If you could only rely on one tripod for all the photography requirements you normally encounter, what features are non-negotiable for you? Let’s see if this carbon fiber tripod from Benro fits that description.
Most experienced photographers will agree that your choice of tripod and supporting tools should match your workflow. Along with that, durability and stability must go hand in hand with function and design. However, for photographers who shoot a wide variety of genres with diverse workflows, a reliable all-in-one tripod is essential, especially if more than one is not an option. Present.
Construction and Design
Benro Rhino tripods come in a variety of sizes. This particular one, Benro Rhino 24C, is the medium size version. One of the other two variants is a more portable and travel-friendly version, while the other is a larger and taller tripod to accommodate higher camera height and heavier loads requirements. .
The Rhino 24C is a four-part tripod made up of carbon fiber rods and aluminum alloy joints and locks. It has a maximum height of 66.34 inches with the center column extended, 54.92 inches with the center column preserved, and a minimum working height of 19.1 inches. The legs can be folded upwards to reduce the overall length when folded down to 19.3 inches.
The sections are held together by three twist locks on each leg. Each twist lock is encased in durable dark gray silicone for better friction and grip when locking and unlocking the foot while complementing the gray carbon fiber material.
On each corner of the hub joint are 1/4-inch screw threads that allow for additional accessories like hooks, friction arms, and basically anything else with screws of that size. Considering the possibility of using heavier accessories like field monitors, it may be more beneficial to include at least one 3/4 inch port for larger attachments. It would also be nice to have a few more bubble level indicators on the lower part of the center joint just for a foot-specific guide, as there’s obviously enough surface area on that for some of the more useful features. .
At the top of one of the three legs is an additional rubber clamp to screw the entire leg and remove it from the center joint. These detachable legs then attach to the base of the ball head when removed, and together they form a single carbon fiber tripod. While this feature is great, it would be nice to have another layer of protection against accidentally loosening this particular foot. While quite a few twists are required to remove the foot, which means it’s unlikely that the camera will fall out, an extra feature that secures that splice provides extra security.
The included VX25 ball head has two controls, a smaller button to rotate the entire head and a larger button to unlock the ball. This tip comes with an Arca-Swiss-style quick release clamp with a knob on one side for release and a bubble level indicator. On the other side is another knob that releases the top of the quick-release clamp allowing that part (along with the camera attached) to rotate independently.
Load and Durability
The Benro Rhino 24C can carry up to 18 kg of gear, which, to be honest, is quite a lot since it’s the average size out of the three variants. With the foreseeable uses of this particular tripod, it can be assured that practically any DSLR or mirrorless camera with a regular telephoto zoom lens will consistent with published capabilities. Some super-telephoto lenses will even be in range, but of course, one obvious point is that such a setup would work much better with a larger tripod.
Overall, this tripod offers considerable stability after pressing down on locked sections. Suffice it to say that even when attaching heavier camera gear than usual, the twist lock can hold. At the same time, even though this variant is relatively light, it still packs a bit of weight and the tripod still stands up to light to moderate winds. Carbon fibers are said to be more aerodynamic so they stay still and resist shaking when blown by the wind. However, I have almost no way to test that. However, I used this in running water with pretty strong currents, and the images turned out nice and judder-free.
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Putting things into perspective, the Benro Rhino 24C has very similar functions to many other tripods on the market. What this does, however, is a combination of features that together make for an ideal tripod setup that can work well in a variety of job requirements.
This series of tripods is made exclusively in carbon fiber, unlike other models or tripods that have both aluminum and carbon fiber options. Considering that there are three size variations, especially the one that is smaller and has a thinner bar, the Rhino series performs quite well as a travel tripod with variations that work depending on weight requirements. your quantity. The 24C version doesn’t look much like a travel tripod because of the overall size. Its legs fold upwards, which shortens the length when folded, and this mechanism is exactly what makes it so travel-friendly. Also, the fact that the carbon fiber material is much lighter makes this tripod often beneficial for long hikes. Since one leg can be converted into a carbon fiber monopod, this versatility makes the tripod an even better companion for its added purpose without the need to carry extra weight.
As a landscape photographer, I chose the Rhino 24C out of the three variants precisely because of the size. As an estimate, this is a bit taller, which I might need in some situations, especially when shooting cityscapes on high ledges, but not so large that it’s bulky and heavy when shooting. bring. At the same time, the fact that it’s not the lightest of the three means it also won’t be easily blown away by the wind or carried away by currents. The carbon fiber material is said to be less prone to corrosion, which should make it easy to maintain for years of use even when exposed to dusty and humid environments. One drawback of the Rhino series is that the center column interferes with shooting from very low angles. The center column can be reversed, but that also means using and controlling the camera upside down, which won’t be as pretty as just having a low-angle tripod. It would be nice if the center column was completely removable and could instead be replaced with a short pin to connect the straight ball head directly to the hub joint to eliminate excess height.
For indoor applications such as studio portraits or products or even interior space shooting, this tripod can of course do the job. If there is a need for additional accessories, such as small lights or portable displays, the accessory ports can accommodate. If combined with a well-tuned precision tip, it can also work well for meticulously composed architectural shots or even well-designed product photography compositions. In a studio or indoor environment, the carbon fiber material and (reduced) weight may therefore seem irrelevant, but the ease of moving it around even with a camera attached can be beneficial.
The Benro rhino 24C is very likely tall and sturdy enough for most photography requirements but is relatively light and easier to carry in outdoor situations. Although limited when shooting at low angles, this versatile tripod is a viable option for a variety of shooting situations.
What I like:
- 18 kg payload in a relatively portable form
- The overall design is sleek
- Convertible to monopod
What could be improved:
- Size options for accessory ports
- Detachable leg locking mechanism
- Need a few more leveling instructions
