
Benro Supadupa 72 monopod review
We spend some time with the Benro Supadupa 72 monopod carbon fibre monopod, but is it supadupa or supadud? Find out with our review
At a glance
It’s clear that this bit of kit has been thoughtfully designed by photographers for photographers and, as such, it felt intuitive to use. When combined with such light weight and high quality, the result was a monopod that puts as little as possible between you and the shot.
PROS: Lightweight, quality feel, ease of use, safety features, good looks
CONS: Reduced maximum payload, hand grip needed to be less chunky

We’ve always been impressed with Benro’s products. They are well-designed, reliable and look great. However, even with a track record this good, calling one of your ranges ‘Supadupa’ is a bold move.
So far, though, the Supadupa series has proved itself to be a great choice, delivering good build quality and thoughtful design. With that in mind, the new Supadupa 72 has a lot to live up to.

Benro Supadupa 72 monopod fully extends to 183cm | Image: Benro
What is the Benro SupaDupa 72 monopod and who is it for?
The Supadupa 72 is a carbon fibre monopod that is designed to support the weight of your heavy camera gear. This not only goes easy on your arms, but also helps to ensure steady shooting.
Monopods are particularly useful for wildlife and sports photographers who spend longer periods of time in the same spot waiting for the action to come to them.
Many might argue that you may as well use a tripod, which offers better stability. It’s a good point, but tripods are designed to stay rooted to one spot, so in situations when you need to quickly change position to keep up with the action, they can become a hindrance.
A monopod, on the other hand, has a single leg and a very small footprint, so it can quickly and easily be picked up and repositioned – even on rocky terrain, ledges or steep slopes.
Benro SupaDupa 72 Monopod features
So, what can we expect from the Supadupa 72? The first thing to note is its great looks. It is constructed from carbon fibre and enjoys Benro’s familiar blue detailing that we’ve come to know and love.
It uses a five-stage telescopic extension. The lower four are controlled by twist locks, while the top section uses a quick-release lock for easier adjustments during shooting. When fully extended, the monopod reaches a maximum height of 183cm.
Its two-way Arca-compatible head offers a forward tilt range of 90° and a back tilt range of 60°. This is complemented by a rubber foot mounted on ball-bearings allowing smooth, resistance-free panning. Benro also includes a replacement metal spiked foot if the terrain requires it.
The maximum payload of the Supadupa 72 is 8kg. While this was ample for the setup I was using, it is actually less than a quarter of previous Supadupa monopods, which are quoted as supporting up to 40kg.
Nevertheless, gear is getting lighter and lighter and there are few modern mirrorless setups that weigh more than 8kg, so this shouldn’t be a major problem for the vast majority of us.
With no difference in weight compared to Supadupa PRO models I can only imagine that the reduction in load capacity is down to the redesigned head, which has prioritised ease of use.
Other features include a removable cushioned handle for extra comfort and a wrist strap for security. The monopod also comes with a good-quality padded case, featuring a built-in pocket for accessories like the replacement foot or Allen keys.

The Supadupa 72 felt sturdy and sure in hand with my mirrorless setup.
Benro SupaDupa 72 Monopod in use
The Supadupa 72’s portability is a delight. It’s weight of less than a kilogramme, combined with its slim profile meant I hardly noticed I had it on me when it was tucked into the side pocket of my backpack.
When in use, the Supadupa 72 felt sturdy in hand and, despite the aforementioned reduction in maximum load, it confidently held the setup I was using.
The fact it extended to a maximum height of 183cm meant that, even as a man of six foot, I had plenty of extra to play with when negotiating uneven ground. It also made it possible to shoot upwards without stooping to see through the viewfinder.
The pan and tilt is controlled with two levers that are thoughtfully designed and positioned to allow easy control by feel with just a thumb or finger. This meant I could happily adjust tilt angle without taking my eye off the prize.
Movement was beautifully smooth and responsive, while remaining stiff enough to maintain good control. This brought confidence and peace of mind when in use.
Speaking of peace of mind, the Supadupa 72 includes a number of features that are designed to avoid any unwanted accidents.
The clamp is operated by a two-stage safety lock. The first stage unscrews enough to reposition the shoe but not enough for the shoe to be lifted out of the clamp. To unscrew further, you need to physically pull out the spring mounted dial.
When combined with anti-slide pins positioned on the underside of the shoe, this system makes it impossible for your gear to slide off accidentally when the clamp is loosened.
With additional security from a wrist strap and a cushioned hand grip that goes some way to providing extra grip in wet conditions, the Supadupa 72 does all the hand holding it can when it comes to looking after your gear.
Benro Supadupa 72 monopod specs
Price: £265
Head type: Two way
Maximum payload: 8kg
Maximum height: 183cm
Closed length: 49cm
Widest leg diameter: 36.2mm
Top plate diameter: 56mm
Weight: 0.9kg
Contact: benro.com