The biggest shock was to one member with his Zenza Bronica ETR (original with no MLU) on a Benbo tripod. For precision rifle shooting, I currently use the Leofoto Tripod LN-364C with the Leofoto YB-75LC leveling head. The Leofoto MH-60 Magic Ball Head solves that concern with the side handle that permits rapid adjust and locks the rifle postion into place with quick twist of the wrist. The discussion here is, is everybody copying everybody else? Acratech has taken out patents but many of us cannot afford their heads. It is a "Beast" solid as the proverbial Rock of Gibraltar! Having used Leofoto tripods and compared them against Gitzo, I can say that they are built as well if not even better. I've practiced to 800 yards with it, and would have no issue hunting to 600-700. . The Leofoto Summit LM-364C standing tall on thick legs with a leveling aid inserted into the 70mm opening of the modular apex. Not so cheap "Chinese" knockoffs. My test was a simple visual one where I taped a needle to the lens and focused a low-power microscope on the tip while tripping the shutter.I demonstrated this to my camera club back in the 80s. That said, any responsible user should insure the platform is tightened down before moving or using any of these tripods. The workmanship, fit, finish and overall quality of this tripod and head is exceptional. The Leofoto PG-1 is a direct copy of the lighter Promedia gimbal but slightly lighter. By your statement, most of the things you own would not last long, as one way or another almost all items we own nowadays contains components manufactured, produced or made in China. Ophelia Li at LEOFOTOUSA was extremely helpful and guided me to the SA-364C SOAR model which I mounted with a RRS Anvil-30 ARC Ball Head. (Mind you, I haven't managed to kill the clamp yet but perhaps that's due to the good - original design. The Acratech excuse for a gimbal for telephotos is far inferior to much cheaper and well made models from the Far East. Leveling Bases . Great products and superior customer service all at a phenomenal price point! The needle point disappeared in a blur, only reappearing after three seconds It wasnt exactly scientific, but it was quite effective. Maybe American stuff is wildly over-priced due to the cost of living, I don't know! A few years ago while working at a manufacturing company which had a very sophisticated testing lab, I was curious about how effective a simple modification could be on any tripod. This is still different from the feel of every other tripod in this group, and points to a less-precise mating of the tubes and locks. I have been a competitive shooter for over 30 years and have been using tripods for rifle shooting for 8 years. RRS didn't identically clone Gitzo's exact designs, they "just" adapted the overall ideas. We look at others, try to make it better or cheaper or both. Strong lightweight tripods, ballheads and panoramic systems designed for the high demands of creating stills and motion. Having owned several tripods from Leofoto and Gitzo, I can confidently say that in many scenarios I actually prefer the Leofoto over the Gitzo as it is lighter and is of a similar perceivable stiffness. I am also hoppy with the self leveling head, its perfect! We accept PayPal, ApplePay, and Credit/Debit Cards. Easy setup and very sturdy. Why? . We are proud to be a U.S. based company. I was very happy with the build quality, overall usability, and especially price. The RRS CEO admitted as much re [sic] their ballheads.". However, unlike Gitzo, Leofoto put a pull-out safety button prominently on one side, so its possible that a loose platform could come out with an accidental knock of that button. Super easy and fast to swap between. Cleaning the legs of the LM-364C requires pulling off the one-piece shim with a lot more force than any other tripod, and it felt like this thin, plastic part was going to break. They have turned it into a platform that has multiplied their sales and provided a large visibility to a once unknown design. The smoothness of the ballhead made transitioning from one target to another a snap. This tripod comes with a 75mm bowl and base plate. The official website of leofoto rifle is owned by Super Photo Gear, LLC. In my experience, Leofoto will sell consumers direct in the USA if they want an item for which there is no distributor. Don't run a center column tripod, unless it is the Pig tripod. Leofoto Precision Rifle Tripod Kit (ARCA) - ALTUS Shooting Solutions Sometimes it is as simple as, "did they patent their design?" In addition to the LM range, Leofoto also makes the LS 'Ranger' series, which share the same leg options, but top them with a compact apex for a slimmer, lighter package. I'm surprised you guys defend this behavior so much. Most of the people that want a cheap knockoff of something will end up buying the cheap knockoff regardless of how good said knockoff actually is, they were never in the market for the higher end offering. The Leofoto LM-364C was tested and compared alongside tripods in the same class of 'Series 3' (33-36mm top leg tube diameter) "Systematic' (modular apex with removable platform) type, in terms of size and utility, including products from Sirui, Really Right Stuff, ProMediaGear, Gitzo and FLM. leofoto tripod ranger mountain summit travel traveller. But that still doesn't make it "right". Its rapid center column adds flexibility and extends the min-max height range. The wide range of Leofoto accessories available for these 'systematic' tripods increases their utility and appeal, and the fit and finish of these extras is equally good. First time I tested, I used my vintage 40's Fairfax elevator tripod @ 2.8 lbs. Lots of options. From the time period on your chart, I would assess times of around 1/30 should be avoided. I have a Leophoto LN404C for my long lens and very happy with the quality and design. Despite a 4 section tripod being larger than a travel model with 5 sections. I wanted to let you know what you gain for double the price, and to get a sense of what compromises are being made at half the price. The stabilizing effect of those wider-than-average leg tubes was apparent, and the LM-364C only exhibited a few minor hiccups of sliding leg locks or slow angle locks while supporting whatever was the gear of the day. Leofoto team has been designing and manufacturing series of camera support systems by comparing and studying the high-end photographic accessories made in China and abroad and combining different suggestions from professional photographers for over a decade. I could debate that all day long, though. These names sound familiar. @David610You are the one turning my point into a China discussion. One ongoing concern is after-sale support and availability of spare parts for a tripod of this type, which is intended to be maintained and used for a very long time to come. PMG far as I can tell uses the same supplier as Leofoto for their carbon fiber, so your paying for nothing but branding. You can take that argument quite a distance and include things like Microsoft ripping off Apple with Windows 95, or Apple stealing their GUI from Xerox (which is exactly where it came from, although Xerox actually gave it to Steve Jobs). for astro, it may matter. This isnt IP theft, its platform co-development. In the past, I found that all aluminium tripods I tested vibrated with a frequency that visibly affected the resolution of images at shutter speeds between 1/30 - 1/8 sec when shooting SLRs with a 50mm lens, through mirror- and shutter-shock. The wide range of options in the 'Summit' and related 'Ranger' series, with similar legs and materials, mean there is probably a good personal fit in the Leofoto tripod line for most needs. I looked hard at Novoflex before making my purchase decision and found their product to be way overpriced. Any downside to this setup for both my spotter and rifle? In the typical use cases for this class of tripod, reducing the effects of vibration is extremely important, since longer focal lengths and higher resolutions magnify the effects of any movement, and environmental vibrations like wind and water will have an increasing effect on larger legs and gear. The criticism of Leofoto focuses on the DNA of the company, not on this specific tripod. I don't know much (much of anything) about gimbles, so tell me if that mounting head, on the tripod, is a gimble ? This store requires javascript to be enabled for some features to work correctly. a simple test of tripods' stability is to put a 600mm lens + 2.0x extender on it, put it in live view, tap it and watch how long it takes to settle out. I mounted my BH-55 on the included plate and also opted for a YB-75M Half Ball to use with the Bowl Adapter. Leofoto Tripod Review: Possibly the Best Tripod Ever | Camerakool I have been using Leofoto 254C for 4 years without any problems. A capability for advanced manufacturing doesn't necessarily mean an ability to innovate, improve and deliver great and reliable products and customer service. The tripod legs were fully extended, and our vibration analyzer for heavy-duty tripods (an iPad on a 3.2 kg (7 lb) cantilevered weight) was mounted directly to the flat platform's 3/8" threaded bolt with a long lens plate. "Many (most?) Facts are facts. Pick one that goes to upper chest level. Camera vibration can be mechanically minimized with mirror lockup, electronic shutters, and a remote shutter release, while adding weight to the bottom of the tripod (with the weight hook or a tripod stone bag) can help stabilize the whole setup. Some of the recommendations you're making are very subjective, tho like I said before I agree with several often overlooked points (like the hassle of reversing legs to deploy it). That said, if you put the PMG 75mm bowl insert in, it will accept the Leofoto half-ball. Top subscription boxes right to your door, 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. However, when it gets really cold, the grease on the angle locks firms up and they dont really snap back in like they do in the warmer months, or in the studio. Leofoto could not even come up with unique names for its ballheads LH-55, LH-30. Indeed, you have mentioned quite a few instances which I believe constitute blatant copycatting, especially Robus, Induro, and other products. Lightweight tripod set-up for shooting | Rokslide Forum The very few times I've ever called them - the person I spoke with was able to solve the issue. Of course time exposures do require a tripod or a sable solid platform. Example, they have a slick little tool for adjusting their allen screws, etc; The center tube for their tripods (mine at least) does have a removable end cap that allows you to secure that tool inside the tube! Cant go wrong with this outstanding tripod. They "stole" (copied) designs. Just because something is inspired doesn't make it any worse, furthermore, the camera market is littered with companies that tweak tiny things so they do not look blatantly copied, but are actually straight up copies. We suggest using the Leofoto LH-55 Tripod Ball Head. Leofoto USA is the official website for Leofoto products in the United States. https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=thread%20crapping. Exposure time vs IQ is very complicated and not a one size fits all verdict. Eric, during the original testing I used a round rubber cord we had at the shop and tied it into a knot around the legs. The MH-60 easily meets the challenge with its large 60mm diameter ball and its secure locking mechanism. 4.6 out of 5 stars 6. Where do you draw the line? Fit and finish are all top notch. This is almost the monopod head I've been looking for but wasn't aware of until I saw a coupon code. Leofoto SO-282C Inverted Tripod Legs Carbon Fiber CF 2 Section Ideal Just received my LN-364C Systematic Bowl Compatible Tripod direct from LEOFOTO. Any real differences between the two are mostly simple refinements, not anything functional; the Leofoto is just as stable if not more so, weighs less and came with a very nice padded bag, that the Gitzo didn't. So if everyone wakes up and decides to all copy RRS and their tripods become a reference template for all, does this then mean that the RRS IP holds no water as it is now "common"? I understand that as one of their customer you may not want to admit this but it is clear as day. This puts the 'Summit series' Leofoto in the upper half of this competitive group for direct vibration resistance, only edged out by the Gitzo and RRS. Posted: January 08, 2021 Categories: General Everything you need to know about Leofoto Tripods Leofoto is a booming tripod brand with tripods made of carbon and tripod accessories. A concern of the ball head design is the higher center of gravity with rifle attached can severely test the holding ability of the ball head. Leofoto USA Coming into a thread titled "I love my new Apple Macintosh! Including the . Using binoculars on the BC-01 with a leveling head (YB75c) is not as convenient when searching for targets or game when hunting. . But if you really are concerned about IP theft in the photography industry, then every single company has their skeletons. 2 other unique features on tripod systems include the safety lock on a Zenelli gimbal, or the adjustable locking design of the Gimpro gimbal. I even agree with spending more upfront regardless of whether it's for a travel tripod (which doesn't *have* to mean reversed legs) or a larger systematic. Seriously, who is original? The LB75S leveling insert will only fit in tripods with a 70mm opening (like the Gitzo and RRS). I recently purchased the LS-223C Mini Tripod and coupled it to the BV-1R Mini Compact Fluid Head to use with my Vortex Diamondback HD 20-60X85 Spotting Scope. Leofoto got its start by blatantly imitating another company, using virtually identical designs. Leofoto Leofoto Carbon Tripods - Everything You Need to Know! Mid level, Feisol, Leofoto, Sunto. Rifle shooting with a tripod takes the shooting experience to a whole new level. I ordered the LQ top Platform with hook for the LQ-284C tripod because I did not know the tripod came with one. A Leofoto tripod is not an exact copy of any Gitzo. The leveling base combined with my Leofoto VH-30R head has been an outstanding set up and outshines my expensive ball heads. Jul 26, 2020 #20 ; hafejd30 said: I have the pig0311/FB 52 . Specifically: the Leofoto 75mm leveling half-ball by itself will fit in any 75mm video bowl, regardless of brand, but requires tripods that have an integrated bowl (like FLM and Sirui) or that have a 70mm opening to accept the Leofoto-supplied bowl (like the RRS and Gitzo). For a ballhead, the weight rating is key to take out wobble and lock up solid. Remember the tripod head comes on top of the tripod itself. Half Ball Adapters. The day I tested it out the MH-60, it was very cold, -23 *C and it worked well in those harsh winter conditions. 364 has four sections.) No difference, it's the same flight, right? Tripods - Leofoto Look at their line up, heads and plates,. USA: Free shipping. Maybe this is the best that some people can afford, maybe the quality is getting better and maybe their designs are getting more unique by now, but we should all be asking yourselves if this type of global economy is sustainable. Impuleses - Though with many of the center column tripods you can reverse the column and hang your camera upside down, the whole proces is cumbersome and time consuming. Leofoto USA is the only official partner of Leofoto in North America, located in New Orleans. I certainly cannot! No voicemail abyss. Or did they copy some of their designs from Leitz? Most current IBIS implementations seem to just settle down properly when using a tripod but I dunno if that really goes for *all* of them (having only used Sony, Oly, and Pana), let alone for the OIS in every lens out there. $319.20 $ 319 . The Leofoto, PVA, and Two Vets are all VERY comparable. They are now my "go-to" source for tripods and accessories. The Leofoto Precision Rifle Tripod Kit is designed as a base level kit for shooters looking for an economical tripod setup. The fact that there are more common features among tripods btwn brands is not a valid reason to doubt that Leofoto has been blatantly stealing the IP of RRS. Technology is rarely revolutionary and mostly evolutionary. We can still have a fair discussion about the overall situation, so that everyone is better informed about what is really going on. However those travel tripods are cumbersome. Should the US allow a strategic rival like an authoritarian China to take a lead in advanced microchips? Literally, the only thing they changed was the name etched/printed on it, and the actual blueprint measurements by a millimeter here or there. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. However, there is no recommendation on "which one to buy" because each has different qualities, and different photographers will put a priority on each. stores.hogsaddle.com . I would buy it again in a heartbeat and/or recommend it to a friend, no questions asked. LF made *exact* copies of RRS tripods. Availability of extra shims is unpredictable in different regions, and no mention of spare parts was found anywhere from Leofoto, Laitu, or their distributors. Same with the the number of leg sections.A tripod with less leg sections is longer and doesn't look as cool as some of the the travel tripods. The spring-loaded, ratcheting leg angle locks are easy to pull from the front or push from the back, and ratchet back in pretty well.
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