Long exposure photography in Melbourne : A quick look at the Benro FIF19CIB0 Carbon Fibre Transfunctional iFoto Series 1 Tripod Kit

A successful tripod hunt in the city lead to a tripod test in Docklands. One could hardly find a more ideal location to become better acquainted with a new toy. Here brand new creatively conceived structures sprout from each salt water sided quay like mushrooms on steroids, providing countless photo-friendly views and even some reflections. Today was more cloudy than sunny with a little wind to drive the clouds across the sky. Just the kind of weather for long exposures. What’s the most important item of photography gear in your bag?

The Melbourne Star, Docklands [330s F5.6 ISO200 ND64 + ND1000)

So, the Benro FIF19CIB0 Carbon Fiber Transfunctional iFoto Series 1 Tripod Kit .. seriously how do they arrive at these names … is a compact travel / backpacking tripod. Kit because one leg is removable and can function as a monopod. Kit because the centre column is reversible so you can get the camera very near the ground if you need to. I needed a tripod that could fit IN, rather than ON, my bag. This one qualifies as it folds all the way back on itself to 35cm. But extends to some 146cm .. call it 1.5m tall. It weighs 1.4kg but is claimed the pre-installed head can support an 8kg load. I am quite sure it would support more though it’s always advisable to play by the rules. The tripod comes in the obligatory box that includes a nicely thought out canvas bag with a usable handle/sling. Unfortunately the sling isn’t removable from the bag which means you can’t quickly interlock it to/around your backpack without using extra fasteners. Still it’s always a nice touch to have a nice strong bag to carry equipment in. Also included in the bag is a hex/allen key for maintaining some of the joints on the body.

Sky rushing over the Bolte Bridge, Docklands [176s F5.6 ISO200 ND64 + ND1000]

Ok, starting with the FEET: It comes clad with nice sturdy rubber feet and, in the box, three sharp stainless steel spikes for icy conditions. Each foot screws in to the base of each leg in a very secure way. They seem unlikely to tear off like those of some inferior tripods.

Modern buildings look so stylish : Docklands [281s F5.6 ISO200 ND64 + ND1000]

The BODY/LEGS: Ok, so, the good news is I really like it. The appearance, build quality, feel, fit, use in the hands, is excellent. No sharp edges, nothing to bite me. Yes I’ve been bitten badly by one tripod… plenty of blood… these things you only discover in the field when a perfect moment must be captured quickly and you’re rushing. Once bitten… so careful ever after with “that other” tripod. It is easy to open, close, fold, whatever. Each five-section leg is equipped with four twist-locks. All, together, can be conveniently loosened with one smooth twist of the wrist. That’s probably the key advantage of the twist-locking system. Of course you can’t see if they’re locked but they’re easy enough to lock… I didn’t find any legs unexpectedly shrinking. At the end of the day after several hours of use there were no fuzzy photographs so the conclusion is: it works. ( For the record I used the Olympus EM1-ii and the 12-100mm lens with a Nisi filter kit on it … so we’re not testing the mass limit of the tripod ).

A neat angle selection mechanism allows each leg to be locked at 23, 55 or 80 degrees. The system isn’t unique to Benro, but on this tripod seems perfectly implemented as the locks feel just right and are easy to set. All set up the tripod stands super firm. I felt very confident to walk away and not return to find it blown off its feet. No complaints with the legs after a few hours use.

The centre column is easily enough removed by unscrewing the sturdy hanger mechanism at its base. The centre column comprises two tubes which enables one to almost double it (the column) length. This is particularly useful when it is attached to the single leg as it enables the monopod to reach 1.5m height. That is probably tall enough for most, although not all, photographers. One trivial complaint is that the twist-lock mechanism controlling the extension of the centre column operates in the opposite direction from all the other twist locks on the tripod. I found that counter-intuitive and slightly confusing. But it’s not really an issue once you get used to it. One would (imo) only use it when using the monopod as raising the centre column in tripod mode is normally not a good idea except if there’s really no other way to get the height.

Wait, that’s not a tripod shot : But I simply had to take this portrait of a beautiful Docklands resident

The HEAD: I used to think I could just get a nice body and worry about the head later. WRONG. You pay so much more if you do that. Now days we have choices. So many choices. There is no reason to buy a tripod without a decent head. Unless you already have a favourite you intend to transplant. This tripod comes equiped with a BENRO IB0 Ball head. It’s a reasonably neat, solid head weighing about 320g, and equipped with three knobs. The largest, maybe disturbingly labelled, a “Ball lock”; the next a “Friction control” and the last, a “Pan lock”. They do as their labels suggest. I like that one can independently control the friction from the locking/unlocking. It worked very well enabling me to find a position where I felt the right amount of friction making it easy enough to quickly level the camera before locking the ball. Importantly, their was no noticeable change in alignment on actually tightening the ball lock. Shifting alignment on tightening can be a real ball breaker (excuse the pun) with some ball heads. Finally it’s worth noting the head attaches to the body with a very solid 9mm bolt. The head is easily enough removed by twisting off the body but it won’t fall off in a hurry as several full twists are required. I see no double locking mechanism to prevent the head from being unscrewed but no need for one either. Ok, moving on.

From wharf to Harbour Town [155s F5.6 ISO200 ND64 + ND1000 Two Images, Focus Stacked]

The top PLATE: A compact PU30 Arca Swiss type plate sits atop the head. The plate includes a small spirit level. It’s works well enough, although users of larger cameras may find it too small to properly lock on to the base. That’s not a show stopper because it’s Arca Swiss compatible and many will substitute with L brackets anyway. The release lever includes a double locking mechanism. Unscrew it to loosen but the camera can’t fall off as there are locks left/right; one must pull the lever away from tripod (toward yourself) and then rotate it further to enable equipment to be removed. Seems almost idiot proof. And I could too easily be the idiot who would loosen the plate screw instead of the ball head… so including this protection can be a camera / lens saver.

In conclusion: In a one-day-test situation it’s all good. Nothing negative to be said for it other than it would have been even better if the carry bag could have had a removable carry strap. Overall it’s quite reasonable value for money at AUD329 from digidirect.com.au in Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, considering that one is able to call it a “Two for the price of one” including the monopod.

I will update this blog from time to time as this tripod weathers with me. And of course the tripod is the most important item in your bag for long exposures.

But wait, there’s more!

Black Swan : They know they have us wrapped around their gorgeousness… they do.

Image from the Benro website

Two weeks in mad-land: glimpses from the 1st 3 days

I thought I'd get back and put together a series of blogs on Madagascar. It's not easy. One must make up for time away. And before you blink two more weeks will be gone. I thought of doing themes. But I'm not sure. Maybe it's easier just working through the days. Maybe today will be a small selection from 19th to 21st July. And maybe I'll double back later. Maybe. Here goes.

Early morning: I wake up and walk outside finding two sweet Madagascan White Eyes in the tree nearest the house. A great way to start a bird walk!

Mid morning: Diesel is in the tower. There's probably only one thing on Diesel's mind. White eyes. Ok, two things, White Eyes and Fody's and the warmth of the sun. Wait that's three. And come to think of it, since Diesel is female, I think She should probably be re-named Dieseline!

Mid-day: Justin and I took a walk with our cameras. Ouma and Joelle followed a few minutes later. So we photographed them.

Justin hoping his young model approves. I think she did. I was playing paparazzi hiding behind the bushes :-)

Stuff you photograph when you're slightly bored. And it's good to just have some time sometimes. It did have amazing eyes though. It's hopefully since been eaten by one of the amazing Madagascan Bee-eaters or many Stonechats that worked the neighbourhood. We'll feature some of those another day.

Burning off energy outdoors. Sometimes literally. Boys will be boys.

Evan would spot this Raptor almost every morning maybe around 11. He'd come running and I'd do my best to shoot it. Which wasn't good enough as it was always too far by then. We think it's either a Red Kite or a Black Kite.

Burning off more energy indoors. Fortunately I don't think they've really discovered Fortnite. The flavour of the holidays was good "old" Mario Cart on the Wii.

Speaking of Forts... 

Let me finish with one more beautiful moment. I can only imagine what she's saying.

Photographing POWERFUL OWLS (and other birds)

It can be difficult to be motivated to pick up a camera and go out looking for pics. Street, no, don't feel creative. Landscape, no, what landscape. Seascape, no, too far in the car. Birds, no won't find anything. Whatever, excuses come easily. Sometimes it feels like it isn't warm enough to step out. How can it already be Autumn?!

But at least it's Good Friday so I could grab a much needed sleep in. Then I hauled the big lens into Dandenong Valley Wetlands. Hoping to find a Raptor hunting. Walked 3km slowly but after an hour I had seen nothing except two Magpies and a handful of Fairy-wrens. Returned home and lazed around some more feeling... no motivation.

Gave it a break for few hours... then thought maybe I could find the Powerful Owls. There are supposed to be at least one family of three at the moment. This explore was worth it. First a delightful Silvereye singing its heart out. Delighted because it had found such delicious berries. I wondered where the others were. Maybe that was why it kept calling. There had been others near by but a family had wandered through a minute earlier and they had all moved away. I think this one I photographed had become separated, left behind. I'm sure it caught up.

Then I found two of the three Owls. Turns out the one Owl has a taste for feathers. Red Wattlebird, I think. Previously I've seen them with left-over Ringtail Possum. But not a bird!

Oh, well, I guess Owls have to live too; and there are always plenty of Red Wattlebirds around; and very few Powerful Owls. It is an absolute blessing to be able to spot and photograph these magnificent huge Owls. They are classified as endangered in Victoria. If you read this far I hope you enjoy!

It tastes so good!

Hey everyone, the berries are delicious!

Hey where are you guys?

Powerful Owl, holding on to left-over Red Wattlebird!

Taking a look at my lens. Look at those huge talons!

Gorgeous eyes that see in the dark!