First test
PRICE: £310
BENROLETSGO.LPAGES.CO/TORTOISE-COLLECTION
Keep your camera still with Benro’s latest slim, lightweight offerings for photographers and videographers alike. This new tripod and head from the Tortoise family is a small bit of kit, but carries a great load BenroTortoise TTOR34C+GX35
TO BE HONEST, I have no clue how Benro chose the names for its two latest tripod collections, Bat and Tortoise, but the latter seems appropriate because of the low (tortoise-level!) camera position – possible thanks to the lack of an integral centre column. The TTOR34C sits near the head of the Tortoise family that comprises five photo and two video models. Being centre column-free means they are slim-profile tripods, and lightweight for any situations where portability is key.
Being portable is one thing, but that shouldn’t compromise stability. Thankfully, that’s not an issue here, with Tortoise tripod legs made from new braided carbon fibre for a maximum load capacity of 18kg – a 13% increase compared with previous Benro models. The five photo tripods are available as kits with Benro’s newGX series low-profile ball heads. The TTOR34C is partnered by the GX35, a £149 head that takes a 35kg load, yet weighs just 400g. The GX35 has a new-look Arca- compatible camera platform that rotates and locks independently of the ball head – perfect for panorama shooting. Arca plates can vary a little, and all but one of my L-plates and grips were accepted by the locking mechanism: one was too narrow. Once secured, the locking knob has to be pulled out before it can be fully loosened – a good safety measure. There’s a bubble level on the plate, but one on the tripod would have been nice. A large locking knob secures the ball head firmly and quickly. It works even when wearing thick gloves, and there’s no-friction fine-tuning control. A feature you won’t see unless you take off the ball head is the 3/8in or 1/4in screw at the top of the tripod. It’s spring-loaded to give the option of both sizes – if you want to fit a light, or even the camera directly, this is useful. There are three more 1/4in screw threads around the tripod’s shoulder for accessory fitting.
The performance of the legs rates highly. One is rubber-coated for carrying comfort, while the twist grips lock them securely, and there’s no leg slip when tightened. There's no detachable leg/monopod option. Adjusting leg angles is quick, too, so setting up for low-level shooting is no problem and hassle-free – all you have to do is push in the thumb trigger locks and set the desired angle. There’s no need to use the locks when returning the legs to their default position. An extra feature is auto hold: angles in-between the presets can be held by pushing the leg trigger to its open position, then using the silver locking button to re-engage the lock once you have set the required leg angle. With the legs fully splayed and my Nikon Z 7 mounted, the lens centre was 20cm off the ground. At the other extreme, the EVF eyepiece was 151cm from the ground, so I had to stoop slightly to get my eye to it. For more shooting height, carbon fibre centre columns are available, giving an extra 19cm to 40cm. The Series 3 column for this pod is the three-section, 3/8in-fit CSC32, and costs £45. I used the TTOR34C for long exposure scenics, focus bracketing and wildlife, too. The heaviest camera/ lens combination was my Nikon D850 with a Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Contemporary and 1.4x teleconverter. That combo weighs 3kg – well within the scope of this Tortoise. Stability
proved excellent and the head lock kept the camera firmly in position. Its portability was also much appreciated. The pod weighs around 2kg with the padded bag – I took it on a couple of walks, including a night shoot at Sycamore Gap, Hadrian’s Wall, where it did a great job in the breeze. Indeed, the TTOR34C delivered a fine performance all round, and I didn’t come across anything significant to criticise. There was a slight rattle at one point, and a loose rubber foot was easily remedied. I didn’t try an optional centre column, but I wouldn’t expect anything but good performance from this functional tripod. WC
PANORAMAS MADE EASY A key benefit of the GX35 is the lockable camera platform – it can be moved independently of the ball head
SPECS › In the box Tripod legs, ballast hook, GX35 ball head, QR plate, bag, 3mm and 4mm Allen keys, spiked feet › Legmaterial Carbon fibre › Load capacity 18kg › Folded length 58cm › Leg sections Four, twist-grip locks › Leg angles Three › Max height (with GX35) 144cm › Min height (with GX35) 19.5cm › Bubble level No › Monopod option No › Weight 1.86kg (includes GX35) › GX35 ballhead › Price if bought separately £149 › Plate fitting Arca-Swiss › Bubble level Yes › Max load 35kg › Weight 400g › Contact benroletsgo.lpages.co/ tortoise-collection
GRIP AND LOCK The carbon legs glide up and down very smoothly, and lock securely with the twist grips. The kit comes with a set of spiked feet, too
Verdict
The Benro Tortoise TTOR34C is a lovely tripod in many ways, and combines very well with the GX35 ball head. Its working height range was perfect for me, especially being able to get low so quickly, and stability at any height was top drawer. The £310 asking price is tempting given the tripod’s carbon fibre legs, usability and load- bearing skills – I have no hesitation recommending Benro’s latest. PROS Slim folded profile, balanced, great to use, the option of a
centre column, GX35 camera platform CONS No bubble on the tripod itself
GROUND LEVEL No centre column means you can get low with the Benro Tortoise TTOR34C in an instant – and in-between leg angle settings are perfectly secure
Issue 91 | Photography News 35
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