First test
If your passion is scenic photography in watery and sandy locations, this is your dream tripod. It’s designed to cope with challenging conditions – and it looks fab, too Leofoto Poseidon LP-284C+LH-30 PRICE: £429.99
LEOFOTO.EU
WE’RE AN ISLAND nation, and most of us have enjoyed a scenic shoot at the coast. This results in a tripod that needs a good rinse to get rid of any sand and sea water, with a more thorough cleaning session to look forward to when you get home. It’s not a massive job, but it takes some time and can be fiddly. Leofoto has the answer, with its Poseidon series of tripods. Two models are on offer: the LP-284C tested here, and the slightly bigger LP-324C – priced at £349.99 and £399.99, respectively. These are leg- only prices, but if you don’t have a decent tripod head, both are available with ball heads. The LP-284C with the LH-30 is £429.99, and the LP-324C with the LH-40 is £529.99. I have tested a couple of Leofoto products recently, and have been impressed with their build quality. The LP-284C is well up to Leofoto’s high standards; with its lustrous blue finish, it looks magnificent, too. This, of course, has no performance benefit, but if you want great-looking kit to justify the money, then this tripod delivers. The legs are constructed from ten-layer carbon fibre, with titanium used for the water- and corrosion- resistant twist-leg locks. It’s a four- section tripod without an integrated centre column, so this is a slim- profile unit. There are pros and cons to the design style, depending on how you prefer to work. No centre column limits how much height you have at your disposal. On the other hand, getting a super-low viewpoint takes no time at all, and there’s probably a benefit from an engineering angle, too, with the simpler shoulder design delivering greater solidity. Add-on centre columns are available, including geared options – and the fitting is the standard 3/8in screw. Having one in the bag means you can take advantage of the extra height, when required. At full extension, the eyepiece of my Nikon Z 7 was 138cm from the ground, so just about spot on for me, of average height, with a slight crouch. It was also perfect for using an angled monitor, and stability at this height is excellent.
The LH-30 ball head is a low- profile unit, holding the camera in place with a large locking lever. There’s no tension adjustment, but a bubble level is provided on the platform, and this is usable with the camera in place. Which leaves me to discuss the twist-grip leg locks. Each one has three silica gel pads for a secure grip, and are approximately the dimensions you would expect, so not oversized. Typically, the legs lock securely without the need for much force – and glide in and out beautifully. Of course, shoot in a dusty or sandy location, and that lovely action could soon change to a rougher, grittier feel – at least that would be the case with a normal tripod. Not so on the Poseidon. Unscrewing the leg and pulling out the leg tube reveals a rubber gasket. This stops nasties getting in from above the twist grip. Looking at the joint from below, you can see a blue gasket that performs the same function. I thought the only weakness would be in the rubber feet, but Leofoto has dealt with this, too. There’s another gasket on the thread of each foot. So, when tightly screwed, they should stop grit getting into the leg tube. I got in one scenic shoot with the Poseidon, on Brighton’s West Pier. It’s a pebbly beach, but gets sandy when the tide is out. With a good breeze, the water lapping at the tripod’s feet,
SPECS › Price LP-284C legs only £349.99. With LH-30 £429.99 › In the box Tripod, LH-30 ball head with BPL-50 camera plate, carry bag, spiked feet, tools › Legs material Ten-layer woven carbon fibre › Load capacity 10kg › Folded length 54cm › Leg sections Four, titanium twist locks › Leg angles Three › Max height (no centre column) 129cm › Minimum height 16cm
› Monopod leg No › Bubble level Yes › Weight 1.24kg legs only, 1.55kg with head › Plate fitting Arca-Swiss › Contact leofoto.eu
a Fujifilm medium format camera on top, and shutter speeds as long as 60secs, this was a decent test. The Poseidon passed with flying colours; when I got home, I rinsed the feet under a running tap to remove any debris, then dried it off. Obviously, this was just one shoot, but I have to say the Poseidon is an impressive tripod. It performed and handled well – and with easy post- shoot care, it certainly saved me time as well. WC
Verdict An active scenic shooter who enjoys working in challenging situations, especially at the coast, could get through several pods over the years – particularly if they are lazy with post-shoot aftercare. In that context, the Leofoto Poseidon LP-284C is an awesome tripod. It’s not cheap, and only time will tell if it will pay for itself. But if, after several years of heavy use, the legs are still working smoothly – and there’s no sign of corrosion – then the £349.99 legs-only asking price is amazingly good value. PROS Great build quality, dust proof, waterproof and anti-corrosion leg locks, great to use, excellent stability CONS An extra centre column is required if you need to reach a height over 129cm
HIT THE FLOOR Speed is the key word when getting your camera down to a low shooting position using the Leofoto Poseidon LP-284C
Issue 93 | Photography News 37
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