Gear Review: Benro Mach 3 Tripod and Benro GX30 Ballhead.
I am way more excited about the purchase and delivery of a new tripod and ball head than I should be. These two things aren’t known for being the most exciting things in (or attached to) a landscape photographer’s bag; they’re engineered bits of aluminium, plastic and rubber which are designed to keep our cameras steady. So no, not exciting, but are they essential? Absolutely they are. Even with in body image stabilisation (IBIS) and the advances in lens stabilisation that we have seen in the last few years, there is still a necessity for us to own a tripod so that we can get the shots that we need, especially for long exposure work.
This blog contains Amazon affiliate links, if you click one of these links and make a qualifying purchase, I may receive a small kickback. This is great way to support the blog means that I can write reviews like this one as the blog moves forwards.
This review is of the Benro Mach 3 Series Three Aluminium (Long) Tripod.
Disclosure: This page contains Amazon affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase after clicking a link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps support the blog and keeps new guides coming.
Benro Mach 3 Tripod.
There are a number of different options for you to consider when you make this purchase. The first decision you need to make is what do you want it to be made of? This is going to decide two things; how heavy the tripod is, and how much you pay. You have two choices: aluminium and carbon fibre. Carbon fibre ups the price quite considerably. The aluminium version which is the one I have, is currently listed on Amazon for £145 whereas the carbon fibre version with set you back £299. It’s a considerable amount more, so if weight is a serious consideration for you then be prepared to pay for it. If not, then opt for the aluminium.
You can then choose between twist locks and flip locks. This one comes down to personal choice, but I like the twist locks as I have found in my experience, these have been easier to operate, especially when it gets cold and I have snapped a couple of the flip locks on older tripods.
The final choice you have is about the height of the tripod. It comes in 3 different heights, the standard, L and XL. The height and the material are both going to impact the weight of the tripod. I have put all of this into a table so you can compare the different versions for yourself to help you make a more informed decision.
| Benro Mach3 Tripods – Key Specifications | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Max Height | Min Height | Closed Length | Material | Weight | Load Capacity | Eye-level up to |
| TMA28A | 155.5 cm (61.2″) | ~54 cm (21.3″) | ~54 cm (21.3″) | Aluminium | ~1.8 kg | ~12 kg | ~165.5 cm (5′5″) |
| TMA27A | 161.5 cm (63.6″) | ~51 cm (20.1″) | ~51 cm (20.1″) | Aluminium | ~1.7 kg | ~12 kg | ~171.5 cm (5′7½″) |
| TMA37C | 161.5 cm (63.6″) | ~51 cm (20.1″) | ~51 cm (20.1″) | Carbon Fibre | ~1.3 kg | ~10 kg | ~171.5 cm (5′7½″) |
| TMA38CL | 177 cm (69.7″) | ~60 cm (23.6″) | ~60 cm (23.6″) | Carbon Fibre | ~1.5 kg | ~10 kg | ~187 cm (6′2″) |
| TMA37AL | 179 cm (70.5″) | ~57 cm (22.4″) | ~57 cm (22.4″) | Aluminium | ~1.9 kg | ~12 kg | ~189 cm (6′2½″) |
| TMA48CXL | 210.5 cm (82.9″) | ~68 cm (26.8″) | ~68 cm (26.8″) | Carbon Fibre | ~1.9 kg | ~10 kg | ~220.5 cm (7′3″) |
| AL Series 4 XL | 216.2 cm (85.1″) | ~70 cm (27.6″) | ~70 cm (27.6″) | Aluminium | ~2.4 kg | ~12 kg | ~226.2 cm (7′5″) |
*Eye-level up to: approximate guide based on tripod maximum height plus ~10 cm. This excludes ball head and camera height and is intended for comparison only.
- Most portable: TMA37C (light carbon) and TMA27A (compact aluminium).
- Best all-round height: TMA38CL if you want extra reach without going XL.
- Best for taller photographers: TMA37AL (long aluminium legs).
- Maximum height: TMA48CXL and AL Series 4 XL.
- Best value: TMA27A / TMA28A.
I have opted for the ‘Long’ version of the Mach 3 (TMA37AL). This extends up to around 70.5” (including the centre column) which is a really comfortable working height for me at 6ft 1 tall.
Finally, you can choose between three section and four section tripods. This is purely the number of ‘pieces’ that the legs of your tripod are divided into. I have gone with the 3 section because some of the places I shoot need the stability that is provided by the wider leg section construction, it also means that there is much less faffing about when you are putting up and taking down your tripod.
Benro GX30 Ballhead.
So here, again, we have a number of options available to us when choosing GX ball head. There is is the GX25, GX30 and the GX35. This one comes at a price of around £109, depending where you choose to buy from. I got mine from Amazon.
| Benro GX Ball Heads – GX25 vs GX30 vs GX35 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Max Payload | Weight | Height | Ball Diameter | Base Mount | Key Features |
| GX25 | 25 kg (55 lb) | ~340 g | 8.5 cm (3.34″) | 30 mm | 3/8″ | Dual panning, Arca-Swiss QR, safety lock |
| GX30 | 30 kg (66 lb) | ~380 g | ~9 cm (3.54″) | 36 mm | 3/8″ | Dual panning, smoother control, higher capacity |
| GX35 | 35 kg (77 lb) | ~400 g | ~8.5 cm (3.34″) | 40 mm | 3/8″ | Largest ball, highest load handling |
In the case of the ballhead, I have opted for the GX30 which is the middle of the range. Thos will handle (on paper) up to 30kg, which is way more than I need, but gives me plenty of headroom and lots of security for my kit when is mounted on the camera. I think for me, this choice was about flexibility and ultimately, peace of mind.
What you’re paying for more here is more material and more engineering to work that material into something which handles more weight on your ball head. They all have dual panning, safety locks and have the Arca Swiss Plate mounting system. They are made out of CNC machined aluminium which means the build quality is great, they’re consistent and they are light weight.
What’s in The Box?
Benro Mach 3 Tripod
Unsurprisingly, you get the tripod, which comes in a decent carrying bag, all inside a protective blue bag, which I thought was a nice touch and means everything arrives in pristine condition. You also get a set of spiked feet and a spanner to attach them, a long, adjustable carry strap for the bag and there’s also a short centre column if you want to do some macro or low level work, though if you didn’t want the height of the tall centre column or if you just wanted to save a bit of weight as it’s quite a heavy piece of kit, coming in at just under 2kg before you have attached the ball head.
Benro GX30 Ballhead.
This one is more straightforward. You get a box with a well packaged ball head in it. It doesn’t need much else. The first one that was sent to me had a stuck locking bolt which wouldn’t turn and meant that the bottom panoramic section of the ball head wouldn’t lock. This meant that the ball head was all but useless. I got mine from Amazon and the returns process is currently underway, a replacement has been dispatched and I will update when it arrives!
It’s now two days later and the replacement has arrived and is perfect. Everything turns as it should do, it’s well made and I really like the look of it.
It all feels really smooth and everything tightens down (and loosens up) really well.
First Impressions:
Benro Mach 3 Tripod
The first thing you will notice about this is that it’s a big ‘ol piece of kit; folded up it’s just over 2 feet long and it weighs just under 2kg. If you’re looking for something small and light, then this isn’t for you. If, on the other hand you are looking for something sturdy and stable, then this is going to be right up your street. When erect, it has a wide footprint which gives plenty of stability, and with the correct adjustments, this tripod will get nice and low to the ground for when you’re grabbing some of those flower shots or you’ve found some interest low down.
The twist locks are smooth, quick to operate, hold everything really securely in place and will give you some real confidence that it’s going to hold on to your precious gear.
In spite of its chunky legs, if you use a smaller bag such as the Lowerpro Fastpack, it fits snugly into tripod straps at the base of the bag. If you’re using something larger like the LowerPro Pro Tactic 450AWII then it’s going to need to be attached to the back of your bag via the webbing; it’s not going to fit into the side pouches, which I think are for your water bottle anyway!
Fully extended, without the centre column raised, this comes up to my eye level (I'm 6ft 1) and with the centre column at its fullest extension it’s getting on for 6’6”. That’s more than enough height for my landscape photography needs.
Benro GX30 Ballhead
Like I said at the start, the first iteration of this I was sent was faulty and a replacement was sent out very quickly and Amazon will be dealing with the rest of it.
Now that I have my (fully functioning!) replacement unit, I’ve had a chance to play with it and I really like what I have. The first thing the you notice that for something which is so well made, this is surprisingly light, though not as light as its GX25 counterpart.
I can now turn all of the knobs properly and I can say that they’re really smooth and tighten up really quickly. The panoramic axis knobs don’t turn as much as the others, but this is a useful ‘feature’ insomuch as you don’t need to spend ages tightening them back up when you’re done.
One thing that I really like, although it may take some getting used to is the safety release mechanism which holds the Arca Swiss plate in place. This knob sits on a spring which you need to pull so that you can remove the plate from the tripod, meaning that, if for what ever reason you knock it, it comes loose (which to be honest, feels incredibly unlikely) or you don’t tighten it up enough, you’re not going to end up watching your beloved camera hurtling to the floor.
The Swiss plate is beautifully machine and sits perfectly since its slot on top of the ball head. If you prefer an L-bracket, then it will (according to my research!), accommodate most L-brackets. I have a fairly basic one attached to my camera and it fits with no issue, secures easily and feels solid.
The whole thing sits comfortably atop the tripod to make a wonderfully smooth, secure base for your camera.
Real World Use
The Benro Mach 3 and GX30 ball head are a great combination. After getting used to the new setup and a bit of figuring out the new twist locks and collar brackets (Where you can set the angle of the legs), it goes up really quickly and provides a really solid base to shoot from. The spread of the legs is really wide, which makes it a really stable platform.
The hook on the centre-column means that if you’re needing the extra security of some more weight, you can hang your bag/similar on here and you’ve got something which is well anchored to the floor and your camera is going nowhere.
The whole thing seems just as at home on soft ground as it does on hard ground, the ground spikes give you that bit of extra security in the really soft stuff, or if you’re out in the in the snow and ice, then you can be confident that your kit isn’t going to start sliding away from you.
I don’t think, for me at least, I will be using the carrying bag very often. Whilst it’s great for keeping it safe and secure when it’s not in use, it’s a bit on the cumbersome side if you’re carrying your bag as well. You’ll be better off strapping the tripod to your bag and leaving the case behind/
On the other hand, if you’re travelling light and you’re not out putting in the hard miles, the carrying bag might make a more sensible decision to take with you and have the camera on your strap.
I think the Mach 3 is ultimately going to end up becoming my “daily driver”. My previous mainstay has now found itself set up (already) in the studio with a macro rail on it, ready for some more precise commercial work. I think that given the amount of space I have in the studio, the Benro Mach 3 is a tripod that will be used mainly in the outdoors.
Disclosure: This page contains Amazon affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase after clicking a link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps support the blog and keeps new guides coming.
Pros and Cons
Benro Mach 3 Tripod Pros and Cons
| Benro Mach3 – Pros |
|---|
|
| Benro Mach3 – Cons |
|---|
|
Benro GX30 Ballhead Pros and Cons
| Benro GX30 – Pros |
|---|
|
| Benro GX30 – Cons |
|---|
|
Who is This Tripod For?
This is most expensive tripod I have ever owned, but in the grand scheme of things, it isn’t a super expensive tripod/ball head combination; these can run into many more hundreds of pounds that we have talked about in this blog. I wouldn’t urge you to run out and buy one as your first tripod for the simple reason that if you buy this and then decided it’s not for you, it’s an expensive ornament and there’s not a lot else you can do with a tripod, other than tripod.
For me, this tripod is aimed at serious landscape photographers with some experience under their belt. It’s rugged and well made, which means it will handle some of the roughest terrain you can throw at it.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the Benro Mach3 sits firmly in the “reliable workhorse” category rather than the ultra-light travel end of the spectrum. If your priority is stability, durability, and confidence when working with heavier camera setups in challenging conditions, it’s a tripod that makes a lot of sense. It may not be the smallest or lightest option to carry all day, but what you gain in rigidity and dependability often outweighs that trade-off, particularly for landscape, long-exposure, and low-light photography. As with most gear decisions, it comes down to how and where you shoot, and for photographers who value stability above all else, the Mach3 remains a solid and dependable choice.
In the context of ball heads, the Benro GX30 strikes a compelling balance of strength, smooth control, and everyday versatility. It’s robust enough to confidently hold mid-to-large camera and lens combinations, yet compact enough to stay out of your way when you’re out in the field. While it isn’t the lightest or lowest-profile head on the market, its combination of load capacity, dual panning options, and Arca-Swiss compatibility makes it a reliable choice for landscape photographers, travel shooters, and anyone who likes to shoot with both precision and ease. If you want a ball head that can do it all without feeling overbuilt or overly complex, the GX30 is a solid, dependable tool that’s well worth considering.
All in all, when put together, this is a strong, solid and ultimately very dependable combination of a tripod and ball head which will serve you well in rough terrain, as well on the waymarked. Whilst quite heavy in comparison to other tripods of a similar height, what you gain in weight you gain in a strong, stable platform from which to create your new favourite photo.
If you’ve found this post useful and would like to keep up with future blogs, gear reviews, and Lake District photography updates, you can sign up to my newsletter via the contact page. I only send emails when there’s something worth sharing, and it’s the easiest way to stay in the loop without relying on social media algorithms. If you’d like to support the blog more directly, you can also do so via my Buy Me a Coffee page. Any support goes straight back into keeping the site running and creating more in-depth guides, reviews, and photography content. Thanks for reading — it’s genuinely appreciated.
Check out some of my other blogs below
