Light, Folding Gimbal Head(s)

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fcotterill

fcotterill

Well-known member
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Leofoto's recent innovations. The PG-2S weighs 0.85kg only. Waiting on Leofoto to offer versions with a QR Lever Clamp (they already sell the mechanism in their Lever Clamps.)

PG-2 - Leofoto

Leofoto was founded at the beginning of 2014. It is located in Zhongshan, beautiful Pearl River Delta area in China. Leofoto team has been designing and manufacturing series of camera support systems by comparing and studying the high-end photographic accessories made in China and abroad and...
leofoto.com

PG-2S - Leofoto

Leofoto was founded at the beginning of 2014. It is located in Zhongshan, beautiful Pearl River Delta area in China. Leofoto team has been designing and manufacturing series of camera support systems by comparing and studying the high-end photographic accessories made in China and abroad and...
leofoto.com

 
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This item (there are two of them, actually) would still be way more expensive if made by say, RRS. The truth is that Chinese manufacturers are far along the learning curve when it comes to designing and making camera gear. Leofoto and also Benro were notorious in the past for pirating existing designs by makers like Gitzo; there were lots of intellectual property rights issues. But now these and other companies are designing their own gear and in some cases are surpassing the non-Chinese companies. Anyone with knowledge of the history of technology, manufacturing, and the movement of capital internationally could see this coming. Foreign companies move their assembly operations to a country with cheap labor in order to keep costs down, and the process begins, ending with them having "inadventently" created competitors that might well put them out of business.
 
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looks pretty neat. I need to do more research and understand how the folding mechanism works before I would trust it. I imagine if it were as strong and safe as a normal gimbal head, other manufacturers would've already done it

Steve W said:
Mmm, clever but the price for made in China……Ouch
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meh. it's cheaper than most of the alternatives, and basically everything is made in China these days. even companies advertising "Made in the USA" really mean "parts from China, that we shipped to California and then put together in a shop".

and FWIW - Leofoto's gear is all excellent. I sold all my Gitzo stuff to swap to Leofoto for money/weight savings and it was a fantastic decision.
 
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GrandNagus50 said:
This item (there are two of them, actually) would still be way more expensive if made by say, RRS. The truth is that Chinese manufacturers are far along the learning curve when it comes to designing and making camera gear. Leofoto and also Benro were notorious in the past for pirating existing designs by makers like Gitzo; there were lots of intellectual property rights issues. But now these and other companies are designing their own gear and in some cases are surpassing the non-Chinese companies. Anyone with knowledge of the history of technology, manufacturing, and the movement of capital internationally could see this coming. Foreign companies move their assembly operations to a country with cheap labor in order to keep costs down, and the process begins, ending with them having "inadventently" created competitors that might well put them out of business.
Click to expand...
Exactly why I won’t buy from Leofoto. Based on principles and integrity. Not suggesting others do the same.
 
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GrandNagus50 said:
This item (there are two of them, actually) would still be way more expensive if made by say, RRS. The truth is that Chinese manufacturers are far along the learning curve when it comes to designing and making camera gear. Leofoto and also Benro were notorious in the past for pirating existing designs by makers like Gitzo; there were lots of intellectual property rights issues. But now these and other companies are designing their own gear and in some cases are surpassing the non-Chinese companies. Anyone with knowledge of the history of technology, manufacturing, and the movement of capital internationally could see this coming. Foreign companies move their assembly operations to a country with cheap labor in order to keep costs down, and the process begins, ending with them having "inadventently" created competitors that might well put them out of business.
Click to expand...
Interesting observations. Some Chinese manufacturers re outsourcing things to Vietnam or elsewhere because it is more efficient and price effective to manufacture. Ironically, I purchased a lawn dethatcher from a Chinese company, Senex, and it was assembled in Mexico. I would suspect it is a way to get around tariffs and use NAFTA.
 
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American small machine shops closed by the thousands after the 2008 bankster crash of the economy. In China the small manufacturers get financial aid from the Chinese government which is a huge advantage over businesses in the USA. RRS was innovative before its owner moved the company to Utah and no it produces nothing that cannot be surpassed by products from China and Taiwan.
 
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When I last researched, RSS and Acratech are unobtainable in most markets outside of N America. Their choice, including discontinued products such as the PG-CC cradle plate for gimbals.

Leofoto are designing their own products, as in these new gimbals and many other tripod related products. The tripods and plates are hard to find equivalents especially the diversity of options in sizes and weights etc

The quality of Leofoto stands up in the field, according to outdoor photographers in southern Africa. IME the standard of metallurgy and cap screws etc is significantly better than Sirui, which I tested ~6 years ago.

It's a similar story with NiSi - their grad filters have taken over from the likes of Lee, and far better quality. Also Better quality and innovative adapters for UWide lenses. Two examples are the 14-24 f2.8S Nikkor and 15 f2.8AIP Zeiss,
 
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Clever design for reducing space while traveling. The trade off is they have the axis controls on opposite sides, which I know from experience is less than optimal. Also their website states about both their folding gimbals:
“There is a certain stiffness designed with this model to enhance control and stability during use.”
Not sure how this would affect use.
 
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I use the Wimberley 200 gimbal. I like it because it is physically larger and allows full range of adjustment both for balance and maximal tilt range for the lens. I also like it because of the ease and fluidity of the movement. I have tried a few other gimbal heads and I just like how this one works.

Yes it is large and does not fold. It weighs 3.1 lbs which is not signficantly more than the Lefoto Pg-2.

When I travel with this trip/gimbal I am usually driving so the tripod easily goes into the bed of the pickup along with my custom camera bag. In other words for this use folding does not matter.

If I fly I will not carry the gimbal on the plane. It goes into checked baggage and can be surrounded and padded by clothing. I don't however fly much these days. I hate beintg treated like cattle which is the way air travel seems to go these days.

If I hike the tripod and gimbal are tied to the outside of the pack so bulk is less of a big deal.

Bottom line what matters toi me is how well it works. I looked at B H Photo and there is only one review of the Lefoto pg-2. It points out the unit is stiff and inflexible. See also comments by PASH above.

Certainly it would be nice to have a gimbal that comes apart and can be stored in a compact size or even a case.

The one gimbal design that I find attractive is the Really Right Stuff PG-02 Mk 2 pano gimbal head. That unit provides a vertical arm that is adjustable and can be removed to fit into a compact package. According to the advertising, being able to adjust the position of the horizontal arm allows you to better balance the center of the lens/camera over the tilt point resulting in better panoramic imaging. Of course the price of $1k is off-putting but if I found myself getting into panoramic work I might one day reconsider.
 
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Hmmm... If bulk is a problem then why not just go with a Flexshooter? A quality full sized gimbal is heavier, and bulkier (although still the best performer). Otherwise, quality Gimbals are made by Promediagear (Katana jr ), RRS, Wimberley.
shuttermuse.com

Flexshooter Pro + Mini Reviewed - Only Tripod Head You Need?

The Flexshooter Pro and Flexshooter Mini are uniquely designed tripod heads with a double-ball system combining horizon leveling and a classic ball head with a 2-way pan and tilt mechanism perfect for super-telephoto lenses.
shuttermuse.com shuttermuse.com
 
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When it comes to gimbal I am not into anything 'light weight' - Wimberley II is the gimble of choice. Solid, American made and 100% warranty forever (even if you buy used, they repair if anything will fail (nothing will fail).
Flexshooter was the deal for a couple years, now I never hear of it. Ball heads are too flip-flop for me, I have one and never use it.
 
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I have used the wimberley gimbal version ii, and found the Gk Katana Jr. By Promediagear to be superior.
It is a lighter (due to skeletonized frame) yet smoother in use. It's also made in USA. You really should try it out.
The Flexshooter is intended for someone who needs the function of a gimbal on occasion, and desires less bulk... but also doubles as a solid ball head . Ideal for someone who wants to travel with one head for both wildlife & occasional landscape work. All serve a different use case/purpose. You have to determine what your needs are and where you are willing to compromise.

Charles Loy said:
When it comes to gimbal I am not into anything 'light weight' - Wimberley II is the gimble of choice. Solid, American made and 100% warranty forever (even if you buy used, they repair if anything will fail (nothing will fail).
Flexshooter was the deal for a couple years, now I never hear of it. Ball heads are too flip-flop for me, I have one and never use it.
Click to expand...
 
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