Benro UK Reviews 11

This is a scam company. Do not buy anything from them. As others write about in the reviews, Benro do not deliver what they promise, respond or refund. Bought a Theta Tripod one and a half year ago. Haven't received anything, and when I have asked for a refund, I just got a standard respond. That's half a year ago! Now they are just silent.

As I can tell on Trustpilot, and other sites, I'm just one of many customers who had been a victim of fraud.

I participated to Benro kicklstarter campaign for a new tripod. Not only is it taking years to get but the specs have changed (from light to heavy). Refund request sent and they requested to get confirmation. I did that multiple times over the last 6 months. They just don't act.

Love my Benro Tortoise. Everything looks and feels like great quality. Light weight. Sturdy.

I spent a few months researching tripods. My main consideration was I wanted something light and compact that could hold 2kg of camera and lens.

If it was too heavy, I'd just leave it at home all the time. And I wanted it to fit in the straps on my bag.
The tortoise is simple. It is compact because it doesn't have the middle pole, which does limit the height somewhat to 5ft. But I'm ok with that.

There are other compact, even futuristic tripods on the market, even from Benro. But sometimes you just can't compromise on simplicity when it comes to holding £k's of camera gear.

I pre-ordered a Benro Theta Max back in July 2023. It's now August 2024. No Tripod, no explanation and no trust. Shame, it looked like a good product.

Ordered Benro tripod directly from Benro in March 2023. Still no delivery nor refund in April 2024!

Sadly, terrible experience with Benro. I bought a tripod from Benro. I was made aware that the waiting time is long as it's new product that it's still developing. Few months after advertised release I explained I can't wait and have to put the money towards some other tripod and requested a refund. First I was redirected to different Benro (China, Thailand or something) even tho I bought of official website. A month after my request was acknowledged I still don't have my money. I will be now speaking to my bank and hopefully they can request the refund, although it is few months after the money was paid......never going to buy Benro product again, which is a shame as I've been with them for master filters and one other tripod.

Great products and great customer service!
The tripod I have (the Rhino 34C, coincidentally the same as another reviewer on here) is excellent. One of the shims - a part inside each section of leg - did break through wear and tear, and the UK supplier (MAC group) replaced it without hassle.

The first thing that strikes you is the tough carrying bag it comes in, and the pack of allen key and spiked feet. Removing the Rhino 34C is an experience all on its own. This tripod is beautiful, with both tripod and VX30 Ball head being in a carbon silver finish. Also the strength of the unit is obvious before even standing it up. The quality of manufacture is so obvious too. The 34C is not a compact tripod, and I believe it only qualifies as a travel tripod due to the ability to fold the legs back to cover the column. The only fault I can find with it, is it does not come with a 4" stub column for ground level shooting, and I am having a dickens of a job finding one. It is a great idea to look up the specks of this beast, you will love it. The Rhino 34C comes with a VX30 Ball head, and I can tell you it's the best ball head I have EVER used. It also has a magic trick up it's sleeve. It can Pan without losing it's level. I've never seen that before. Great product, great price. I think you will love it.
I do want to be honest. I did not buy this tripod, I won it on the Benro Polaris FB site.

Bought the benro TMA38CL tripod and B3 Ball head.
I must say I have used alot of tripods from different companies and this is this best I have ever used.
The tripod is carbon fibre 9 layer rap and is stunning looking.
It is so well made and light weight and easy to use . The twist locks are so well made and sure will not have issues for years. It comes with a long and short column and spike feet and a nice padded Carrie case .
The B3 Ball head again is fantastic I have not been a lover of ball heads and this is the best I have ever used. It can take any lens without any worries. The plate clips in so easy and is acas swiss.
It is a joy to use
So happy I bought this it's benro all the way for me from now on .
Well done benro on what I can only say is a landscape photographer dream tripod and Ball head .
5 stars all the way ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This review is about the newly designed Benro G2 tripod head.

This head starts by my standards as rated 5, being able to easily securely hold a heavy camera and lens - but only with the camera/lens on top of the tripod.

On a detail the head dimensions are too large for a tripod with "in fashion" reverse folding legs.
As this type of tripod is less robust, no issue.

The quick release plate supplied with the head, the PU60, does not hold a 2 pound weight camera/lens with no tripod collar securely in place with the camera in portrait position - the equipment gradually twists on the plate.

Manfrotto and Gitzo have recently made their plate tops bigger to reduce the problem.
Minus 1 to Benro for not recognising this issue when introducing a new product.
Rating reduced to 4.

The quick release plate can quickly be securely locked to a camera or tripod collar with a supplied Allen key.
Unfortunately Benro have "de-scoped" the paint finish on the plate (and head) compared to older Benro products I own.
On tightening the locking screw A SINGLE TIME the paint comes off!
Rating reduced to 3.

The G2 head is innovative.
It has an "easy twist" friction adjustment.
This is ideal when different weight camera/tripod combinations are used.
The "easy twist" system relies on a collar to prevent accidental adjustment when tightening the head by turning the locking knob.

Unfortunately the collar is secured by light strength glue and easily falls off in normal use!
I was lucky in that I found mine on the floor in the house and did not loose it when walking across a grass field!
Rating reduced to 2.

Wex the retailer report spare collars are not available from Benro.

If true my rating is reduced to one.

My situation is a bit like having bought a new motor cycle and separately a new sidecar.
Little can be done with the sidecar if the new motorcycle cannot be made to work as it should in normal use.
Changing to another tripod head brand is no solution as QR fittings are usually not interchangeable between different brands.

It is a shame that what could be a 4/5 star product with innovative features seems not to have been field tested at all.
By my standard of expecting £150 products to work to a reasonable standard for more than 3 weeks my rating is a single star.