Benro Theta - Self-leveling (motorized) tripod

Mark Banas · Mar 8, 2023

This is FYI (For Your Information) and by no means an endorsement.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/benropolaris/benro-theta/

Literally a compact CF tripod (similar to Peak Design TT) that has a motor and battery packs to allow it to adjust the legs at the press of a button to "self-level." No idea how this works after you've locked the leg sections, but okay...

Thoughts?

Mark Banas · Mar 8, 2023

Here are my thoughts (ahem).

I first read about this via Mike Johnston's (excellent) blog The Online Photographer. If you don't read that, you should.
This is not Benro's first foray into motorized/ electronic accessories (their Polaris atrophotography head is/was first), so they will probably produce this.
I've reviewed a ton of tripods , and actually have 3 that are extremely similar (but un-motorized) to the one shown by Benro.
The tripod without the motor is probably decent, if similar to the Marsace XT-15 it is based on.
Trying to wrap my head around how a motor can adjust a leg that is already locked, even if it is the eccentric-insert type of lock.
Why does it require 3 add-ons to level if it doesn't have the original head attached? Only guess is that it isn't leveling the top of the tripod, but the top of the camera.
Really? Another battery to charge? More electronics to deal with in the field??
Why "Theta"? Ricoh already makes a 360 camera with that name... and it auto-levels!

CameraCarl · Mar 8, 2023

I've often wished I had a tripod where a motor could change the length of the legs on demand so I wouldn't have to bend over to change the height of the tripod and risk losing my footing -- especially when I am out in uneven and somewhat insecure terrain such as on (or in) the edge of a river or edge of a cliff.. I really don't care so much about self-leveling.

afoton · Mar 9, 2023

CameraCarl said:
I've often wished I had a tripod where a motor could change the length of the legs on demand so I wouldn't have to bend over to change the height of the tripod and risk losing my footing -- especially when I am out in uneven and somewhat insecure terrain such as on (or in) the edge of a river or edge of a cliff.. I really don't care so much about self-leveling.

That exists without motor. Gravity does the job, it is just about where to put the locks. https://www.sachtler.com/en/flowtech/

CameraCarl · Mar 9, 2023

afoton said:
CameraCarl said:

I've often wished I had a tripod where a motor could change the length of the legs on demand so I wouldn't have to bend over to change the height of the tripod and risk losing my footing -- especially when I am out in uneven and somewhat insecure terrain such as on (or in) the edge of a river or edge of a cliff.. I really don't care so much about self-leveling.

Click to expand...

That exists without motor. Gravity does the job, it is just about where to put the locks. https://www.sachtler.com/en/flowtech/

I have to pull my Gitzo legs out or push them in. And bending over to do so when they are already extended over a precipice tends to be worrisome.

afoton · Mar 9, 2023

CameraCarl said:
afoton said:

CameraCarl said:

I've often wished I had a tripod where a motor could change the length of the legs on demand so I wouldn't have to bend over to change the height of the tripod and risk losing my footing -- especially when I am out in uneven and somewhat insecure terrain such as on (or in) the edge of a river or edge of a cliff.. I really don't care so much about self-leveling.

Click to expand...

That exists without motor. Gravity does the job, it is just about where to put the locks. https://www.sachtler.com/en/flowtech/

Click to expand...

I have to pull my Gitzo legs out or push them in. And bending over to do so when they are already extended over a precipice tends to be worrisome.

Yes, Gitzo legs are not easy to adjust, because the leg locks are at the lower end of the legs. Gitzo's twist locks doesn't make it any easier.

User2948538945 · Mar 9, 2023

Mark Banas said:
Here are my thoughts (ahem).

I first read about this via Mike Johnston's (excellent) blog The Online Photographer. If you don't read that, you should.

I stopped reading your post right there, Mike Johnston is questionable at best. If you have read his blog for a long time you will remember the certain ads that he had on there, disgusting...how could anybody support that?

Falxon · Mar 12, 2023

Mark Banas said:
This is FYI (For Your Information) and by no means an endorsement.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/benropolaris/benro-theta/

Literally a compact CF tripod (similar to Peak Design TT) that has a motor and battery packs to allow it to adjust the legs at the press of a button to "self-level." No idea how this works after you've locked the leg sections, but okay...

Thoughts?

So I just checked it out and have a few thoughts:

The idea itself is interesting, but not sure if it's the best way to solve a problem.
The quick-release setup is clearly focused at beginners and looks proprietary and annoying. It claims to be an Arca-compatible design, but then, why not just put a proper clamp-style top plate?
The concept of the leg height adjusting is actually pretty intriguing. But in their demo video, which is admittedly a prototype, the thickest part of the leg collapses. If anything, I would want the thinnest part of the leg to collapse first for stability.
This brings to mind weight capacity. Having motorized legs makes me think the final weight capacity and stability may be compromised. They claim decent weight capacities for now, and if those hold true for the final product, then I will retract this concern.
Not a fan of yet another thing to charge and remember to charge. Plus, being non-standard, after these batteries are used for a while, they'll just be e-waste.
Camera control module is useful for older DSLRs but redundant with any reasonably modern mirrorless camera.
Live streaming module is.... useful for.... someone? Not entirely sure how useful this would be versus, again, built in functions on many modern cameras.

So all in all, some cool ideas, but ones I would expect investors like Shark Tank to buy into without understanding how most photographers would want them to work.

Eric Onore · Mar 12, 2023

T0F guy said:
Mark Banas said:

Here are my thoughts (ahem).

I first read about this via Mike Johnston's (excellent) blog The Online Photographer. If you don't read that, you should.

Click to expand...

I stopped reading your post right there, Mike Johnston is questionable at best. If you have read his blog for a long time you will remember the certain ads that he had on there, disgusting...how could anybody support that?

I am a long time reader of the Online Photographer and I am unaware of the ads you are referring to. What went on?

Eric

Snap Happy · Mar 15, 2023

Looks like a solution in need of a problem. Levelling a tripod is hardly difficult, and rarely needs to be absolutely precise.

I suppose it may be useful for the less able-bodied though.

Karl Scharf · Mar 16, 2023

Mark Banas said:
This is FYI (For Your Information) and by no means an endorsement.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/benropolaris/benro-theta/

Literally a compact CF tripod (similar to Peak Design TT) that has a motor and battery packs to allow it to adjust the legs at the press of a button to "self-level." No idea how this works after you've locked the leg sections, but okay...

Thoughts?

No thanks. For starters, it seems to have the same quirky ball head as the Peak Design tripod. Adding a motor and battery packs to a tripod just makes it even more unreliable in my opinion. I will stick with my Peak Design carbon fiber tripod that I modified by replacing the ball head with a Sirui B-00K head.

psartman · Mar 16, 2023

Mark Banas said:
Here are my thoughts (ahem).

I first read about this via Mike Johnston's (excellent) blog The Online Photographer. If you don't read that, you should.

This is not Benro's first foray into motorized/ electronic accessories (their Polaris atrophotography head is/was first), so they will probably produce this.

I've reviewed a ton of tripods , and actually have 3 that are extremely similar (but un-motorized) to the one shown by Benro.

The tripod without the motor is probably decent, if similar to the Marsace XT-15 it is based on.

Trying to wrap my head around how a motor can adjust a leg that is already locked, even if it is the eccentric-insert type of lock.

Why does it require 3 add-ons to level if it doesn't have the original head attached? Only guess is that it isn't leveling the top of the tripod, but the top of the camera.

Really? Another battery to charge? More electronics to deal with in the field??

Why "Theta"? Ricoh already makes a 360 camera with that name... and it auto-levels!

Interesting that you say it is based on the Marsace XT-15. Do you have info that is manufactured by them, or does it just look similar? I have one and really like it, in fact I sold my Peak Design in favor of it.

Falxon · Mar 16, 2023

Karl Scharf said:
No thanks. For starters, it seems to have the same quirky ball head as the Peak Design tripod. Adding a motor and battery packs to a tripod just makes it even more unreliable in my opinion.

I'm not a fan of the design, but did you take the time to look at the demo video? They explicitly stated that it is fully manually operable without batteries, or if the battery runs out.

I get that a lot of us want to add our critiques (as I did above), but at least look fully at the capabilities first.

spec68 · Mar 22, 2023

Mark Banas said:
This is FYI (For Your Information) and by no means an endorsement.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/benropolaris/benro-theta/

Literally a compact CF tripod (similar to Peak Design TT) that has a motor and battery packs to allow it to adjust the legs at the press of a button to "self-level." No idea how this works after you've locked the leg sections, but okay...

Thoughts?

Not 100% accurate. The battery pack to allow for self-leveling is optional ($30). Without the battery pack it is a regular old travel tripod with similar specs to the Peak carbon fiber.

What caught my eye is that it deploys by just unlocking one ring on each leg rather than each section of each leg. I've always lusted over the Peak CF but just couldn't bring myself to spend that much on a travel tripod with it's notable deficiencies. I've been patiently waiting for v2 to fix all the gripes and surprised Peak has yet to respond. So it lost me.

For $380 (I bought the battery pack) it's worth a gamble. It seems it fixes the panorama "problem" of the Peak and supposedly is Arca-Swiss compatible. Also you can install your own ball head w/o the need of an adapter like the Peak requires. I have a Benro MeFoto Backpacker S Carbon Fiber now so this will be a solid upgrade. For my purposes the Backpacker has served me well, but I've really pushed it beyond it's weight limits and I'm just begging for disaster.

SethG · Mar 28, 2023

Mark Banas said:
This is FYI (For Your Information) and by no means an endorsement.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/benropolaris/benro-theta/

Literally a compact CF tripod (similar to Peak Design TT) that has a motor and battery packs to allow it to adjust the legs at the press of a button to "self-level." No idea how this works after you've locked the leg sections, but okay...

Thoughts?

This tripod gives me GAS.

Like all bad photographers, I can never have too many tripods or bags. The XL might be a good upgrade for my "mid-sized" tripod. I'm 6'2" so travel tripods are usually too short for me anyway. I kind of want to get the Polaris head, too, but I'm not seeing great review for it.

PhotoMac503 · Apr 14, 2023

I laughed when I saw this. Definitely something for the wannabees out there. If I saw someone using this in the field I would laugh.

My Sirui is just at tall yet lighter and smaller when folded. Why buy a supposedly compact tripod that requires extra modules/weight to fully function?

Do any of us have that many problems that our current tripods are suddenly failing at and need to be discarded? Do any of us have $350 + to blow? Have any of us ever said "I wish my tripod was more complex"?

This is not a better mousetrap. It's a gadget.

Hard pass.

SethG · Apr 22, 2023

Dang! I forgot to buy this tripod. Oh well...there's always the NEXT Kickstarter to ignore...

Ellis Vener · Apr 23, 2023

I can see this being useful for photographers who have physical disabilities.

Ellis Vener · Apr 23, 2023

afoton said:
CameraCarl said:

I've often wished I had a tripod where a motor could change the length of the legs on demand so I wouldn't have to bend over to change the height of the tripod and risk losing my footing -- especially when I am out in uneven and somewhat insecure terrain such as on (or in) the edge of a river or edge of a cliff.. I really don't care so much about self-leveling.

Click to expand...

That exists without motor. Gravity does the job, it is just about where to put the locks. https://www.sachtler.com/en/flowtech/

There is also the new SmallRig FreeBlazer tripod: SmallRig AD-100 FreeBlazer Heavy-Duty Carbon Fiber Tripod System, 78" Video Tripod with One-Step Locking System, 360° Fluid Head and Dual-Mode Quick-Release Plate, Max Load 22 lbs for Camera -3989 https://a.co/d/0usVqiS

i think you can purchase the tripod without the fluid head as well.

Karl Scharf · Apr 23, 2023

Ellis Vener said:
I can see this being useful for photographers who have physical disabilities.

.......and mental disabilities!

Benro Theta - Self-leveling (motorized) tripod

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