Up to now I have been using a Ries tripod with a Ries head. My Ries equipment has never failed me, but turned 71 last year and carrying it over my shoulder with a backpack on my back has gotten to be a bit cumbersome. Plus like to hike with a walking stick (nothing fancy, I made it from a young hard wood sapling probably 12 years ago). With one hand on the tripod and the other holding the walking stick, left me with no free hands to tackle 4th class portions of the hike. The Ries still my tripod of choice when only having to hike a short distance from the car.
Was looking for a very light weight tripod with a very compact head. Prefer flip lock levers to twist locks (total personal subjective preference). Carbon fiber legs. Feet should be interchangeable between rubber and spikes. Center column able to be removed and replaced with a simple platform head. Tripod had to be short enough when folded up to easily carry on the side of a backpack.
Wanted to head down to B&H to look at potential tripods in person, but after having to cancel that day's trip 3 times, decided to just look on their website and "take my chances".
Ended up acquiring a BENRO TAD28C Adventure Mg-Carbon Fiber Tripod. Specs: load capacity 26.5 lbs. Maximum working height without center column 53.5". Minimum working height 12.2". Folded length 20.7". Weight 3.2 lbs. Leg lock type Flip Lock. Legs sections: 4. Head mount diameter 2 3/16". So have been using the tripod now for just about a year.
Pros: Though the tripod doesn't physically look like it would carry an 8x10, It definitely will. Legs are very solid even at full extension. Flip locks on the legs made of plastic?, but with a lot of use (and a bit of abuse in the winter in icy water) they have yet to fail me. Light in weight and small size when folded up.
Cons: Wish the diameter of the head mount was a bit larger. Don't think a short center column and/or just a pain platform head are available. One of the 3 set screws on the bottom side of the center platform came loose.
Adaptations: Put threadlocker on the 3 set screws on the bottom side of the center platform, solved that. Not sure what those 3 screws are even there for. Machined 3 screw-in spikes for the tripod but have yet to use them.
Present Status: Have decided not to replace the center column with a plain flat platform. Just not worth it, cause it weighs so little and if not extended up, essentially is a plain flat platform. Still have yet to find the ideal head for this tripod... Monoball looks great but heavy and not exactly my preference for use with LF cameras. Now using an older "vintage" Gitzo tripod head, works but heavy... there has got to be a better head out there. Suggestions most welcome.... Tripod carried on the side of my Mindshift (Whole Plate) or f/64 (8x10) backpacks. Would I buy it again? DEFINITELY. I've used a CF Gitzo several times, and it definitely outperforms my BENRO TAD28C Adventure Mg-Carbon Fiber Tripod but at X4 times the purchase cost...
Again suggestions for a head most welcome.
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