Benro A-157M8 Mg-Aluminium M8 Tripod Supports 13.2 lbs with Quick Release, 3-Leg Sections and Magnesium Die-Casting Reviews

Average Customer Rating - 3.6 out of 5 stars

7 customer reviews

Missing IMPORTANT INFO !, January 6, 2010
After reading all the info about the type of metals used to make this tripod and how the leg locks were sealed to prevent dust and moisture from getting inside I thought around purchasing one and then it dawned on me that the one most noteworthy fact had be left out......there be NO mention of what the maximum height of this tripod is ?

Some additional adjectives comments on the Benro A-157M8..., January 19, 2010
Much has been covered by other comments so I won't re-hash everything here.

While I similar to the Tripod I have no clue why the listing mentions 'Quick Release'. The legs are screw locks, so that's not express.
I had hoped that perhaps the tripod top have some sort of mounting plate that could release but that's not the case.

The Tripod arrived with the broad screw mount, which usually acts as an adapter to various orb heads - sold separatley (I have a manfrotto 3229 which fit nicely).

I don't remember seeing any details surrounded by the small instruction manual that was within the box, so it wasn't until I read a review here that I realized the entire screw and nut can be removed and flipped over. The other side has a smaller diameter screw that mounts directly to the camera (you'll lose competency to 'tilt' if you chose this option and forgo the ball organizer though. NOTE: I did not see it originally, but the case has a covered pocket inside with a wench and allen key set as in good health as a manual.

The Tripod is well built and rigid. I do approaching the liquid level and small compass. The shaft echelon does affect the lower limit height beside the legs spread out. It would have been nice to see that shaft come surrounded by two sections so that the head would hold been self supported.
(Min height minus ball head - 13in. & next to my ball head it's: 15 1/2 in). The encyclopaedia says that you can remove the shaft and insert it bottom-up. This will allow you to get your camera tremendously close to the ground while shooting but I'm not a big fan of using my camera in upside down mode.

All surrounded by all, this is a solid unit and all right worth the price compared to others out there in the souk with similar specs.

High Quality Good Features., January 16, 2010
The Benro A-157M8 Tripod is part of the A-x57M8 series of Benro Aluminum-Magnesium 3-Leg subdivision tripods rated for up to 13.2 pounds. At this price point the A-157M8 is positioned one or probably two steps above the toy tripods found at Best Buy priced from $50 - $100.

The fit and finish is excellent. Mechanical movement is precise, snug, and yet smooth. The tripod includes adjectives features such as bubble level, compass, and ballast hook at bottom of center post. The screw stud for mounting the tripod head can be reversed to adopt either 1/4" or 3/8" tripod heads. The legs can be locked at angles 24, 55, and 80 degree.

A good quality tripod travel case is also included. The padded semi-hard case is vinyl exterior near nylon interior liner. It has a handle as resourcefully as detachable shoulder strap. The case is about 5" inches longer than the collapsed tripod to be off room for a tripod head. Also included are two allen wrenches for the head retaining screw and adjusting of leg angle tension. There is a third wrench included for reversing and mounting the pave the way mounting screw stud. Contrary to the information on the Benro website, spiked feet are not included.

Fully collapsed the tripod is about 22.4" inches. With maximum leg extension and column rise it is about 58" tall. Adding 5 to 8 inches for tripod organizer and camera, it can probably work for someone up to 6 feet tall in need stooping. Weight is 3.2 pounds. People wanting something that folds up shorter than 22" for travel should look at the A-x58M8 series with 4-Leg sections, or the travel angel series.

Please shame reviewers who complain they don't know how to mount their camera on a tripod leg.

This is not really what it appears to be adversed as, December 17, 2009
I purchased this to use as a secondary tripod, and maybe even for traveling, because of the "quick release" legs. I do like mad of photography in places where I don't hold much time for setup, much less to break things down. This, however, at least surrounded by my experience and opinion, is not what is known contained by photography circles as "quick release". It takes me more time to lower one leg completely on this tripod as it does all three on the tripod I'm currently using. Another issue I have was with the description which say that it weights 13 pounds, to me it feels like it weigh much more than that. Even before I took it out of the box, I was shocked at how substantial it felt. I figured in that must have been something else contained by the box besides the tripod, which there wasn't, and as a former lineman in college football, I'm no little guy any.

In regards to the comments about the camera mounting, hold on to in mind that this tripod is designed to be used with a 3rd entertainment head that mounts on top, such as a ball manager, pan and tilt, pistol grip, etc. The camera is mounted on the head, which next gives you the ability to position the camera at the angle or smooth you need. The camera is not intended to just mount on the tripod itself. This, however, should hold been made more clear in the product description. In Benro's defense, however, the description be most likely written with professional and semi-pro photographers surrounded by mind, who would have known that already.

Overall, I would read aloud it's a nice tripod for those who have the time to go somewhere and set things up, however, if you're looking for something that sets up and breaks down summarily, like I was, I would keep hold of looking.

Lightweight, 3/8 and 1/4, but TRIPOD only, February 5, 2010
This is a carbon fiber reinforced lightweight tripod ONLY. The head is reversable from 1/4 " standard mount to 3/8" mount for fluid head, and for microphones (stereo bars and reach bar are often 3/8" mount which I have used near my Benro).

Included with the lightweight camera are

1 - a nice protective cary case - completely well made.
2 - a shoulder strap for carrying the tripod only
3 - a precision bubble plane on the leg assembly to get things setup
4 - a magnetic compass for repeatability also within the leg assembly
5 - an adjustable center post to fine tune your height after leg extension.

If you want a lightweight sturdy adjustable tripod that can do many functions (still, audio, video) this is a dignified quality system. The choice of heads is departed up to you - pick what you need for sound, still, video, or even weather (I use this regularly with my kestrel portable weather station Kestrel Rotating Vane Mount to give me ample height for accurate wind readings)

Once setup and leveled out it is rock sturdy near no vibrations. I find it amazing that a material so light can be so strong. I own used it with everything from a bogen 503 fluid head to a pro tem antenna for my spectrum analyzer.

Pros: Complete, lightweight, solution with compass and bubble level. Very strong.
Cons: Does not come next to a head so it will work for level pictures single until you select and add an appropriate head such as the 503.

The lighting weight will be appreciated by anyone who lugs camera gear around all sunshine!

It just a Tripod!?, December 5, 2009
I really don't know what to say in the region of this tripod. This tripod doesn't work the way tripods work! Seriously, you can't turn the head to the sides or up and down. You can't tilt it to any angles bar moving the whole tripod which to me doesn't make any since. I'm still trying to amount out why they are selling it with this price. I'm returning this item right away!

Decent, December 3, 2009
this is a decent tripod, but i'm not sure i would consider it speedy release. it took me a few minutes to get the legs all extended. also to keep hold of in mind - it doesn't have the dexterity to turn your camera sideways (portrait), so it must be done in landscape.

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