Leofoto LS-224C Test Results

The LS-224C is the smallest non-tabletop tripod in Leofoto’s lightweight LS line of tripods.  While on paper the stiffness of the tripod does not appear that great, it is very good for the weight.  There is no tripod lighter and more stable at this height.  The price isn’t that bad either, making the 224C a good value proposition.  Unfortunately, like the other tripods in the LS line, the leg angle is rather narrow preventing this tripod from performing even better.

NameLeofoto LS-224C
ClassTravel
Yaw Stiffness230 +/- 1 Nm/rad
Yaw Damping0.173 +/- 0.017 Js/rad
Pitch Stiffness1284 +/- 6 Nm/rad
Pitch Damping0.329 +/- 0.033 Js/rad
Retail Price$182
Weight1.6 lbs (0.724 kgs)
Manufacturer weight rating13.2 lbs
Maximum Height43.6 in (110.7 cm)
Minimum Height2.3 in (5.8 cm)
Center ColumnNo
Base Diameter1.6 in (4.1 cm)
Folded Length16.0 in (40.6 cm)
Folded Circumference7.5 in (19.0 cm)
Folded Volume72.0 cu. in. (1.2 liters)
Leg MaterialCarbon Fiber
Leg Sections4
Primary Leg Angle21 deg
Leg LocksTwist
Top Tube Diameter22.0 mm
Second Tube Diameter19.0 mm
Third Tube Diameter16.0 mm
Fourth Tube Diameter13.0 mm
Exchangeable FeetYes
Foot TypeRubber
Bottom HookNo

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:

Stunning data set, as is typical for tripods of lower stiffness and damping.

 

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

The data here isn’t as clean.  As is typical for tripods with a narrow leg angle, the pitch stiffness is around five times the yaw stiffness.  A ratio of three is more typical.