BEST TRIPOD For WILDLIFE photography UNDER $300?

Charl explains why he believes his trusty Benro tripod is the best tripod for wildlife photography that you can buy for under $300. Charl shoots wildlife and landscape photography and needs a sturdy and versatile tripod. You could spend more but Charl believes this tripod has it all!

Charl is a wildlife photographer from Pangolin Photo Safaris in The Chobe, Botswana and spends his time guiding and teaching our clients on the River and on game drives. Lots of our clients arrive with the latest and greatest lightweight tripods designed for travel but none so far can match the value for money as the Benro FIF28AIB2.

Timestamps:

0:01 Intro to Benro tripod
0:55 The Price
1:50 The Dimensions
2:56 The weight of the tripod
4:20 Extending the legs
5:20 Shooting angles
6:00 the ball head
7:00 The summary of the Benro

Please note that neither Charl Stols nor Pangolin Photo Safaris is affiliated or sponsored by Benro or any camera franchise. This is a genuine, unbiased, first-hand review of a piece of gear used on a regular basis by a professional wildlife photographer. The links below are for reference and not affiliated.

Welcome to our channel which is dedicated to the wonderful world of wildlife photography. We endeavour to load one new video every week featuring beginner to advanced photo skills, editing tutorials, hacks and gear reviews. We are based in Northern Botswana in The Chobe National Park and we invite you to travel here, either virtually or physically, and we will do our very best to make you a better wildlife and nature photographer. Enjoy the channel.

#wildlifephotography #tripod #gearreview

[PangolinWildlife]

Which tripod for under $300 would you also recommend? What other features would you look for in a tripod for wildlife photography?

[DownInChucktown]

Thank you for taking the time to do this review. Informative and a pleasure to watch.

[benwiles]

I never hang the bag from the hook directly as in the wind (which is when you would do this) will cause it to swing so you get a pendulum effect. The bag will also hit the legs and knock the camera off target. I use a bungee cord attached to the hook and my bag (which in on the ground on a plastic bag if dirty) to absorb some of the movement whilst still being under enough tension to hold the tripod in place.

[allanmetcalf]

I have a Benro GC168T Go travel 1 carbon fibre version and have used this for several years. Easy to pack, strong and light. In addition, I use it in harsh environments like the beach, often with the legs in salt water and covered with beach sand. Once I get back to the boat, I strip it down and wash it with fresh water.
Thanks for the Pongolin channel. Excellent content and inspiration to come out and visit Botswana.

[eikohariu]

Thank you very much for your recommendation!!! I like the idea of being monopods, price and travel easy!!

[elizelabuschagne]

Hi Charl, I have had my carbon fibre Benro 2682T for about 5 years, and I absolutely love it. It has travelled with me all over the world - its size and weight are perfect. I prefer the carbon fibre especially for its lighter weight. For wildlife, I mostly use it with a gimbal head, which can be packed separately. I have even used it on rocking boats that have no built-in gear like your wonderful Pangolin boats have, and simply tied the legs to anything sturdy in the boat using rope. Thanks for this great review.

[brianludwig]

I use this tripod but with a Sirui Head for extra gripping power. The whole thing is extremely well made and does an excellent job. Excellent video as well !

[stephencurah]

Looks like a good tripod overall. I love the fact it can go low to the ground and you have the option of hanging the camera below it. Most of all, its sturdy for a big lense. I have a tamron 150-600mm so this should work nicely. Having to tighten the screws every now and then seems a bit problematic though.

[ro]

I'm new to wildlife photography and I really appreciate the help

[dougwalker]

Charl
Thanks for the review on the tripod.
I suggest the screw loosening issue can be fixed by the addition of a drop of Loctite in the nut/internal thread of each screw. Super glue would work as well but have some acetone handy in case you put too much on.

[kilik]

Great review,
Do you know the difference between this and series 2?
Thanks

[razvandanulescu]

Just try some of the Innorel products!

The top tripod is RT90C (307$), but the LT364C ("medium RT90C" = 279$), the LT324C ("small RT90C" = 279$) and the RT80C = 169$, are excellent and affordable tripods for wildlife.

I just chose the carbon fiber tripod INNOREL ST344C, 2 in 1 professional heavy duty, with 75mm Bowl Adapter with adjustable tilt, Tube Leg 34mm, Max Load 77.2 lbs, Max Height 63 in and optional center column.
I use this tripod for heavy lenses in wildlife photography.
It is an excellent product, quite light (1900g), robust, very well designed and produced, in the style of the RRS and Gitzo tripods.
One leg can be detached and used as a monopod. It is a very cool and useful feature.

[brunoa]

I've had the benro A500F for a few years now as you say very versatile tripod.

[TheJapaneseWhiskyReview]

I've had the Benro iFoto FIF28AIB2 4 Section Aluminium Tripod + IB2 Ball Head since 2018 and bought for the same reasons....great minds and all that : ). I paired it with the Sevenoak sk-gh02 carbon fiber gimbal(1.12kg) and around US$280 in Australia. On the occasions when I use, it supports my Nikon D850 and Sigma 500mm F4 Sports Lens.

[beatfarmerfan]

What brand of Gimbal head and arms do you use on your boats? They are awesome!

[jeremymalley-smith]

Hi Charl, nice video though I’m not too sure it would be my favourite tripod. Rather than using aluminium construction, I want to use carbon fibre for strength and light weight properties. I also don’t feel the need for an (unstable) central column. The amount of deflection from one leg over three really is significant so my tripod doesn’t feature one.

The Gitzo will lie virtually flat to the floor thus negating the need to hang the camera upside down.

Whilst it’s a little more than $300, the Gitzo GT3540LS has for the past 14 years never failed me. It too has carried the 1DX2, the 500f4 and Wimberley gimbal mount all around the world.

I’d consider the Gitzo tripod excellent value for money. It was only $400 when I bought it from B&H.

Thanks and good to see you again

Regards,

Jeremy 😊

[digitaliq]

Hi Charl, thank you for this very helpful video! I just bought one as per your recommendation - and the tripod is awesome. I need a little help from you. At 5:14 minute, you are showing a longer Arca Swiss plate. Could you provide the specific product code for that? or a link would be much helpful as well.

[yaakovcomley]

Hi Charl, thank you so much for your podcast. It was really appreciated. I would like to ask you which ARCA swiss plate did you use when implementing the center column for macro or low photography? What was the exact serial number etc.?

[lawrielittle]

Hello Charl I use a Gitzo GT2542LS carbon fibre tripod; no centre column, for more stability, and an FLM CB38FT a bit fiddly to adjust
friction control.
Cheers
Lawrence from UK

[tonymckeage]

Great Product review vlog, thanks for sharing, I own a Benro Tripo, but it think it;s a bit more expensive than yours