Leofoto Mr. Q-Series LQ-284C Carbon Fiber Tripod + LH-30 Ball Head
- New, elegant, multi-layer carbon design
- Load capacity 10 kg
- Includes tripod bag, removable center column and LH-40 ball head
- Low-vibration stainless steel spikes
- 4 leg segments: 28/25/22/19 mm leg diameter
- Side threaded connections for additional accessories
- Variable angle stops
- Twist-Lock leg closure system
Description
The Leofoto LQ-284C carbon tripod is part of the versatile Leofoto Mr.Q tripod collection. The LQ-284C has four leg segments and reaches a maximum working height of 158 cm when using the removable center column. The minimum working height of this tripod, on the other hand, is only 16 cm, which is practical if you want to work close to the ground. Despite its low weight of only 1.22 kg, it has a load capacity of 10 kg. The LQ-284C tripod comes with an LH-30 ball head, a multifunctional center column and several useful accessories.
The 10-layer woven carbon makes the LQ-284C tripod strong, while it is relatively light at just 1.98 kg including the ball head. In addition, the 3rd generation carbon fabric gives the tripod a sturdy and eye-catching look. There is a 3/8" and 1/4" screw thread on the side of the tripod platform to allow the tripod to be expanded with a Magic Arm or other accessories. All Leofoto tripods - including the Leofoto LQ-284C - come with a 10-year guarantee.
Centre column
The
Leofoto Mr. Q tripod has a removable tripod plate with a diameter of 56 mm. You mount the LH-40 ball head on this tripod plate. It is also possible to remove the plate and use the included center column instead. Placing the center column only takes a few seconds and no tools are required. The height of the center column can be adjusted using the silver wing nut with non-slip rubber strips. The center column (~28mm) is 31 cm long and ensures the considerable maximum working height. This makes the tripod an all-rounder in the areas of studio photography, landscape photography and even macro photography.
Features of the Tripod
The legs are height adjustable thanks to the intuitive TwistLock system. This allows you to remove or attach a leg segment of the tripod in no time. The rubber rotating handles also allow the legs to be operated with gloves. You can also adjust the tilt angle of the carbon tripod legs to three angles: 23°, 55° and 85°. At the greatest angle of inclination, the tripod legs lie almost flat on the ground. This allows you to achieve a minimum working height of 16.5 cm. In addition, the tripod is equipped with rubber feet that prevent the legs from slipping on a smooth surface. You can swap the feet for the included spikes. The spikes provide more grip on soft surfaces. This Leofoto carbon ball head tripod comes with a water-repellent asymmetric carrying case for greater convenience when transporting it.
LH-40 Ball Head with QP-70 Quick Release Plate
The professional LH-40 ball head can be rotated 360 degrees and tilted from portrait to landscape position and has a universal 3/8 ” tripod screw to which you can attach almost any camera. The friction can be adjusted using a rotary knob that offers precise adjustment options. The ball head has a diameter of 40 mm and a swivel base of 57 mm. The height is 87 mm. This ball head comes with a QP-70 quick release plate and is Arca-Swiss compatible. It has a load capacity of up to 18 kilos and weighs 498 grams.
Arca-Swiss compatible Tripod Plate
Thanks to the universal QP-70 Arca-Swiss quick release plate, you can quickly attach the camera to the Leofoto LH-40 ball head. To do this, loosen the clamp, push the 70 mm long quick-release plate into the holder and screw the clamp back on. Of course, this quick release plate can also be exchanged for another universal Arca-Swiss compatible quick release plate. The camera can also be mounted on this ball head with a Leofoto L plate.
Tripod specification
| Load capacity |
10 kg |
| Weight |
1.62 kg |
| Maximum working height without center column |
129 cm |
| Maximum working height with center column |
158 cm |
| Minimum working height |
16 cm |
| Transport dimensions |
54 cm |
| Leg segments |
4 |
| Tube diameter |
28/25/22/19 mm |
| Closure |
Twistlock |
| Minimum operating temperature |
-40 degrees |
| Middle column |
included; removable |
| Tripod plate |
47 mm; removable |
| Material |
Carbon |
| Leg Angle |
85°/55 °/25° |
| Spikes |
optional; 3/8" with thread, replaceable |
Leofoto LH-30 Ball Head
- Low center of gravity
- Two 90° portrait openings for the ball neck
- Load capacity 12 kg
- Professional ball head made of high-strength aircraft aluminum -Alloy
- Panorama base with line scale for separate base rotation
- Laser engraved degree scale offers precise centering and positioning
- Integrated pre-braking (friction)
- Infinitely variable friction control with memory function
- High precision for offset-free locking
- Arca compatible
LH-30 Ball Head Specification
| Load Capacity |
12 kg |
| Weight |
410 g |
| Tripod Connections |
3 /8 inch; 1/4 inch can be retrofitted using a thread adapter |
| Spirit Level |
Yes |
| Rotation |
360 Degrees |
| Tilt |
90 Degrees |
| Arca Swiss compatible |
Yes |
| Ball Diameter |
30 mm |
| Height |
61 mm |
| Plate Diameter |
47 mm |
| Panorama Scale |
Yes |
| Incl. Quick Release Plate |
Yes |
| Material |
6061-T6 Aluminum Alloy |
In the Box
- 1 x Leofoto Mr. Q-Series LQ-284C carbon tripod with center column
- 1 x Tripod Bag
- 1 x Hexagonal Key
- 1 x Leofoto LH-30 Ball Head
- 1 x Quick Release Plate
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.
