lot !

[@oupekha]

Compare with 504 manfrotto which one should i buy ( for video )

[@ONeillKeeganJay]

The S8 is way cheaper and has better weight capacity, I have never tested the 504HD, but from what I can see it doesn't have better specs.

[@oupekha]

thank your so much. i already order one, it is a very good tripod with that price. Blesses

[@oupekha]

Oh Thanks for sharing your video review, it helps a lot.

[@oupekha]

good tests, thanks so much for your time

[@SpLitSecondS_]

The main quastion have about this head - how it works after long time? And with heavier cameras?

[@ONeillKeeganJay]

I wouldn't go higher than 15 pounds or 7 kg wich is a good amount of weight, it's not going to work like a pro head but for the price it is really decent.

[@SpLitSecondS_]

+Keegan Jay O'Neill Thanks. I just looking for nice video head for Ursa mini and it's about 7 kg with stuff on it. But the "smoothness" for me is alot to consider so I'l keep looking for something like manfrotto 504hd.. Thanks.

[@ONeillKeeganJay]

Well, I guess if you had the budget for the ursa, I would definitely get a better tripod head (The 504hd doesn't seem much much better than the S8, but I have never tried it)

[@slimmetry]

Awesome video.

[@raxer-]

Hey ! Thank you for the video. I hesitated between Benro s8 and manfrotto 504hd or 502ah. I film in nature mostly (but also in studios) so I need a balance between weight and permissible load + a good fluidity as i work in video. This one seems perfect for me. (I use mirrorless and reflex cameras)

[@ONeillKeeganJay]

Well, it is probably not the smoothest head out there for it's weight but it does work good if you take your time to set it up correctly for each shot, if you shoot in nature, I think it will fit your shooting style.

[@UCMercedLife]

Are you able to remove the head completely and put in a new 75mm ball head? I'm assuming you can but just wanted to make sure.

[@ONeillKeeganJay]

UCMercedLife The tripod used isn't the one you get with the full S8 kit, the legs are the 3770TN version from Benro, I got a flat base in the box with it but had to buy a half ball adapter for easier leveling as the S8 is a flat base system. I guess you should not worry as you can usually use all 75mm gear on 75mm legs, you can also e-mail the people from which you are planning to buy your gear for more info.

[@dreampictures9990]

Hi Keegan, thanks for the review. The only one that I've found where someone finally put its into action. I have a question: what can you say about the legs of the tripod? The locks works well? Can we trust in it? Thanks a lot.

[@ONeillKeeganJay]

I actually bought other legs than the ones that come with the S8 kit, these legs are the C3770TN, I think they are pretty much the same as the other ones but they have twist locks witch I don't like (I come from the professional video world and this is a photo setup) They do lock good but you have to lean down to unlock them etc... The reason I took these legs was for weight and minimal height capacity witch is something you do not get on pro video legs.

[@rken100]

what is the tripod you are using and can it hold a slider?

[@ONeillKeeganJay]

Ry Ken It's the Benro 3770tn, It all depends on your slider's weight but I'm sure it can hold many of them.

[@enna]

Thanks for review. I need to upgrade s6 to s8.

[@Burgerz4Dayz]

great video! Thanks!

[@puddytat62]

did you use the benro sticks as well? After two years what is the verdict?

[@ONeillKeeganJay]

The sticks are the Benro 3770TN, which are not the ones sold with the S8 kit, I would say it's a good budget tripod and head, but I wouldn't use it for prolonged professional shoots, as it isn't rock solid with the locks, the drag settings, and the quick release. It will do the job, but will take more time setting up, and sometimes, that's what makes you miss moments on certain types of shoots. Thank you for the comment.

[@InCountry6970]

Good review, thanks

[@ONeillKeeganJay]

Thank you !

[@backafterdawn1]

would this be legit for filming? cinematic

[@ONeillKeeganJay]

Well, for amateur stuff it wouldn't be a problem but you will probably never see any pros use it. I would say it is a good budget tripod that can sure get you cinematic shots if you use it correctly, it's just not as reliable and easy to use as pro video fluid heads.

[@colin_rootz]

Thanks for this!

[@ONeillKeeganJay]

Thank you for your feedback.