Benro TMA48CXL Mach 3 Tripod - Unbox & Review
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- čas přidán 5. 07. 2024
- Firstly, many thanks to Benro for sending me their latest TMA48CXL Mach 3 carbon fibre tripod to undergo a long term test.
I thought that I would film a short video showing me unboxing it (I know many of you will be interested to know what is included in the box) and my initial thoughts on this tripod.
I saw the range of Benro tripods and heads at the Photography Show at the NEC in Birmingham mid March this year and was extremely impressed.
I was also sent the BRAND NEW GD3WH Geared Head for testing too as well as Benro's superb FTA28CV1 Travel Angel Tripod with Ballhead and all three items will undergo rigorous testing over the coming weeks and I will film a review for my CZcams channel for all three items.
Many thanks for watching and if you have any questions, please ask otherwise have a great day.
Benro TMA48CXL Mach 3 amzn.to/2qLjXyL
Benro FTA28CV1 amzn.to/2qMuwks
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I’m on the lookout for a new tripod and this one looks very interesting. Keep up the excellent work Melvin
John Durkin Hi John. My initial thoughts are that the tripod is a lovely piece of kit. Seemingly strong, durable, and reasonably light (considering its height) not to mention nice and simple design features which should work just fine.
Excellent work Mel, I am looking forward to seeing the long term review.
I hope you’re keeping well mate. 🍀👌
Hi Andy. All good at my end thanks. I'm looking forward to giving these Benro's a proper workout :-)
Melvin Nicholson Photography I hope Benrow know you are an animal with kit!😱
They soon will, ha, ha.
Excellent. Thank you.
You're very welcome Roy :-)
That is a very nice looking trip pod
Hi Andy
It really is a fantastic piece of kit. As you know, I own the Gitzo GT3543XLS tripod and at £800, it is twice the price of this Benro. I'm thinking of selling the Gitzo for this tripod instead but I'll hang on until I've properly tested the Benro.
Nice videos Mel. I was talking to Chris as he’s got this tripod and think I’ve made my mind up now. I’m also going to get the geared head seeing how easy it is to compose your shots when using one.
danny kenealy Good man Danny. Once you've used a geared head, there's no going back. As for the tripos, it is the same model that Chris has and loves his. I'm sure I'll love this one too.
@@melvinnicholsonphotographycom Hi Melvin, will the tripod fit in the bag with the GD3WH head fitted?
Excellent vid Melvin, clearly has some great features from the better brands and looks like benro are well in the game with this tripod, possibly to big for the landscaper that on foot but any other occasion it looks like it’ll be up there with the best.
Yes Stuart, there's plenty of features to keep the landscaper happy. Benro do sell 'normal' height tripods but I wanted an extra tall one as I currently use the 6ft+ Gitzo GT3543XLS tripod and I am looking at changing it.
Melvin Nicholson Photography
Benro holds my interest really high. This very tripod “TMA48CXL”, and a smaller kit with leveling and video head “Benro Aero 7” is part of my reasonably sensed wishing-list, but Sirui W-2204 and ProMediaGear is on my radar.
My progression so far is in order: Velbon Sherpa Pro Pod8 monopod, borrowed Gitzo Telex? Reporter tripod, Genesis C5 tripod, Sirui P-424SR monopod.
I’ve also for a long time researched: MeFoto/Induro/Benro, Manfrotto/Vanguard/Gitzo, 3LT, Sirui, LeoFoto/UniqBall, Cullman, FLM, Novoflex, Feisol, RRS, ProMediaGear and aware of many more.
I think I like my old big Velbon twist locks the most cause they give more feeling and are more quiet than modern 1/4 or 1/2 turn with annoying clicks for affirmation which actually makes it less precise. (I could be fooled by many twisting points in Sirui monopod with feet, maybe that’s what’s bothering me.) Hmm..after I submerged my Genesis tripod legs into water the rubber (only) moved on one lock.
I’m very interested as to why you would want to move from Gitzos latest technology and biggest 3series to Benro. Is it just for some added height, or is more than that? And how do you like the twist locks on the big Benro, could it be similar to my beefy Velbon monopod?
Another of the thousands videos I’ve watched, this one about 48CXL:
czcams.com/video/h5vzSqMTgf4/video.html (by Andrew Pece)
Hi Örjan. Many thanks for writing. It certainly seems that you have done your homework although buying the right equipment for your needs is I think, vitally important. I actually sold my Gitzo tripod back in April and while there are considered to be some of the finest tripods around, I just had issues with the legs not locking up properly, or the legs sticking together in very cold weather. No foam padding on one of the legs (making it uncomfortable when placing the tripod over my shoulder when carrying it) and a few other niggles. Benro on the other hand has been superb. The beefy leg locks actually work and feel solid and study. The height of the TMA48CXL tripod superb and I also run the short centre column allowing me to place the camera seriously close to the floor when needed.
Overall I am very happy with the Benro and their FTA28CV Angel carbon fibre travel tripod with ball head is also superb. Study, excellent height, and only 1.8kg in total.
Melvin Nicholson Photography
Well, I guess i’m on the right track forward. If it weren’t for sound and lighting this tripod (and perhaps geared head) would may be first on my list.
I watched again and relized the gitzo had the loose rubber. -”You ALMOST get what you pay for”. I also like the rule of diminishing return.
Thank you for your swift response. Someday i will follow Joe Edalmans advice that sort of goes something like:
For the same period of time you watch CZcams, now instead go out and shoot.
I've got the next size down, I can't fault it at all it's been totally reliable. Much cheaper than the Gitzos I used before!
There excellent tripods. I am delighted with the two that I have.
nice unboxing... i am looking for a new tripod after the two Nova tripods i had i have had to send back... so i want a very good tripod and head... what head do you use on something like this..
Hi Paul. I use Benro's GD3WH geared head and I love it. At 741g, it's certainly light enough, it's definitely strong enough (from personal experience of dropping it on rocky ground) and overall a geared head is to a landscaper what a gimbal head is to a wildlifer.
Hey Melvin, very good video! It seems to be a really good tripod, but I think it could be too heavy. I wish Benro is making smaller models. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Sentieri. I would suggest looking at Benro's TMA38CL if you're after something slightly shorter and lighter. I think you'll quite like it :-)
@@melvinnicholsonphotographycom Thanks Melvin, I'll take a look. Peace, Luigi
Wow. That is nice. Trying to grasp all the information, overload on this end.
There sure is plenty to take on board Ramona.
I might get System Go but the Mach 3 looks like it would be more steady in the wind.
I used the Benro out in New Zealand last week during a shockingly windy day and I was able to capture a four second image with absolutely no movement whatsoever (click on the following link to see the image) facebook.com/MelvinNicholsonPhotography/photos/a.512659458746596/2098771160135410/?type=3&theater
Best wishes Melvin
Can you remove the center column and just have a bowl or solid apex there?
Hi Joe. The tripod comes supplied with two centre columns, a long one and a short one (which I use). I'm not aware that Benro manufacture a bowl. I have looked at buying the Novoflex MagicBalance levelling base to allow me to shoot panoramas quickly and easily. Cost is £225.00 from Speed Graphic www.speedgraphic.co.uk/levelling_bases/novoflex_magicbalance_75mm_for_triopod_pro/27779_p.html
Hope that helps Joe. You could always contact Benro directly and ask them if I have not answered your question thoroughly enough. They have a base here in the UK.
Melvin
Hello Melvin, I wonder can you help me, please. I purchased a brand new Benro TMA 38 CL tripod and a G2 ball head. But having fitted the ball head on, I found that the base of the head can loosen very easily and I am concerned that my ball head and camera shall fall to the ground. How do I secure it properly and when shall I know that it is secure???
Hi Allan. Does your tripod plate have a small grub screw underneath that can be screwed up into the G2 head? If it does not, then the ball head cannot be fixed onto the tripod securely. It will rotate occasionally and if you're not paying attention, it can fall off but to be honest you'll be able to feel it loosening long before that happens. By the way, not every Tripod from all the manufacturers have a small grub screw on the underside of its tripod head base plate. My TMA48CXL does not do my geared head can on occasion loosen. Best of luck. Let me know how you get on.
Best wishes Melvin
@@melvinnicholsonphotographycom yes it does but yet it does not fill me with confidence when the head became loose. I feared that my camera also may fall to the ground. Do you have a vlog showing how to secure the head???
Does the center column rotate - can you grip it and twist it?
Hi Erix. Apologies for the delay in replying, I only returned from New Zealand on Thursday so I am just catching up on my admin duties. In answer to your question, the centre column does not rotate. May I ask why you would require it to rotate?
Best wishes Melvin
I've just purchased the shorter version "Benro TMA48CL" - what are your thoughts on this tripod 6 months down the line?
Hi Ginger. Six months down the line and I still love the Benro TMA48CXL tripod. Its study, reliable, easy to strip and clean, the rubber twist locks are positive and direct with the rubber grips locating well and not shifting. The cheap Chinese spikes I bought for "20 on ebay need constant tightening but that's more than likely not an issue with the tripod, more the washers that are located between the spike itself and the base of the tripod leg. All in all it is a great tripod.
@@melvinnicholsonphotographycom Thank you for the info - Took delivery of a Benro TMA48CL Mach3 Carbon Tripod last week, also purchased the G2 Ball Head - Love it!
It is a great looking tripod and wonder how it will do in the field! While it is cheap you can find similar chinese tripods (where thisone is made too I guess?) fro a lot less. I do find the spikes on this one to be really too small to be effective or at least that is what I have been told. I have a 130 euro Innorel 80 that is pretty similar but does not go up that high. In fact it seems to be identical to the Benro Benro TMA38CL. But the spikes I have on mine are larger while the centre column is missing. But the Benro would set me back at 410 euro (!)
Hi Sereno. Having used this tripod now for a over a year I can confirm that it truly is a fantastic piece of kit. Solid, reliable, dependable, great features and reasonably priced at £400. I use to use Gitzo tripods at £800 (legs only) and the Benro is a better tripod for half the price. As for the Innorel, I have not heard of them sorry. As for the spikes, I bought some off ebay (Chinese) for around £18 and they work very well indeed. They are 4.7" in length too so plenty long enough to stick in sand/grass/snow etc.
Hello Melvin, I recently bought a brand new Manfrotto BeFree Travel Tripod which I took on a Photo Tour on the Island of Mallorca. I plonked it into the sandy beach, turned around to my bag to get a filter and I heard a loud thud. My new lens; 10 stop Lee filter and Lee 3 stop ND soft grad. were all broken. Needless to say, I chucked that tripod in the bin. What I need is good sound advice for a new tripod which has to carbon; solid; strong; durable; for my landscape photography and my Canon 5D4 system to go on an aeroplane; take up into the mountains, and yet not too heavy that will not break my back. Can you help please Melvin? I thank you in advance...
Hi Allan. Sorry for not getting back to you sooner, I was away travelling around New Zealand and Australia for a month (it's a tough job but someone has to do it apparently).
So did you get sorted in the end and if so, what did you end up buying?
Hi Melvin
I'm looking into this tripod, just wondering can you add manfrotto 504 ah head onto this?
Hey Matt. I have just taken a look at the Manfrotto 504 head and it won't fit as it's a ball and cup design with a lower centre column.
Will it fit in the bag with the head mounted?
Hi Morgen. It will not go into the bag with the geared head attached. The geared head adjuster knobs stick out too much.
@@melvinnicholsonphotographycom thanks Melvin. If I buy this tripod which I'm seriously considering, I will want to buy a bag that will hold the tripod and the geared head as well - frustrating!
@@gregholmes8764 Hi Greg. My advice is that no bag is likely to accommodate the geared head because of the width of the head itself. All I can suggest is for you to head to The Photography Show at the NEC between the 16th-19th March 2019 and have a good look around the various stands.
p.s. If you happen to go on the Sunday (17th), I am speaking on the Fotospeed stand 11am-11.45am :-)
Does this tripod convert to a monopod?
Hi Marcus
This particular tripod does not have a leg that unscrews as a monopod although the Angel Travel tripod that I also use does (FTA28CV1) but that's a lighter and smaller tripod. Would you consider buying a monopod separately because the Benro really is a class act.
I have a d500 and it doesn't want to fit can someone help me
Hi Melissa. What seems to be the issue? Which tripod head have you bought to fit onto this tripod?
Quick question to get some perspective. How tall are you?
Hi Kevan. I'm 5' 10" if that helps at all.
Thanks! Being 6'1 this will still be ample tripod for me. Now I just need to find an authorized dealer up here in Canada. Sadly the only places I've seen that have stock are based in the US, which would mean no warranty.
Hi Kevan. I have found a company called Vistek who stock Benro if that's any help to you. www.vistek.ca/results/Tripods/vidtripod/Benro/Video-Tripods.aspx
Awesome! Thanks, Melvin. With any luck I can get them to get the TMA48CXL in for me. They seem to have the TMA48CL, but I'd really want to have that extra height and thick legs.
Thanks again!
Best of luck Kevan and please keep in contact,. Do let me know how you get on. If you struggle, come back to me as I am friendly with the UK Brand Manager for Benro. Perhaps I could help if required.
The locking system isn't anything new, Slik have used this system for years! , which is why my Slik pro 700dx has lasted for 20 years!.If I was in the market for a carbon fibre I would be looking at this tripod.
Hi John. Apologies for the delay in replying, I only returned from New Zealand on Thursday. I prefer to use the rotating leg locking mechanisms having previously used the flip leg locks on the Manfrotto. The ones on the Benro have a thick band of rubber which grips the locking mechanism perfectly well as well as giving a decent grip in the process. I do think however in relation to your Slik lasting twenty years, that I cannot see any modern day tripod lasting that long for a variety of reasons but for the money, I am delighted with my Benro TMA48CXL.
Have a great day John.
5.75 lbs ..... I need minimum weight, Tough enough to pull myself up Snowdonia the Lakes or the Highlands. Seriously that's too damn heavy. There are aluminium tripods at half the price that weigh in lighter than that.
Hi AHB. The TMA48CXL is weighty at 2.62kg but it stands at over 200cms and it really is not considered a 'mountain' tripod due to the weight. Saying that, I use to own the Gitzo GT3543XLS which stands at a similar height and that weighs 2.29kg and cost at the time of purchase twice the Benro (£799.99 vs £399.99). If you're wanting something lighter, look for something lighter :-)
@@melvinnicholsonphotographycom Tks for your reply and Agreed. As is often the case I was looking for something better than I currently had. Came to the conclusion that what I had ( An old but absolutely fine with no issues manfrotto aluminium of several years old ) was doing a sterling job on short hikes. I have now purchased a BENRO ( Yep a Benro ) Carbon Fibre slim with ball head ( Ridiculous low price at the moment ) for hill walking. Weight 2.2lbs which halves the Manfrotto but undeniably is shorter and possibly may give me stability concerns in wind. It's all a trade off :)