Benro Travel Angel

£216/$224 A more travel-friendly Benro kit

This kit uses a shorter configuration of four-section legs, compared with the Benro Mach3 tripod, and they’re connected to different joints at the top. You still get three lockable leg angles, but the joints enable the legs to swing upwards, so that the feet surround the head for stowage. The overall effect is that the folded height is reduced from 60cm to just 45cm, and the Travel Angel kit is also 230g lighter, at 2.19kg. However, the maximum operating height is also 6cm shorter, although still respectable at 161cm.

As with the Mach3 kit, this Benro tripod is precisionengineered and beautifully turned out, combining aluminium leg sections with magnesium castings. Again, one of the legs is detachable for use as a monopod, combined with the removable centre column. This kit adds a screw-on wooden knob, so you can use the detached leg as a walking pole. High-quality accessories include a short alternative centre column, interchangeable rubber pads and metal spikes for the feet, and a smart padded soft case.

Features

The ball head will be preferable to a three-way head for most photographers’ needs.

The Arca-Swiss compatible quick-release plate isn’t as long as in the Mach3’s plate.

Performance

The ball head for this Benro kit is an upmarket B1 model with independent locking, friction adjustment and pan release knobs. There’s an upgrade in load capacity to 10kg and 14kg for the legs and head respectively, compared with the Mach3’s 8kg for both components. Even so, when mounted with a heavy DSLR and long telephoto lens, both the Benro tripods feel sturdy. There’s little to choose between them.

WE SAY

With its modern style, the Travel Angel retains the Mach3’s benefits in a compact build.