Benro MeFoto
A while back I was looking for a travel tripod that was light enough to carry on hikes, hold a full frame camera, and one that would fit easily inside a camera backpack or checked luggage. I am happy to say the Benro MeFoto travel tripod has fit the bill. It is small (12.5″ folded), light (2.6 lbs.), and sturdy (can hold 8.8 lbs). I can fit this tripod into any of my camera backpacks or attach it outside, my choice.
FEATURES
The tripod has 5 segment legs with twist locks. The legs can be independently adjusted to 2 positions: wide or narrow. MeFoto uses a ball head and can be rotated via a separate pan screw with a scale labelled in 360 degree increments. There are 3 rubber coated knobs on the head; one for panning, one for the ball and one for the quick release plate. The center column extends 6 inches for added height and there is even a handy spring loaded retractable hook if a weight bag is required for stability.
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| Ball head with separate pan knob |
QR PLATE
The quick release plate is an Arca-Swiss style. It can slide back and forth approximately 3/4 of an inch and there is a scale for the focal plane for pano-photography. Mounted next to the quick release plate is a small (tiny) bubble level.
The size and weight of this tripod gives me the freedom to carry a tripod to places I would otherwise not be able to, like on a back packing trip where weight is a concern or on a plane where there is lack of luggage space.
The MeFoto comes in 5 colors: gold, blue, green, red, and titanium, and retails for $139.
Folded 12.5 inches
Minimum height is 22.8 inches
Maximum height is 45.5 inches
Maximum height with center column fully extended is 51.5 inches
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| Shown with legs in the wide position |
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| Leg catch showing the 2 positions |