BENRO S8 - anyone tried it?

rzxrey

rzxrey

Well-known member
Anybody tried this head yet? Now before people start suggesting Sachtler, Vinten etc., those heads are way out of my price range so they are already X'd out. On paper, the S8 say 8kg max load which is awesome for a cheap head. I have never used a Benro before but if this one is good, I'd probably sell my old head and get this one.

Thanks in advance.
 
This was literally just released so I don't think you are going to get much feedback if any. I have checked out their other heads at Vistek in Toronto, but the S8 wasn't released at that time, it seems as if they are in the same league as the Manfrotto stuff and the S8 looks to be a replica of the 504HD. Their Carbon Fiber tripods are actually quite good. You have to try these heads out in person to really know if its a good fit, not sure where to go in Edmonton to do that though. If it is useable and decent it really an unbelievable deal
 
I have the lesser S6 and think it beats all of the cheaper Manfrotto heads. Benro is a pretty good brand. The only thing that I'd say is ify about the S8 specs is that it only has 3 levels of counterbalance. That's what the S6 has and I don't find it to be enough for A-cam use. I use mine for my monopod and slider or locked off. But at least those three steps do work whereas most tripod heads in these price ranges don't have any. By the way, max weight on Benro tripod heads seems way overstated. The S6 is rated the same as my Sachtler FSB6 but there's no way that the Benro handles my rig as well as the Sachtler. Seems overloaded on the Benro.

Correction, it has four steps of counterbalance if you count zero.
 
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I was going to get the S6 or the 502HD, because they are the ones available locally, but then I saw the S8 video and it got me intrigued. BH has them listed and on stock but it costs so much to order from BH to Canada.
 
Looks like a nice head. I didn't know they are making a high end version now. H8 at $700. Need to check these out at NAB this year.
 
DNN said:
The S6 is rated the same as my Sachtler FSB6 but there's no way that the Benro handles my rig as well as the Sachtler. Seems overloaded on the Benro.
Click to expand...
Looking for an additional light weight head for a slider.
My rig is 13lbs. This head is rated at 13.2lbs. Will I have problems? Is it not smooth with that weight?

Id get the S8, but its almost 6lbs. Which is a bit heavy for what I need.
But the specs may be wrong.

My Cartoni Focus HD head says its 4.4lbs. Well, I weighed it, its more than that. Around 7lbs.
And the S8 says its 5.7lbs. But it does not look to be anywhere as big or as heavy as my fluid head from the pictures
 
DNN, do you have the S6 mounted on the Benro legs that come with the tripod/head kit? If so, the aluminum or carbons legs and what is your impression.
 
Mark, I have it on a Manfrotto 562 monopod. I bought the head alone to use for monopod or slider duty, and I already had my own tripod and monopod. I have a half ball adapter that allows it to be mounted onto my Miller Solo legs when I need another locked off tripod.

Benroman.jpg
 
rzxrey- Mine just arrived. I got the aluminum tripod kit. Tilt/pan are smooth and easily adjustable - I'd say the overall quality is a higher than the 502. The head is at least a pound heavier. Feels solid. All the operator controls are on the left side in one spot unlike the 502 (which are all over the place). Not crazy about the benro mounting plate - the construction is good enough but you have to search for the right fit sometimes which is annoying. I ended up using a quick release plate on my camera instead. The head has three stages of counter balance as well - 502 has a preset counter balance. Can't speak to long term durability but it seems to me that Benro is selling a Manfrotto 504 competitor at a 502 price.
 
Thanks for the update aschin. Mine is on its way too. I just ordered the head because I already have a set of legs.
 
I am so glad I saw this thread. I have been looking at this head and carbon legs for a while now. I own several tripods, Sachtlers. They are great we all know that.Not really interested in the ACE series, they seem too flimsy. But I was really interested in the S8 carbon package as an alternative to Phil Blooms favourite Miller Compas series at $2.5 K.
I have been using Fiesol legs for a couple of years with my 75mm Video 14 head whenever I needed a lighter weight and smaller package on the road or actually in the air. Now I see that Vistek in Toronto are selling Benro and Fred Konkin is a pretty discriminating guy and he runs that department. So I am seriously considering buying one. My Fiesol is great and will hold 22 pounds though I have never loaded it to that extent but its not fast setup, it has the twist locks and not suited for run and gun. So the legs are very interesting but would really like serious review of the head and not an NAB promo video with the Benro rep. No unboxing video either.... kinda done with "unboxing videos too"
 
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I've been needing to upgrade to a higher payload head and sticks for a while. I may just pick up the Benro H10 with carbon fiber sticks. Then my rig will be almost 100% chinese build! Tilta+Benro for the win!

A 22lb payload head + carbon fiber sticks for under $1100?!!
 
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