Benro makes some superb tripods, so I had high hopes for the quality of their monopod. Putting it through its paces, there was something about it that surprised me.
Besides reviewing the gear I buy, I am sent a fair amount of “loaner gear” to test. Quite often, this is equipment I would never usually spend my money on because I don’t need it, but I acknowledge it is good equipment, and some people might want it. Just occasionally, something crosses my path that isn’t up to scratch. Nevertheless, most gear on the market today is pretty good because poor-quality gear gets noticed and affects sales.
One of those things I have never considered buying is a monopod. I have not felt the need for it, although plenty of wildlife photographers I know do use one. If I had invested in a 35mm sensor system with its weighty lenses, it might be something I would consider. However, even with my longest lens fitted to my OM-1 Mark II, which gives up to a 1000mm equivalent reach on a 35mm system, the image stabilization is that good and the gear is light enough that I haven’t previously felt the need for a monopod. However, last weekend I was on a prolonged outdoor shoot in low light and realised that it might be something I would consider.
When Benro asked if I would give their “Supadupa” MSD46C72 carbon fiber monopod a try, I agreed.
Description.
Taking the monopod out of the box, I found it was stored in a tough, neat-looking, black and teal drawstring bag.
I like good engineering, and as one expects from Benro, the monopod itself is beautifully made and looks neat with its round, dark gray carbon fiber leg sections and teal and silver-colored aluminum features.
There’s quite a lot to this monopod, so let’s start from the top and work downwards.
The bag's front pocket holds the lens-foot (or camera) attachment plate. That is in two parts. First, there is the Swiss Arca style plate that has two hex ¼” screws that attach to the lens foot.
You can remove one of these screws if you want to join it to your camera body or if your lens foot only has one screw hole. A separate hex key is supplied for tightening the Arca plate to the lens.
Second, that Swiss Arca style plate fits into a mount. The oversized thumbscrew on the mount has a twin-action security feature that requires you to pull it outwards to release it. That’s a feature on several Benro heads that I like.
Under the mount is an unthreaded hole that sits on top of the 3/8” screw on the head of the monopod’s 60 mm diameter top plate. That screw is sprung, and by pushing down on it, it disappears inside the head to reveal a ¼” thread, so it is possible to attach either your camera directly or other mounts to the pod.
If using the supplied mount, it is secured into place using two small machine screws. Those screws are tightened with a hex key that is securely mounted in the monopod’s head.
The pan and tilt head attached to the legs has two locking lever screws. They release the swivel and elbow joints that then move with just the right amount of resistance; there is no sudden jerk when you start to reposition them, just a smooth and steady action. A clever feature of the screws is if you pull them away from the body, the levers can be repositioned, so they don’t interfere with each other.
Below the head is a wrist strap attached with a button and clip system identical to that used by Peak Design anchors. I checked, and they are compatible with each other.
The top section is big and comfortable to hold. Supplied is a removable padded grip that would be useful in cold weather, although the carbon fiber legs feel warmer to the touch than aluminum. Also attached to that top section is a removable clip for holding the hex keys.
The first adjustable leg section is released with a large lever that operates a cam. This makes adjusting the height of the tripod quick and easy. The other sections are tightened into place with twist grips. I applied a lot of my body weight downwards on the monopod, more than the recommended maximum of 40 kg (88 lb), and they held fast.
At the base is a rubber foot that swivels on a ball bearing. This is replaceable with a spike.
In Use
I am a photographer who likes to take a minimal amount of kit with me, so I expected the monopod to be more of a hindrance than a help. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to use. I could quickly adjust the height. Its full 183 cm (5 cm taller than me) I didn’t expect to ever need. Nevertheless, that was useful when standing at the edge of a rock with the foot perched on the ground below.
I found all the leg and head adjustments simple to operate, and their smooth action made it pleasurable to use.
Tracking birds in flight was straightforward using this, although not directly overhead. Retracted to almost its minimum length, it was the perfect height when I sat on the ground. I also found that tilting the leg forward by 90° so its length was parallel to the lens, the leg perfectly supported the camera when I was lying on the ground.
Specifications
- Weight (kg): 0.59
- Product Height (cm): 47
- Product Length (cm): 6.5
- Product Width (cm): 6
- Minimum Height (cm): 45.5
- Maximum Height (cm): 183
- Leg Type: Round Tube
- Base Mount Thread: 1/4 and 3/8
- Closed Length (cm): 45.5
- Foot Size (mm): Φ26*23
- Foot Type: Aluminum and EPDM
- Head Mount: 1/4 and 3/8
- Leg Diameter 1 (mm): 36.2
- Leg Diameter 2 (mm): 32.4
- Leg Diameter 3 (mm): 28.6
- Leg Diameter 4 (mm): 25.2
- Leg Diameter 5 (mm): 21.8
- Leg Lock Type: Twist & Flip
- Maximum Payload Capacity (kg): 40
- Top Plate Diameter (mm): 60
- Leg Sections: 6
- Series: #4
What I Liked and What Could Be Improved Next Time
What I Liked
- Robust construction.
- High-quality engineering.
- Smooth and easy adjustments.
- Versatile.
- Secure Arca-Swiss plate attachment.
- Light and packs away to a small size, despite its full length being exceptionally tall.
What Could Be Improved Next Time
- I found the removable grip too bulky, and I have big hands. So, I would be unlikely to use that.
- The plastic packaging could be reduced.
In Conclusion
Three years ago, I reviewed a Benro Tortoise tripod and was so impressed, I bought the test model they sent me. I still use it.
This monopod matches that tripod in every way when it comes to quality. Therefore, if I needed a monopod, I would have no qualms about buying it. It’s a superb bit of kit. It compares favorably with others available on the market.
Although impressed with this support and could see I might use one occasionally, I wonder whether I need it enough to invest in one. Perhaps in another ten or twenty years, when I can no longer consider myself middle-aged, and if I ever find my relatively light camera and lens too much for my aging bones, this would be a great option. Or, if I planned more day-long outdoor photoshoots, it would be something I would consider buying.
Then again, there was the thing that surprised me. I enjoyed using it, something I didn't expect to happen. I like taking minimal kit with me, but this did add positively to the experience. As the most important aspect of photography for me is enjoyment, perhaps I might be tempted after all. You can buy it from B&H and it costs a cent under $300.
Does the monopod live up to its name? Yes, it is Supadupa.
