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Bexin BX285C+K36 PRICE: £169
NAMGRIP.TV
The weight benefits of carbon-fibre tripods are clear, but it often means they’re expensive. This Bexin model is both versatile and an absolute steal
SPECS › Price £169
“THAT RIGIDITY CONTINUESWITH ACENTRE COLUMN THATGIVESAN
BEXIN IS A Chinese brand, and its five-section BX285C carbon travel tripod is rich with features, including an extending centre column, ballast hook, detachable leg for use as a monopod, and an Arca-Swiss compatible K36 ball head. It offers good extension, too – the camera platform reaches 163cm. I’m 1.75m tall five foot nine in old money), which means I need to be on tiptoes to use the EVF of a camera mounted on this tripod. And all this comes in at £169. Its carbon leg tubes are sturdy. The top tube has a 28mm diameter, and the thinnest lower legs 16mm, so there’s no skimping here. One can be unscrewed and, with centre column attached, used as a monopod. Leg locks are twist grips, and lock securely without much effort. Taking the legs apart for cleaning shouldn’t be a problem, as each one is topped with a removable piece of clear plastic. The legs meet in a solid shoulder, and there are three leg angles
› In the box BX285C legs, K36 ball head, plate, bag › Leg material Carbon fibre
› Load capacity 10kg › Folded length 37cm › Leg sections Five › Leg angles Three
EXTRA 34CM OF HEIGHT”
› Max height (centre column down to camera platform) 129cm › Max height (centre column 54cm (default leg angle) 43cm (legs splayed, with centre column) › Monopod maximum height 168cm › Monopod minimum height 69cm › Bubble level Yes, two on ball head camera platform › Weight 1.7kg with head › Head K36 › Plate fitting Arca-Swiss › Contact namgrip.tv extended) 163cm › Minimum height
DOWN TO EARTH It takes just a few seconds to reverse the centre column for a super-low viewpoint view, unscrewing the ballast hook lets you reverse the centre column. The K36 ball head is no-frills, but the main locking knob works firmly, keeping a Sony A7R IV with Tamron 150-500mm strongly in position. Overall, I found the BX285C great to use, with no concerns. WC available, after a pull-down catch is used. Fully extending the tripod, giving its shoulder a firm twist, reveals a high level of solidity with minimal whip. That rigidity continues with the centre column, a two-section unit that gives an extra 34cm of usable height. Naturally, you need to be wary of fully extending a centre column, as it risks the camera swaying in the breeze. Though I have to say, the BX285C is impressively stable when trying this. Give the mounted camera a firm tap, and any vibration dissipates in seconds. It is secure in the wind, as proved when I took the pod out for a light painting session. At the other extreme, with the legs fully splayed and the centre column in play, the minimum height was 43cm. No optional short column was provided, but if you need a snail’s-eye
LEGS MATTER The carbon-fibre legs lock firmly, with comfortable-to-use twist grips, while the top tube is 28mm in diameter
Verdict A high-quality, carbon-fibre tripod with a decent ball head for £169 doesn’t sound correct. But it is – and the Bexin BX285C is a real bargain. It’s a fine performer, too, so if you haven’t gone carbon yet because the price was an obstacle, you no longer have that excuse. PROS Amazing value, excellent maximum height for a five-section pod, solid build quality, versatile CONS At this price, absolutely nothing
52 Photography News | Issue 94
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