LEOFOTO F-19 Mini Ball Head with Hot Shoe Adapter
- 6061-T6 aluminum alloy
- Supports up to 5 kg
- Weighs only 66 g
- 90-degree ball neck for portrait shots
Description
The F-19 Mini Ball Head from Leofoto has an accessory shoe foot with a ¼-inch threaded hole and a reversible base plate. The FA-05 base plate has a ¼-inch thread and also functions as a hot shoe adapter. The F-19 with FA-05 base plate is multifunctional and suitable for use in various situations.
The Accessory Shoe Foot with ¼-Inch Threaded Hole
The ¼-inch threaded hole in the foot makes it easy to combine this ball head with table tripods like the Leofoto MT-01 and clamp stands like the MC-80 and MC-100. This provides more freedom of movement when adjusting your camera’s position. Additionally, you can insert the ball head into the hot shoe of your camera, allowing you to mount an accessory directly onto your camera.
The Reversible Base Plate
The F-19 ball head is equipped with an FA-05 base plate. The FA-05 is a hot shoe conversion adapter and part of Leofoto's flash adapter collection. One side of the FA-05 has a ¼-inch thread for attaching a camera or camera accessory like an LED panel or external monitor. By flipping the FA-05, you can convert it into a hot shoe adapter, making it possible to mount an accessory with a hot shoe foot, such as a flash or microphone.
Small and Lightweight
This compact ball head is made from lightweight aircraft-grade aluminum (6061-T6 aluminum alloy). Due to the use of this material, the Leofoto F-19 ball head weighs only 66 grams, making it one of the lightest ball heads available. Despite its small size, this ball head has a load capacity of up to 5 kg, which is sufficient for a small DSLR or compact mirrorless camera. The friction of the 19-mm ball can be individually adjusted with a wing nut, and the ball of the F-19 can tilt up to 90 degrees for vertical shots. The base plate is 29 mm in size and can easily be attached to any mini tripod with the 1/4-inch threaded hole.
Specifications
| Type |
Ball Head |
| Material |
6061-T6 aluminum alloy |
| Load Capacity (kg) |
5 |
| Friction Adjustment |
Yes |
| Tripod Head Thread (Inches) |
1/4 |
| Camera Mount Thread (Inches) |
1/4 |
| Tilt Range (°) |
90 |
| Swivel Range (°) |
360 |
| Color |
Black |
| Weight (kg) |
0.066 |
In the Box
- 1x LEOFOTO F-19 Mini Ball Head with Hot Shoe Adapter
Tripod Components
Cameras and tripods have a long-standing partnership, maintaining relevance and unmatched functionality in a world dominated by image stabilization and Photoshop tricks. Although the form and function of a tripod are much simpler to understand than today’s DSLRs, with their extensive features, selecting the right setup from a variety of manufacturers and seemingly comparable models can be a daunting task. This article outlines the basic types of tripod kits every photographer should consider, and discusses the various categories of tripod heads and legs for those looking to build a custom setup.
Tabletop Tripods
For some, the simplest and smallest solution is often the best, and for this audience, a tabletop tripod offers a particularly compact solution for the everyday photographer. These tripods come in a range of types and sizes and are usually sold as kits with a pre-mounted head and legs. They are typically inseparable and reach a maximum height of no more than 30cm. These tripods are ideal for travelers, hikers, or those photographing in areas where carrying full-sized camera equipment might be restricted. Those needing a table support may also consider a flexible variant, such as the Joby Gorillapod line. These compact and lightweight supports can be used on a traditional flat surface or wrapped around various objects (such as branches, pipes, and handlebars) to stabilize your camera on uneven terrain or create a unique new photographic perspective.
The Tripod System
For the passionate, ambitious, and professional photographer, investing in a modular tripod system—or, for the layperson, a tripod with a removable head and a set of durable, versatile legs—is the preferred choice. Whether purchased together as part of an extended set or separately, investing in a system ensures the user obtains customizable, high-quality equipment that can be adapted to specific photography needs either now or in the future. Below, we outline some of the different options for purchasing a pre-made tripod kit or assembling your own tripod kit using components selected to meet your individual requirements.
The 3-Way Pan-Tilt Head
When most people think about tripod functionality, they envision the movement and brand-licensed style of the classic three-way head. This design remains popular with beginners for its ease of use and relatively precise movement. The head consists of three separate arms controlling vertical tilt, horizontal tilt, and 360-degree panning. To adjust the position of each angle, simply turn the handle for the desired angle, position the camera, and then tighten the handle again to lock the camera in place—it's that simple. Three-way heads are commonly used for landscape, portrait, still-life, macro, or product photography, but they can be used for almost any photographic application.
The Ball Head
The ball head is currently the most modern and generally preferred head style, partly due to its compact size (compared to three-way heads), lightweight build, and ease of adjustment. Unlike the three-way head, ball heads save size and weight by allowing you to use the camera itself as the "handle," positioning the camera in any direction with just one rather than three knobs. Ball heads typically feature dual or triple control, allowing photographers to control the ball’s movement and friction with separate knobs. Tri-control designs often implement a third knob that controls the 360-degree panning separately from the main ball lock. Due to its size and speed, this head style is popular among sports, action, nature, travel, and studio photographers. Like the three-way head, it can also be used for almost any photographic application.
The Gimbal Head
Gimbal heads are practically essential in the world of advanced sports and wildlife photography, as they support the large telephoto lenses that are an undeniable hallmark of the craft. The gimbal head is designed to support and balance large lenses and camera bodies, allowing the user to follow a moving subject vertically and horizontally, and, if properly balanced, retain its last position even when the photographer’s hand leaves the camera. They are generally the largest and heaviest head style, but for photographers who need them, their utility is unrivaled. It is also worth noting that most gimbal heads are not sold with a mounting plate; one must be selected specifically for the lens in use. When investing in a gimbal system, you should always purchase a suitable lens mounting plate that provides enough length to adequately balance your equipment.
The Fluid Head
Since almost every camera now includes advanced video functions, many photographers have begun incorporating video components into their tripod kits, with the fluid head being the most significant of these additions. The fluid head is designed to reduce resistance when recording video, allowing for smooth pans and tilts along two axes, and the integrated "fluid" cartridge reduces unwanted shakes, vibrations, and jitters. While each tripod head has a maximum load capacity, the stated maximum of a fluid head should be seen as a guideline that should never be exceeded. Balanced weight is essential for good fluid head performance, and resistance to an unbalanced load can impair the video-smoothing properties of the head, especially in the hands of beginner videographers.
Material Choice
Tripod legs—whether for beginners or professionals—are a relatively straightforward matter, limited to three simple factors: weight, load capacity, and price. The often heavier, cheaper, and somewhat more durable material for tripod legs is an oldie but goodie: aluminum. Although its weight may not be ideal for travel, aluminum tripods benefit from this weight with increased stability and the ability to withstand daily use and minor impacts. However, aluminum legs are subject to the environment in which they are used, which simply means they heat up in the sun, cool down in the cold, and can rust if not properly cleaned after exposure to freshwater
and saltwater. The second, newer, and more expensive material option is carbon fiber, which has become a darling in the world of outdoor and landscape photography due to its lighter weight and excellent rigidity. Although the price difference between aluminum and carbon fiber has decreased significantly in recent years, it is still substantial for higher-quality tripod brands.
Photoshop Becker
