Leofoto LN-324C Test Results

The LN-324C is the smallest of Leofoto’s systematic line tripods.  As is typical for the Leofoto brand, the build quality is excellent.  It is only available with four leg sections which hurts its stiffness numbers.  The stiffness is reasonable, and the damping is excellent.  The overall performance is strong, but still not at the same level as the top end tripods.  But the Leofoto is also half the price.

NameLeofoto LN-324C
ClassSystematic
Yaw Stiffness712 +/- 3 Nm/rad
Yaw Damping0.349 +/- 0.035 Js/rad
Pitch Stiffness2372 +/- 15 Nm/rad
Pitch Damping0.666 +/- 0.067 Js/rad
Retail Price$450
Weight4.87 lbs (2.209 kgs)
Manufacturer weight rating55 lbs
Maximum Height59.7 in (151.6 cm)
Minimum Height3.7 in (9.4 cm)
Center ColumnNo
Base Diameter2.3 in (5.8 cm)
Folded Length22.5 in (57.2 cm)
Folded Circumference16.0 in (40.6 cm)
Folded Volume458.0 cu. in. (7.5 liters)
Leg MaterialCarbon Fiber
Leg Sections4
Primary Leg Angle24 deg
Leg LocksTwist
Top Tube Diameter32.5 mm
Second Tube Diameter28.0 mm
Third Tube Diameter25.0 mm
Fourth Tube Diameter22.0 mm
Exchangeable FeetYes
Foot TypeRubber Platform
Bottom HookYes

The stiffness and damping data are the averages of 10 trials for each measurement.  The reported error is the standard error, except in the case of the damping data. I have set the error in the damping at 10% as the standard error metric does not appropriately capture the error in fitting to the data.  All of the reported specifications are measured, with the exception of the weight rating. The tripod is measured at full height, with the center column down.

 

Example data for oscillations about the vertical axis of the tripod:

Beautiful set of data, fits very nicely to the model.  Stiffness isn’t that great however

 

Example data for oscillations about the radial axis of the tripod:

Good damping makes for poor looking data.  The spikes in the data are due to electronic noise.