What is the Best Tripod for a Spotting Scope?

What is the Best Tripod for a Spotting Scope?

A stable tripod is essential when using a spotting scope. Fortunately, a good tripod doesn't always have to be heavy. With the advent of carbon materials, there are now lightweight yet sturdy tripods available that are perfect for a spotting scope. Leofoto tripods are a prime example of this. To test whether these are suitable for a spotting scope, I took a Leofoto tripod out into the field.

Written by Rob van Keulen

Rob has a deep passion for nature and is an avid hiker. He photographs landscapes, plants, and birds, and has been a lifelong birdwatching enthusiast who still enjoys even the most common species.

Choosing the Right Tripod for Your Spotting Scope

When choosing a tripod for a spotting scope, it's important that you can stand comfortably upright while looking through the scope. A scope with a 45-degree viewing angle is ideal, as it minimizes the need to extend the tripod. This is especially useful in tight spaces and also ensures maximum stability.

"These tripods are equipped with a video head with a handle."

Many Leofoto tripods come equipped with a video head with a handle, which allows for smoother operation of the scope. Initially, I considered using a Leofoto tripod with a ball head, but immediately missed the handle for smoother adjustments. After some research, I was recommended the Leofoto Manba video tripod series. These tripods feature a video head with a handle, which turns out to be highly recommended for use with a spotting scope.

My Experience with the Leofoto LV-284C with BV-5 Video Head

For the test, I took the Leofoto LV-284C with BV-5 video head out into the field. This tripod proved to be a joy to work with: quick and easy to set up thanks to the large clamps, featuring a center column with built-in leveling, and a video head that moves smoothly and fluidly. The 10-layer carbon construction makes the tripod lightweight and easy to carry.

Platform met ingebouwde kogel
Bushnell Nitro scope op Leofoto statief

Platform with Built-In Ball Head

The Manba LV-284C carbon tripod with BV-5 video head is both light and strong, capable of supporting up to 4 kilograms. During the test, I used four different Bushnell spotting scopes, and the tripod handled each one with ease. With a maximum height of 158 cm, it allows for comfortable standing while viewing through the spotting scope.

Additionally, the tripod, thanks to its 10-layer carbon construction, is lightweight, even when carrying heavier scopes like the Bushnell Forge 20-60x80. When collapsed, it is very compact at just 56 cm in length. For taller individuals, however, the Manba LV-323C tripod is a better choice, as it offers a greater maximum working height of 175 cm.

The Unique Features of the Manba Tripod

What makes the Manba tripod special is its leveling center column with anti-twist groove and a platform with a built-in ball head. Even on uneven terrain, you can level the spotting scope using the leveling lever, even if the legs are unevenly extended. The BV-5 video head is fluid-damped and features a long control arm, allowing for quick and smooth movements of the spotting scope and rapid locking.

Leofoto FlipLock systeem
Bushnell Prime scope op Leofoto BV-5 kop

The Convenient Leofoto FlipLock System

The Leofoto FlipLock system makes it easy to adjust the tripod's legs. The clamps are dampened, and with a simple movement, you can release them, allowing you to quickly extend the legs and lock them again with just a few clicks. A small downside is that the video head cannot be tilted a full 90° upwards, but only up to 75°. This isn't an issue for birdwatching, but it can be a limitation if you plan to use the tripod for portrait photography.

Tip -Leofoto tripods are of excellent quality and are built to last. This is why Leofoto offers a 10-year warranty on their tripods. You can register your Leofoto product at Leofoto.eu. Leofoto.eu.

Verschillende Falcam F38 snelkoppelingsplaatjes
Opstaande rand van Falcam QR-plate

The Falcam F38 Quick Release Plates

Attaching a spotting scope to a tripod head can sometimes be tricky. A quick release plate makes this easier, but with a standard plate, the spotting scope can loosen during use. I recently discovered the Falcam F38 camera quick release base, an Arca Swiss compatible quick release plate with an anti-slip function. You slide the telescope with the F38 plate onto the F38 base, and with one press of a button, you can release it again. Unfortunately, the telescope can still move slightly during use, which is not ideal.

"This minimizes the rotation of the telescope on the quick release plate."

However, the Falcam F38 Anti Deflection Quick Release Plate offers a solution. This plate has two raised elements that fit perfectly behind the back of a camera body and approximately 86% behind the tripod foot of Bushnell spotting scopes. This minimizes the rotation of the telescope on the quick release plate. If there is still some play, this minimal play will not increase. Alternatively, Leofoto offers quick release plates of the NP-50/NP60 type, where you can raise a small lip using a wrench. The NP-50 and NP-60 can then be placed in the tripod head and screwed in. These are excellent solutions to keep your scope firmly in place.

Bushnell Prime - Leofoto Manba
Bushnell Forge

Conclusion

For this test, I used the LV-284C tripod, but ultimately opted for the middle model of the Manba Series: the Leofoto Manba LV-323C with BV-10 head. While the specifications of both tripods are very similar, the LV-284C proved to be just a bit too short for me in practice. The platform of the LV-323C is slightly higher, allowing the center column to be extended less.

The LV-323C has only three leg segments, which results in a larger pack size compared to the LV-284C with four segments. With this tripod, I can comfortably use my spotting scope and view through it while standing, thanks to the maximum height of 175 cm.

"With this tripod, I can comfortably view through the scope while standing."

The choice between the Manba kits depends on your height and the weight of the models. For example, the LV-284C tripod is 400 grams lighter than the LV-323C, but the BV-10 has more load capacity than the BV-5 video head. It's safe to say that the Manba tripods are excellent for mounting your spotting scope and are a pleasure to use.

Leofoto Manba LV-284C

Leofoto LV-284C + BV-5

Leofoto Manba LV-323C

Leofoto LV-323C + BV-10

ModelMax. heightMin. heightPacking sizeCarrying capacityWeight
LV-284C + BV-5158 cm17,5 cm56 cm4 kg2 kg
LV-323C + BV-10175 cm20 cm67 cm6 kg2,4 kg