Tried and tested: The Benro BK15 Smart Mini tripod
28.1.2020
Translation: machine translated
A tripod that is tiny, costs little and can do everything? Sounds too good to be true, and isn't true either. Nevertheless, I don't regret buying it.
I do have a tripod, and not even a particularly heavy one, but I still dread taking it with me on holiday or even just on a day trip. As a result, I don't usually have it with me when I need it. So I also buy a small, lightweight mini tripod.
At first glance, the Benro BK15 Smart Mini has everything I need and more. Not only can a camera be attached to it, but also a smartphone. The scope of delivery includes a Bluetooth remote control and the centre column can be extended to use the tripod as a selfie stick. I don't know if I'll ever need this, but it wouldn't do any harm. The tripod can be folded down to 25 centimetres and doesn't cost too much either.
As a camera tripod
The ball head can be rotated in all directions and tilted by up to 90 degrees for portrait format shots
tilt up to 90 degrees. Everything is secured with just one lever, which is quick and easy
Depending on the weight of the camera, however, problems can occur. There are three possible problems:
- The extendable centre bar collapses once a certain load (estimated at 500 grams) is reached. Obviously, this is not what it is designed for: it is a selfie stick. The tripod can still be used, but is then no longer height-adjustable.
- The ball head holds better, but not very well either. It can definitely cope with a compact camera, even with a lightweight system camera, as long as it doesn't have a monster of a lens attached. The ball head cannot hold my Nikon D7500 (720 grams) with zoom lens (485 grams); it sinks forwards. The manufacturer specifies a maximum load capacity of one kilogramme.
- If the weight is too high, the tripod may tip over. Especially if the camera has to be rotated by 90 degrees.
The three support legs only have two positions: Folded in for transport or fully extended. In use, they require an area of at least 20×20 centimetres. As the tripod is not suitable as a floor stand, this can limit you in certain situations. For example, I can't put it on top of the hi-fi speakers.
As a smartphone tripod
The smartphone holder is screwed onto the tripod thread. It is an extendable handle for a width of 48 to 100 millimetres. My smartphone, like most others these days, is around 70 millimetres wide. There should never be any problems. However, the 48 millimetres are practical if you want to place a GoPro or a similarly small action camera in the smartphone holder. That works.
I can't position the grip in the centre of the smartphone, as it would otherwise press the side buttons, but it holds the smartphone in the lower area without any problems. The handle can be rotated 90 degrees for portrait mode. With the low weight of the phone, the telescopic pole can be used as a tripod and not just as a selfie stick.
The Bluetooth remote control also works without any problems. It only has one button. A long press switches it on or off, a short press switches it off.
This remote control does not work with a camera. Cameras often have Bluetooth, but they cannot be paired with any device. The smartphone thinks the Bluetooth remote control is a keyboard, which it is from a purely transmission point of view.
Conclusion: Suitable for many things, but not for everything
Having such a small and lightweight tripod for smartphones, action cams and large cameras is practical. But the tripod is too weak for heavy equipment. Compact cameras are fine, as are system cameras with a lightweight lens. But you can forget about a full-frame camera with a heavy lens. <p
David Lee
Senior Editor
David.Lee@digitecgalaxus.chMy interest in IT and writing landed me in tech journalism early on (2000). I want to know how we can use technology without being used. Outside of the office, I’m a keen musician who makes up for lacking talent with excessive enthusiasm.
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