This is a quick review of the Oben AC-1410 4-Section Aluminum Tripod with BA-0 Ball Head. While simultaneously testing a number of digital cameras from Sony, Nikon and Olympus, I realized that I need another tripod that is light, easy to use / setup and affordable. I already have a heavy duty Gitzo Systematic tripod with an Arca-Swiss ballhead that I use for my photography needs, but I found it too painful to remove the quick release plate every time I needed to mount a camera. In addition, there were situations when I wanted to use two tripods simultaneously.
As I have already explained in my “how to choose a tripod” article, the cost of a tripod system can vary between $50-$1,200 (sometimes even more than that, depending on what head and other accessories you choose to buy). I definitely did not want to spend a lot of money on a secondary tripod, so I set my budget to under $150 with a head and started my search. My main criteria were: ability to support lightweight cameras to a pro-level DSLR with a non-telephoto lens (up to 10 pounds maximum load), a ballhead with a quick-release plate, under 3-4 pounds of total weight, easy to use and with a solid build. After I narrowed down my search to a couple of tripods, I ended up choosing the Oben AC-1410. I felt that it was a good fit for my needs, because it had everything I wanted and the price was well under my set budget.
1) Product Specifications and Features
| General | |
|---|---|
| Load Capacity | 11 lb (5 kg) |
| Maximum Height | 60.4″ (153.4 cm) |
| Maximum Height w/o Column Extended | 50″ (127 cm) |
| Minimum Height | 6.5″ (16.5 cm) |
| Folded Length | 21″ (53.3 cm) |
| Weight | 3.25 lb (1.4 kg) |
| Head | |
| Head Type | Single-lever ball head |
| Quick Release | Yes, with 1/4″-20 screw & retractable video pin |
| Legs | |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Head Attachment Fitting | 1/4″-20 and 3/8″-16 via reversible screw |
| Leg Stages/Sections | 3/4 |
| Leg Lock Type | Flip lock |
| Independent Leg Spread | Yes |
| Spiked/Retractable Feet | No |
| Center Brace | No |
| Center Column | |
| Center Column Type | Rapid (grooved, reversible, non-rotating) |
| Center Column Sections | 1 |
| Bubble Level | 5 (1 on chassis, 4 on head) |
Other Features:
- Tripod legs features reversible 1/4″-20 and 3/8″-16 screw to fit almost any head
- Spring-loaded counterweight hook at the bottom of the center column
- Leg warmers on two legs mitigate the effects of extreme heat & cold and provide grip
- Two included Allen keys attach to a tripod leg, so you’re always ready to tighten components
- Padded carry bag provides a snug fit for the tripod/head combination and features two heavy-duty zippers, an interior pocket with a zipper, and a shoulder strap
- Even with the head attached, at 21″ long the retracted system fits into a carry-on bag
- Adjustment locks keep legs at the chosen angles
- Center column is grooved to prevent rotation
- Angled rubber feet
2) Assembly and Use
The Oben AC-1410 tripod is packaged nicely in a box that says “You’re On a Steady Ground”:
Inside the box, you will find a very useful padded carrying bag that contains the tripod and a few other accessories:
Here is how the tripod looks when collapsed (measuring 21″ long), with a quick release plate:
One thing I found a little strange, was the fact that Oben decided to only provide warmers on two legs instead of all three. Not sure why they did that, but I won’t complain, since most tripods of this class do not have any warmers. Another nice feature I rely on a lot is the level that is provided right on top of the legs:
This kind of level is very useful (my Gitzo has it too), especially when shooting panoramas. If one level is not enough, the tripod head has three more levels to work with, which allows for much more precise positioning of the camera. The tripod legs are solid, although the very bottom legs felt a little wobbly when extended. Extending the legs is pretty straightforward – just flip three locks at a time and extend each section.
In general, I do not recommend tripods with center columns, because they only de-stabilize the setup. That’s why I am not too excited about it on this tripod either. Unfortunately, the tripod only extends to 50″ without the center column. I’m 5’7, so I had to use the center column a few times when I did not feel like I wanted to bend my neck too much. With the center column extended, the tripod can reach 60.4″ and once the camera is mounted, it is right about my eye level. The center post has a hook on the bottom for additional stabilization, so you can hang a light bag or some light weight on it:
The ballhead is a breeze to work with – it only has a single knob that is used for securing the head position. The base of the ballhead can be easily rotated for panoramas. The quick release system is also nicely designed. It won’t let the plate come off until the second smaller lever is squeezed, which is very useful for situations where you might accidentally release the plate without holding the camera. Here is the top of the quick-release ballhead:
The tripod is definitely sturdy enough to hold a DSLR. Here is my Nikon D700 with the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G lens mounted on the tripod:
And here is a side by side comparison with the Gitzo Systematic 3-section carbon fiber tripod that I have:
As you can see, compared to the high-end Gitzo tripod, it is a fairly compact setup with much thinner legs and a smaller and lighter ballhead.
Overall, I really liked this tripod, because it does everything I need it to do at a very affordable price. If you have not purchased a tripod yet and you need something for day to day photography, the Oben AC-1410 could be a great tripod to start with.
3) Pricing and Where to Buy
The Oben AC-1410 4-section aluminum tripod with BA-0 ballhead is available at B&H and other online and local stores for $119.95, which is a steal.
Oben AC-1410 Tripod
- Build Quality
- Handling
- Value
- Size and Weight
- Packaging and Manual
Photography Life Overall Rating
Hi Nasim, great review and excellent web site,
Just wondering which country make these Oben tripods? I searched the internet but I couldn’t find where they are made. I am worried that they are Chinese made, which does not make them horrible, but sometimes quality is compromised as I heard from one review on the plastic locks of the legs (not sure if its true or not).
I recently bought the Oben 1400 model from B and H as a travel tripod and am very happy with it. It is one model below the one reviewed here but with similar features and a bit smaller (folded) and lighter!
Thanks for the detailed review. Although I’m 6’0″, I’m on a tight budget and plan to soon purchase this tripod and head combo.
An excellent review.
It is suitable for the Nikon D7000 + Nikkor 70-200/2.8 Nikon + Nikon SB-700?
Hi Mr. Mansurov,
I am glad that I found your website right now when I was researching to buy a new tripod. I own an old cheap pan-head and wanted to try more sturdy options. Your review has certainly influenced a lot but I have a simple request. Can you please tell me if the following tripod is of any good:
www.amazon.com/dp/B0…olife0c-20
It’s really cheap but the reviews I’ve found in various forums and blogs indicates that it’s a really good tripod and performs much better in lieu with many much expensive ones. I wanted to know your opinion on this.
There’s also a carbon fiber version of the same
www.amazon.com/dp/B0…olife0c-20
Thanks
Nasim,
What are your thoughts on the use of leveling bases with gimbal heads? I have an RRS 34L with a Wimberly II for my long glass. Sometimes its a pain to readjust legs on the fly, but loosening the lens collar and repositioning can also level the horizon. Some swear by a leveling base and others say they loose some stability. What do you use with your Gitzo and do you have an opinion on the use of a leveling base either way? (seems the money would be better spend on an ND filter).
Thanks,
Jay
Hi Nasim,
What do you think of Benro Classic C3580F 4-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod
+ Benro B2 Double Action Ballhead
combo?
I’m a tall guy and can’t seem to find anything appropriate from Manfrotto in the same price range..
Any comments/thoughts on this are appreciated.
Thanks,
Andrey
Andrey, Benro tripods are superb. I personally have not tried one out, but I have some readers that are very happy with their Benro purchase. Their carbon fiber series are almost as good as Gitzo.
Hi,
I will be buying a tripod and was debating between the Slik 340DX (no bubble level) v/s the 700DX (with has bubble level). Now, I saw this review today and wanted to ask you if I should still consider the Oben AC-1410 since it has all the nice features?
I initially liked the Sunpak Ultra 757TM, however it did not have Independent Leg Spread. Is the Independent Leg Spread a must have feature when doing nature photography and irregular surface? which situation do you really need Independent Leg Spread?
Thanks in advance.
Sunny
Sunny, the Oben AC-1410 is definitely better than the Sunpak (I used that one before and its quality is very average). Independent leg spread is what you want…
Thanks for the review Nasim! This could not be more timely as I need an upgrade from my 20 year old Ambico Camcorder tripod and was looking at the Oben line. They are really new to me and I can’t find many reviews. Actually I was looking at a CF model that came in around $300, but I was wondering about the quality of Oben?
Royston, sorry for a late response. Oben makes pretty good quality tripods. They are not stellar, but definitely have a good cost/performance ratio. Check out the Benro classic CF tripods (links in comment #4 by Andrey) – they are very good!
Another nice review. Wonder if the locking mechanism will hold up over time since it looks almost identical to my Benro A-157N6, which is probably a knock-off of something else (Gitzo, perhaps?). I replaced the ballhead with a much sturdier Gitzo that cost twice as much as the Benro with ballhead.
Thanks, I am planning to use the tripod pretty heavily when the new D800 arrives (will need to use 2 tripods at a time). Will update the post if I encounter any problems with the locking mechanism.