Thank you very much for your informative videos. I'm someone who studied photography, worked at a famous architectural studio in Chicago and then moved to Germany and started a whole new career not involving a camera. Because of life's way, I haven't made pics in some 15 years but now I'm getting back in to it with a used Sony A7III and some lenses. I recently got a Leo LS-324c with LB-75s, VH-30R, Leofoto 180mm Rail and double clamp plus some long spikes and rock claws to supplement my ancient and very heavy Gitzo 1320 and Manfrotto geared head - I was a 4x5 guy back in the day. This is my "budget ultralight" version (I have three growing kids) of your Acratech Pan Head with Kirk rail kit to travel with. So far I am loving this system. Upcoming is a family trip to Finnish Lapland for the Northern Lights and I thank you again for the innovative, insightful and well-thought out way of doing things.
Anytime anybody on photo forums I frequent ask about tripods, I always link them to you and some of your videos. I don’t know how many have actually gone through with purchases but they’re crazy not to in my opinion! Excellent guidance and advice as always! There is a new tripod from YC Onion called Pineta Peak that has a mechanism to raise and lower the tripod legs just like Sachtlers Flowtech tripods. Would love to see Leofoto adopt it to their tripods lineups as the YC Onion is too short and hopefully maintain the same quality and robustness.
Great video as always. We just got back from Oregon (Cannon Beach and Newport) and had a blast. Just went through and cleaned up the tripod and got to use the claw feet I ordered from you. Worked super good and way sturdier than RRS ball feat. We ate the restaurants you talked about on the other video. Great food and we always try to support the local economy vs the chain restaurants etc. Almost forgot I see you have color bands on the tripod legs, any reason. Keep the info coming
We're running a workshop in Moab now. There's 8 folks with tripods just like mine in El Jefe (our sprinter). Those color bands help me know which is mine. 😂
Being new to using tripods your content is a revelation. Its a gear jungle out there so thank you so much Hudson! Since I need a light system I opted for a rather new tripod; the Leofoto LG-284C "Gabriel". You should really check this model/series out since it is a merge of the Leofoto Q and Athena "saltwater" series; the best of two worlds, maybe?). When I go to NY in May (My first trip to the US) I will probably get the Akratech Panoramic head. If your store was in NY I would visit and support. But Living in Denmark within the EU I try to avoid import since its about 25-30% in fees and extra costs. Anyway thank you very much for all the tips and tricks and advice on gear. Simply put they make my experience with photography better.
Rock claws are like bikinis. The smaller they get, the more expensive they become! 🙂 Really mixed about the Vibra-Tite VC-3. I completely get the application, but the opportunity for dirt and grit to get gummed up into that seems awfully high. As always Hudson, great video.
Nah, it's snugged into threads and very firm when dry. It's not sticky. Besides, you shouldn't be pulling feet and dropping them in dirt. A little zip lock or better yet a think tank organizer bag like I use will keep them nice and clean with the thread grip on there.
I'd be tempted to try out the Leofoto LS-255C tripod with the Novoflex Classic Ball 3 II mounted upside down with the Novoflex Quick Mount! I trust you about Acratech but IMHO Novoflex is at least as good! Made in Germany as a Swiss means more to me than Made in USA (sorry to say so)!
@@MusikPiratCH ha ha. I used one of those and a mini version nearly 20 years ago. They look cool with the blue on black anodized finish, but no... I they're horrible to use in practice and there's a solid reason we all use arca Swiss compatible quick releases. The cex is the 255 to get. ;)
Any suggestion(s) for maintenance of the actual leg sections? I have 1 leg whose sections take more effort to slide open and close. There is more resistance than the other legs' sections. Lubricating the sections is not a feasible option. Thank you and keep these wonderful videos coming.
Clean with genlte soapy water, rinse and dry thoroughly. That's usually an indicator contaminates got inside the legs past the leg locks (saltwater is the worst).
Great video Hudson. Thanks. A couple quick questions ... 1. Sometimes I travel light, with just carry-on. Have you ever had any issues with tripods with the spike feet in your carry-on going through airport security (even with the new ones where you can put the rubber feet on the spikes)? 2. I have noticed that your main tripod's legs are colour coded with different coloured tape on each leg. Is there a significance to the different colours?
I have your ultra light tripod with the acratech head and lately I have had issues with the leveling adapter getting sticky and difficult to level. Is there something I can do to get that moving better ? Thanks Hudson, great channel!
Email me and I'll get you in touch with the Leofoto distributor. You're the first of hundreds to report that and mine has never had an issue. Could be a rare defect or something. He's super responsive and will help you out. hi@hudsonhenry.com
Hey Brother - another awesome vid. I appreciate your content. Question…I often travel with just carryon. Sometimes with just my Q2. Otherwise my Nikon Z body. I have two tripods. The bigger fluid head setup AMD the Ultralight rig with Acratech pan/tilt. Do you think the featherweight would be overkill?
How do you attach a tripod with rock claws to your backpack? The feet are so sharp they’d chew right through my bag, I’m always so scared to do it so I always end up keeping the feet off until I get to where I’m going. I’m thinking about some sort of thick plastic cup for the bottom that they’d fit in.
I wish I liked Leos heads. The answer is yes, but I find it quite frustrating and way too heavy. The Manfrotto 500AH remains by far the best performance, quality and build balance for those of us doing still or hybrid work these days. But far. As great and innovative as Leofoto's legs and leveling adapters are, I am consistently dissapointed by the quality and design of their heads. Like totally different companies...
Hey Hudson, We've talked a couple times in the past. This is Travis from Wyoming Camera Outfitters in Jackson Wyoming. Hey man, Do you have a line of communication open with Leofoto? I have a design idea for these spikes and claws that I would like to get to someone over there.
Thank you very much for your informative videos. I'm someone who studied photography, worked at a famous architectural studio in Chicago and then moved to Germany and started a whole new career not involving a camera. Because of life's way, I haven't made pics in some 15 years but now I'm getting back in to it with a used Sony A7III and some lenses. I recently got a Leo LS-324c with LB-75s, VH-30R, Leofoto 180mm Rail and double clamp plus some long spikes and rock claws to supplement my ancient and very heavy Gitzo 1320 and Manfrotto geared head - I was a 4x5 guy back in the day. This is my "budget ultralight" version (I have three growing kids) of your Acratech Pan Head with Kirk rail kit to travel with. So far I am loving this system. Upcoming is a family trip to Finnish Lapland for the Northern Lights and I thank you again for the innovative, insightful and well-thought out way of doing things.
Welcome back. It's a fun new world of tools. :)
Anytime anybody on photo forums I frequent ask about tripods, I always link them to you and some of your videos. I don’t know how many have actually gone through with purchases but they’re crazy not to in my opinion!
Excellent guidance and advice as always!
There is a new tripod from YC Onion called Pineta Peak that has a mechanism to raise and lower the tripod legs just like Sachtlers Flowtech tripods.
Would love to see Leofoto adopt it to their tripods lineups as the YC Onion is too short and hopefully maintain the same quality and robustness.
Great video as always. We just got back from Oregon (Cannon Beach and Newport) and had a blast. Just went through and cleaned up the tripod and got to use the claw feet I ordered from you. Worked super good and way sturdier than RRS ball feat. We ate the restaurants you talked about on the other video. Great food and we always try to support the local economy vs the chain restaurants etc. Almost forgot I see you have color bands on the tripod legs, any reason. Keep the info coming
I was wondering about the colour bands on the legs too? Great video, thanks Hudson. Cheers Dave.
We're running a workshop in Moab now. There's 8 folks with tripods just like mine in El Jefe (our sprinter). Those color bands help me know which is mine. 😂
Thanks for the upgrade for my Q2
Being new to using tripods your content is a revelation. Its a gear jungle out there so thank you so much Hudson! Since I need a light system I opted for a rather new tripod; the Leofoto LG-284C "Gabriel". You should really check this model/series out since it is a merge of the Leofoto Q and Athena "saltwater" series; the best of two worlds, maybe?). When I go to NY in May (My first trip to the US) I will probably get the Akratech Panoramic head. If your store was in NY I would visit and support. But Living in Denmark within the EU I try to avoid import since its about 25-30% in fees and extra costs.
Anyway thank you very much for all the tips and tricks and advice on gear. Simply put they make my experience with photography better.
Rock claws are like bikinis. The smaller they get, the more expensive they become! 🙂 Really mixed about the Vibra-Tite VC-3. I completely get the application, but the opportunity for dirt and grit to get gummed up into that seems awfully high. As always Hudson, great video.
Nah, it's snugged into threads and very firm when dry. It's not sticky. Besides, you shouldn't be pulling feet and dropping them in dirt. A little zip lock or better yet a think tank organizer bag like I use will keep them nice and clean with the thread grip on there.
I'd be tempted to try out the Leofoto LS-255C tripod with the Novoflex Classic Ball 3 II mounted upside down with the Novoflex Quick Mount! I trust you about Acratech but IMHO Novoflex is at least as good! Made in Germany as a Swiss means more to me than Made in USA (sorry to say so)!
@@MusikPiratCH ha ha. I used one of those and a mini version nearly 20 years ago. They look cool with the blue on black anodized finish, but no... I they're horrible to use in practice and there's a solid reason we all use arca Swiss compatible quick releases. The cex is the 255 to get. ;)
Could you do a video on cleaning the Nikon Z9 sensor..thanks so much!! Love the channel
Great suggestion!
Any suggestion(s) for maintenance of the actual leg sections? I have 1 leg whose sections take more effort to slide open and close. There is more resistance than the other legs' sections. Lubricating the sections is not a feasible option. Thank you and keep these wonderful videos coming.
Clean with genlte soapy water, rinse and dry thoroughly. That's usually an indicator contaminates got inside the legs past the leg locks (saltwater is the worst).
Great video Hudson. Thanks.
A couple quick questions ...
1. Sometimes I travel light, with just carry-on. Have you ever had any issues with tripods with the spike feet in your carry-on going through airport security (even with the new ones where you can put the rubber feet on the spikes)?
2. I have noticed that your main tripod's legs are colour coded with different coloured tape on each leg. Is there a significance to the different colours?
Ive never in my life travelled carry on only. I always check the legs. The colors let me know which of the 9 identical rigs is mine on workshops.
@@HudsonHenryPhoto thanks. Have fun in Moab!
I have your ultra light tripod with the acratech head and lately I have had issues with the leveling adapter getting sticky and difficult to level. Is there something I can do to get that moving better ?
Thanks Hudson, great channel!
Email me and I'll get you in touch with the Leofoto distributor. You're the first of hundreds to report that and mine has never had an issue. Could be a rare defect or something. He's super responsive and will help you out. hi@hudsonhenry.com
Hey Brother - another awesome vid. I appreciate your content. Question…I often travel with just carryon. Sometimes with just my Q2. Otherwise my Nikon Z body. I have two tripods. The bigger fluid head setup AMD the Ultralight rig with Acratech pan/tilt. Do you think the featherweight would be overkill?
It's made for that use case. You'd love it. :)
How do you attach a tripod with rock claws to your backpack? The feet are so sharp they’d chew right through my bag, I’m always so scared to do it so I always end up keeping the feet off until I get to where I’m going. I’m thinking about some sort of thick plastic cup for the bottom that they’d fit in.
I use my NYA-EVO bag's side compression straps and keep the claws slightly below the bag. No issue at all. :)
Have you tried the Leofoto BV-20 Fluid head?
I wish I liked Leos heads. The answer is yes, but I find it quite frustrating and way too heavy. The Manfrotto 500AH remains by far the best performance, quality and build balance for those of us doing still or hybrid work these days. But far. As great and innovative as Leofoto's legs and leveling adapters are, I am consistently dissapointed by the quality and design of their heads. Like totally different companies...
Hey Hudson, We've talked a couple times in the past. This is Travis from Wyoming Camera Outfitters in Jackson Wyoming. Hey man, Do you have a line of communication open with Leofoto?
I have a design idea for these spikes and claws that I would like to get to someone over there.
Email me Travis. hi@hudsonhenry.com