Benro Mach3 9X CF Series 3 Tripod Review

The Benro Mach3 9X CF Series 3 tripod is part of Benro’s most advanced tripod range yet, and in this review we’re going to test its mettle to see how it holds up against its competitors.

Benro produces some of the most beautiful and exceptionally high-quality tripods on the market, so we were very excited to get our hands on the Mach3. It is priced in the upper mid-range of their collection, making it ideal for professionals and enthusiasts with a larger budget. Adaptable for indoor and outdoor shooting, it suits a number of different photography styles, and it will more than hold its own for just about anything you throw at it.

It’s sturdy and reliable and can produce stunning images of the night sky when paired with one of the best astrophotography cameras, and it can get very low to the ground to capture shots of wildlife and nature with one of the best wildlife cameras .

Benro Mach3 tripod review

Benro Mach3: Design

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Benro Mach3, Benro Rhino and Benro Tortoise tripods folded on a carpet — There is quite a big size difference between the Benro Mach3 (left) and the Benro Rhino (middle) and Benro Tortoise (right) when folded.(Image credit: Kimberley Lane)

Fairly large compared to other models
Quality feel and materials
Choice of three or four leg parts

Specifications

Weight: 4.08 pounds (1.85 kg)
Folded length: 24.6 inches (62.5 cm)
Maximum height (with extended center column): 63.58 inches (161.5 cm)
Load capacity: 35.3 pounds (16 kg)
Leg sections: Three or four (user selectable)
Material: Carbon fiber

The first thing we noticed when we unpacked the Benro Mach3 was its size. It’s a lot bigger than other Benro tripods we’ve tested. Our first thought when we took it out of the package was that it looked big. We previously reviewed the Benro Rhino and Benro Tortoise on our sister site and the Mach3 is significantly larger compared to those two, even without the head attached, as you can see in the images above. It is definitely a tripod for studio photographers and anyone who needs stability and durability.

The Benro Mach3 is not only a feast for the eyes, but also feels incredibly luxurious. The smooth carbon fiber legs are strong and sturdy, the swivel leg locks are large and comfortable to hold, and the foam grip is soft enough to carry the tripod for long periods of time. Simply put, the Mach3 radiates luxury and class, and we think it is one of the best Benro tripods to date.

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Benro Mach3 in the carrying case — The Benro Mach3 fits nicely in the carrying case, even with the head on.(Image credit: Kimberley Lane)

The Mach3 stored nicely in a padded carrying case (with pockets!) and came with interchangeable spiky feet. You can choose between the three-piece leg or a longer four-piece leg. The latter costs $65 more, and is 6 inches taller when fully extended, a few inches longer when folded, and 8 ounces heavier. For this review we tested the three-piece legs.

Benro Mach3: Performance

Strong and sturdy in windy weather
Quick and easy to set up and take down, even in the dark
Good loading capacity of 16 kg

To test its sturdiness, we set it up at full height in our garden in winds of 15 miles per hour and gusts of 53 miles per hour – not exactly gale levels, but still quite windy. Although we were fairly confident it wouldn’t fall over, we didn’t want to take any chances by putting a real camera on it, so we put a 1.5kg dumbbell in a bag and hung it on the counterweight hook. The weighted bag swayed heavily in the wind, but the tripod itself did not move.

Benro Mach3 in a garden

We found that the Benro Mach3 easily held its own in windy weather. (Image credit: Kimberley Lane)

The Mach3 has a generous payload of 16kg, which is more than enough for most photographers and even suitable for more professional camera setups. We noticed that the legs were a lot thicker than other Benro models we tested, which improves stability at higher loads. The parts of the lower legs are usually very thin and can cause the tripod to sink slightly when fully extended.

We also found it effortless to set up and take down, even in the dark, making it ideal for astrophotography. It doesn’t have a reverse folding design like the Rhino, so all you have to do is separate the legs, twist the locks to extend them and you’re good to go.

We also liked that the spirit level was on the tripod itself. One problem we found when the spirit level was on the tripod head is that the camera tends to cover it once it is attached.

Benro Mach3: Functionality

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Benro Mach3 spirit level — We liked that the tripod housing has a spirit level that isn’t covered by your camera.(Image credit: Kimberley Lane)

No monopod functionality
The central column can be flipped to shoot low to the ground
Legs can be spread to almost 90 degrees

The central column adds height for shooting at heights up to 161.5cm (although note that there is no head attached to it, which will add a few more centimetres) and the column can be inverted to be low to the ground to shoot. which can be useful for nature and wildlife photography.

There’s no monopod conversion with the Series 3, which we think would be a useful feature and add an extra layer of versatility, but it’s not a deal breaker.

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Benro Mach3 with camera that shoots low to the ground — The central column can be turned to shoot low to the ground.(Image credit: Kimberley Lane)

Simple leg lock mechanisms allow the legs to be positioned at any angle and spread out to almost 90 degrees. It came with a smaller attachment that looked like it was swapped with the center column to allow it to shoot lower to the ground, but when we tried that we couldn’t get it to work for love or money. However, even with the center column you can still get quite low.

Should you buy the Benro Mach3?

Buy it if:

✅ You need something sturdy: It has a high load capacity for heavy equipment and can hold its own in windy weather.

✅ You want an investment: If you can afford a Benro tripod, you can enjoy it for years to come; they are built to last.

Don’t buy it if:

❌ You want to travel with it: There are other Benro tripods that are lighter and more compact than this one.

❌ You are a novice photographer: Beginners will probably want to start with something a little more affordable.

Users looking for a durable, sturdy tripod that will last a long time can’t go wrong with the Benro Mach3. Combining cutting-edge design with classic materials, it is part of the company’s most advanced range to date, suitable for both indoor and outdoor photo shoots for a number of different photographic styles.

However, there is a matching price involved. At the time of writing, it’s only $400 for the three-piece leg version and about $450 for the four-piece version – and that’s without the head attachment. But if you can afford it, we think it’s worth it.

That said, if you’re a photographer who travels a lot and you want something small and light that will fit in your carry-on or suitcase, then this probably isn’t the tripod for you; it has a fairly large footprint when folded, both in width and length. We’ve listed some alternative options below if you’re looking for something more travel-friendly.

If the Benro Mach3 isn’t for you

If you want a Benro tripod but don’t think the Mach3 is quite right for you, consider the Benro Rhino, which we reviewed on our sister site. It’s smaller and more compact than the Mach 3 thanks to its reverse-folding design, making it more suitable for photographers who want to travel with their tripod. It has a monopod conversion for added versatility and also has a slightly higher payload capacity. The turtle is also good for travel as it can be folded much thinner as there is no central column.

For beginners or anyone on a budget, the Mach3 is probably overkill. If you want something affordable, check out the Manfrotto Element MII. It’s an aluminum construction instead of carbon fiber, but still a bit lighter than the Benro Mach3. You can certainly see the difference in quality when you compare the two, but for the price we thought the Manfrotto Element MII was a fantastic tripod.

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