Tripods Compared: Benro A373F/S8PRO vs. Manfrotto 055/502AH
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- čas přidán 11. 03. 2020
- For years I've used the Manfrotto 055 tripod with a 502ah fluid head. Can the Benro A373F with the new S8Pro head beat it? Watch and see!
The Tripods:
Benro A373F Aluminum Tripod with S8PRO Head:
www.adorama.com/bea373fbs8pr....
Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 Tripod with MVH502AH Head: www.adorama.com/bgmvk502055.html
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Other Equipment used in this video:
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Sony A7III: www.adorama.com/isoa7m3.html
Sony Vario-Tessar FE 16-35mm F4 OSS: www.adorama.com/iso16354e.html
Sennheiser MKE 600 Shotgun Microphone: www.adorama.com/semke600.html
Feelworld F6 Plus: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
CLAR Illumi Max 300 LED Light: www.adorama.com/clilmax300sl....
Glow EZ Lock 38" Deep Parabolic Softbox: www.adorama.com/glsbez38.html
Benro Aero 4: www.adorama.com/bea2883fs4.html
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Stuff I can’t get along without :
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Flashpoint 10' C-Stand w/ Arm & 2 Grip Heads: www.adorama.com/fplsc.html
Sandbags: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
Innorel D-30 Ball Head: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Movo VXR10 Microphone: www.movophoto.com/collections...
SmallRig Shoe Mount Ball Head: www.amazon.com/SMALLRIG-Camer...
SmallRid Super Clamp: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
SmallRig 11" Friction arm: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
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Visit my site: spaugh.net
Linked In: / matt-spaugh
Instagram: / matt_spaugh
Facebook: / matt.spaugh - Krátké a kreslené filmy
This was an awesome review it helped so much thank you Matt!
Glad you liked it. Make sure you watch all three videos... the Benro turned out to be a major loser in the end.
Solid video. Much appreciated!
Thanks! Make sure you check out parts 2 and 3... sadly, that Benro did not stand up well...
Thanks Matt this was a terrific video! Super helpful thank you!
Glad you liked it. Make sure to watch the other two episodes... the Benro end up not performing as I'd hoped. Thanks for watching!
@@MattSpaugh I didn't see the others! Thank you so much for the heads up mate!
@@BenAmaral Yeah man, don't miss the follow up. That S8 "Pro" head is anything but pro...
Great video! Very helpful, thank you!
Thanks Strat! If you watched the other two videos in the series, I can say that after a number of months with the E-Image combo, I still love it and would recommend it. And, the Manfrotto 055/502 gets almost daily usage in the studio as well. Despite the design issues I have with the Manfrotto, it's a workhorse and I wouldn't be without one. Have a great day, thanks for watching.
@@MattSpaugh I did, and I really apreciated your sincerity. I was almost ready to buy the Benro tripod, but now.....I am still searching...I've used Manfroto (501 and 545b) and it was fine, but I need something lighter and cheaper. Easy adjustable legs, stability and ball head are important for me. ~Thank you once again for helping us all
Great comparison thank you!!
Glad you liked it. Make sure to check out Parts 2 and 3. The Benro does not fare so well with use, and I actually came to respect the design decisions the the Manfrotto engineers made.
Benro's customer service is outstanding! no questions asked they send you a new replacement...
Great Review THX
I absolutely agree. Sadly however, the overall quality of their products seems to be in decline. At least that was my experience overall. Thanks for watching!
@@MattSpaugh yea I went for the manfrotto kit👍
@@meirchaimo6960 You can't go wrong with it. Rock solid, not too heavy, not too pricey. I wouldn't be without one!
This was great! I love benro products. The S6PRO with the Aluminum legs has been my fav but they "updated" it so now it's discontinued and it's worse. The head payload doesn't do well with a 70-200mm lens. I used it at a wedding and it kept slowly tilting but the A2673F with the original S6Pro fluid head is excellent! I haven't used tried the S8Pro nor considered it. Also, after a year of using the Benro something bent and I called Benro and 3 days later a FREE replacement, no questions asked! Gotta love great customer service!
Thanks for watching. I'd encourage you to take a look at parts 2 and 3 I did on this. The Benro S8 Pro ended up being basically worthless as a fluid head. The sticks weren't bad, but no better than the Manfrotto 055.
Great Review, Thanks
Make sure you check out parts 2 and 3! The Benro does not fare so well...
great video, thanks for the review - I was having the same dilemma - I decided for the Benro
There are more videos in this series and ultimately, the Benro didn't work for me. I hope you have better results. Thanks for watching!
I just purchased the S6 Pro with the insane Benro aluminum tripod that extends up to 81 inches. Which I will use with my Swarovski scope. I trade stability for weight but I don’t expect to be out carrying this rig far. So far so good! As a side not I have a Swarovski tripod and head which is also very good but for the money they want for their products their directions for assembly are terrible. Benro is light years ahead of the Swarovski in the regard. In fairness I have to add their glass is as good as it gets. Thanks for the video!
I own a model 438 and it works quite Fine & Fast in my MT190X3, supporting my Benro Gimbal Head GH2F !!! See ya, blue skies 🍀📸
I also use the 438. I recently did a video comparing it to the 055 LC, Manfrotto's Leveling Column. Both great pieces of gear: czcams.com/video/FLDOGjCh-RY/video.html
Great video Matt, but maybe compare apples to apples. Instead of the 502 go up against the 504X. Tripods as well. Instead of the 055 try it against the 525 or any other half ball tripod. I'm not putting you or Benro down, just two different setups. The pan lock on the 502 is terrible I'll agree with that! Drives me nuts!!! Once again... very nice video and straight up.
Thanks for your kind words about the video. These were compared on price, size/weight, capability, and availability. I did my research based on my work and my needs and chose my subjects accordingly. I stand by the comparison. The 504 alone costs more than the 055/502 combo.
THANKS! Bought that
Benro!
OH NO - Watch Part 2! The Benro that I got turned out to be no good at all. I'd say give it a try but make sure you can return it if it doesn't work out for you.
After using the Benro, I had problems with it. Here's part 2 (there's a part 3 too btw): czcams.com/video/_8bgTRYAv7c/video.html
Well Matt, first to your request for comments on this video, here's one related to the tripods. I didn't see any info on the tripods other than the stuff that was happening on top. Nothing about the legs! Whoa!
Now regarding the subject of the video itself: the comparison. The two brands and these two product therefrom, PERFECT. I have been mulling over heads and tripods for a couple of weeks now, but before that about a year ago I was mulling over the same thing! And back then I just gave up.
But Redux 2. I've been looking at both of these and looking at several videos (Will Goodlet comes to mind). After reviewing both he chose the Manfrotto but I still don't know why he did that. He complained about the same things you did re the Manfrotto; he praised the same things re: the Benro; and then he says, "I chose the Manfrotto". What?! And I told him that.
Anyway, I think your video was a gift from the photography gods as it finally pushed me decisively onto the Benro. I should mention that you didn't even mention of ballheads and gimbals, which I have rejected ever since I discovered fluid heads. Okay that's it from this peanut gallery.
As far as me not going in-depth about the legs, that is very subjective. Everyone has their own ideas about different leg formats. As I was primarily focused on overall performance, I (obviously) gave my time to the heads.
That said, I'm glad to see that you watched the other videos in the series and got the full story. I'll reply to your other comments separately. Thanks for watching!
Great video. No bullshit, just straight up facts!
Thanks John - you may have given me a new tag-line for the channel!
@@MattSpaugh Ha ha! Keep up the good work man.
Great comparison Matt! Now can you recommend a tripod, no centre column, must be able to lay flat with a flat base for the Manfrotto head.. I’m sold on the head but having a heck of a time finding a tripod to go with this video head, especially something with twist legs!
You might want to check out the other parts of this (there are 2 more). The Benro ended up not meeting my standards and over time I've really come to appreciate the features of the Manfrotto 055. Spoiler alert: I ended up with an E-Image GH06 on G752 legs. It's a great combo but the biggest problem is it will not go lower than 24" or so which, for me, is a problem.
The column on the 055 will swing out at 90 degrees making it pretty low - low enough for my needs anyway.
I think my next purchase will be the Manfrotto 504X with 635 FAST Carbon Fiber Tripod. It's not cheap, but I used a 504 head recently, and found it to be very capable.
Hope that helps, thanks for watching!
I think the 90 degree manfrotto design would be good/ok for either for recording images vertically but besides that I agree that I wouldn't bother with such a feature. I would have loved to see how low the benro can go. I found your video looking for hi-hat options as benro doesn't seem to sell the heads with the bowl adapter which their hi-hats are also lacking. I was also looking at the s6 and the s6pro-s8pro options but I think the s8 would do everything i need it to.
Check out my part 2 of this. After having problems with the Benro, I started to appreciate the design of the Manfrotto more. I'm still waiting to get my hands on an Ikan E-Image tripod. I think it's going to hit a sweet-spot between these two. I've also considered a Sachtler Ace XL.. but at close to $1000, it really starts to push my budget.
Great video! What would you recommend now for a video tripod?
I’m looking for something max $1,200 that can handle tilts and pans well. Has a flat head but bowl base to switch the head easily for a slider. And some sticks that are fast to use?
I’m leaning towards the manfrotto nitro tech with 645 fast legs. But I keep reading bad reviews on manfrottos overall pan and tilt being jittery and not 100% smooth. There are tons of great product reviews for it but those bad ones scare me.
Open to some suggestions :)
The E-Image GH06 combo that I talk about in part three would meet all your criteria except the flat base. With your budget, you could buy that AND the GH03 head which has a flat base. The tilt/pan action on the GH06 is really smooth and comes in at just over half your budget - more money for LENSES!
I hope that's helpful, thanks for watching!
@@MattSpaugh very helpful! thank you very much!!
I’ve always been a Manfrotto fan. I use a Manfrotto video head on my old Bogan tripod. But now it’s time to retire the Bogan. I bought a Benro A2573F on sale. I am not happy with it. The main issue I have is the bowl. Maybe it’s me but if you don’t set the bowl up straight your videos become crooked while panning. It loosens up and when you are shooting video it’s a disaster. I don’t like the bowl and that is why I’ll not buy a Benro. Plus the fact it cannot lock in tight. It always seems to have this little play which is not good for both video or photography. Does anyone else feel this way?
Im guessing you've watched the other 2 videos in this series - but if not, do!
The Benro was ultimately a terrible performer and my dealings with Benro to get answers were very frustrating.
I love my Manfrotto gear and I have a new appreciation for their designs.
Thanks for watching, and sharing your experience with the A2573F.
How does it perform? i.e. How is the panning and tilting smoothness? I have used many tripods over the years and have found that you do not get good performance unless you pay for it! I have been looking at this particular Benro for some time now but like you said at the beginning of this video, there just isn't anything available until this video but you left out how it performs! I use a Miller at work and looking for something low cost yet performs close to the Miller system! I know that is a big ask but thinking the Benro S8 could be it!
Based on my experience, the S8 Pro is just not something that I would want to use. The Manfrotto 502AH is a superior head IMHO.
I took the benro ball joint s8. it seems to me rather robust and the kneecap too. I'll see. I'll have a telephoto grod on it. I will see and I will come back to tell you if I am satisfied with it.
hi man great your video. i have a sony a7iii and a sigma 100 400 sony e mount. I'm looking for a good tripod that can hold up with the weight. the benro s8 looks better to me outdoors, doesn't it?
I'd go with the E-Image. I just can't recommend any of the current Benro products. The amount of play in the head that I got was just unacceptable. For still photography, it might work out for you but for video it's a no-go-fo-sho. Thanks for watching!
Watch Part 3 of this series for more info on the E-Image tripod with the GH06 head.
I like both those video heads, but I hate that big plate which doesn't play very well with DSLRs. It's just too long, and inconvenient as compared to an arca swiss clamp. I finally swapped out the top bridge and plate of the MVH-500AH for a Kirk bridge, with arca swiss, and it's wonderful for DSLRs. I have an arca swiss plate for all the bodies and one for my 70-200 lens. It's possible to rotate that arca swiss clamp 90 degrees. Other people clamp an arca swiss clamp to that long plate, but it's a less elegant solution. I will even arca swiss my iPhone to that video head, and it has many uses. The iPhone is also wonderful in that it has nice bright big screen to monitor whilst you're taking video.
While I appreciate you taking the time to share your comments, I have to respectfully disagree. One of the things I love about the 502 is that long plate. It allows you to balance your camera load so much better than a smaller plate. No matter what size lens I'm using, or how much crap I've added to my rig,I can adjust the placement to get it perfectly balanced - its a huge plus to me.
But hey - that's what makes the world go around, right? Same feature, two completely different takes!
Seriously, thanks for sharing your thoughts - I love to hear from viewers. And, thanks for watching!
hi, have you heard much about the new smaallrig dh10 viideo head? im between that andddd the 502ah
Don't have any experience with the SmallRig. If you get it, let me know what you think. Thanks for watching.
Hi, I think both system are great. Are these tripods compatible with 3 way photo heads?
The Manfrotto head is removable, so you can put anything with a 3/8" thread on it. The E-Image, GH06 is a fluid head that is fixed to the ball.
Hope that helps, thanks for watching!
@@MattSpaugh many thanks!
I have ordered a FLM brand 3/8 to 3/8 leveling bowl adapter for my new manfrotto 550 legs. It's advertised to hold 30kg. I'll let you know if it really works as advertised, but I'm optimistic of the design.
Please let me know how it works for you. It seems like such a perfect solution. I've looked at many of the cheaper options but because I have the bowl on my E-Image, I've just never pulled the trigger on any of them. Maybe I should do a shoot out!
Did you get the LB-15?
Hello...Please tell me , whose lock is more stable. Manfrotto or benro. I heard that benro dosen't lock firmly and even a slight movement in telephoto lenses can cause big problems.. Thank U
Manfrotto by far. Watch the other two videos in this series to get my final opinions on the Benro.
@@MattSpaugh ofcourse
I've heard many good things about the benrow and if I could afford it I'd probably get it and I'm talking mainly the ball head or tripod mount.
WATCH PART 2! The Benro turned out to be a very poor performer. I can pretty confidently say that I'm done with Benro products.
@@MattSpaugh
Wow I can't believe it You're pretty sure you're done with benro.
I will definitely check out part two.
Thanks
Check out
KK Motion Pictures
The. Chip
I think you will enjoy that.
Keith Kuhn
@@KTHKUHNKK The quality standards just were not there on the S8Pro. That's not to say that their other stuff isn't good, I just find in general that Manfrotto provides a better built product that is a better value.
@@MattSpaugh
That's pretty darn interesting because I've seen several reviews on the S8 benro.
I wonder if you just happen to have gotten a bad one.
I know the benrow is more expensive.
Keith
@@KTHKUHNKK Nope. Watch that part 2 video and you'll see that I dealt with Benro directly on the issues and they would never confirm that the movement I was getting was outside of spec.
Can you remove the head from the Benro A373F and use just the tripod?
Yes, it's a 75mm bowl. The top of the bowl has a 3/8" threaded receiver. That was one thing I really liked about the S8 Pro head. It has a flat bottom.
Matt Spaugh Photography Because what I really need is the Tripod but for some reason is out of stock everywhere. I own a couple of fluid heads including the S6 and Manfrotto
@@FamilyofTech everything is out of stock everywhere right now. I'm very anxious to get my hands on an Ikan E-Image tripod. I think it would be far superior to the Benro - but who knows.
Matt Spaugh Photography ohhh I have that one too. The GH05! Amazing! You will not regret it
Is your judgement based on video applications?
I do both video and photography. I'd strongly urge you to watch Parts 2 and 3 of this little series. With further use, the Benro proved to be the weaker option - by far.
I wish I found this video buying the manfrotto, manfrotto has always done the job
It really is a great tripod. I hope you'll watch the other two videos in this SAGA - they tell a much bigger story.
Thanks for watching!
Rather compare the Manfrotto MVH500a with this Benro and it is way cheaper!
I've looked at the 500 but the 502 seems a better apples to apples with the Benro S8Pro. Plus, I've had years of experience with the 502 - thus the comparison. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.
The S8Pro is more comparable to the 504x
Watch the rest of the videos in this series. In my experience the S8 Pro is unusable for professional work.
Still in the begining of the video but I'd say Manfrotto legs, Benro head. 🤌
Watch all three... the Benro does not pass the test.
@@MattSpaugh Oh, I meant the newest Benro WH15 specifically aimed for wildlife big lenses. For me this 502 won't work either as so far I've found more than 5 wildlife photographers having issues with these series of heads so the option I doubt between are Manfrotto Nitrotech 608 or 612 but both still heavier than the Benro WH15. Still researching as at this point I don't even need it, but I want it, lol
@@dicekolev5360 Ah. I don't understand the need for a fluid head for photography? Are you also shooting video?
@@MattSpaugh I love shooting both yes, especially that z9 is actually better video camera than photography one. And especially the 800mm are very sensitive when panning.
@@dicekolev5360 800mm is sensitive not matter what you're doing! 🤣🤣🤣
have both, hate manfrotto love benro.
And, that's what makes the world go 'round. Thanks for watching.
not helpful
There are two more videos in this series that you might find more helpful... or not. Finding the right gear is usually a journey, pal.