The Leofoto Mr.Q Carbon Tripod is bordering perfection
Bordering perfection!
It doesn't happen often, but there are tripods that consist only of highlights. Perfection is perhaps a bit much to say, although sometimes it comes close. For example, there is a tripod where every detail has been thought through and executed with extreme care. An all-round tripod that you can use for a wide range of photography possibilities. Sturdy, stable and durable. This is the best way to describe the tripods in the Leofoto Mr.Q series. Leofoto already had a broad collection of excellent tripods, but the tripods from the Mr.Q series are really an amazing addition to the lineup.
Table of Contents:
- Why is the Mr.Q series so good?
- The Mr.Q series consists of three different tripods
- The biggest advantage is the removable platform
- Mr.Q characteristics: Removable platform and TwistLock system.
- The look - 10-layer carbon stable and sturdy but lightweight.
- Ball heads and Arca-Swiss quick plates
- Many possibilities for accessories on your tripod.
- The knobs and levers allow you to operate them with gloves on.
- What's in the box?
- Related products
The Leofoto tripods are divided into several series and each series has its own characteristic features and unique selling points. For the Mr.Q tripods they have put all the unique selling points in one tripod. If you are familiar with the tripods from Leofoto then you can see a tripod from the Mr.Q series as a hybrid between a Ranger tripod and an Urban tripod, or as a compact version of a Summit tripod. In other words, a sturdy lightweight carbon tripod with a removable platform to insert a center column!
The biggest advantage of the Mr.Q tripods is the removable platform where you can insert the center column. This center column is located between the three legs like a Leofoto Urban tripod. With this center column you can increase the maximum working height by 29cm. This brings the LQ-284C including ball head to a height of 158cm and the LQ-324C with ball head to 168cm. The use of a center column gives you the flexibility to adjust the working height faster. Although a center column might increase the chance of unwanted vibrations slightly. Therefore, it is nice that you can also mount the ball head directly on the platform. Installing and removing the center column can be done easily and takes only a few seconds.
Interchangeable platform and center column
The tripod is named Mr.Q because of the shape of the platform resembling the letter Q. The LQ-284C has a ø 50mm platform and the platform of the LQ-324C is ø 56mm. On both the platform and the center column, you can fit any tripod head with UNC 3/8-inch screw hole. To change the platform to the center column, unscrew the gray 'Q lever' and press the gray Safety Lock button to release the platform. The center column has a nice butterfly nut to easily adjust the height, even with gloves on!
Leg segments and TwistLock system
The LQ-284C, with 4 leg segments (the thickest leg segment a diameter of 28mm) is a true all-round lightweight tripod. In contrast, the LQ-324C, with a diameter of 32mm and also 4 leg segments is the more solid choice. The smoothly extending carbon tripod legs have a Twist-Lock screw locking system. You screw the tripod legs on and off easily, even with one hand. In addition, the Twist-Lock system has the advantage that the locks stay well tightened.
The legs of the tripods can be adjusted to three angles: 23°, 55° and 85°.
The distinctive appearance of this series is a feature not to be missed. The weave pattern of the 10 layers of carbon is a tad different from the rest of the Leofoto tripods. They call this weave pattern the 'snow capped mountain pattern'. It takes a moment of getting used to, but it gives such a tough look to the tripods! The 10-layer carbon fiber makes the tripods stable and sturdy yet keeps them lightweight.
There are several series that are equipped with an LH ball head. Although there are small design differences between, for example, the Rangers' ball head and that of the Mr.Q series. For example, the number of ridges on the friction knob are slightly different. The number in the name indicates the diameter of the ball. Thus, the LH-30 ball head has a 30mm ball, the LH-36 a 36mm ball and the LH-40 ball head a ball with a diameter 40mm. The heads can be rotated 360 degrees and are tiltable from portrait to landscape position. The LH-36 and LH-40 even have two tilt notches.
The heads are Arca-Swiss compatible which ensures that you can also use the Leofoto L-brackets with these tripod heads. The Arca-Swiss quick plates have convenient safety pins at the bottom so your camera cannot accidentally slip out of the Arca-Swiss mount if you have not sufficiently tightened the clamp.
The platforms of the tripods have a 3/8-inch and a ¼-inch screw hole. You can use these to attach a Magic Arm, for example. There are many possibilities to expand the accessories on your tripod, such as a phone holder, a speedlight or an LED light. Or you can attach an action camera to your tripod to make a timelapse of your activities. How to make the best use of this feature depends on the preferences of the photographer.
The knobs and levers of a Mr.Q tripod have a decent size to allow you to operate them with gloves on. You can also easily loosen and tighten the butterfly nut on the center column. None of the tripod legs have a rubber grip against cold hands, this is because the rubber can weather over time. Rest assured, it is not that the legs feel colder than other tripods due to the "snow capped mountain pattern". But if you want a grip in the winter you can solve this with a leg warmer. The leg warmer 28mm is suitable for the LQ-284C and the leg warmer 32mm for the LQ-324C.
The Leofoto Mr.Q tripods comes with a carrying case with carrying strap. The carrying bag is asymmetrical so that the side with the ball head does not tilt. The bag contains the tripod with ball head, center column, some paperwork, a set of spikes, three Allen keys and a multi-tool. You can unscrew the rubber feet, then screw the spikes into the leg. There is a hole on the side of the spikes, so you can tighten them properly with an Allen key. The multi-tool you can easily attach to your camera bag before you go on the road. With this handy tool you can tighten all screws tight if this is necessary. These sturdy all-round tripods have everything you need to support you in all kinds of situations.
