Is this the PERFECT tripod and head for Landscape Photography? Reviewing the BENRO Tortoise

[@MultiSigil]

Good review, I have their Rhino 34C with the VX30 head for a few years now. Really enjoy the tripod and the ball head on that is brilliant, it looks like they have made some further improvements to their ball head so that is good to see. The ball head itself is a joy to use and needs so little effort to lock the ball down, and you don't get the annoying sag you get with lighter/cheaper ball heads. The only very minor gripe I have with the ball head is the dual panning can move with larger cameras when not fully locked down (find it happens on my Hasselblad 500 series if I haven't tightened it fully down), overall I think the benefit of the dual pan is worth this minor inconvenience as I enjoy it for easy DSLR panoramas (saves time having to properly level the tripod). The centre column is an interesting point, the one of the Rhino is pretty stiff but I find the bigger issue is as the tripod is tall and I generally don't need the additional extension, plus it prevent you going low as you mentioned, however it does allow for easy (you can tell I can be a little lazy...) height adjustment instead of moving all 3 legs. They do a small centre column for the Rhino and I'm debating picking that up. The other benefit of the Rhino is one leg does turn into a monopod and with the centre column provides a fully height monopod the camera can go higher than myself (6ft,2"), only used it very occasionally when I borrow a 150-600mm lens but nice to have if you do any sports shooting or similar with a long lens. I had a long debate between the Rhino or going for a Gitzo (at nearly triple the price), overall I'm glad I saved the money. May add a small lightweight travel tripod and a geared head for the Rhino and then I feel I will have all tripod my tripod requirements covered (geared head if I get into large format photography).

[@AndyHPhotography]

That’s for your feedback. I looked at the rhino too but settled on the tortoise. I am so surprised by the quality. This fixes every issue I had with my previous tripod (budget price definitely equals a false economy. I’m sure I should be old enough to raise that by now🤦). The one thing I forgot to mention is the complete lack of sag even with the 100-400 lens which really wound me up on my old tripod waiting for it to settle). The head is amazing. So solid and the dials are so natural. Overall a superb quality design and piece of kit

[@RichardCookphotography]

Very good review Andy. Looks like a nice bit of kit👍💪

[@AndyHPhotography]

Thanks Richard. It is an amazing tripod and beautiful quality

[@BugBobsWildWorld]

Nice review, Andy. Thank you. I bought mine yesterday. Didn't know about the Allen keys in the rubber feet. Did you know there is one more secret thing? The center hook (to hang a weight) is itself an Allen key. Use the knurled knob to loosen and remove the hook. The tip of the hook has a little rubber (or silicone?) cap; remove it to reveal another Allen key. Cool eh?

[@AndyHPhotography]

@@BugBobsWildWorld many thanks. I hope you like it as much as me. I discovered the centre hook Allen key but only after I’d made the video 🤣

[@BugBobsWildWorld]

@ Oh mate, I goofed! I bought the version without the leveling base. 🤦🏼 I hope the store (here in Los Angeles) will swap it out. I haven’t taken it outdoors yet.

[@AndyHPhotography]

Oh no. I hope they swap it for the one you want 🤞

[@BugBobsWildWorld]

@@AndyHPhotography Yep, they agreed to take it back and order the TTOR34CLV. The waiting is the hardest part...

[@AndyHPhotography]

@BugBobsWildWorld great service from the store

[@michaelknibbs]

Thanks. Very helpful. I rarely use the center extension either - except upside down. But i would be interested to see how this might be extended for macro. Say some horizontal extension. Probably my next tripod. Keep the reviews coming. Excellent.

[@AndyHPhotography]

Thank you for your kind words Michael. I’ll be going into the woods to do some macro very soon (just waiting for some good spring flowers) and will be doing a video of that. With my old tripod the extension bar was just not stable enough although it was when upside down and the bar was not extended. The tortoise does get super low though so from my initial testing it worked brilliantly

[@mattleccese]

Looks a cracking little pod, great review. Worth a free centre column eh Benro? This will be on my shortlist when I need my next tripod 👍🏻

[@AndyHPhotography]

Thanks Matt. I am soooo pleased with it. It just oozes quality and I couldn’t recommend it enough.

[@stigfloberghagenphotography]

Nice review. I got that tripod too👍🙂

[@AndyHPhotography]

Many thanks Stig 🙏 what do you think of it?

[@seanmcgrath3558]

Great review Andy, are you happy with the height of the tripod and ball head ?

[@AndyHPhotography]

Hi Sean, it’s the perfect height for me (I’m 5’9”)👍

[@seanmcgrath3558]

@@AndyHPhotography thanks for the reply im also 5'9 but have always had a tripod with a centre column

[@AndyHPhotography]

You’re welcome. There’s a link in the description if you want to check it out. I moved away from centre columns as they introduced a bit too much vibration

[@lensman5762]

Good review. I have an old Enduro tripod from donkeys years ago which extends to nearly six feet. A very well made instrument. I believe that the Benro is the same brand, or I may be wrong. These are also reasonably priced compared to some other Chinese made tripods which have flooded the market these days. My only concern so far as the use of a tripod is concerned, is that their frequency of use is rapidly diminshing given the highly effective IBIS, and clean high iso settings that are now available in even the most basic mirrorless cameras from the big names. Once upon a time the use of a tripod was absolutely mandatory for any serious photography, not so these days.

[@AndyHPhotography]

Many thanks for your comments. I agree that the use of a tripod is becoming less critical as camera tech improves although for and stacking or blending are still essential. I do tend to use mine even when not essential though for landscapes as I like to slow the shutter speed down to try and get some form of movement wherever possible, not just water. For example, On a recent photoshoot at sunset I slowed down the shutter as there was a wind farm in front of the full moon, so by slowing the shutter I could get some movement in the blades which I think made for a better image.

[@lensman5762]

I agree, I try and use mine as much as possible too. I still use a lot of film including large format. No IBiS there I am afraid.@@AndyHPhotography

[@AndyHPhotography]

@@lensman5762 I still have my good old canon eos 5 which is ancient and keep meaning to get it out but I have so many negatives and slides I need to scan first. I need more time 🤣

[@MattLakeland]

Hi Andy. I’m looking for a new tripod. Do you think this tripod would support the weight of a 5DMk4 with f2.8 70-200 lens. It’s a heavy combination and I’d be interested in your thoughts. Thanks

[@AndyHPhotography]

Hi Matt, i think it would be fine. It claims a weight load of 18kg if I recall correctly. I don’t have as much weight in my gear as yours, but it should work very well. I get no sag using a 100-400 lens on the ball head although I also use the Benro geared head too

[@MattLakeland]

Thanks Andy. I’m looking at options, but it’s a minefield out there. I was looking at this one having seen your video or a 3LT Punks Billy 2.0. Both similarly priced. 3LT has the centre column whereas this one doesn’t. Decisions decisions 🤔

[@AndyHPhotography]

@@MattLakeland I looked at 3lt too but didn’t like the centre column. I’ve always found they add a bit of vibration and some friends that have them like them but they don’t seem as solidly but as the Benro

[@fourfeetfromtelford]

Hi Andy. Great to meet you yesterday on the path to Crimpiau (hope this is your channel!!). Will check your videos out later and we have subscribed.

[@AndyHPhotography]

It was great to meet you and your wife too Jon, Thanks for your support. I watched some of your videos earlier and love your photographs and style. It'll be interesting to see how our photos from yesterday look on video as it was a great day. It was sooooo cold at Sunset 🤣

[@fourfeetfromtelford]

Look forward to seeing your images Andy!

[@AndyHPhotography]

Thanks John. I should hopefully get it out at the weekend (If Davinci Resolve stops crashing on me)

[@martinlennon4673]

Enjoyed your review … just bought one today, looking forward to using it 👍

[@AndyHPhotography]

@martinlennon4673 thanks Martin. Great purchase and feel free to let me know how you get on with it