by Kelvin Khor in 2006



Ever wander how the China professional ball head maker Benro stands against the better known Korean manufacturer Markins? Benro is a relative new comer in photographic world specializes in tripods, monopods and ball heads. I own a Markins Q-Ball M10 ball head and have been impressed with its performance, but not the price tag.

Last week, I happened to get my hand on a ball head KJ-1 (thanks DavidNikon for loaning his KJ-1), a top range professional ball head in Benro lineup. Hence, I thought it might be interesting to do a simple comparison. However, it is fair to compare a RM1260 M10 to a RM410 KJ-1? Let’s read on.


Specifications



* Specifications are obtained from benro.com.cn and markinsus.com. Price of KJ-1 is approximated due to currency conversion.

As you can see, in term of specifications, M10 leads by miles at maximum loading capacity of 40Kg despite offering slight lighter weight. Yet with 3 times more the price of KJ-1, M10 does not include a camera plate.


Impression





Standing side by side you can see Benro KJ-1’s size is about the same as Markins M10. KJ-1 anodized surface finishing is not bad but not up to hard-anodized surface of M10. Holding in my hand I can feel its solid quality built body. Control wise, KJ-1 has a locking knob, drag control, panning knob and a locking indicator (refer to picture below).



The way locking indicator works is as such. First, adjust drag according to your need, and then unlock the locking knob. With locking knob at full unlock position, turn the locking indicator to zero (the indexing pointer is located below the locking knob. I find it difficult to see. Hence, I simply turn number zero to face upward as reference). After this, turn locking knob to full locking position (the locking indicator will turn together). Then read the new index number. This new index number indicates fully locked position. So, when in normal use, you can prevent unnecessary over tightening by stopping locking knob at the indicated index number. This is something missing in Markins.

The movement of ball is smooth. So does the panning motion, but panning drag is a bit high for my taste even fully unlocked. This is just a personal preference.

On the quick release clamp, I find the opening is not wide enough to slot in a Wimberley P5 camera plate (refer to picture below) and P-30 lens plate.



I also could not slide in Wimberley plates without removing the safety stopper on the quick release clamp (refer to picture below). Removing the stopper posts a risk of dropping expensive equipment if clamp is not properly secured. Also I could not fit my Wimberley Sidekick onto KJ-1 quick release clamp due to limited opening. If Benro would extend the opening by 2 to 3 more millimeter wider this problem could be solved.



M10 does not have these problems.


Practical Tests

Something annoying me is creeping after fully locking down the ball head. Heavy camera and lens setup is more prone to creeping. Hence, to test creeping, I load my heaviest setup to KJ-1; Canon 1DMK2, 400mm F4 DO IS, 2X TCII and 580EX flash (with 4 AA batteries), a total weight of over 4Kg. With Wimberley P-30 lens plate attached to the lens, I secure the whole setup on KJ-1 and tilt the setup to various angles (more than 45 degree from horizon). After fully locking the ball, I view through camera view finder while releasing my hands to see if composition shifted. Well, after few minutes of test, I observe some level of creeping; still acceptable but not desirable to me.

Creeping is basically non-existence with Markins M10.

KJ-1 could support the whole above setup without any problem. And the movement is smooth. Another point to note is I required to turn locking knob of KJ-1 for more than one full circle before coming to full lock. As for M10, I need not go beyond half circle.

I’m not able to do a follow up test as this KJ-1 does not belong to me.


Conclusion

I guess it is not fair to compare Benro KJ-1 to Markins M10 after all, as the latter is 3 times more expensive. You get what you pay for.

If you are looking for a ball head that has a separate drag control, panning control, professionally made and does not break your piggy bank, I think Benro KJ series is worth a serious look. It offers good value for performance. Benro also offers KJ-2 for higher load support and KJ-0 for lesser load support. For further detail, do visit benro.com.cn.

On the other hand, if you want to mount a Wimberley SideKick and heavy supertele lenses likes the 500mm F4, I recommend other proven manufacturers (Markins, Arca-Swiss and Kirk).

The End

---