GrandNagus50
Active member
I own an old Benbo tripod, the kind with the single handle that controls the positioning of all legs plus the center column. One of the toe points ("feet") broke, and online I found that the current manufacturer of these tripods is Paterson Photographic Equipment, located in West Midlands, UK. They have a website that includes an order form for internet sales of their merchandise. The merchandise includes a set of replacement feet for the Benbo tripods, which still use the same size aluminum tubing. So far, so good!
The problem is that the company seems completely unresponsive. I tried to order the set of "feet" and could not. I wrote them an email inquiring about how to do this. I filled out the online messaging form. I tried calling them and the call would not go through (I am located in the US).
I resorted to obtaining a substitute toe point from Uni-loc, the maker of a tripod that is very similar to the Benbo. The part was not quite the correct size.
Benbo tripods are still sold by a few merchants, including B&H Photovideo in New York. I inquired to B&H about the status of customer service and spare parts for Benbo tripods and got an unsatisfactory answer.
I suppose I can use a pipe end cap or something similar to cover up the bare metal of the tripod leg, but I would rather have the correct part. Does anyone know whether Paterson Photographic Equipment is still in business? Any other owners of Benbo tripods out there?
The problem is that the company seems completely unresponsive. I tried to order the set of "feet" and could not. I wrote them an email inquiring about how to do this. I filled out the online messaging form. I tried calling them and the call would not go through (I am located in the US).
I resorted to obtaining a substitute toe point from Uni-loc, the maker of a tripod that is very similar to the Benbo. The part was not quite the correct size.
Benbo tripods are still sold by a few merchants, including B&H Photovideo in New York. I inquired to B&H about the status of customer service and spare parts for Benbo tripods and got an unsatisfactory answer.
I suppose I can use a pipe end cap or something similar to cover up the bare metal of the tripod leg, but I would rather have the correct part. Does anyone know whether Paterson Photographic Equipment is still in business? Any other owners of Benbo tripods out there?