Review of Benro A650FBH2 – Budget Professional Tripod for DSLR Cameras

Professional and amateur photographers can give a serious look to this budget tripod from Benro, Model A650FBH2. Even if you are a hobbyist, never underestimate the requirement of a good sturdy tripod which can withstand the weight of your expensive camera gear. A good tripod can be an investment for many years to come and usually sturdy tripods can outrun the life of your camera gear. Your search for the best and cheap budget professional tripod might end right here

General tripods are available in the market for Rs.2000-3000 rupees, but these are usually not good enough or you would not want to take the risk of mounting your expensive DSLR camera with lenses on these tripods. DSLR Cameras with telephoto zoom lens are heavy gear and flimsy tripods can topple over anytime breaking your camera/lens causing immense monetary and emotional loss. To save yourself from this situation, invest in a good sturdy tripod which will last a lifetime and also buy you peace of mind enabling you to focus more on photography.

Researching online on various forums led me to this model Benro A650FBH2.

Key specs of Benro A650FBH2 tripod -

Sections : 4
Normal Height (mm) : 1477
Max Height (mm) : 1697
Min Height (mm) : 422
Folded Height (mm) : 632
Max. Tubes Dia (mm) : 29
Min. Tubes Dia (mm) : 20
Ball Head Size (mm) : 44
Max Load Capacity (Kgs) : 8
Self Weight (Kgs) : 2.22

Accessories included -

BH2 Ballhead
Quick-fix tools
Padded Tripod Bag

The tripod came in a sturdy box packaging. The tripod bag with tools is of good quality and looks durable. It is padded completely to protect the tripod from bumps, also has a padded carry handle and detachable shoulder strap. There is a small pocket inside the bag containing the Quick-fix tools to adjust or tighten the tripod if required.

The tripod is well constructed and the aluminum body is sturdy. On first look, I am impressed by the quality feel and robustness of the tripod. The overall weight of the tripod is 2.2 Kgs and as per manufacturers specifications, it can hold a maximum load of 8 Kgs (Not yet tested by me).

The tripods legs comes with the quick clasp-type locks which are convenient for locking/unlocking. The tripod legs are made of hollow aluminium tubing, and feature a groove down the length of each one to prevent twisting. Around the top section of each leg is a comfortable foam handle. At the top where they join the centre column is a small compass and a spirit level, along with a clip on each leg that slides out to allow you to change the angle of each leg individually.

At the bottom end of the centre column is a spring-loaded hook, which can be used to hang a camera bag or any other kind of weight to make the tripod more stable (useful on windy days). This column can also be removed and mounted upside down for a more creative shot.

The BH-2 ball head is a larger/heavy-duty version of the BH-0 and BH-1 models. It has one simple lever to tighten the head.

The mounting plate is a solid piece of aliminium, and screws in simply to the base of the camera. The lever to remove the mounting plate squeezes together and locks open until the camera is placed on top, at which point it securely clicks back into place. This allows for easier mounting without having to hold the camera with one hand and operate the lever with the other. There is also a spirit level on top to ensure the camera is perfectly aligned before taking the shot.

Though I am a hobbyist photographer, and I have not used any higher or expensive model of tripod from other manufacturer, the Benro A650FBH2 fits my requirement perfectly and I am extremely pleased with the quality of the product. The tripod will be used occasionally, maybe rarely, but I am happy I have the perfect tripod for that moment. The tripod is yet to be tested on ground by me, but I am sure I will not be disappointed.

The price of this tripod is Rs.7500 from Smart Shoppers and I am pleased with the purchase, shipping was free and prompt through DTDC courier. This same model is listed for 10k+ on other shopping websites.

Benro Tripod prices in India can vary in different online sites. If you do proper research online, you might get the best and cheap deal on Benro tripods. Do checkout smartshoppers.in as they offered the best price on Benro A650FBH2.

Readers are advised to research thoroughly on other tripods available in the market. This review is only for informational purpose.