Leofoto Traveler LE-284C carbon fibre tripod with CB-40 ball head

Admittedly, no one would pack a large, full travel bag onto a tripod. But it would certainly be a vivid way to illustrate the strength of this carbon fibre tripod. The LE-284C can handle a load of no less than 15 kg. However, as it weighs just 1,380 g itself, this ties in perfectly with the keyword ‘travel’. After all, anyone taking photographs with a tripod whilst travelling usually wants to pack a very reliable tripod that is neither too heavy nor too large. This, in turn, leads to the next keyword: packed size. At just 485 mm, it is remarkably short given the performance class of the Traveler LE-284C. This is achieved by folding the legs down 180°. This means the Leofoto CB-40 ball head sits between the legs rather than protruding. Even including its weight of 410 g, the total set weight of 1,790 g remains well under 2 kg. This is ideal for photographers who need to keep their luggage to a minimum but want to rely on a very high-performance tripod whilst travelling (and not just then). The set is complemented by a multi-tool, a set of stainless steel spikes and a carry bag (all included in the price).

Leofoto and Degreef & Partner

Degreef & Partner in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands, has decades of experience in the distribution of photographic accessories, both across Europe and worldwide. They are proud to represent the Leofoto brand as an authorised distributor for the Benelux countries, Germany, France, Austria and Switzerland. This is because Leofoto products are of the highest quality. And at prices that are nowhere near those of well-known brands’ tripods of comparable quality.

Leofoto Traveler series – the ideal travel tripods with ease

Anyone who doesn’t want to do without a tripod when travelling will certainly find a model in the Traveler series that leaves little to be desired in terms of size, weight, stability and price. There are two materials to choose from: the aluminium tripods are particularly good value for money, whilst carbon tripods are incredibly light. All tripods in the Leofoto Traveler series come with a Leofoto ball head that fits the respective tripod perfectly. And they all have a built-in centre column. The fact that one of the legs on each model can be used as a monopod is not just a clever technical solution. It also allows you to reduce your luggage a little further if necessary, meaning you can sometimes pack just the monopod instead of a tripod. Its outer (upper) section is also covered in a soft, hand-friendly material. Whether made of aluminium or carbon, the four sections of each tripod leg slide smoothly and without twisting. They are secured or released using non-slip rubberised twist locks.
For transport, all tripods in the Leofoto Traveller series fold down to a very compact size. This is achieved – very cleverly – by the tripod legs folding back 180°, thereby enclosing the ball head. This means that the pack size is unaffected by whether a head is attached or not; it is always as short as possible.
Sturdy rubber feet absorb unwanted vibrations. They can be swapped for optional stainless steel spikes or snow and sand feet. A removable weight hook at the bottom of each centre column can hold, for example, a small bag of stones, using this counterweight to ensure the tripod’s stability in ‘tricky’ situations.

Leofoto Traveler LE-284C Carbon Tripod – a strong ‘support’ for travel photography

Extremely stable thanks to its eight layers of carbon fibre, yet so light that its weight is no burden, even when travelling. This tripod reaches a working height of 1,620 mm, but can also be lowered to just 155 mm above the ground – offering plenty of scope for creative compositions. The tripod’s high load-bearing capacity is anchored to the ground by four-section, sturdy legs. The 28, 25, 22 and 19 mm thick leg sections of the Traveler LE-284C slide smoothly and without jerking. They can be released or locked in place very quickly with just one hand. Thanks to rubberised twist locks, this takes just seconds. Whenever necessary, something can be attached to the tripod. Namely, a weight to optimise stability in critical moments (such as strong winds) or on uneven ground. A simple little hook at the bottom of the built-in centre column makes this possible.

Leofoto CB-40 ball head – athletic, smooth, and, on top of that, absolutely reliable

In terms of load capacity (15 kg), it is the ideal partner for the Traveler LE-284C. It is no coincidence that both items are supplied as a set ex-works. High-strength aircraft-grade aluminium, precision CNC-machined and black anodised, is a truly ‘athletic’ aluminium alloy. As a result, the CB40 ball head proves to be an extremely solid and reliable support for large cameras. Everything fits and sits just as it should. Rotation, tilt – indeed, all functions of the 40 mm thick ball (tiltable up to 90°) operate smoothly and with real elegance. A spirit level and a 3/8” tripod thread are built in. Twist locks on tripod legs alone are not enough to set up or pack away a tripod really quickly. The CB-40 therefore comes with the BPL-50 Arca-Swiss quick-release plate. And if you only want to work with the monopod (included with the Traveler LE-284C), the CB-40 is the first choice here too – and is already to hand anyway.