Tripod - Twist lock or lever lock? (Benro)

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I'm deciding on which style of legs I should choose for a Benro (Gitzo clone) tripod. I've only really used lever lock in the past, and it seems to make more sense than twist lock (as you know when its definitely fixed in place), but it doesn't seem massively popular and everyone seems to use twist lock - its an almost universal standard! What are the advantages and disadvantages of both? Anyone really adverse to either? Anyone have any particular experience in particular with both types of Benro locks?

I'd normally pick lever lock as the option, but as Benro are famously copying Gitzo which have always had twist locks, I'm hesitant in choosing the lever locks as I'm not sure how well they'd hold up!
 
I too have mostly had lever-locks in the past, thinking they were quicker and more positive, but the Benro I got recently is twist-lock and I find I much prefer it.

I chose them after trying a Gitzo which I guessed used twist-locks for a reason, and when they are good, they are very good. First requirement is non-rotating legs, then a chunky grip and a finely machined construction.

With that combination in place, I find a twist-lock is actually easier and just as quick, plus you can moderate it. Basically, when I close my Benro down, I don't re-lock the legs in the closed position, but half turn the twist-lock so that they stay up, but can be pulled straight down again without touching the lock at all.

Plus they are just nicer to use I think, when they are as well engineered as the Benro's are.
 
My cheapo tripod used the locks and yes you do know they are locked by using them

However after using my redsnapper with the twist ones you again definately know when they are locked

I personally prefer twist lock, just seem quick and easy to use and definately stable enough and as Hoppy said dont need to do them fully down to change lengths
 
I read a book by a well-known and experienced American landscaper who said "never use screw locks" The threads will get full of grit, sand and gunk, will always need cleaning and will wear out very quickly.

Having said that, my current pod has screw locks and I haven't found it much of a problem yet.
 
Twist for me. Go get freezing cold fingers and try the levers... while you can do it, one slip and a very slight knock on knuckles becomes a howl-inducing, finger-splitting agony best imagined but never felt. That and the legs eventually give a bit and you have to find bits of cardboard to stixck in the gaps...

Arthur
 
Much prefer lever locks, my very old Manfrotto 055CB has them and they still work fine

Yes they do get crud in them, but quick squirt of bike lube keeps them working fine.

Never had anything with twist locks that work properly or at least not that i was confident with
 
Lever locks every time for me. I have used the twist lock mechanism from a few manufacturers and they soon get full of dirt and fail. If you're only using the tripod in 'clean' areas then fine but not the way I would go overall.
 
I only had my first Gitzo with twist locks 30 years, still works as good as new.

It is now enjoying a well earned rest as I upgraded to a Gitzo CF model a couple of years ago.
 
I had a redsnapper with twist locks - hated it - it was simply too slow to erect. Sure, once up and tight it was great, but my friend who had my old frotto flip was putting it up in half the time I was. I also found that the rubber grips on the twist got a bit loose in cold weather making it harder to lock (more so with gloves on).

So I sold it and bought a CF tripod with flip locks. Best of both worlds IMO. the flips are not the hard types you get on the frotto, they are much smoother and I can put the pod up in seconds.

So in answer to the question, it depends on the quality of the twist lock.
 
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