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Archive 2021 · Leofoto LS365 CEX and PG1 Gimbal

MorrieC
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Leofoto LS365 CEX and PG1 Gimbal

Does anyone use the Leofoto LS365 CEX and PG1 Gimbal kit that Leofoto has put together. It also has a built in leveling base with in the tripod.

To me it looks like a nice traveling setup when you need a gimbal head. Just courious what your thoughts are on this system.

Nov 18, 2021 at 06:34 PM

EB-1
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Leofoto LS365 CEX and PG1 Gimbal

The gimbal appears to be a ripoff of the PMG Kitana Jr. and the legset is like the RRS.

EBH

Nov 18, 2021 at 11:28 PM

Andrew2
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Leofoto LS365 CEX and PG1 Gimbal

Despite the grumblings about the Leofoto LS365 CEX being a RRS look-a-like, Leofoto tripods are very good and does get good reviews here and other places.

I bought a Leofoto LS-324C last year and have no regrets.

Nov 19, 2021 at 12:54 PM

MorrieC
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Leofoto LS365 CEX and PG1 Gimbal

EB-1 wrote:
The gimbal appears to be a ripoff of the PMG Kitana Jr. and the legset is like the RRS.

EBH

It does looke like a copy to me as well and from what I have read the quality is good. WHen comparing the pricing it is considerable.

Nov 19, 2021 at 03:42 PM

MorrieC
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Leofoto LS365 CEX and PG1 Gimbal

Andrew2 wrote:
Despite the grumblings about the Leofoto LS365 CEX being a RRS look-a-like, Leofoto tripods are very good and does get good reviews here and other places.

I bought a Leofoto LS-324C last year and have no regrets.

Thanks for the reply. the LS 324 is also on my short list. With the new cameras and lighter long lenses the use of a tripod for me will not be as important as it has been in the past. I'm looking for a compact system that still has a gimbal head and to reduce the wt of the system.

My old Gitzo tripod and Whimberley gimbal weigh over 10 lbs. This LS365 CEX and the PG1 head weighs 6.5 lbs with a built in leveling base. That is a huge difference in weight.

Lots of options to consdier.

Nov 19, 2021 at 03:49 PM

EB-1
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Leofoto LS365 CEX and PG1 Gimbal

MorrieC wrote:
It does looke like a copy to me as well and from what I have read the quality is good. WHen comparing the pricing it is considerable.

Yes, that's why I would always buy the original.

EBH

Nov 19, 2021 at 05:08 PM

jeffbuzz
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Leofoto LS365 CEX and PG1 Gimbal

I use the PG-1 gimbal on a LM-364C with 75mm bowl for heavy stuff and LS-324CEX for lighter loads. All my Leofoto gear has surpassed my expectations.

Nov 19, 2021 at 10:13 PM

Frogfish
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Leofoto LS365 CEX and PG1 Gimbal

I use the Sunwayfoto DYH-68 (there are larger pano bowls too) on my Leofoto Ranger LS284C. Nice.

Nov 20, 2021 at 02:14 AM

MorrieC
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Leofoto LS365 CEX and PG1 Gimbal

jeffbuzz wrote:
I use the PG-1 gimbal on a LM-364C with 75mm bowl for heavy stuff and LS-324CEX for lighter loads. All my Leofoto gear has surpassed my expectations.

Thanks for the info. The LS 324 CEX has the leveling base, do you use the PG-1 on the LS 324 CEX? What are your thoughts on the PG-1? Is the PG-1 a quality gimbal head?
If you use the PG-1 on the LS 324 CEX do you fine the leveling base beneficial?

Thanks

Nov 20, 2021 at 10:51 AM

MorrieC
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Leofoto LS365 CEX and PG1 Gimbal

Frogfish wrote:
I use the Sunwayfoto DYH-68 (there are larger pano bowls too) on my Leofoto Ranger LS284C. Nice.

Thanks fro the info. The LS284C is a nice looking tripod.

Nov 20, 2021 at 10:56 AM

jeffbuzz
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Leofoto LS365 CEX and PG1 Gimbal

MorrieC wrote:
Thanks for the info. The LS 324 CEX has the leveling base, do you use the PG-1 on the LS 324 CEX? What are your thoughts on the PG-1? Is the PG-1 a quality gimbal head?
If you use the PG-1 on the LS 324 CEX do you fine the leveling base beneficial?

Thanks

Yes, I use the gimbal on LS-324CEX with lighter lenses like 100-400 size. Not specifically because it has a leveling base but because of the height. For some inexplicable reason the LS-324CEX is ~23cm taller than the LS-324C. The leveling base only adds about 2cm of that. For me standing, the LS-324C was too short. The baked in leveling base was kind of a bonus which I really ended up liking too. I normally use a leveling bowl in my larger legs so having similar functionality in the smaller legs is quite nice. Is it as nice to use as a "real" bowl? No. The ratcheting side tension knob is not as easy to open and close as a bottom mounted bowl knob. Does it work? Yes, it works perfectly fine. It's also smaller, lighter and more secure than a screw on leveling base between the legs and the head.

The PG-1 gimbal is superb. I've used much more expensive gimbals and see no reason to choose them over the Leofoto. There is zero play. Action is smooth in all axes while holding heavy glass. Frankly, it looks pretty cool too. Although I keep a neoprene cover on mine so I don't get to look at it.

Nov 20, 2021 at 11:46 AM

EB-1
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Leofoto LS365 CEX and PG1 Gimbal

Is the swing arm where the mm scale is compatible with A-S clamps? It doesn't look like it.

EBH

Nov 20, 2021 at 12:37 PM

MorrieC
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Leofoto LS365 CEX and PG1 Gimbal

jeffbuzz wrote:
Yes, I use the gimbal on LS-324CEX with lighter lenses like 100-400 size. Not specifically because it has a leveling base but because of the height. For some inexplicable reason the LS-324CEX is ~23cm taller than the LS-324C. The leveling base only adds about 2cm of that. For me standing, the LS-324C was too short. The baked in leveling base was kind of a bonus which I really ended up liking too. I normally use a leveling bowl in my larger legs so having similar functionality in the smaller legs is quite nice. Is it as nice to use as...Show more →

Thank you for the information. The Gimbal does look pretty good.

Nov 20, 2021 at 10:27 PM

MorrieC
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Leofoto LS365 CEX and PG1 Gimbal

EB-1 wrote:
Is the swing arm where the mm scale is compatible with A-S clamps? It doesn't look like it.

EBH

What is an A-S Clamp? I'm not familiar with A-S clamp unless I know they by another name.
Thanks

Nov 20, 2021 at 10:29 PM

IndyFab
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Leofoto LS365 CEX and PG1 Gimbal

MorrieC wrote:
Does anyone use the Leofoto LS365 CEX and PG1 Gimbal kit that Leofoto has put together. It also has a built in leveling base with in the tripod.

To me it looks like a nice traveling setup when you need a gimbal head. Just courious what your thoughts are on this system.

I use a Leofoto LS365 not CEX, I also have a Leofoto leveling base, and use a non Leofoto Gimbal

Works well with my long tele's/sturdy

When you say traveling, keep in mind its not the lightest. Work out of a car perfect, hike a great deal to get to target, I prefer a Monopod with the MH-100 Wimberley Mono-Gimbal Head >>> See Steve Perry's video on it on U-Tube

I also have a Gitzo, if I set it up the same way, yes it heavier than the 365 set up.

Nov 21, 2021 at 04:40 AM

MorrieC
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Leofoto LS365 CEX and PG1 Gimbal

IndyFab wrote:
I use a Leofoto LS365 not CEX, I also have a Leofoto leveling base, and use a non Leofoto Gimbal

Works well with my long tele's/sturdy

When you say traveling, keep in mind its not the lightest. Work out of a car perfect, hike a great deal to get to target, I prefer a Monopod with the MH-100 Wimberley Mono-Gimbal Head >>> See Steve Perry's video on it on U-Tube

I also have a Gitzo, if I set it up the same way, yes it heavier than the 365 set up.

When I said travel I ment for better storage. We have a small motorhome that we travel in and space is always at a premium. I'm attracted to LS 365 CES because when collapsed it is short. Weight is also a big factor as I get older my shoulders and back just don't like the heavy weight.

Mostly I'm shooting out of a car or with short walks if a couple hundred yards. Not treking over a mountain top. I'm looking at the LS 365CES as kind of a swiss army knife tripod. With the leveling base and a ball head it should work well for landscapes and ok with a gimbal for birds and wildlife. I have a Gitzo Tripod with a Whimberley head. It is stable as a rock but it is heavy and when collapsed it is long which is not the easiest to store in a motorhome. Thank you for the informations.

Morrie

Nov 21, 2021 at 11:27 AM

higginb
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Leofoto LS365 CEX and PG1 Gimbal

I have the Leofoto LS-365 CEX and the PG-1 gimbal head. I purchase them separately but they are a perfect match. I’ve used the tripod for several trips and it has worked flawlessly. As folks have mentioned, they are definitely knock-offs but the quality and materials are excellent. I added a Leofoto QS-60 tripod quick release mount which allows me to quickly switch between a using ball head or the gimbal on the LS-365 CEX tripod. I have several Leofoto products and the workmanship on every one of them has been very good, I personally think Leofoto products are a great value.

Nov 21, 2021 at 12:18 PM

EB-1
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Leofoto LS365 CEX and PG1 Gimbal

EB-1 wrote:
Is the swing arm where the mm scale is compatible with A-S clamps? It doesn't look like it.

EBH

MorrieC wrote:
What is an A-S Clamp? I'm not familiar with A-S clamp unless I know they by another name.
Thanks

I mean Arca-Swiss style dovetail. For example if you are using a Wimberley gimbal head, there is an A-S dovetail that allows attachment of the modular system (or any other A-S parts) to the arm so that it is fixed relative to the lens/camera motion. Other gimbal heads like Jobu's and the PMG full-sized Katana also have it.

https://www.tripodhead.com/images/wh-200-large.jpg

EBH

Nov 21, 2021 at 12:47 PM

Cinstance
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Leofoto LS365 CEX and PG1 Gimbal

So RRS started building tripod by "knocking off" Gitzo, and Leofoto started by "knocking off" both Gitzo and RRS. All of the ball heads are essentially "knockoffs" of the original Arca Swiss ball head. Last time I checked, neither Gitzo or RRS make a center-column-less tripod with a build in leveling base, so here "evolution" is probably a more proper word than "knockoff".

With the rate Leofoto churning out new products and its ability to manufacture them, it will be able to evolve (innovate) much faster, and soon will be the front runner and leave others in the dust.

Nov 21, 2021 at 01:02 PM

sjms
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Leofoto LS365 CEX and PG1 Gimbal

Gitzo/RRS- visually, mechanically, and materially different other then 3 legs not quite knock off material. yes they are tripods but lots of improvements made.

Nov 21, 2021 at 01:49 PM

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