In in the present day’s article, I’ll be reviewing the Leofoto Ranger LS-325C Carbon Fiber Compact Tripod. I selected this tripod fastidiously to stability my wants, and now I’ve used it for practically a yr in numerous situations. How has it held up?
Design and Options
The $359 Leofoto LS-325C tripod is without doubt one of the bigger fashions in Leofoto’s compact “Ranger” sequence. This implies it’s someplace between the dimensions of a standard tripod and a travel-oriented mannequin. The specs for these Ranger-series tripods are beneath, with the LS-325C being the fifth tripod from the underside:
The numbers within the LS-325C’s identify spotlight its major bodily attributes: a most part diameter of 32mm and 5 sections. I imagine that the “C” is supposed to point the tripod’s carbon fiber development.
I selected a tripod that includes 5 sections as a result of I required a mannequin that might attain my eye degree whereas remaining transportable sufficient to slot in airplane carry-on baggage. It additionally wanted to be appropriate to be used with a 600mm f/4 lens for wildlife images, which is a demanding process contemplating it is without doubt one of the heaviest forms of lenses out there.
The Leofoto LS-325C largely achieves this. It folds sufficiently small to suit right into a handheld bag for the airport, whereas nonetheless being tall sufficient for comfy images. (I measure the digicam’s viewfinder at 168cm tall / 5 ft 6 inches when a ballhead is connected, which is simply excessive sufficient for me to view comfortably with out bending down an excessive amount of.) Tripod weight scores are inconsistent throughout producers, however no less than the acknowledged 12kg is sufficient that I do know it gained’t collapse underneath my 600mm f/4.
Frankly talking, simply the considered utilizing a tripod with 5 sections wasn’t one thing I used to be enthusiastic about. Not simply because it’s going to be much less sturdy than a three- or four-section tripod, but additionally as a result of it’s not as fast to make use of. Organising the tripod requires unscrewing extra leg sections, which might take up some valuable time within the discipline.
Nevertheless, upon shopping for the tripod, I discovered that it wasn’t dangerous in any respect. Maybe my giant arms assist, however every leg may be prolonged effortlessly by unscrewing all of the joints in only one transfer. The identical trick doesn’t apply when closing the legs, however on the finish of the day, it slowed me down lower than anticipated. In the meantime, it has been lots secure for my wants – extra on that later.
Leofoto sells this tripod bundled with the LH40 head. Nevertheless, I opted to buy the tripod alone to make use of with my present ball heads: the Uniqball UBH 45X for telephoto lenses, and the Rolley T5S MKIII for landscapes.
The tripod bundle features a carrying bag, a set of Allen keys, a central column that may be screw on the crosspiece, and steel ideas for the legs. Of this lengthy listing of equipment, I simply make the most of the steel ideas, which considerably improve stability by anchoring the tripod into the bottom.
Because of the lack of a middle column, the Leofoto LS-325C tripod can unfold its legs and lie virtually flat on the bottom.
As a final notice, the leg joints are designed for straightforward disassembly by fully unscrewing all of them, facilitating cleansing after publicity to saltwater and sand. To me, that is an important characteristic for any tripod, as a result of in any other case the joints inevitably get ruined over time.
My Experiences
As indicated within the description, I used to be searching for an excellent compromise: appropriate for landscapes and wildlife; secure but mild; affordable tall however transportable sufficient to journey by airplane. No tripod might be excellent in any respect of this stuff directly, so it was a query of discovering a tripod with a very good stability of those traits.
The five-section nature of this tripod is what initially involved me about it, nevertheless it proved to be the one technique to obtain my different desired qualities – particularly, becoming in hand baggage whereas additionally reaching my eye degree. Does it compromise on stability?
To some extent, sure – that’s inevitable with such a tripod design. Nevertheless, unusually for a five-section tripod, the Leofoto LS-325C has moderately thick leg sections to be able to keep stability. This comes on the expense of some weight (it’s 1.44 kilos / 3.17 kilos, whereas Leofoto’s lightest five-second tripod is a mere 0.75 kilos / 1.65 kilos).
Nevertheless, I’ve discovered this to be the one technique to obtain some measure of stability when the tripod is at its full extension. Both this tripod, or the marginally heavier LS-365C, could be Leofoto’s solely affordable choices for a five-section tripod that may maintain a 600mm f/4. Primarily, these tripods obtain their fifth part through a bigger diameter on the highest as an alternative of a smaller one on the underside.
All in all? I discover this tripod to be fairly sturdy and even viable with my heaviest Nikon Z9 + 600mm f/4 combo. I’ve received little question that extra stability could be doable with a three- or four-section tripod. Nevertheless, I’ve but to see any different tripod that’s this secure whereas additionally reaching eye degree and packing into my carry-on (aside from Leofoto’s barely heavier LS-365C, which is basically a really comparable mannequin).
Lastly, the worth of $359 is cheap. This value additionally comes with a middle column (I don’t suppose it’s doable to purchase the tripod with out one). Nevertheless, I desire to shoot with out the middle column for max stability, and to permit for decrease tripod heights.
Conclusion
The Leofoto Ranger LS-325C does a very good job balancing stability, top, and compactness. For me, it’s the optimum tripod for photographers who must pack as small as doable whereas nonetheless sustaining stability at full top.
You should purchase the Leofoto Ranger LS-325C on the following hyperlink:
You may additionally want to contemplate the marginally heavier model with wider leg sections, however in any other case comparable, the Leofoto Ranger LS-365:
I bought this tripod myself over a yr in the past, and this evaluation isn’t sponsored. Nevertheless, we now have simply now joined the Leofoto associates program, so in case you intend to buy the Leofoto LS-325C or any of their different merchandise, please contemplate doing it by our hyperlinks. Thanks for supporting Pictures Life! Let me know within the feedback in case you have any questions on this tripod.