Leofoto LX 225CT Tripod Review - By James W. Fortune
Leofoto LX-225CT Tripod Review by James W. Fortune
Before I start, please know I received this tripod in exchange for this review. I’m not a “seller” and I have no intention of persuading you to buy anything, so I’m not going to tell you that this is the tripod that you should buy. What I’ll do instead is explain the features, tell you what I like about it and where I have found it beneficial to me.
TL/DR
The Leofoto Urban LX-225CT is a compact carbon fibre travel tripod kit, that comes with the XB-32Q Ball head. Featuring an exceptionally compact (yet still functional), lightweight design that utilises high-grade materials and a familiar, functional design that is ideal for vlogging, but still usable for general photography This review explores its features and performance based on my personal use.
Specs
- Load Capacity: 6kg
- Weight: 1.05kg
- Max Height: 1.37m
- Height Column Down: 1.07m
- Min Height: 18cm
- Folded Length: 33cm
- Leg Sections: 5
- Leg Diameter: 22 / 19 / 16 / 13 / 10 mm
- Leg Material: Carbon Fibre
- Head Included: Yes (XB-32Q Ball head)
- Head Weight: 298g
- Removable Centre Column: Yes
Overview/Why Me
As a photographer and videographer, I’ve used a wide variety of tripods from different manufacturers over the past 21 years of my shooting career. This covers everything from mini and travel tripods to modular tripods and cinema tripods. I’ve owned two travel tripods in my time, but for my landscape photography work, I prefer a sturdy, tall tripod, so they didn’t get a whole load of use unless I was really in a pinch or needed to travel particularly light. This changed when I started experimenting with vlogging and I found my travel tripods gained a new lease of life.
I didn’t ask to review the LX-225CT, but the opportunity arrived at the perfect time for me, as my DJI Pocket 3 was delivered the previous month! Talk about perfect timing… With that in mind, I was delighted to get the opportunity to test it in the field. Since then, it has become a staple companion on my video-oriented adventures.
Impressions
The Leofoto Urban LX-225CT has been a pleasure to use so far. I have found it to be a good size/ weight-to-stability ratio setup that comes with everything you need to use it in the field. I have particularly appreciated its lightweight and compact design. This has meant I’ve felt a lot less encumbered than with previous travel tripods (which were admittedly taller by design and heavier), yet not overly restricted by its relatively diminutive stature. Its centre column brings the ball head to a sensible working height and has the benefit of being removable if you need to save the extra weight. I have also found the LX-225CT to be easy to operate and could adjust the height of the centre column and the height/angle of the legs quickly and easily, providing a fluid experience in the field.
Why Use LX-225CT?
Based on my personal experience, the people who will get the very best out of the LX-225CT are vloggers who record talking to camera segments in the field. I’ve been using it with my DJI Pocket 3 and the two have paired perfectly while out in the field, providing a stable platform for me to video my talking to camera segments (YUCK! Still hate doing it, but never mind!).
However, it is also practical for some traditional photography. I expect it would perform better with lighter, crop frame setups. I have tested it with my Nikon Z9 and am impressed with how ithandles the weight when the camera is rigged up (to around 3kg (We’ll come to load capacity later!), even when the camera is tilting forward.
All travel tripods are prone to more shake and vibrations than their full-sized cousins, and the LX-225CT is no exception to that rule. This is due to thinner legs and a smaller platform and this is amplified when the centre column is fully extended. Based on my experiences, with other travel tripods, the LX-225CT is about as stable as I would expect it to be.
If you’re shooting longer exposures, I’d recommend setting a 3-5 second timer before your camera takes the shot. This should help to minimise vibrations. You could also hang something from the carabiner to increase the effective weight of the tripod but don’t expect perfect sharpness unless you’re in the calmest of environments.
So, if you need to trade light with a tripod for vlogging on location, or some general photography uses in the field when you aren’t planning on shooting long exposures, then the LX-225CT could be right for your needs.
Design and Build Quality
The LX-225CT follows similar design cues as its cousins within the Leofoto range and utilises the traditional upward folding design of travel tripods, which optimises its compactness. It features satin black aluminium components, paired with carbon fibre tubing and silver knurled aluminium latches and knobs, which match the aesthetic of many of Leofoto’s other tripods and accessories. I like the design choices and find the design package fairly understated, with bright silver key interaction points so you can’t miss them while you’re focussing on shooting.
The platform is small and milled out of a solid block of aluminium, featuring cutouts on the extrusions for each leg, which minimise weight with minimum impact on structural integrity. It features a ¼” screw hold for accessories to be mounted directly to the tripod if you want.
I particularly like the silver knurled thumb latch, which is very grippy and places your hand in the right position for adjusting your leg angle. The knurling helps the latch stick to your thumb well, whether you’re wearing gloves or not and its spring is light but responsive.
It’s easy to understate the compactness of the LX-225CT. For context, it is around 7cm longer than my Nikon 70-200 2.8 with FTZ adapter. The weight isn’t too dissimilar either, at 1050g, it’s about the average weight of many common 2.8 zoom lenses up to 200mm. It comfortably fits inside all of my f-stop backpacks and is only a touch longer than f-stop’s ICUs.
This compactness does of course affect the working height of the LX-225CT, however not to the degree where it is unusable for a tall person such as myself. For context, I’m 6”2 (approximately 188cm). The proviso is that I find the extended centre column an essential feature when vlogging. Contracting the centre column works perfectly well when I’m shooting the scene rather than myself, but I do have to stoop when I’m checking what I’m shooting (as I would expect).
As I mentioned earlier, you can also remove the centre column, which can save you a little extra weight (I make it 94 grams) in exchange for working height, but I haven’t found the need to do so except to see how it works. It’s easy enough to do: Unscrew the base cap at the bottom of the centre column, loosen the locking collar nearest the platform then pull the centre column out and replace it with the included platform.
You will also need to unscrew the base for the ball head and screw it onto the platform. Be aware that the spigot screw for the ball head is not fixed in place and comes out easily once the base is removed from the centre column or the platform. With that in mind, I wouldn’t remove the centre column in the field in case you lose the spigot screw. The spigot screw is threaded on both sides and is what holds the base in place, so you can’t lose it once it’s in place.
The tubing for the legs is carbon fibre, but I can’t find any specific details on the type that is used, but the tubing appears stiff and as stable as can be expected for a diminutive travel tripod such as this. The leg lock and centre column collars match my previous experiences with Leofoto tripods. I find them particularly well designed and function very well. Locks engage smoothly and reliably and deep, spiral-cut grooves and high-traction rubber provide excellent grip even in adverse conditions, working well with both bare fingers and gloves.
Leofoto’s use of single-piece, snug-fitting internal shims between each leg section is well- designed and executed in my opinion and is the same design as I found in their Summit series. The design of these particular shims helps keep the legs well aligned and significantly reduces the twist in each section. I found a degree of twist when I was using it, but nothing more than I would usually expect.
The LX-225CT comes with grippy removable feet that use a ¼” screw type, so you can replace them with another foot if you want to, but you’d need to buy those separately. I haven’t needed a different foot for my uses though.
The XB-32Q Ball head
I actually like the XB-32Q ball head a lot. I’ve used about five different travel ball heads in my time and always ended up relegating them to the cupboard for a variety of reasons. The biggest reason was usually a lack of friction. This could make the camera drop quickly, so you always had to ensure you were holding onto the camera when making adjustments.
The XB-32Q has a friction dial built into the angle adjustment knob, which allows you to choose the right amount of friction for you. I tested it up to around 3-3.5KG with my Z9 rigged up and the friction provided the right amount of grip without issue.
Many ball heads are renowned for developing creep, which is where the angle moves slightly when you tighten the knob. I’m happy to say that I’ve not noticed any creep at all when I’ve tested the panning knob and the angle adjustment knob with my Z9. For testing, I zoomed in to 70mm, focussed on a cross on the wall and used live view. The knobs have grippy grooves cut into them that looks good and helps with grip. I like that the knob that operates the Arca Swiss clamp is knurled instead, so feels different on your fingers. This should help you to not accidentally release your camera when you’ve got your head in the game.
The Arca Swiss clamp is not wide, but is still practical, even with heavier cameras and makes using smaller cameras easier. I found the spirit level to be accurate and easy to spot.
Real-World Functionality
So far, I’ve been happy with how the LX-225CT has performed. I’ve used it extensively across multiple locations in the field, in my home and once in the studio. It performed exactly as I would expect: quick to deploy and easy to operate. The rubberised grip on one of the legs makes carrying the tripod by hand comfortable and its ease of use leaves me able to focus on what I am trying to shoot.
I’d say it’s sturdy and stable enough for most real-world uses, but the usual vibration issues that you might expect from this type of tripod do make long exposures impractical. If you’re videoing with a heavier camera, this may not be the right tripod for you. If you’re using a lighter portable system, then I’ve found the LX-225CT to excel!
As I mentioned earlier, I’ve been using the LX-225CT with my DJI Pocket 3 and it has been an excellent and practical pairing. I’ve been using the Pocket 3 with the battery base and paired it with the included Arca Swiss plate from the LX-225CT kit, which has made it very easy to mount. With such a diminutive weight on top of the tripod, it has been perfectly stable and performed without issue so far. If the wind is picking up, I would recommend weighting the tripod by clipping something like your bag to the bottom using the included carabiner, which will help keep the tripod planted in the wind.
Load Capacity and Stability
When considering the load capacity of a tripod, bear in mind that they are rated for vertical, centred loads as opposed to offset loads. You need to take into account that if your tripod is not level or you mount your camera off-axis at 90 degrees from your tripod head, gravity then applies leverage to the tripod. This effectively reduces the practical load capacity, thanks to leverage and torque from gravitational force. 90 degrees can roughly halve the practical load capacity. Here’s the science stuff:
The torque from the offset weight from the camera must be resisted by the tripod head's tilt- locking mechanism and the tripod’s overall stability.
Formulas you can use:
- Force due to gravity: F = G * (m1 * m2) / r²
- Rotational Force: τ = rFsin(θ)G
- Gravitational Acceleration: 9.80665 m/s²
Practical Example:
Camera mass: 8 kg
Gravitational acceleration: c.9.81 m/s²
Mounting angle: 90° (side-mounted, creating torque)
Horizontal offset (distance from tripod's vertical axis to camera's centre of mass): let's assume
0.15 m (typical for a full-size DSLR or mirrorless with lens on an L-bracket or side-arm)
1. Force due to Gravity (Weight):
F=m⋅g=8⋅9.81=78.48N
2. Torque Created (Rotational Force):
τ=F⋅r=78.48⋅0.15=11.77Nm
Why this reduces load capacity:
Friction-based locks lose effectiveness: Most tripods and tripod heads lock using friction. Friction resists force, not torque.
As torque increases, the frictional force required increases proportionally. So a 10 kg vertical capacity might only resist 5 kg of sideways torque before slipping. The further the load is from the pivot, the greater the rotational stress on the locking mechanism, which amplifies small movements or vibrations.
With that in mind, a 6kg load capacity (I’ll call it practically 3kg) should be more than enough load capacity for most travel photographers and vloggers’ uses (especially if hybrid shooting) and should provide enough stability for similar applications, but you may run into issues with instability and vibration if you use heavier gear.
As noted, I’ve tested with my Z9 rigged up to around 3-3.5kg and was surprised to find the setup to be stable enough to use, even at offset angles. If you are in a pinch and do need to angle up or down with a heavier system, make sure the weight of the camera stands over one of the legs and not between the legs. This promotes stability and will help to prevent your camera from toppling over.
The instability associated with travel tripods will have a pronounced effect on long to very-long exposure photography and videography (particularly telephoto videography) with heavier setups. If this isn’t your sort of thing, I expect it will be less of a concern to you.
My general advice if you are experiencing abnormal vibrations that are affecting your images is to lower or remove the centre column, make sure all knobs and locks on every component are suitably tightened and that your tripod feet are firmly planted to the floor. If you’re on grass/soil and are using spikes, make sure the spikes are firmly planted in the ground.
Accessories
I’ve found the included accessories to be a solid offering, grippy rubber general-purpose feet, a solid ball head, a short centre column and a padded carry bag are all included with the price; along with a set of Allen keys and a multi-tool.The bag is a perfect size for the tripod and features a robust shoulder strap with a good-sized zippered side pocket for tools/accessories.
Things I don’t like too much
I’m struggling to find things I don’t like with this tripod, except for the spigot that attaches the head to the centre column. It is removable from the platform when it doesn’t need to be. If I were to remove the adjustable centre column for the short one in the field, it would be possible to lose the spigot. I can understand why It is removable for a manufacturing purpose, but for a practical purpose, it could cause an issue. I’m not sure I would bother to remove the extendable centre column personally, but if you plan to do so, then it is something you need to be aware of.
I also find the friction knob moves with little resistance. It doesn’t spin freely, but perhaps it could be dampened a little more, as it can creep if it is caught or knocked in the field, but I don’t think it would move it enough to cause you any real issue.
As a 6”2 tall person, it is on the low working height side for me, but I’m genuinely happy to sacrifice the working height for the compactness and lightweight form the LX-225CT offers.
Value
I hate talking about money and I have no intention of telling you to spend yours or comparing prices between brands. You can pay less for a travel tripod, but that doesn’t mean the LX-225CT isn’t worth the money. I think its key selling point is its folded-down size and low weight, with good overall stability for this type of tripod. This makes it a compelling option, but since it is paired with the XB-32Q ball head, I think the value jumps significantly. It really is an excellent ball head and the adjustable friction presents significant added value.
Final Thoughts
The Leofoto LX-225CT is the tripod I didn’t know I needed. However, now that I have it, I don’t want to let it go. Hopefully, I get to keep it, as it’s made the dreaded talking-to-camera stuff so much easier when I’m doing the whole vlogging thing. I feel like I can rely on it to keep my Pocket 3 secure and I am confident that it will help me get quality video.
For my landscape and portrait photography, I will be sticking with a full-sized tripod (I’m used to ones that extend to 7ft!) as that type of tripod provides a much more stable platform by design, but that’s not to fault the LX-225CT. They are simply designed for different purposes.
In summary, I think that the LX-225CT’s compact form factor with its ability to extend to a usable working height, its ease of use and its combination of strength, stability, practical load capacity and light weight makes it an excellent choice for vloggers and travel photographers who pack light. When you consider the inclusion of an excellent ball head and up to 10-year warranty support (depending on your region), you have a tripod that offers a compelling and practical package that should last you many years of field use.