Tabletop Tripods and Wireless Grips

Tabletop Tripods and Wireless Grips
Mark discusses his preference for small tabletop tripods and wireless grips over using full-sized tripods.
The products he looks at include the LeoFoto LS-233C, 223-CEX with levelling base, the very small LeoFoto MT-03 with MBC-18 ball head, Sony's Bluetooth Grip (GP-VP2BT) and Wireless Remote (RMT-P1BT) plus the INKEE Ironbee wireless remote.
Product Links (B+H Photo):
INKEE Bluetooth Ironbee: bhpho.to/3CY3s69
LeoFoto LS-223CEX Ranger: bhpho.to/3saFHCh
Sony Bluetooth Grip: bhpho.to/2HQ3SDS
Sony Bluetooth Remote: bhpho.to/33iOB5J
A7C L-Bracket: bhpho.to/2UVTyjC
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[@cristinacoltro4517]

Great video Mark. Thank you for the insights.

[@corgikun2579]

really good and almost editorial layout to your slides. loved them

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Glad you like them! - I come from an editorial background and designed the layout for the 30 books I wrote for Focal press. My Sony Alpha Camera guides are basically delivered in the same style.

[@leofotousa]

Very good product review!

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Thank you!

[@mstraitefamily]

Loved this Video. I have the Ranger already, but I was thinking about getting the MT-03. Your review convinced me to grab one. Thanks!!!!

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Glad I could help!

[@eViperRabbit]

Mark, thanks for the video. I will try out your technique shooting landscape at ground level. If you are getting the Leofoto LS-232C, get the RH-0 plate as well. It is Acra-swiss and can pan, and come in a small form factor.

[@MiroAcronymity]

I own the larger Manfrotto, but I rarely use it. Usually it's a bigger travel tripod. Shooting from low angles is something I am going to try.

[@nenadcannith]

Leofoto Tripods don't get enough credit for the quality und practicality they provide. I’m using the mt-03 the ls-223c and the ls-364c with the dc-322c extender and all 3 of them are sturdy and reliable.

[@dyong888]

Nice overview Mark. One question, Whats the range like on those BT triggers like the IronBee? My use case will be to take "environmental selfies or videos". That would mean triggering the shot when I am about a few dozen meters away. One can only run so far on a 10 sec timer and its dangerous to run near a waterfall or some other outdoor setting. I'm looking at radio triggers but the down side of those are that they have a usb cable you need to attach to the camera. What would you recommend for said use case with both the a7r4 and a6400? Thanks.

[@victormultanen1981]

wow, great topic to discuss, and as always thank you for inspiring great photos!

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

My pleasure!

[@TerryBoydPhoto]

Thanks Mark, very informative as usual. I have a small Monfrotto (i.e. your smallest one pictured), which I have found just a little unstable for the A7RIII with even a wide GM lens. Even worse with my macro lens. So I am wondering about the Leofoto MT-03 and if it would be stable enough. Cheers

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

I find the MT-03 very stable with my A1 or A7C with FE 20mm F1.8 G or 35mm F1.4 GM attached

[@Dexterously]

Another great video Mark. I like to travel light also. What head do you have on the Leofoto? And will you still use it when you get the one with the levelling base?

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

I am using the LH-25 on the LS-223C and this should transfer to the CEX without an issue.

[@Dexterously]

@@AlphaCreativeSkills Thank you Mark, going to keep a look out for CEX with the LH-25 combo!

[@robwasnj]

Thanks for a great video Mark. I have one of those Manfrotto tabletop models and after about 10 uses the thing broke (spring coming out one side of the broken plastic) Reached out to Manfrotto, wasn't bought through an authorized dealer (amazon) so no warranty. Those Leophoto models look much more durable.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

I have used small tripods for many years so I thought it was about time to purchase one without compromising on the build quality.

[@deathward990]

Hey Mark. Can you make a video on what Holster or Straps do you use/prefer for telephoto lenses. I recently got Sony 100-400 GM on a Sony A7R3, but not sure how I should be carrying it around

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

I showed my preferred carrying method when reviewing the Sony FE 200-600 G, which is to attach a peak design clip to the foot on the lens and then use my peak Design sling strap. As the 100-400 GM doesn't have strap lugs on the lens, Sony obviously think their lens mount is strong enough for the camera to be carried with 100-400 lens attached from the strap lugs on the camera. I have peak design clips on the base of all of my cameras and removed the metal clips - replacing them with peak Design attachment clips. My Video recording schedule is full for the next 4 months and I only review products I am currently purchasing for my own workflows, so comparison videos are rare unless I have owned all the products in the review - as is the case with these mini tripods.

[@acme9538]

Hi Mark, I know this is an older video, but I had a question. I'm 'beginning' to dabble in landscape photography and was considering one of these Leofoto Tripods. Of the 2 featured here, LS-233-CEX and the MT-03 . . . which would You recommend for an 'amateur' beginning photographer. Love all Your in depth reviews & tutorials. Thank You.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

It depends on the type of trips you do and the size of the camera bag or weight you prefer to carry (I own and use both depending on the trip). I can fine-tune the advice with extended discussions on my Patreon.com/markgaler support channel.

[@robgerety]

Thanks for this. I am curious, what type of a head do you put on that little Leofoto LS 223CEX? I may pick one of these up.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

LeoFoto LH-25 -it’s only got a single release for the ball head and rotate but you can turn the head only if you only release just a little pressure

[@robgerety]

@@AlphaCreativeSkills Thanks - I'm not a ball head fan but maybe in this case it is the way to go.

[@mahlonstacy8414]

Mark, do you think the smaller tripods would be workable for astro work? I carry an A7Riii and will be looking to get the FE 20mmf1.8.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

I have used Small Tripods for Astro. It is a lot easier if the Screen does a 180° as is the case with the A7C

[@CDPOutdoors]

I had to leave a comment. I can see whinny the pooh on the right of the iceberg 😀 Live only a couple of hours drive away from Busselton Jetty. I have been looking for a smaller tripod to carry while making my youtube video's, some good ideas, thank you. All the best Clive 🤠

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Wonderful

[@justinhurley7777]

Question on the MT-03 Have you tried trying to attach the tripod to something else when you what a higher mounting point? I am thinking about small tripods and wondering which ones I could strap to a tree or part of a 4x4 for those times I wanted a higher shot. Particularly for time lapses. I nearly had my phone run over at a camp site once when it was on the ground while I left it to do a time lapse of the camp setup and sunset 😯😁

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

The short stature is rarely a problem unless I find myself at a scenic vista with a high wall and wanting to use long exposures. In these instances I have placed the short tripod on top of the wall. Most of the time I am not using a tripod at all unless I want to extend the shutter speeds into seconds to smooth troubled waters.

[@dangalender8748]

Hi, Mark. For getting down fairly low, have you ever looked at the PlatyPod? It's a great alternative to even a small tripod.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

It looks like an interesting product. I think I have a little more flexibility with the the Ranger -LS223CEX with levelling base (I have just traded up to) so unless Platypod contact me I will review my tripod needs again in a year or two.

[@jasont9863]

Hey Mark, have you ever looked into the Sirui Traveler 5C? Wondering what you think about it.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

I am not familiar with this tripod.

[@jasont9863]

@@AlphaCreativeSkills thanks for the reply

[@AjaySingh-228]

Nice..i like it✌️

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Thanks a lot 😊

[@AjaySingh-228]

@@AlphaCreativeSkills You are welcome bro

[@CrueL54]

Good video. Want to buy small Sony tripod for Xperia Pro-I

[@MJAdams-js7np]

Reading my mind again, Mark.

[@Aneliuse]

:o

[@jamescook5931]

What tripod and head would you recommend for video? Which tripod would be the best of both photography and video worlds?

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

If i was not using a Bluetooth Grip and I wanted to be mobile while recording I would be looking at a hand-held gimbal from Ronin. For smooth pans on sticks you need a fluid head and this is overkill in the extreme for stills.

[@kentvun]

check out the aoka mini tripod..

[@LensVid]

Nice video Mark. We published a Sony remote comparison a while ago and with the introduction of these new 3'rd party remotes (the ironbee and the seemingly identical one from Sirui) we need to update that comparison. You didn't really go deep into this in this video but the huge drawback of the Sony remote is the use of the coin battery which always dies when you least expect it and you have zero knowledge on when this will happen. These new remotes use a built-in battery (USB-C rechargeable) and have a battery status indicator. We are talking to both companies and we hopefully do an in-depth test of one or both soon.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

I like users to evaluate and question their existing workflows rather than offering a product review (low vantage point and tabletop rather than full size). I wanted to include Bluetooth options only because the A7C does not have a micro USB port for a remote release. I will leave the in-depth product reviews to the product reviewers.

[@LensVid]

@@AlphaCreativeSkills I think you missed something here - we are product reviewers (that is exactly the point).

[@michaelcoffey8382]

@@LensVid case use ideas and solving specific photo scenarios is indeed a very different approach to "these are the Best tripods you can buy". I happen to like this approach. Your point about batteries remains valid.

[@MsPernickety]

Can you do a video about tripod heads and plates sometime please.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Are you in the market for a particular type of tripod head Maggie?

[@MsPernickety]

@@AlphaCreativeSkills I have a Manfrotto Ball Head but I see a lot of people like the Arca-Swiss heads which I think might be useful with an L-Bracket. I don't think Manfrotto do one.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

I own both. The Manfrotto is quick to attach and release while Arca Swiss can slide (useful for L-Brackets and lens mounts) but can be a little more time consuming to attach and release. The arca swiss ball heads also come is sizes much smaller that Manfrotto heads. As heads can be detached and attached to tripods quite quickly it is worth owning one of each if the budget permits.

[@MsPernickety]

@@AlphaCreativeSkills Go idea. I shall look for a suitable Arca Swiss head. Any thoughts?

[@marcusdekker]

@4:40 14mm angle of view from a 20mm lens. What does that mean, 14 mm angle? Thanks Mark, all the best from the Netherlands! (so are we down up? 😁) ......some minutes later....i got it! The image you create, by stiching, looks like a 14mm lens. This is actualy a type of picture that i would try to take (i own the FE 20mm, 1.8 G and its awesome) but i would never think of using it in vertical mode and ididnt know that you need a rail to reduce the parallax error (!!!!) Looks like you have to set the front of the lens up a the swiveling point.......

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

Each focal length of lens has an angle of view - these charts can be downloaded online. The shorter the focal length the wider the angle of view.

[@ayfj4572]

Great info Mark. As a matter of interest, what nodal rail do you use? It's a complex topic in itself.

[@AlphaCreativeSkills]

You could probably pay more but this is the one I picked up from Amazon - Neewer 140mm Professional Rail Nodal Slide

[@ayfj4572]

@@AlphaCreativeSkills Thanks