Benro Mach3 TMA48CL Tripod Review
Benro asked I be ruthless in my appraisal of this tripod. I tried. All images below taken on the Mach3 in severe winds.
It is a specialist piece of photographic equipment and needs some background. So why use a tripod?
The reasons of course are endless and vary for everyone but my take is simply that a tripod enables super sharp shots when using slow or long shutter speeds thus allowing the use of the lowest ISO’s available to the camera. I also like that that using a tripod slows the process down to a sense of creating not snapping and gives me time to stand back from the camera and enjoy the scene before me and keep my hands free for a coffee! A premium tripod can also provide support for heavy cameras and lenses particularly with sport and wildlife. If you are shooting for a long time with a big lens its stops being funny quickly and the results follow. A stable platform also enables creativity for example when long exposures with ND filters or taking several shots focusing on different points in a scene. This technique cannot afford for the camera to move. The resulting combined shots produce a super high resolution detail rich image comparable to large format. Or maybe HDR where the exact same image is taken several times but this time instead of shifting focus points shifting exposure values. Again, this is a futile exercise unless that camera is stable and does not move between shots. Or you may want to create a panorama with several shots stitched together (best taken in the vertical orientation). This time you move the camera between shots but require precision in how much you move along the scene ensuring the angle is maintained requiring a powerful and functional head. This technique is very unforgiving so it is better to give your stitching software an easier time by using a stable platform and precision between each shot, ideally having first established the nodal point. There is a comprehensive nodal point resource in the link below.
http://www.hugha.co.uk/NodalPoint/Index.htm
But if you’re in a lowlight situation and the subject is still why mess your image up with a high ISO if that is not the creative choice? By using a quality tripod, you can create beautiful ultra clean images with a low ISO/longer shutter speed. Those moody black & white lantern lit doorways of timeless buildings with the winter mist floating by need not always be grainy affairs. They can be super sharp detail rich fine art when taken with low ISO’ on a solid tripod. And macro photographers are familiar with using rails for focus stacking, but they know that rail needs to be attached to a solid platform.
Which tripod?
The more we delve, specialize and learn this wonderful craft of photography we come to appreciate every element of photography is a compromise. Shutter speed v ISO v aperture. Ultra-steady tripod v weight. Full frame v portability. Everything is trade off. I think a big reason for GAS (gear acquisition syndrome) is because we take our choices and more quickly learn what we cannot do than what we can. So, we blame a lack of…some item or another. And we are right, gear makes a difference. We can get great photos with any camera providing we match the right camera/gear to the image required. But you’re simply not taking an award-winning shot of a high-speed diving King Fisher with a large format bellows camera handheld! You’re just not. So yes, photography is also about gear as well as concept, creativity and understanding. But mostly for me it is about joy and I get so much more pleasure from the process when using supremely engineered kit fit for the task at hand.
We often say the best camera is the one that is with you and this can also true of tripods, provided it can perform the task of offering stability to the weight of gear you have. It is an investment you will not regret. In fact it is only when your using a premium tool that you can appreciate it is essential. Nobody every said I wish I had a cheap tripod. I believe you should invest in two tripods and spend as much as it takes to meet your individual needs.
A quality portable lightweight one that can always be available to you. Kept in the car and easily carried around just in case of a photo opportunity that needs support. Why rule out a long exposure of a perfect scene because you didn’t bring a tripod. A portable tripod should still be considered and purchased as specialist equipment not just lightweight. It needs to hold steady the equipment you are going to use with it. There is no such thing as a portable lightweight tripod for very heavy equipment. I use the Benro Travel Angel which has served me extremely well in some trying conditions and is always with me. But I could not use it with a 600mm lens.
This is your primary tripod, your preferred option with the greatest stability. Balance what you can carry (and how far unless you only work in studios then weight won't be a consideration) to match your needs. I prefer to over spec so I make sure the heaviest kit I own is well within the maximum load rating of the tripod. You need strength and stability to cope with your gear. Choose one which is the right height for you without extending the centre column. Such a tripod will offer shooting capability in circumstances and conditions that can literally change your output overnight.
The Benro Mach3 TMA48CL offers total reassurance in every scenario.
My take on the various elements that make the Mach3 a great tripod.
Legs:
The legs are massive. 9x layers of carbon fibre make them very stiff, durable and yet able to absorb vibration. They feel superb. The smooth action of the magnesium locks allows three leg angles giving a full range of articulation as required. This model has four leg sections and mostly I do not open the last section but they are extremely solid when needed. One of the legs has a cell foam cover to keep the chill from your hands on when outdoors on cold days. I find this cover also provides a little padding when carrying over the shoulder with camera attached (guilty of that). I have a thing about making sure the legs are fully spread, you don’t have as stable a platform unless they are and it is surprising how often a tripod is not in its most stable setup. I find this a very reassuring aspect of the tripod as there is a very solid stop when opening the legs to set up. OCD maybe but next time you set your tripod up check before you shoot you might be surprised the legs may have a little slack.
Twist Locks:
I favour twist locks, I like using them, they feel neat and don't catch on anything. I also like the action of using twist locks but I think its personal preference. Massive grippy knurled/textured twist locks which are all equal in the turn and pressure required. They just work. Rain, snow, cold, they just work. They feel engineered. I love them. I haven’t measured the turn required but I think 3/4 is accurate but it is one action to open and one action to lock. They are an absolute joy to operate.
Feet:
Solid rubber all-purpose feet, they work well on any surface. But the tripod comes with spikes included! Love that! Beautiful precision engineered spikes at that. Swapping them over is very easy because they are perfectly engineered so they screw in and out like butter. If that were not the case it would be a pain to swap over and most probably wouldn't bother. Not a token they are built and engineered for actual use.
Centre Column:
It doesn’t do tricks. It goes up and it goes down. No fiddly gymnastics. This is a serious no compromise tripod. The centre column lock is a beautiful large precision butterfly wing type design. Its operation is so smooth you can’t help but smile. The centre column does have a hook. Brilliantly also included is a short column which is the one I use. I love that this is included. While this beast of tripod remains stable with the regular centre column fully raised I prefer to never raise them. Instead I value more being able to open the leg angle and lower the tripod head to within an inch or two of the ground. You cannot do this with a regular raising column.
Carry Case:
The tripod is supplied with a substantial padded, lined carry case with additional pockets for tools, feet, spare column etc. There is also a dust cover if storing.
Design:
This matters to me. It is a component of the joy. An example of this is the gorgeous wing style centre column lock. It is large enough for use with gloves, very easy to grip the wings and is as smooth as butter. The look, finish and form of the magnesium and carbon fibre is as pleasing as the function. It is a beautiful tripod with no compromise to the function. I applaud the design team at Benro, they are producing products which are highly functional, highly durable and joy to use.
Stability:
In the end it is all about this, stability and the ability to cope with an absorb vibration. The diameter of the legs, the number of carbon fibre layes and the layout and material of the platform to which the head attaches all have a considerable role in stability. The Benro MACH3 TMA48CL is like sitting your camera down on concrete. I have included a video clip showing my setup in the rain and strong winds along with the image taken in that moment and a couple more for the same day and conditions. The severe level of wind had no effect whatsoever on the image, literally none. And the image of the Swaledale sheep was high on the fell and it was seriously strong winds, I'm certain many a tripod would actually have blown over, yet look at the eye! pin sharp.
Trough of Bowland hill path 1/6th of a second in strong winds
Swaledale sheep on the fells in the Trough of Bowland. in storm and very strong winds
Lone Tree Trough of Bowland. strong winds
Cons:
The short centre column doesn’t have a hook is all I can really come up with. I’d like it to come with a bespoke hammock to hold filters and a cable release between the legs. I never know what to do with my cable release other than let it hang from the camera! While the carry bag is ample size for the tripod with every ball head available I'd have liked a couple extra inches in order it also fit the tripod when the Gimbal head is attached. But those are wishes not negatives, I just can’t find a negative with any aspect of the actual tripod. If you are in the north west of england and want to try it, let me know.
Warranty:
5 years
Conclusion:
The Benro MACH3 TMA48CL is like sitting your camera down on concrete. Get one. I think it is impossible to be disappointed with this tripod. It is beautiful to hold and use, it gives joy to the process. It does not perform fancy tricks it has one job and it does it to perfection in any conditions. I’m not sure of the specs of the manufacture claims (dust & moisture resist) but I would have no issue planting this tripod in mud, rivers, streams or even the sea accepting reasonable care and maintenance follows the abuse. The price, yes, it is an investment but I think it is a bargain. This is a precision made exquisitely engineered premium finish tripod that performs as well as tripods costing three times the price. In the case some very expensive tripods that are extremely needy on the aftercare required to keep them in good shape the Benro undoubtedly outperforms. It seems very light for a big tripod, maybe that’s just perception because in the flesh it looks like it is going to weigh heavy. But I cannot put it down and the only time I do not take it with me is when I’m getting on a plane. I have no difficulty walking with this tripod. I’m sure there are activities and times I will consider it too much but it hasn’t happened yet. Before I had this tripod I did climb up and down Rubha Hunish on the Isle of Skye and it may have been a wieldy option on that occasion! I was certainly glad of my lightweight Benro Travel Angel that day. Proof is in the pudding, I lent this tripod to a photographer friend who found himself in need of specialist support solution following the purchase of a monster new lens that I describe as a bazooka. It is the Sigma Sport 150-600mm and weighs a crazy amount (in my view). It is like lifting a Labrador to your eye and I suspect he was struggling to get sharp images, a challenge with long lenses at the best of times. He used my Mach3 for a week but after the first two hours of use he ordered one. Which brings me to......
A specialist tripod needs a specialist head. I use two specialist heads with this tripod depending on the situation. First is the Benro GH2C Gimbal. The review of which will be found here soon.....
