I decided against the Benro FGP28C and bought the Manfrotto BeeFree GT XPro instead. However I had an Arca Swiss (compatible) ball head at home which I use instead of the Manfrotto ball head (RC2). For me the central mount of the center column made me chose the Manfrotto over the Benro. But I have no doubt that the Benro can hold your Nikon Z6ii + 24-70mm even in horizontal setup. Personally I really like the Benro GX ball head series (I have two of them a GX25 and a GX30). Especially the upper pano is really usefull.

Are you taking about small tripods in general?

@@Photogearnews No, talking about that little one you showed. Chinese were selling them years ago under various brands including Bexin, Neewar etc with a ball head. I jumped on one for forest floor photography where I needed a bit more height than my bag of rice would give me. Be aware that the smaller of the 2 locking knobs that controls rotation may not have a fine thread and will tend to unscrew. They may have fixed that since then hopefully

With the legs locking in 2 upright positions? I don’t suppose you could send me a link?

@@Photogearnews I bought this years ago so I'm not sure I can find a link on Aliexpress to it but I will have a go

DITTO what Photogearnews said. show me a tripod that has legs capable of locking in that upright position. i've never seen that feature before. i suspect Trevor Sneath is simply referring to short tripods not one that has this feature. if you make a comment back it up with verifiable facts please :-) this feature is unique and for a portrait photographer like myself it has many applications....such as shooting close to a wall or on steps. other tripods can "approximate" this feature but none that i have ever seen can LOCK legs at those angles. i'm looking for this but unfortunately Japan's Benro supplier doesn't carry this line....nor do they carry the Rhino line. Benro needs to do a better job of marketing and distribution of their products beyond producing youtube teaser vids

Except can’t see that size one for sale anywhere in the UK. Boo!

Yeah, weirdly I can’t yet. I think I must have got the first one. Let me call my Benro people and find out - RS

@@Photogearnews it looks great, same with the bigger ones. Am always trying to get my camera in awkward spaces and back flipping legs would solve this. Getting a really tripod close to a wall for example is night on impossible with every tripod I have without making it unbalanced and basically resting the head against it.

Did you end up getting one? How is it?

You don’t want to look up the names of the other recent tripods. There’s no pangolin.... yet

If you don't mind my asking, what issues did you have with "bats"? I'm considering this tiny iteration. Thanks for any information regarding why it may have failed you.

@@FrederickDunn I think it was a pandemic reference…

Yes! The size obviously with this particular one, but the upright locking legs also for wedging the tripod legs in tight spots may help in general

@@Photogearnews Since they lock while upright, I'd actually use this "upside down" to get even closer to the ground in some situations.

Great idea! Benro demonstrate that in their video using the larger versions with centre column. It saves reversing the column out. Lots of options

Wow. Not sure how I missed them. Obviously there are plenty where the tripod legs fold up for travelling and storage to make them lighter, but I’ve not seen any that have two ‘upright’ lockable positions. What are the product names?

@@Photogearnews Hi one is a Benro I can’t find the model number on it. I have had it a long time 10 plus years also leg comes off for a monopod. The other one I have is a Manffotto Element I always keep in my boot if my car nice and small that also can have a leg removed to make a monopod it’s about 8 years old carbon fibre where the Benro is aluminium type metal. I have a few others that have similar features like leg off to make monopod I thought they all did that now anyway 🤷🏼‍♂️. I can upload some pictures if you want to see them not sure there current models as there so old but all work great. They also can have the main column Reno’s decision turned upside down so you can get the camera near enough touching the floor if needed what is also a nice feature. I’ve got a really small tripod that is made by small rig with a ball head with arca Swiss plate got from Amazon about £35 good for behind goals in football with a remote trigger on it.

Just checked the Manfrotto Element and it says there are 3 lockable leg angle positions. No mention of upright lockable angles. Not sure what I’m missing? Yes, there are loads that convert to a monopod, most manufacturers have a few in their range that offer that 👍

@@Photogearnews Hi so you can remove the Center column and turn it upside down this way you get the lockable in the opposite way so making it have 6 lockable possible places. Same with many other tripods. As well as being able to hang the camera upside down to get it right on the ground. I would have thought you would have known that 🤷🏼‍♂️. Would you like me to make a video showing you how to do it or send pictures to you ? It’s a very cool bit if kit that small bat.

Yes, centre could reversal is pretty much standard feature. But you are missing the point. With the Bat you can position any of the three legs upwards in one of two positions and keep them locked there. Reversing the centre column can give you three positions in the opposite direction, but you can’t then move a leg past 90 degrees facing upwards. All three legs are still point down towards the ground - you can then move one so that it is leaning up against a wall, for example