Could the Leofoto Ranger LS 365CEX tripod be the perfect tripod?

In this video I talk about the versatility of the tripod and using it with Panoramic heads. I think I have found the perfect tripod finally!

[@MannyScoot]

I own the Leofoto Ranger LS-365CEX+PG-1 Full Camo, and dearly love it ........

[@stevetqp9152]

Hi David. Thanks for your excellent and informative tripod reviews! As a longtime Leofoto fan, I first got the LN-254CT for studio work and a smaller Fujifilm X-System camera/lens. Having moved to FF with a bigger and heavier Nikon Z8 with eventually a Nikkor S 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 for landscape, product and occasional wildlife, I went for the Leofoto LS-365C + LH-40 ball head, which supports a max load of 44lbs, much more than I'll ever need. I'm thinking/hoping I'll achieve even sharper results with that kit. Thanks again!

[@dannyli9424]

For me the easiest to level my camera is to have a panning clamp on my ballhead, or geared head , that way I don't even care to level my tripod, I do have leveling bas on all my tripod but I really hardly need to mess around with it, just look at the bubble level on the Panning clamp, and use the head to level it, once that's is done. I can pan all day and the camera wil remain level, makes things super easy.

[@MarkRomine]

David, do find that 15 degrees of tilt on the leveling head to be enough to level your camera in most situations of uneven terrain? Such as rocky, boulder terrain of mountainsides? I can’t tell from your video if it would be adequate or not? Would a half bowl be better?

[@davidakoubian3025]

I think it is. I can always do a "rough" adjustment with one or two of the legs and then use the leveling head to fine tune it. Since it is a little taller than I am I have that extra play with it.

[@billz4795]

An alternative to look at - I Purchased the Sirui W 2204 on eBay for very good price. Put my Manfrotto fluid head on it and found i don't need to fully extended the last legs. NOTE one BIG issue - for some reason the feet screws are not a standard size - they are 10m with 1.0 threads !!! Yikes no standard spikes, claw feet etc will fit -EXTREMELY disappointed. Only the very small included spikes fit

[@stevetqp9152]

Hi David. Excellent and very informative video, sir! I use the Leofoto LS-365C with LH-40 ball head, and it's the most robust, solid tripod I've ever used! So, would you happen to know who makes an Arca-Swiss foot/collar for thte Nikkor 180-600 f/5.6-6.3 zoom? I'm completely baffled as to why Nikon doesn't include an Arca-Swiss compatible foot with their telephoto lenses! Thank you.

[@davidakoubian3025]

Thank you. I don't know of anyone off hand. Check Kirk Enterprises or RRS. Otherwise, maybe you could adapt a long lens plate?

[@stevetqp9152]

@@davidakoubian3025 will do…thanks again!

[@boristahmasian9604]

Hi David, Just a heads up. The audio is not coming through for some reason. I checked other videos on YT and they are fine. Please check.

[@davidakoubian3025]

I just checked working fine here.

[@gosman949]

Sounds good to me.

[@boristahmasian9604]

@@gosman949 It is working fine now. I don't know what happened the first time around.

[@georgedavall9449]

@@boristahmasian9604 maybe user/ viewer error?

[@billz4795]

In case you're looking for an alternative - I just purchased the Sirui w 2204 for a medium build and looking for a light weight head. You showed the Sirui L-20S briefly . What's your thoughts. I have a Manfrotto fluid head but it is to heavy and large - 2 + pounds. Same landscape use. Thanks

[@davidakoubian3025]

The L-20S is designed to be a head for monopods, but if the tripod has, or you add, a leveling base, that head is very good and lightweight. It can tilt forward and back, as well as pan, but it won't do angles if the tripod isn't level. It can be done, but it isn't as versatile without a leveling base. I hope that helps?

[@billz4795]

@@davidakoubian3025 I have a third party leveling base that so far works for me. How about the Sirui L-20S vs leofoto vh-30r or vh-20 ? Again I'm trying to save weight yet maintain performance. The issues I see with some models is can the top rotate separately from the base allowing camera mount via L bracket without adding separate mounts which is what I have to do with the fluid head I have now.

[@davidakoubian3025]

@bill z I like the Leofoto much better. The R has the rotating platform and that is really nice.

[@billz4795]

@@davidakoubian3025 that's the confusion. I found a VH-20 from Leofoto ($109.) on ebay that has a separately rotating head like the Vh-30r from Leofoto ($ 239.00). The 30 for twice the price? Weights and sizes close.

[@davidakoubian3025]

@bill z it is worth it in my opinion

[@edsassler]

I love LeoFoto tripods and equipment, but every video on KZbin has someone just put the tripod down, put a camera on top and shoot. I’ve found that photography just isn’t that simple. There are walls and fences (I do a lot of urban landscape) and bigger challenges that nobody ever addresses. For example: Bring you 365CEX up to full height (let’s say you’re shooting over something). How do you level it? You need to see the bubble level from above, so you’ll need a ladder or a jet pack. I started with an LS-364 and added the lower leg sections from an LS-284 to create an LS-366 which is 8’ tall so I can shoot over people, but nobody makes a bubble level that reads from below… I’ve also replaced one of the legs with a leg from an LS-362 for when I need to shoot over walls (I spend way too much time in parking structures).

[@davidakoubian3025]

It sounds like you need to do a video! You should show what you are doing and how you do it. Not everyone, me included shoots urban landscapes and doesn't have the issues you do. You would probably have a lot of views.

[@edsassler]

@@davidakoubian3025 kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqLUgntpYq6jfZY I'm clearly not a video guy, but I think this gets the point across. I'd love your feedback.

[@davidakoubian3025]

@@edsassler very informative. Definitely very different than I would do in my work, but I think lots of folks will gain something. Thanks for Sharing.

[@trident8872]

Try geared head for perfect position it's very precise.

[@davidakoubian3025]

I've tried them, not a fan really.