Leofoto’s low profile ball heads feature the latest in tripod head design combined with premium materials and precision manufacturing to offer a powerful, ergonomic and easy to use tripod head. A cup machined from aircraft-grade aluminium holds a hollow-core ball made from the same material, while Japanese ball bearings ensure smooth panning control and gaskets on all control-knobs keep out dirt and moisture. A low-friction Delrin sleeve is used between the cup and the ball to ensure smooth drag. This combination of cutting-edge design and premium materials puts Leofoto’s products far ahead of most manufacturers in the market, which are still making conventional heads.
Low profile ball heads offer several advantages over conventional ball heads -
The camera sits closer to the apex, which has several benefits like improved stiffness and a lower center of gravity.
The cup has a much larger contact area with the ball, allowing greater grip.
The lower profile design allows the use of a much bigger ball without making the overall head too large. Larger ball = better grip.
A simpler design means a longer lifespan and better durability in testing conditions.
Less material and a simpler design means it is lighter and cheaper than a similar-sized conventional ball head.
LEOfoto LH-25 Low Profile Ballhead
R1,495
Weight: 180g
Max Load: 6kg
Height: 69mm
Ball Diameter: 25mm
Base Diameter: 36mm
Plate Model: PU25
Panning Clamp: No
Clamp Release: Screw Knob
LEOfoto LH-30 Low Profile Ballhead
Screw Release Standard R2,795
Weight: 310g
Max Load: 15kg
Height: 80mm
Ball Diameter: 30mm
Base Diameter: 47mm
Plate Model: BPL-50
Panning Clamp: Optional
Clamp Release: Screw Knob
LEOfoto LH-36 Low Profile Ballhead
Screw Release Standard R3,495 | LH-36LR Lever Release Standard R4,495
Weight: 430g
Max Load: 18kg
Height: 83mm
Ball Diameter: 36mm
Base Diameter: 52mm
Plate Model: QP-70
Panning Clamp: Optional
Clamp Release: Screw Knob
LEOfoto LH-40 Low Profile Ballhead
Screw Release Standard R3,995 | LH-40LR Lever Release Standard R4,995
Weight: 540g
Max Load: 20kg
Height: 85mm
Ball Diameter: 40mm
Base Diameter: 57mm
Plate Model: QP-70
Panning Clamp: Optional
Clamp Release: Screw Knob
LEOfoto LH-55 Low Profile Ballhead
LH-40LR Lever Release Standard R5,495 | Screw Release Standard R6,495
Weight: 940g
Max Load: 25kg
Height: 98mm
Ball Diameter: 55mm
Base Diameter: 72mm
Plate Model: QP-70
Panning Clamp: Optional
Clamp Release: Screw Knob
Geared Tripod Heads
When it comes to photographic accessories, there is no greater aid to composition than the fine and precise control of a geared head. This field of tech stagnated a lot during the 2000-2015 period, when options were limited to one or two manufacturers’ outdated options. Over the last few years, however, there has been a renaissance of geared heads, with a lot more tripod manufacturers and engineers working on improved designs. This has brought lighter, more compact geared heads to the market that are a dream to use. Pricing ranges from Leofoto’s G2 and G4 at R4999 and R8999 respectively to something like the Arca Swiss Cube which will cost close to R40k with VAT and shipping. Forty thousand rand for a tripod head? That is not a typo, in case you were wondering!
Geared heads are not cheap, but if you’re someone who composes their images slowly, carefully and with great thought, then a geared head is one of the best purchases you can make.