Benro Theta and Theta MAX Self-Leveling Travel Tripods – Now on Kickstarter

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by Jeff LochMarch 9^th, 2023

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Benro recently introduced the Theta and Theta MAX self-leveling travel tripods with optional add-on accessories. You can preorder them on Kickstarter until April 21st. The Theta starts at $349, the Theta MAX is $399, and the add-ons start at $30.

Chinese manufacturer Benro has been making tripods and camera support accessories for close to 20 years. In 2021, Benro launched its first Kickstarter campaign, the Polaris electric tripod head with camera control. That campaign was successful (3,600 backers) and raised over 2 million U.S. dollars and started shipping in late 2022.

Last month, we reported on the Benro Theta and Theta MAX travel tripods, the “world’s first auto-leveling tripods.” For its second crowdfunding campaign, Benro is now back, offering the Theta lineup for preorder on Kickstarter.

Benro Theta and Theta MAX features

We covered all the tripods’ features extensively in the introduction article, but here are the key features of the Benro Theta and Theta MAX self-leveling travel tripods:

• Both tripods’ legs are constructed of carbon fiber. All the other parts are aluminum. The legs have dustproof sealing rings to prevent dust/dirt/sand from entering.
• The Theta features a center column. It weighs 1.25kg/2.7 lbs and is only 44cm/17.3in long when folded. It has a maximum payload capacity of 11kg/24.3 lbs and a maximum height of 155cm/61in.
• The MAX version does not have a center column. It can take payloads up to 20kg/44.1lbs, and it has a maximum height of 170/67in. It is slightly heavier at 1.65kg/3.6lbs for a closed length of 53cm/20.8in.

• You can adjust the angle of each leg from 20° to 80° so you can quickly go low to the ground.

• At the top of the Theta tripods, you’ll find a ball head with an Arca-Swiss standard quick-release plate. What is impressive is that you can lock the roll axis of the ball head and still benefit from pan and tilt adjustments.

These are solid, lightweight, and compact travel tripods with very decent features. However, most of the magic happens when you attach electronic module add-ons.

Self-leveling tripod with camera control, GoLive, and time-lapse capabilities

You can attach optional add-on modules to the sides of the Theta tripods. At launch, you’ll get:

• A battery module that automatically levels your tripod with a 0.1° tolerance. Install it on the tripod, press a button, and your legs move up and down so the head is at the horizon level. The battery module can power your camera via a USB cable if needed, and it will charge the other modules connected to the tripod wirelessly.
• The camera control module allows you to control your camera wirelessly via an app.

• Finally, the GoLive module – as its name suggests – connects to your smartphone and uses cellular data to live stream your camera signal on Youtube/Facebook or via RTMP URL to other platforms.

There is another module available called the Optical Matrix Sensor, which attaches to the top of your camera and analyzes the ambient light. This is handy when shooting timelapse, especially for day-to-night timelapse, as the module will adjust your camera settings to get a smooth ramping.

Pricing and availability

The Benro Theta, Theta MAX, and all the modules are now available for preorder on Kickstarter. The Theta starts at $349, the Theta MAX begins at $399, and the add-ons modules start at $30. The campaign is already successfully funded and will end on April 21st. The tripods, battery, and camera control modules should begin shipping in June 2023. The GoLive and Optical Matrix Sensor modules should follow in July 2023.

At the end of every crowdfunding-related article, we remind you to please be aware of the risks when backing a project on a crowdfunding platform. Also, please read the platform’s use and remember there can be significant delays when delivering the product. Some projects don’t get delivered at all.

For more information, please visit Benro’s Kickstarter campaign here.

What do you think about these Benro self-leveling tripods? Do you think it’s a useful feature, or do you prefer to adjust your tripod manually? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!