Benro Travel angel £216/$224

A more travel-friendly Benro kit

This kit uses a slightly shorter configuration of four-section legs, compared with the more conventional 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, but still respectable at 161cm.

As with the Mach3 kit, this Benro tripod is precision-engineered and beautifully turned out, combining sturdy 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, which is rather fun. Highquality accessories include a short alternative centre column, interchangeable rubber pads and metal spikes for the feet, and a smart padded soft case.

Performance

The ball head for this kit is an up-market 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 telephoto lens, both tripods feel similarly sturdy and rigid.

Considering the negligible price difference, the Travel Angel is the more attractive Benro option, if the slight drop in maximum operating height doesn’t bother you.