Melcox
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Regular Member
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Posts: 223
I'm happy with mine and highly recommend them.
3
I'll start off by saying that their products are "inspired" by (blatant rip-off of?) Really Right Stuff tripods and heads and I'm not encouraging buying Chinese knock-off's, however, I've spent a hell of a lot of money on RRS products so the Leofoto stuff I have, compliments my RRS equipment.
My journey into Leofotoland started with my purchase of the Leofoto MT-03 tabletop tripod. It's a knock-off of my RRS TFA-01 table top. The quality, build and finish is just as good but the Leofoto has a couple things the RRS doesn't have. It has leg extensions that fold out (not extend from) the legs. It's a really neat way of nearly doubling the height of the tripod. These legs can also be extended out to any distance of up to 180 degrees to offer even more flexibility. In addition, each outer leg has 5, 1/4 inch tapped holes to accept arms, clamps, etc. Not sure that I'd ever need it but it's a brilliant addition and could come in handy for mounting small speedlights for macro work. The MT-03 also came with their LH-25 ball head. Again, a knock-off of the RRS BH-25 but, for my purposes, just as good for a fraction of the cost. This combo has replaced my RRS TFA-01 as my travel tabletop / tiny tripod.
I then purchased a Leofoto LS-223C to replace my larger Reged Table top / small tripod. The LS-223C is just as sturdy but with a smaller top circumference. Extremely high quality for the money and it also came with the Leofoto LH-25 ball head.
My main tripod is a RRS TVC-33 and I love it but it’s a pain to carry around for a long distance. I’ve been using a Manfrotto 055CXPRO3, a great tripod but I’ve had mine for a number of years so I convinced myself I needed to replace it. I looked at the newer 055X but the higher additional cost gave me pause. Enter the Leofoto LS-324C. Well constructed, high quality, light weight and just as stable. A smaller, lighter version of my RRS TVC-33. I carry this one around If I have to walk longer distances. It came with their LH-40 ball head……….again, a close resemblance to a smaller RRS BH-55. Great combo, quality construction at a fraction of the cost.
In my search for the above Leofoto tripods, I stumbled upon the Leofoto LS-284CVL. I convinced myself that I needed it because it has the ability to convert the center column to a horizontal arm, like my Manfrotto 055CXPRO3. The Leofoto LS-284CVL is comparable in size to my RRS TQC-14.
All in all, I’m happy with my Leofoto purchases, both tripods and heads. The tripods are high quality and low cost. Each one comes with a really nice, padded tripod bag and a little packet which contains a combination tool with allen wrenches and a trio of small spikes. The heads come with a cloth drawstring bag with a firm leather bottom.
I’m not a pro and I don’t beat my equipment up so I can’t speak for the durability but it appears well built.
I do not work for, nor am I affiliated with Leofoto in any way. I just like their tipods and heads.
Too many cameras. Too many lenses. Too many bags and cases. And now, too many tripods!
Mel