Firstly, let me wish you all a happy and healthy new year with the hope that 2025 will deliver all that you need.
It has been deliberately quiet here but I now look forward to a year meeting old friends and new, as I deliver my landscape photography workshops and talks across the country.
All begins in earnest this month and I cannot wait. I am always grateful for those who entrust me to teach them and endure my humour ha ha!
Long may it continue!
Before the end of December last year, I posted a review of my Shimoda ActionX40 V2 and promised I would shortly write my views on the tripod I acquired in March 2024: the Benro TMA 48CXL.
Before I delve into the review, I would like to point out that there are a huge variety of tripods brought onto my workshops and I have to say that a significant number of them are not ‘fit for purpose.’
I mean significant.
I am sure there are a myriad of differing reasons why people bought the one that they did. I happily offer advice should people ask me but of course they may have already bought before they arrive.
One of my theories is that they have spent a considerable amount of money already by purchasing the camera lenses, bag etc and for some, not all, the tripod is an afterthought. I assume and I reiterate assume, that they think, "so, how much money have I left to buy one…..?”
They could also be swayed by a salesperson as they are there at the point of sale, who knows but I would give the purchase a lot of thought before diving in. It needs to be given as much consideration to its acquisition as you do when buying the camera.
The two go ‘hand in glove’ for landscapes.
Please don’t think I take every image on a tripod because I don’t and very often take photographs ‘hand held’ by upping the ISO so that I don’t ‘miss the moment’ but the majority of landscape images I take are on ‘the legs.’
Of course not everyone buys a camera to photograph landscapes but when they do decide to ‘give them a go’ or try genres where a tripod is ‘a good piece of kit to have,’ they soon find out that their initial choice may well be lacking.
There isn’t one definitive reason to make that purchase so lets look at a few things to consider before you hand over ‘your hard earned.’
Magzines and ‘the net’ will do their level best to draw you to their product because that’s what they do but like the purchase of the camera, you need to give them a full evaluation and ‘feel how it performs’ in your hands. Dont be totally convinced by anothers recommendation. That’s not to be dismissive of them, listen of course as they will be doing it in good faith and if they let you try then that’s fine but use your camera on it. Not theirs.
Whilst cost will inevitably come into your decision, allied with the amount of usage you will put it through, there is much to mull over before for you obtain ‘the best fit for you.’
For example, there are many ‘leg variations’ to look at such as carbon or aluminium, twist lock or click, travel size or mid range and even what type of feet to use on them. Is it portable or would the weight of it be too much to carry and plod across mountains comfortably?
Just as importantly and for me the first consideration, will the camera I own be suitable for it? What I mean by that is, will it be too heavy for the tripod I am looking at?
The tripod heads are a mine field in themselves. For example, do you want a ball head, geared head or three way pan?
Again they are choices you have to make and I will outline my personal choice later on.
Personally, I find doing all of that cathartic, as I evaluate and consider each product, knowing I have done my homework before making my choice and believe me you will not be spoiled for choices!
Over the years, I have used a number of tripods that have served me very well but as I have changed and my kit has too, then I sometimes consider an upgrade.
I have never had one forced upon me, it just seems ‘the right time.’
No matter how well you look after them, they will eventually come to a natural end and bits need to be replaced. You will know when that time comes!
I wish the same could be said for us…..!
I like a tripod that is solid and very forgiving that handles the elements. I am not fazed by rain and winds and love going out in inclement weather as It produces conditions that afford opportunities for really dramatic images. Those are the days I enjoy going out.
When buying any kit, my personal ethos is to fully evaluate and get the best that I can afford, to match what I want to do. If that means holding off for a while till the ‘coffers allow’ then I do so.
For the past eight years, I have used a set up that had served me well but was now beginning to show signs of ‘hard use’ and so I decided to look at what was around on the market.
I have worked with both aluminium and carbon but I prefer the latter. Just my personal choice. I also like a tripod that doesn’t rely on a centre column to be extended in order to gain sufficient height. I like it to have one but I rarely use it. The down side of extending them is wind shake. Not always but it can happen. I also work best with a ball head.
Don’t get me wrong, the geared heads are excellent but I have used a ball head since I can recall and this old dog isn’t for changing….!
Tripods don’t all come with a head attached and with those you have to choose your own which I prefer.
I like to create my own system based upon my needs but you may well like the idea of a set up that comes complete.
We have choices!
Each head will have its own dedicated plate to attach to the bottom of your camera. I use the ‘Arca’ plates as they are more versatile and I have n ‘L’ bracket attached to my camera that allows me to rotate it going from Landscape to Portrait with out losing position on the subject area I am looking at.
Those are my tips for you if you are seeking a tripod for the first time. Simple, straightforward advice.
I felt I wanted to change and so did what most do by reading up via the net and magazines.
I was particularly impressed with the range in the BENRO brand. I had been leaning towards them because you are probably aware that I work with Vicki Procter and when we first started out together (I was her mentor) and she progressed as a photographer, my wife and I bought her a Benro set up as a thank you for her dedication. She still has it to this day, some nine years down the line.
Also, a number of years back, I purchased a carbon travel tripod of theirs that I used to photograph abroad for airlines. the images and articles were used in their ‘inflight’ magazines which was great fun. On top of that, I had seen a number of people coming through the workshops using a variety of Benro tripods and they always did the job.
Anyway, my mind was pretty well made up that I was going to change and so I went to The Photography Show last March to have a proper look at them on their stand.
I wasn’t disappointed.
The only question I had to satisfy myself with was ‘which one?’
The quality of the build wasn’t in doubt. After placing my camera on a few of the ones that were on show I sort the advice of their Product Marketing Manager, Mark Hoskins who pointed me in the direction of the Mach 3 TMA 48CXL. I have to say that I don’t just change for changes sake, it has to be an upgrade and I knew that this would be exactly that.
It felt great and coupled with a G3 ball head I knew it would suit me down to the ground!
For me it was a ‘no brainer!’
It was just my luck that they didn’t have that combination there at the show for me to take away, so I placed the order and waited a couple of weeks till the boxes arrived.
Unboxing is always a pleasure and it didi’t disappoint.
The legs were served up in a well designed padded bag (I never use them on the fells but I take the legs in them whilst travelling in the car). They also come with standard rubber feet, as well as the spiked ones along with the adjusting kit.
The head was presented in a blue bag and I quickly removed it and fixed onto the legs. It is one serious piece of kit! Beautifully crafted and as smooth as silk, easy to adjust and lovely to look at!
Excellent!
Without the centre column extended it comes in at 71inches (I am old school) and as I am 6’1” tall, it is a perfect working height for me. Fully extended, the tripod rises to 82 inches with an extra reach.
Perfect!
This tripod has 4 sections per leg. The majority have three but I wanted that little bit extra and that has proven itself whilst out on the landscape.
It towered above me in the office but what about working on the landscape?
I didn’t have long to wait to use it and I was delighted with a couple of trips to the Lakes and Eryri.
Those trips told me a lot because we walked a few miles across rough ground on each and yet I felt comfortable carrying it and working with it for the first time was a delight!
It is so smooth and rock solid. The full base spread is very good which in turn ensures that the legs are stable.
Nothing is fool proof but I have been out in some really atrocious weather since I acquired it and not once has it shown any sign of being blown over.
That stability though does come at a cost and if you are prepared to live with it you will reap the benefit.
The cost I am talking about dint monetary but Its weight.
It is a beast but I think it is worth it.
Some may immediately see that as a downside but I have embraced it.
Those who know me are aware of my back issues (we are all getting old!) but quite frankly I haven’t found it difficult once. It attaches to my Shimoda and feels right. I can to praise it enough.
I undertook all I mentioned earlier and made my decision.
Putting it simply, I love it!
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS REVIEW IS BASED ENTIRELY UPON MY OWN EXPERIENCES AND THOUGHTS AND I DID NOT RECEIVE PAYMENT FOR THIS