Leofoto Carbon Rifle Tripod SA-404C + MH-60S Ball Head
- for Picatinny rail and Arca-Swiss type QR plates
- load capacity up to 25 kg
- 4 leg sections
- 40/36/32/28 mm leg diameters
- min./max. height 18 cm to 170 cm
- including tripod bag
Leofoto SA Rifle Tripods
Lightweight and stable carbon tripods are becoming increasingly popular not only among photographers and wildlife observers. Hunters and sport shooters also appreciate the advantages of this material and its portable weight.
Therefore, Leofoto has developed the SA series—a tripod series specially equipped for shooters. The greatest advantage of these tripods is the combined mount for firearms with a Picatinny rail and for plates with the Arca-Swiss standard.
SA-404C Rifle Tripod
This tripod offers a maximum load capacity of 25 kg. It can be adjusted from a low position at 16.5 cm up to a height of 165 cm. The twist locks allow the height to be changed quickly. With its four sections, it offers an impressively short folded length of 63 cm.
The tripod legs can be individually adjusted in three different leg angles: 23°, 55°, and 85°. This allows the tripod to be quickly adapted to uneven terrain. The rubber feet can easily be replaced with the included spikes.
The MH-60 supports up to 30 kg, made possible by its large 60 mm ball diameter—while weighing only 950 g.
The ball head is equipped with an Arca-Swiss standard quick-release clamp and a 70 mm quick-release plate (QP-70N).
100% Carbon
All Leofoto carbon tripod legs are made from 10-layer carbon material. This ensures high stability with low weight and excellent corrosion resistance.
For the metal parts, Leofoto uses high-quality 6061-T6 aluminum alloy with magnesium and silicon as alloying components. This corrosion-resistant material is characterized by high strength and good toughness. Its yield strength is comparable to structural steel. All parts are milled from solid material on state-of-the-art CNC machines, making them significantly stronger than cast parts. Leofoto makes no compromises here!
Technical Specifications
| Load capacity |
25 kg |
| Head mount type |
3/8"-16 male |
| Maximum working height |
170 cm |
| Minimum working height |
18 cm |
| Folded length |
68 cm |
| Material |
Carbon fiber |
| Center column |
No |
| Weight |
2.5 kg |
| Leg lock type |
Twist-lock |
| Leg sections |
4 |
| Foot features |
Rubber feet and spikes |
| Independent leg spread |
Yes |
| Leg diameters |
40/36/32/28 mm |
| Bubble level |
Yes |
In the Box
- 1x Leofoto Carbon Rifle Tripod SA-404C + MH-60S Ball Head
- 1x Tool
- 1x Tripod bag
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.
