Photography News Issue 68

Photography News | Issue 68 | photographynews.co.uk

First tests

Benro FIF28CIB2 £240

Specs

Benro’s tripod collection goes from strength to strength, and four models have been introduced in its iFoto travel collection. The iFoto range offers great valuealongsideexcellentperformance. The four newmodels are the FIF19 and the FIF28, both offered in aluminium and carbon-fibre versions. It is the FIF28C that is tested here. All four come complete with the IB2 ball head, so these are ready-to-go kits. The IB2 head is a solid unit that is Arca-plate compatible, and its locking mechanism worked perfectly with the various plates in my collection with the locking knob that can be pulled out to accept slightly broader plates. Head positioning is controlled by two locking knobs (a pan lock and the main ball lock) with the ball friction adjusted by a third knob. Having ball head friction adjusted by a third knob is handy, but it also means it can be caught and the head tautness altered inadvertently. It works well enough, but I’d be tempted perhaps to gaffer tape down the friction knob at my preferred sweet spot. Around the head’s base is a blue collar marked with degree settings. Moving to the legs, you can’t help but admire the tripod’s smart looks and compact size. Its legs can be reversed folded, which is standard on many pods, and you have a tripod complete with head that will readily fit a medium suitcase or a large hand baggage roller. If you prefer, you can take the tripod in its padded case as hand or hold baggage. One leg is detachable and usable (with the centre column and head) as a very handy monopod. Its minimum height is 86cm and maximum camera platform height is 1.73m. The legs have four sections with secure locking twist grips that lock rigidly in place without the need for brute force. A firm twist is sufficient to lock the legs firmly in position, and even leaning with full body weight on an erect tripod did not cause the legs to slip. The twist grips are dust resistant, with smooth sliding legs that glide out but, like most tripod legs, they are not sand resistant. I did venture down to a sandy beach and the legs did get wet and sand covered, so the lockshadagrittyaction. I rinsed and cleaned the legs and locks, and reassembling the components afterwards once they were dry was a simple process. Two pieces of white

Prices FIF28CIB2 £240 (carbon fibre), FIF28AIB2 £140 (aluminium) In the box Tripod, ball head, set of spike feet, tools, carry bag Legs material Carbon fibre Max load 14kg Folded length (with head) 46.5cm Leg sections Four Leg angles Three set positions Max height (centre column down) 1.39m Max height (centre column extended) 1.65m Minimumheight 46.5cm – the centre column can be reversed for even lower shooting Weight (with head) 1.72kg Head Benro IB2 ball head with ball lock, pan lock and friction control Headmax load 16kg Plate fitting Arca compatible, PU60 plate supplied Drag control Yes Panning lock Yes, separate Bubble level Yes, on plate Contact benroletsgo.lpages.co/ifoto-fif28- series benroeu.com Images The Benro FIF28CIB2 has reverse-folding legs, a ballast hook for your camera bag and adjustable ball head friction

A compact yet rigid and versatile carbon-fibre tripod complete with a quality ball head selling for £240 is a compelling proposition, which makes the Benro FIF28CIB2 thoroughly deserving of serious consideration. It is an excellent device that performs impressively and comes highly recommended. Pros Great to use, portable, spiked feet and carry bag supplied Cons Just one bubble level on the head’s mounting plate not ideal For shooting, removing the ballast hook and reversing the centre column is a fast job. With the centre column fully extended, the camera platform is just over 167cm off the ground – more than enough for most shots – and even at that height, rigidity rates highly. Of course, care was needed (the electronic shutter, cable release or self-timer all played their part) and when it was windy, standing there as a human windbreak was required, too. But overall, I thought the tripod’s stability belied its modest stature and it is certainly a unit I am happy to tote around the landscape without me thinking it too much of a burden. WC very low-level Verdict

plastic have to be held in place during reassembly and that is as technical as it gets. After a good clean, the legs were back to their smooth, grit-free action. The centre column features a ballast hook that you hang your camera bag from should you want to enhance tripod stability or just keep your kit bag off the muddy ground. I took the FIF28CIB2 on several scenic shoots and was delighted with its performance. I used APS-C, full- frame and medium format cameras on the tripod in a variety of situations, including with extreme long exposures, and I was very happy with its performance, whether low down or with the centre column fully extended.

You can’t help but admire the tripod’s smart looks and compact size