review - benro cyanbird tripod
The new Benro Cyanbird; a compact all-in-one tripod that won't break the bank. The tripod owes its name to the beautiful blue color of the frame. Benro describes the tripod as a “compact tripod for photo, video and content creation on the go”. I decided to test this in Iceland in collaboration with CameraNu.
First impressions
The tripod comes in a black carrying case which also contains a handle. The Cyanbird feels strong and high-quality and the blue color gives it a unique look. The carbon fiber model is only 1kg and extends to a maximum height of 152.4cm (60”), while when folded it is only 43.5cm. With this, Benro competes with existing high-end travel tripods, at a competitive price.
You immediately notice the blue head of the tripod’s characteristic. While compact tripods often compromise on freedom of movement, this tripod head offers an enormous number of functionalities. This way you can rotate on two axes and read exact degrees all around. The included lever makes it easier to control the head.
Ease of use
The three legs extend easily and the mountings are very sturdy. The markings on the head clearly indicate which knobs you need to turn for the desired result. The tripod comes with a blue replacement plate that can be attached directly to the camera. Other plates can be used on the tripod, but may slide out at the front or back.
The legs can fold out to almost 90 degrees, allowing the tripod to reach low to the ground. It is also possible to turn the connecting rod so that the head hangs upside down between the legs. This only takes a few seconds to change.
The tripod head makes it possible to rotate the camera from horizontal to vertical orientation with precise degrees. The knobs have a good grip and can also be turned with gloves.
The lever is small but very effective for precise head control. This is especially evident when shooting video. The handle is easy to attach and can be fixed in two different angles. An extra trick is the Allen key that is incorporated into the handle.
There are two 1/4" screws in the frame and the connecting rod to which you can attach anything, such as a monitor for video recording.
Stability and Compatability
Although the tripod only weighs one kilo, I was surprised by its stability. Even in the Icelandic wind it held up well. I must note that this tripod is intended for photo cameras and entry-level video cameras in terms of weight class. A full frame camera with a 24-70mm or a 70-200mm was no problem for this tripod, but I personally wouldn't recommend anything larger.
The hook at the bottom of the center bar can be used to provide extra stability to the tripod. For example, you can use a sandbag or your own backpack.
For who is the Benro Cyanbird?
With the Cyanbird, Benro has introduced a high-quality tripod that competes with the high-quality travel tripods, while the price remains competitive. The tripod is aimed at photo, video and content creation on the go. The tripod fully meets these requirements.
I would recommend this tripod to photo/video photographers and content creators who travel regularly or are often on the road. Weight is a big factor here. The Cyanbird is small, light and has all the options (and more) that you expect from a tripod. It is a real eye-catcher.
If you want to attach a larger camera than a full frame with a 70-200mm lens, I would recommend a different class.
Thanks to CameraNu for providing me with the Tripod. Want to read the review in Dutch? Be sure to head over to their website!
Cheers, Mike
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My name is Mike Tesselaar, in short MiTe. I’m a photographer from The Netherlands with a heart for traveling and adventuring.
I write blogs about photo- and videography, travel, freelancing and personal related stories. Hope you’ll find inspiration and feel welcome to stick around a little longer!