Leofoto LA-324C Tripod Review
INTRODUCTION
Hello my friends here I am to tell you about a new product. The next three international tours will be winter tours, with lots of snow, the Arctic Circle, the Italian Alps, and Iceland, so I thought I'd do something different, something that would make a difference, so I spoke to Leofoto and present my idea, which was promptly accepted.
Leofoto sent me a sample of their red tripod the "Athena", to use in the snow, and after these two trips I'm already able to talk you about this tripod.
Leofoto sent me a sample of their red tripod the "Athena", to use in the snow, and after these two trips I'm already able to talk you about this tripod.
ABOUT LEOFOTO
Zhongshan Laitu Photographic Equipment Co., Ltd was founded at the beginning of 2014. It is located in Zhongshan, beautiful Pearl River Delta area in China. 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. Leofoto has become China specialized photographic equipment producer in only 4 years.
They are a young company with hi-tech equipment and creativity, for many years, they have been supplying the whole world with high quality professional tripods, ball heads and other support accessories.
They have 1 assembly workshop with 4 assembling lines, 2 CNC machine centers（including 80sets of CNC precsion machines）, high and low temperature testers, corrosion resistance testers and other high-precision devices.
They have more than 20 management employees and 130 dedicated workers.
Current production capacities can yield quotas of 1000 tripods per day. Besides, they highly automated production lines enable us to supply the best quality products at competitive prices.
Leofoto's high skilled management team ensures a solid compliance program, while maintaining the official trading standards. Leofoto's constant growth is due to their research & development team. They are the foundation stone of our business. At Leofoto, they always strive to provide the best quality products and service for photographers and videographers from all over the world..
They are a young company with hi-tech equipment and creativity, for many years, they have been supplying the whole world with high quality professional tripods, ball heads and other support accessories.
They have 1 assembly workshop with 4 assembling lines, 2 CNC machine centers（including 80sets of CNC precsion machines）, high and low temperature testers, corrosion resistance testers and other high-precision devices.
They have more than 20 management employees and 130 dedicated workers.
Current production capacities can yield quotas of 1000 tripods per day. Besides, they highly automated production lines enable us to supply the best quality products at competitive prices.
Leofoto's high skilled management team ensures a solid compliance program, while maintaining the official trading standards. Leofoto's constant growth is due to their research & development team. They are the foundation stone of our business. At Leofoto, they always strive to provide the best quality products and service for photographers and videographers from all over the world..
THEIR AMBITION
Be dedicated and enthusiastic to meeting and leading user needs. They focus on photographic support system and will keep an eye on related industry, their mission is to help professional photographers to finish their works by supplying the most profession support systems. Meanwhile, they will combine our skills and customers’ needs perfectly and assist their clients in promoting our brand in channels, forums, fairs etc to achieve the best commercial values of their brand. They will always believe in our clients and thank them for their recognition and support.
Description
The Athena series features stunning and unique classic red tubes while adopting a compact apex design, much smaller than tripods of the same maximum tube and height. Super stable and compact design that has no center column and three fully foldable legs making it more stable and compact. It is easy for low levels shooting angles and a reliable support system.
The water and sand-proof feature is equivalent to a maintenance-free system which saves time in cleaning and ongoing maintenance of equipment. The tripods' foot spikes rubber feet screws and tube plugs are made of Titanium allow for seas water corrosion resistance. The waterproof locking system and anti-twist technology has three embedded Silica gel mats avoids twisting in water.
The Leofoto LA-324C Athena Series Tripod in Red is a stunning carbon fiber tripod that stands out from the crowd. It is designed for use in harsh, wet environments. Made with 10-layer carbon fiber leg tubes and titanium components, it provides excellent corrosion resistance and makes it suitable for use in a variety of conditions. The tripod also features twist-lock joints that repel water, sand, and debris, which helps to minimize the need for maintenance. The LA series tripod features a fixed, compact apex.
PACKAGING AND UNBOXING
A tripod it's a big thing and it's not easy to make a pretty package but Leofoto putted a little bit of class in packing product. For me and for many people as we say here in Portugal, "we may have bitten off more, than you can chen". After opening we can find this inside the package:
1 - A nylon case with the tripod user and maintenance manual
1.1 - LA-324C carbon fiber tripod
1.2 - 3 Stainless steel spikes
1.3 - 3 Allen keys for precise adjustment of screws
1.4 - Carabiner and 1/4 screw for counterweight hook
1.5 - Multi Tool Kit
1.6 - User maintenance manual, a quality certificate
Specs
- Camera Mounting Screw: 3/8"-16 Male
- Quick Release Plate Type: Arca-Type
- Head Type: Ball Head
- Friction Control: Yes
- Load Capacity: 15 kg
- Maximum Working Height: 139.5 cm
- Minimum Working Height: 16.5 cm
- Closed Length: 57.99 cm
- Materials: Carbon Fiber
- Weight: 1.95 kg
- Leg Lock Type : Twist Lock
- Leg Sections: 4
- Feet Features: Rubber, Removable, Spiked
General
- Load Capacity: 15 kg
- Accessory Mounting: 1 x 1/4"-20 Female Thread
- Maximum Working Height: 139.5 cm
- Minimum Working Height: 16.5 cm
- Closed Length: 57.99 cm
- Materials: Carbon Fiber
- Weight: 1.4 Kg
Legs
- Leg Lock Type: Twist Lock
- Leg Positions: 3 Positions: 85° / 55° / 23°
- Independent Leg Spread: Yes
- Leg Sections: 4
- Leg Diameter: 32 mm
28 mm
25 mm
22 mm
28 mm
25 mm
22 mm
- Bubble Level: No
Feet Features
Rubber, Removable, Spiked
TRIPOD DIMENSIONS, SPECS AND WEIGHT
I'm going to quote a comment that I usually write in all my tripod reviews, because that's what happens to most landscape photographers...
As a landscape and seascape photographer, I can tell you that you can carry the lightest tripod all day long, but when you have a heavy tripod it becomes a nightmare in a short space of time. We usually walk over periods of time and it can become painful. Strength and rigidity are often the balancing factor between size and weight.
So selecting a tripod involves finding a model that offers the right balance between dimensions and weight.
As a landscape and seascape photographer, I can tell you that you can carry the lightest tripod all day long, but when you have a heavy tripod it becomes a nightmare in a short space of time. We usually walk over periods of time and it can become painful. Strength and rigidity are often the balancing factor between size and weight.
So selecting a tripod involves finding a model that offers the right balance between dimensions and weight.
- Maximum Working Height: 139.5 cm
- Minimum Working Height: 16.5 cm
- Closed Length: 57.99 cm
- Weight: 1.4 Kg
BILD CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS
What can I say? You can see the build quality of the LA-324C, it's been designed and built with elegance and top materials in mind, so it can be considered a class tripe.
In most tripods in this price range, the metal parts are cast, but in this case they are machined aluminum and some of the parts are made of titanium.
Leofoto's build quality is a significant improvement on other brands, so I very much doubt you'll be disappointed when you take it out of the box.
In most tripods in this price range, the metal parts are cast, but in this case they are machined aluminum and some of the parts are made of titanium.
Leofoto's build quality is a significant improvement on other brands, so I very much doubt you'll be disappointed when you take it out of the box.
The performance of a carbon fiber tripod hinges on the quality of the carbon fiber tubing used. In the case of the LA-324C, it appears to use the same mid-range carbon fiber as the rest of the Leofoto lineup. Judging by the test results, it is some of the best carbon fiber coming out of the Chinese manufacturers. The layup, modulus of the fibers, and resin ratio are all more important. As the end user, you shouldn’t have to pay attention to these things, as the only thing we ultimately care about is the strength and stiffness that the tubes cane provide. As we will see in the test results section, these metrics are very good.
- THE CHASSIS
Starting at the top of the tripod, we have the part that holds everything together. In addition to "chassis", this part is referred to as the "apex", "main casting", "spreader", "spider", "collar" and likely more terms I am not remembering at the moment. The chassis' size and strength are keys for the overall strength and rigidity of the tripod. Skimp here and nothing else matters.
Chassis is solidly-constructed of corrosion resistant, anodized CNC-machined aluminum.
Especially when using a ball-style head (usually my primary tripod head choice), the level of the tripod is often not important. But, there are times when I need the tripod's top plate to be completely level.
- TOP PLATE
The apex is split one one side and a bolt clamps the apex around the top plate. There is also a detent pin to prevent the top plate from accidentally falling off. The downside is that the LA-324C takes 55mm diameter plates. This isn’t a common size and so you will be stuck buying Leofoto accessories for this tripod, such as the custom center column for this model.
LEGS
Like the apex, the legs are one of the most important parts of a tripod.
For tripod legs, we must always take into account the material they are made of - nowadays it's unthinkable for them not to be made of carbon.
First, what are the advantages of a carbon fiber tripod? Carbon fiber models are usually lighter than aluminum models of the same weight, and this is often a primary consideration for photographers. A major advantage of carbon fiber is its ability to better dampen vibrations. Carbon fiber doesn't transfer heat as easily as aluminum, and if you use your tripod in cold temperatures, you'll appreciate holding a carbon fiber model rather than an aluminum one.
For tripod legs, we must always take into account the material they are made of - nowadays it's unthinkable for them not to be made of carbon.
First, what are the advantages of a carbon fiber tripod? Carbon fiber models are usually lighter than aluminum models of the same weight, and this is often a primary consideration for photographers. A major advantage of carbon fiber is its ability to better dampen vibrations. Carbon fiber doesn't transfer heat as easily as aluminum, and if you use your tripod in cold temperatures, you'll appreciate holding a carbon fiber model rather than an aluminum one.
Another important aspect to tripod selection is leg section length along with the number of sections per leg. Roughly, the number of leg sections times the length of the sections (minus some overlap plus the chassis height along with the leg angle set) determines the maximum height of the tripod. The length of the leg sections is also a strong factor in a tripod's retracted length.
Because there is one leg lock on each leg section joint, tripods with more leg sections have more locks and for that reason, they generally cost modestly more. Increasing the number of leg sections also slightly increases the setup and take-down time. With each leg section having a smaller diameter than the one above it, tripods with more leg sections generally have a narrower lower leg section than the equivalent tripod with fewer leg sections.
General purpose tripods are most frequently offered in 3, 4, or 5 leg-section models and I generally choose 4-section legs for my primary tripods. I have 2 4 sections legs, and one 5 leg sections. Four leg sections give me a relatively-compact retracted size that is especially appreciated when traveling with a maximum height that works well for me, the 5 leg sections give me a taller tripod with the same size closed. the 5 section leg tripod is LS-365C.
- LEG LOCKS
Once again, this tripod makes a difference with its leg locks, which are made of silica with patterned designs that imitate the sea.
Most tripods have several leg sections, allowing them to be adjusted to various heights or retracted compactly. This means that locks are needed for the leg sections and the first choice is often between lever locks or flip-locks and twist locks. I've used both and strongly prefer twist locks.
Most tripods have several leg sections, allowing them to be adjusted to various heights or retracted compactly. This means that locks are needed for the leg sections and the first choice is often between lever locks or flip-locks and twist locks. I've used both and strongly prefer twist locks.
- LEG ANGLE STOPS
If you gona use thetripod on a completely flat surface, typically a floor, you want a tripod model with independent leg spread that allows the tripod legs to open at various angles, accommodating whatever terrain you may encounter. Models featuring independent leg spread have angle stops around the leg pivot axles and this seemingly basic design feature plays an important role in the tripod's functionality. One of the primary design observations to make is how strongly the leg angle locks transition into the stops provided on the chassis. Is the stop a weak little tab that protrudes from the chassis? This type of design invites failure and it must be considered that this failure may mean your camera and lens hitting the ground.
- FEET
The feet on the LA-324C are replaceable and take the standard 3/8-16 thread. Included in the box are a set of rubber feet and a set of titanium spiked feet. This is nice given how much some other companies charge for a set of spiked feet. The spikes in this case are fairly short and stubby though. This is fine for shooting soft dirt, but won’t be quite as useful in sand or snow as the true longer spikes. Again, I have mixed feelings about this approach. Most users won’t feel the need to ever use the spikes, and so they will collect dust. For those who really need spikes, they will want good long ones to bite into a soft surface. I wish that Leofoto had simply omitted the short stubby ones from the box and dropped the price a couple bucks.
Two sizes avaiable
PRICE AND VALUE
Now here's a tripod that stands diference out from the rest, a tripod with class. Using a high-quality model will potentially increase the quality of your image and will be a pleasure to use and carry around with you. I can't remember talking to a single photographer who wished they had bought a lower quality model.
This tripod can be purchased in Fotima
MY CONCLUSION
This is a very robust set, a good carbon tripod that weighs 1.4 Kg, with the thickest 32mm leg.
Based on my photographic experience and the experience of photographic trips this tripod can be used extensively, for everyday use, it is a light, small tripod that can easily travel in a handbag.
As I've mentioned before, it's a tripod that stands out, it's a red, carbon, robust and very resistant tripod with a touch of class, it can be used in all conditions and in harsh countries such as Iceland, Norway, Canada, but when it comes to severe winds it may not be an advisable tripod, as these are countries with very adverse weather conditions, so I advise you to buy Leofoto's mountain tripods.
What else can I say? I fell in love with it the first time I saw it.
Based on my photographic experience and the experience of photographic trips this tripod can be used extensively, for everyday use, it is a light, small tripod that can easily travel in a handbag.
As I've mentioned before, it's a tripod that stands out, it's a red, carbon, robust and very resistant tripod with a touch of class, it can be used in all conditions and in harsh countries such as Iceland, Norway, Canada, but when it comes to severe winds it may not be an advisable tripod, as these are countries with very adverse weather conditions, so I advise you to buy Leofoto's mountain tripods.
What else can I say? I fell in love with it the first time I saw it.
WHAT I LIKED
-Made of carbon fiber, which becomes a resistant and durable tripod
-Elegant finishes, soft to the touch
WHAT I FEEL COULD BE IMPROVED
- Could come equipped with a hand grip on one of the legs
- The spiked feets could have a rubber cover, to avoid taking off
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IN FIELD
