The Leofoto Ranger 32 series tripods
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- Опубліковано 19 жов 2024
- An overview of the Leofoto 32 series Ranger tripod kits (LS-323C, LS-324C and LS-325C coupled to the LH-40 ball head).
An issue with tripod reviews on the internet is that often different tripods that are actually for different types of photography are compared as if they would be used in the same way. The video looks at three identically priced tripods with the same overall key features, but different sizes. this gives photographers the opportunity to select their tripod in the same way they select trousers; making sure that it fits!
You are the only UA-camr to show the packability of the tripods in a comparison. Thank You.
Thanks Karl. It’s odd because that’s a serious concern for anyone who has to travel. Thanks for the feedback!
The problem I have with tripod reviews is this idea that a tripod does one thing, and you have to know what that thing is before you buy one. I do lots of things. I do some landscape photography, some architectural photography, sometimes I take assignments… My tripod needs to be versatile and configurable. I don’t think of the different models as stand-alone tripods. I have an LS-364c. I can pull the lower 3 leg sections off an LS-284c and create an LS-366 which is 8’ tall - useful when I take an assignment where there’s a crowd. What’s more, any 36 series apex will fit any of those legs, so I can have an LS-366CEX or an LM-366. In cases where I’m shooting over walls or fences (urban landscape) I can replace one of the legs with the short leg I’d an LS-362. My next trip involves cycling in the Dolomites where weight and size are very limited. I’ve used the LS-223CEX in the past, but I’m looking for more height without going to a much longer folded tripod. They also make a DC-222 center column which has a 22mm base and a 19mm extension. The 19mm extension can replace the second leg section of the 223, the base can be threaded onto that, and the rest of the leg can go past the extension.
Awesome comment ed!
I love your presentation and it is very detail. I like LS-323C ... May I ask what model of those camera bag?
Thanks for the comment, I’m using a F-Stop Tilopa bag.
Emil, what do you think of the 255CEX? I have a large tripod, and a medium size tripod. Now I need a very light, stable tripod for my Nikon Z6 mirrorless and my largest lens is the Z100-400.
In a pinch the 255 would work for this, but I have to say that I wouldn't recommend anything under the 28 series for 400mm lenses. I have recently purchased a 254CL (their extended length version - the 4 section tripods are always going to be slightly more stable than the 5 section variants at full working height) and love it as a hiking tripod - and that's with a D850 and Zeiss 18mm lens on it. However the combo is a little light for a longer, heavier lens. So it would work for travel photography and is awesome with a ligher camera like the Z6. In fact as a travel tripod it works superbly well (I would consider it more stable than the Peak Design version and the various clones that it has spawned). Your only gotcha would be long exposures on a long lens like the 400mm. There, a heavier tripod with a bigger ball in the head is going to beat the 255 or similar girth legs.
The best review, so clear!
Thanks Rolly. I appreciate your comment there!
Hi Emil, really appreciate this content. Similar to a comment above, can you comment on the stability of the 325 if the bottom legs are not extended? Would it be equal to the 324 or does the extra section reduce stability even if not extended? Cheers
The stability should be about the same with the bottom leg retracted BUT this isn’t a great way to work if you are in sand and water though. That said, the 325 is in my experience more stable fully extended than then 324 WITH its centre column added. So if you need the height the 325 is a better…or go for the 324CEX which has both height AND stability
What I am missing from the leofoto line-up is a LS-323CEX.
Should be no problem to make if the upper parts are interchangeable.
It would be really nice to have the integrated leveling base on the large tripod. It would spare you from having a ball head on large format, since all you do with the head 99% of the time is leveling anyways.
That would be a really nice tripod. Leofoto basically have a system whereby distributors can create their own 'bespoke' setups, so long as they order 50 or more of the design. It's how South Africa got the Agulhas (a Poseidon level LS-364CEX) and the LS-254CL, neither of which are available anywhere else in the world.
Of course the interchangeability of the parts (and , yes they are interchangeable...I have a video in the pipeline for the new year that covers this) means that if you have the money you can create any tripod you like by buying two with the parts you want, in this case a LS-324CEX and a LS-323C, swop the apexs and now you have a LS-323CEX and a LS-324CL (the CEX versions are slightly longer than the standard versions). You could probably sell the LS-324CL and keep your dream tripod.
I am consider between Leofoto LS-364C Ranger vs LS-323C. I am 5FT 8" 172cm tall. I am looking for a stable tripod and able to travel. Any comment?
Both will give similar working heights (both are good for users up to 6'2"), but the 323 is cheaper and slightly lighter while the 364 is somewhat heavier but packs to a shorter package - My preference would be for the 364 on the packing size alone (but it also handles slightly more weight)
I love Leofoto material. I have the Ranger with 90 degree center column 284-CVL and I recommend Leofoto to my friends. Leofoto is under the radar and it was hard to find because some models sell legs and head separate (excellent choice) but then they are harder to find in google. I only found it because I returned my Manfrotto Befree GT XPRO Carbon 90 degree center column because it had a malfuncion comun to all of them. My camera is APSC so I went for the smallest tripod head with 2 rotation systems the LH 25R. Maybe you should review this tripod because I believe its better than equivalent Manfrotto and Benro 90 degree tripods.
Thanks Arménio! Yup, I agree that it's way better than Manfrotto and Befree alternative. I've had the opportunity to play with the LS284-CVL and I find the swivel mechanism brilliant. If I have a criticism it's simply that the legs are on the short side for a taller photographer. My travel tripod is a LS-284CEX, and it actually has longer leg tubes than the standard LS284 and the LS284-CVL. I'd really like it if Leofoto made the CVL in the same length as the CEX...who knows, they are actually quite good at listening to their customer base and dealer feedback.
@@emilvonmaltitz yes...I had to deal with that. iam 1,80 m tall and have to bend my back a little. Sometimes I go up the center column just a little but this is a "travel" tripod. Maybe the next they do with 5 legs to get smaller on the backpack and taller on the use. I like to carry my tripod INSIDE the backpacks so this one fits just nicely in the center of my lowepro protactik aw450 but does not fit well with the ballhead on so I found another trick only possible with this tripod: I go all the way up with the center column and then tilt it 180 degres and its perfectly usable and fast to take the tripod out and be ready EHEHHEHEH thanks ;)
Hi Arménio...Apologies, I didn't see your response until now a month later. Phew...1.8m is tall for the tripod BUT, as you say, it's a travel tripod. Interesting idea to make it fit inside the bag. I'm still an 'outside' carrier myself...too much kit inside to fit a tripod :D
Leofoto rocks!
A really useful video - thank you!
Pleasure Gavin...hope you enjoy your new tripod!
Thank you for the inspiring video. I'm currently considering between two tripods. Benro Tortoise 34c and Leofoto ls 324c. Could you identify a more stable tripod? I can't find a place to try them out.
I'm afraid I don't have any experience with the the Benro 34c. sorry
Muy buen video! muchas gracias
de nada!
Great, learned a lot new things!
Awesome! Glad there was some new stuff there. Always wonder if I’m just repeating what everyone knows already.
I am very confused on choosing between LS-284C vs LS-324C. I want this for travel tripod, and I will be doing a lot of landscape photography. I will also adding in a LB-60N levelling base to it. Please help me with choosing one. I am 6ft tall.
If you’re 6ft I’d personally look at the Ls-284CEX. It has longer legs than the standard Ranger and has the leveling head built in. The 284cex variant is also lighter than the 324 variant making it an excellent travel tripod (for a serious photographer mind you… some people think of travel tripods as being the tiny lightweight versions that weigh less than 1kg)
Won't it make it a little longer for carry-on with ballhead?
Thank you and really appreciate your response
@@bharadhwajh1785 it does, but for me personally I prefer having the longer the final height. If you want a shorter packable option, consider the LY-284C with a LB-60n base. I have a video on that too: A Tale of Two Tripods
Very helpful, thank you :)
Glad it was helpful!
Hi Emil, I'm looking for a travel tripod, however am torn between LS-284CEX and LS-324C, not sure which will be the perfect height for eye level, I'm 5'9 btw.
Hi Desmond, the standard LS-324c is somewhat shorter than the LS-284CEX (just under 20cm) when fully extended. If you’re looking for eye-level height I’d go with the LS-284CEX or LS-324CEX. The alternative (if you can find them as they aren’t sold in all countries) is the CL versions which are standard Rangers but with the same extended length as the CEX versions
@@emilvonmaltitz thanks Emil, my country only have the CEX version will go for that!
Emil von Maltitz. I just purchased the Ranger 323 tripod. What you and Leofoto failed to mention is that the lock/unlock collars on the legs are primarily made of plastic ! I find this inexcusable in a high end carbon fiber tripod. These collars are subject to grit and sand contamination and I really think plastic was the wrong choice at the expense of cutting costs. I'm very disappointed. Your thoughts ?
Hi Steve. you mean the twist locking rings on the leg tube? The ring itself is made from aluminium. the locking shims are made from plastic...which is the same as FLM, Sirui and Gitzo. You are more than welcome to email me if you would like to share photos and we can discuss. If you are referring to the shims, I'm not sure what material you would want to make them from (I had an old Gitzo that used a different fibre and it was an absolute disaster... the last Gitzo I serviced had plastic replacements).
There seems to be a misunderstanding here. Leofoto LS series uses metal in exactly the same parts that Gitzo uses.
I've seen some Leofoto Ranger tripods labelled CM and CVL (instead of just C). What do those suffixes mean as far as tripod features?
Hi Henk. The C is for the standard Ranger tripod. CVL is their 'Explorer' range, and CEX is the Leveling range. The CVL 'Explorer' tripods have a built in center columns that can be moved independently in an arc around the top of the Tripod apex. This is great for macro photography as you can swing the center column into just about any position (like the old Benro tripods, and also the Gitzo Explorers, except that the center column on the CVLs retracts back into the legs like a conventional center column would).
@@emilvonmaltitz Thanks for the fast response!
I just ordered an LS-253CM + LH-30 for low level & tabletop work, but I'm a little concerned about head rotation during pans. I know the CEX leveling balls have the three angled set screws, but is there any way to keep the head stable atop the 253CM?
And finally, does the CM mean anything? I thought perhaps it just means Miniature, but the 223C, 362C and 402C tabletops suggest otherwise.
Hi Henk. It was fast simply as I happened to be checking my dashboard :D I think you've chosen the right tripod for table-top work. From what I can tell the CM is basically Carbon Fibre (for the C) and 'Miniature' or more accurately 'Compact' for the M. The CM is actually a realtively new designation, which is why I think the 223C, 362C and 402C don't have it. Personally I think they should as they fit the same category as the LS-253CM tripod - which is essentially a fully featured tripod with shorter leg sections for low and table-top work.
When you say stable atop the LS-253CM, do you mean that the head will unscrew? I'm not entirely certain about this (I haven't seen the 253CM in flesh yet) but I think it does have set screws for locking (certainly the 255C that I handled a week ago did have them).
@@emilvonmaltitz Yeah, since the platform doesn't feature set screws, I'm worried about the head unscrewing. The bottom of the LH-30, however, does have them, and I guess they're meant to hold the head in place?
Finally, I'm a little unsure whether certain accessories are compatible, and that's an area Leofoto might want to improve. I suspect I can attach a 25mm diameter center column, and hopefully, an HS or HX-25 to use the column as a perpendicular boom arm, but the product pages don't list the 253CM as compatible with any of them, and I'm not even sure what the difference is between the HS-25 and HX-25.
That said, you've been very helpful, and I appreciate you taking the time.
Hi for wildlife photography with a long telephoto lens which one do you recommend? I'm thinking between ls 364 and lm 364. I'm 6ft so which one do you recommend?
Both would work, so it comes down to the details. The LM version is slightly heavier but is also more stable. A nice advantage is adding the Leveling unit (YB-75) to the video bowl, which makes it great for setting a level under a Gimbal head with a big lens (e.g 600 f4). The LS version has the advantage of being easier to pack (no centre-column so very narrow compared to traditional tripod designs like hte LM series) and slightly lighter. Personally, for wildlife with a big teklephoto, I'd go for the LM-364. If it were landscape with a heavier camera (like The Fuji GX series or even the Nikon Z9), then I'd go for the LS-364....actually I'd go for the LS-364CEX personally as I shoot a lot of panoramic work and the built in level is fantastic for that.
@@emilvonmaltitz Thanks a lot for your input. I use sony A7 iv with 200-600mm lens and primarily shoot wildlife videos so I want it to be light without compromising on the stability
The LM-364 is more flexible WRT center column, but not really more rigid. They use exactly the same legs. I have both. Also had an LM-404C, that one just wasn't rigid, there was unexpected flex in the whole system. Part of the issue was of course that the 404 is very tall. I use my LM for when I need a center column - studio, video - and the LS for nature.
@@larsv9907 Thanks 😊🙏🏼 I'm considering buying a ls 364 with their lb 75 levelling head to pair with manfroto 502 ah
@@knowyouryoga Take a look at Sunwayfoto levelers DYH-68 and LB-90, they are a lower design.
Thank you for the comparison. Could you comment on the height of the 325 when the thinnest legs are not extended?
I don't have one with me at the moment to check, but from use I remember it being about the same height (maybe marginally shorter) than the 324 fully extended. My personal choice between the two would be the 325 as I am slightly taller (actually my personal choice, and the one I purchased and own, is the 324CEX which has longer legs than the standard Rangers)
@@emilvonmaltitz Thank you! I am 1.75 m and would use a leveling base plus Leofoto VH-30R. I prefer a separate leveler as you show in your video as I want to put this combo of LB and VH-30R also on my Berlebach Mini. I guess both would be just right for me, but in the local store I had only chance to see the 324.
@@thomasackermann6097 I think you might appreciate the extra height of the 325 I suspect. My one concern with the standard 324 is that it’s a little on the short side.
@@emilvonmaltitz Thank you! I found another option: 364. Load-wise I don't need 36mm (Heaviest lens Fuji 90mm or maybe Viltrox 75mmf1.2 in the future), but it is most comfortable for me with regard to height and handling. Opening 4 screws is a little cumbersome. So I am happy to have found the 364. And it is almost same price compared to the 32's without ballhead. Which I won't need, although the 32's with included ballhead are a bargain considering the individual prices of the LH-40's. Just not a big fan of ballhead, can't even explain why. Thank you again!
You missed the best one- LS-364.
Haha...I also love the LS-364...but that's a completely different tripod. The three tripods here are all identically priced (where I am) and are very similar in spec. The LS-364 is in a different league entirely as it's a somewhat heavier 36mm top leg tube, whereas all three here are 32mm top leg sections.
@@emilvonmaltitz Indeed, good reply!
Indeed, whilst the creator here is correct, NO doubt about it, the LS 364 is one stout set of legs! Thanks for the comment!
Excellent
@ 12:31, just drop the ball head sideways, into the vertical slot orientation! Problem solved! No need to remove the ball head! @ 12:41 ! You will Thank me later. 😆 😊
😄 I point this out in some of my other videos as well (see the recent 254cl video for example) But it only really gives you an extra 2 to 3 cm… which can be enough for a lot of packing scenarios
@@emilvonmaltitz Guess I have some videos to catch up on! 😃