Velbon Luxi L III Travel Tripod Review
The great (and terrible) thing about photography is that cool new toys are constantly being released. In my case, it always seems that something better comes along right after I buy a piece of gear. Such was the case with the Luxi L III, which is Velbon’s latest in its series of travel tripods. Shortly after I wrote my “Choosing the Best Travel Tripods” article, I received a message from someone, tipping me off to this newly-released Velbon tripod. As the MeFoto RoadTrip was still a fresh purchase for me, I didn’t buy the Luxi L III right away.
After several more trips with the MeFoto RoadTrip tripod, I’m still convinced that it’s a great and versatile tripod for most people (if you shoot in the elements, it’s still probably the best option), but its weight and set-up and take-down time made me think more and more about the Luxi L III, so finally, I bit the bullet and bought it. (Update: it’s now 2016 and I’ve had it for nearly 3 years and still love it!)
The only places I’ve seen it are some sketchy store called “holgacamera.com” and a couple of sellers on eBay. The usual suspects like B&H Photo and Amazon do not have this version, only the older ones. I suspect they will get it at some point, but probably not until their stock of the Luxi L II is gone? I purchased my Luxi L III on eBay from this seller. My tripod shipped from Hong Kong and took 8 days to arrive.
So far I’m loving this tripod. I definitely recommend this tripod over the earlier Luxi L models as it has a taller maximum height (64.5 inches versus 63.4 inches), lighter weight (2.68 pounds versus 2.91 pounds), can support more weight (7.7 pounds versus 5.5 pounds). This last one is the big stat, as the additional 2.2 pounds it can support make it suitable for heavier DSLRs! The only downside to this version is that it’s slightly taller when folded: 16.5 inches (versus 15.35 inches). When I compare its folded height side by side with my Luxi F (note: same idea as the Luxi L series, but earlier) it looks almost exactly the same.
Here’s what I like about this tripod…
Overall, the way it compares to my Luxi F is what causes me to write this new review. In every single way that matters to me, the Luxi L III is a significant upgrade on my Luxi F tripod. It’s noticeably taller, can support more a lot more weight, weighs less, and is better built. While I have used my Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR with the Luxi F, I’ve always been weary of its stability on there.
My first test with the Luxi L III was with my heaviest camera and lens combination: the Nikon D700 and Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR, and it supported them easily. No stability issues at all–a big improvement over the Luxi F. Likewise, I have had no issues with my Nikon D810 and that lens.
The other significant improvement is that this tripod comes with a ball-head as opposed to a 3-way pan/tilt head. I hate these pan-tilt heads, so I’ve always recommended people replace their Luxi tripod head with a Manfrotto ball-head. With this tripod, that recommendation is no longer necessary.
Personally, I’ll still use my Manfrotto ball-head since I already own it, it is nicer, and because it’s compatible with my Black Rapid camera strap system. If cost is a consideration, though, it makes the Luxi L III much more attractive, as its ball-head is perfectly capable.
No tripod is perfect, especially not a sub-$200 one. The Luxi L III is well made, but it’s built as a lightweight travel tripod, with a mix of metal and plastic. The build quality simply is not as nice as the MeFoto RoadTrip, and I doubt it will last as long. After 5 years of use, my Luxi F is pretty much at the end of its useful life, and I’d reasonably expect to get 5 years of use out of this tripod, too. (In fairness, I am pretty hard on my gear…it’ll last longer for most people.)
By contrast, I can tell that the MeFoto RoadTrip will last a long time. The MeFoto tripod being heavier and more substantial has upsides as well as downsides. The other upside is that the MeFoto is better suited for adverse weather conditions, namely wind. I was up at Clingmans Dome in Great Smoky Mountains National Park a few weekends ago, and I took the MeFoto on that trip because wind was an issue. I had to hang my camera bag from the bottom of the MeFoto for added stability there, something I couldn’t have done with the Luxi L III. Had I only brought the Luxi L III, I probably wouldn’t have been able to use it up there, as it would’ve been too windy.
The upside to the Luxi L III over the MeFoto is size and weight. It’s noticeably lighter, and smaller in folded height. More importantly, and something I didn’t consider before, but the MeFoto has substantially more girth than the Luxi L III, making it take up a lot more space off the back of the camera bag, and in a suitcase, when traveling. With its twist to lock leg system, the Luxi L III also takes less time to set up. It’s only a matter of like 30 more seconds, but in the theme park context where time is of the essence, that can be a big deal.
Overall, I think the Luxi L III strikes a great balance in height, weight, folded height, and maximum load weight. It can’t hold as much as other tripods, but can hold significantly more than its predecessors (and my heaviest camera and lens combo with ease), while still being very lightweight. It does have weaknesses and isn’t recommended for landscape photographers in intense conditions, but for travel photographers shooting in more “normal” conditions (say, theme parks), I think it is the ideal travel tripod. For me, it’s worth owning both this and the MeFoto RoadTrip with this being my go-to Disney tripod and the MeFoto being my go-to National Parks tripod. If you are a travel photographer only looking to own own tripod, I would recommend this new Luxi L III tripod to everyone except those who will be shooting in wind and other intense conditions, where I think the MeFoto retains a slight advantage.
Want to learn more about photography to take great photos in the Disney theme parks and beyond? The best place to start is Tom’s Ultimate Disney Parks Photography Guide, which covers a variety of topics from links to tutorials, tips, and tricks to recommendations for point & shoots, DSLRs, lenses, and more!
If you do want to purchase new photography equipment, we recommend the following trusted & authorized retailers. Buying from these retailers helps support this blog, and doesn’t cost you a thing:
Amazon
B&H Photo
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For other photography equipment recommendations or photography tips in general check out a few of my top photography blog posts:
Best Books for Improving Your Photography
5 Indispensable Tips for Better Vacation Photos
Choosing the Best Travel Tripod
Choosing the Best Camera Bag for Travel
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Your Thoughts…
Do you own the Luxi L III or the MeFoto RoadTrip? What do you think of either? Are you considering purchasing the Luxi L III? If you have any other questions or comments, please leave them below!
Hi Tom. Love your photos and now use your site all the time for research. Just received my Luxi which I ordered from your suggestion off ebay. Took it out of the box and set it up and was really impressed with what I saw. I am going on a Disney sea/land vacation, and can’t wait to use it especially for the fireworks on Main Street. Thank you for your great reviews.
Tom, have been admiring your site for a long time and find the mix of information about two subjects I love – photography and Disney theme parks – to be unrivaled. Thanks for all of your work! Not ready for a tripod just yet, but whenever I am, you are the first one who I trust and will read when it comes time for my purchase. You keep updating your opinions of what is best and, since most of us planning to visit parks, are parents, being cost conscious is appreciated. I’m all about value with photography equipment. How else can we afford the family trip to Disney someday if we’re not? 🙂 Keep it up.
Hi Tom,
Just wondering if this tripod has a quick release plate or not? It appears to but I’d love to know for sure. My current tripod has quick release (I can’t imagine not using one anymore) but is much to heavy for travel so it often gets left behind at home or in the hotel. It would be great to have a tripod that’s both light and functional.
I’m loving this website/blog. I do a lot of photography and just booked a trip to Disney/Universal for February so I’m trying to see what equipment to take and where to visit!
Yes, it does. I think virtually every tripod has a quick release plate these days.
Sorry – did not mean to list twice!!
Hi Tom
I am looking for a lightweight tripod for birding and saw your review
How do you think the Luxi L III would work with a spotting scope?
I would use my trusty Slik pan and tilt head – is the Velbon ball head easy to remove and I think I might need a thread adapter?
Finally ; I have looked at photos and I am unsure how the Luxi legs extend and lock
Do you unlock at the top and all the leg sections ” drop down” at the same time?
Do you then lock all sections simultaneously using the twist lock at the top?
Thanks
Hi Tom
I’m looking for a lightweight tripod for birding and found your travel tripod review interesting
How do you think the Luxi III would hold up with a spotting scope attached?
Also, I would probably use my trusty Slik pan and tilt head – can the Velbon head be easily removed and what is the thread size on the Luxi?
Finally – I am confused by how the Luxi legs extend and lock !
Photos dont show more than one leg section as far as I can see
Do you unlock at the top and the 5 sections all ” drop down” together and then tightening at the top locks all 5 sections simultaneously??
Look forward to a reply – thanks
Greetings,
I’ve recently purchased the Velvon Luxi L III but now I’m a little confused. I have my camera (Nikon D7000) attached with a Black Rapid Sport. How can I link the ballhead to the Black Rapid? I’ve seen the FastenR Tripod and plate by Black Rapid but I’m no sure if they work for this tripod
Thanks for your guides and reviews!
Oddly, this tripod is still not available widely. One of Velbon’s common models might be similar in stats, but not sure. You can still find them on eBay. I just bought one used on eBay, from someone who also bought it based on this site and your recommendation. Thanks Tom! So far I am loving it. My poor wife actually humored me enough to do time trials of the Velbon versus a Best Buy Manfrotto that I own. For those curious, I save a total of 22 seconds combined between setup and tear down. Doesn’t sound like much, but it’s an eternity to her and she sits, in embarrassment, as I setup for photos.
You take glorious photos! Thank you for sharing them with all of us. I looked up Velbon’s website and found no line that has ‘Luxi’. They have travel tripods, but they are called ‘UT (Ultrek)’. I am just getting back into photography (been point and shooting for my kids’ entire lives), and am preparing for our first trip to Disney World. I need a great tripod! Is it possible the Luxi III is out there under another name?
I’m interested in MeFOTO Backpacker tripod. It would be more interesting to compare these tripods since they weigh the same (1.2 kg). I like the fact the maximum height of this Velbon is 164 cm (Backpacker only 130 cm). Does this Velbon has hook on the center column? This feature is also important for me.
I currently own Velbon P-Max tripod which is extremely light (0.8 kg) but also not stable. I hope either Velbon Luxi III or MeFOTO Backpacker will work better for my Canon EOS 400D and 24-105/f4 lens.
Now I can’t decide which one to take. I wonder why this Velbon isn’t possible to buy in common shops (Amazon, B&H Photo Video etc.) and why it is so expensive (in comparison with MeFOTO tripods). I also didn’t find this Velbon in official Velbon product catalog.
The Velbon does not have a center column hook. Not sure why it’s only available in a couple of locations, that does seem odd.
Hi Tom, I’ve just attended the Photography Show 2014 in the UK with the intention of picking up a travel tripod. I had a short list of 4 – Manfrotto BeFree, Giottos Vitruvian, Velbon Ultra Luxi L III & Mefoto Roadtrip. I had also given myself a price limit of £200 ($333). All the tripods Barr the Velbon used a reverse folded design where the legs fold up and around the head.
Firstly, I found out that Velbon do not supply the Ultra Luxi L III in the UK, so that was out. The Giottos was beautiful, but too expensive and still slightly big when folded. So that left me with the Manfrotto and Mefoto, both around £140 ($233). The Manfrotto felt heavy and had a lower weight capacity, so in the end I went for an orange Mefoto Roadtrip. I have to say that all these tripods are very thoughtfully designed with good materials, so they would all give good service. However, I cannot commend on the Velbon due to its absence at the show.
I will let you know how I get on with the Roadtrip.
Great review. Just ordered one from the following link.
http://www.holgacamera.com/velbon-ultra-luxi-l-iii-aluminium-tripod/
I’v got that! Thanks for your review, I ordered this one last week for my travel to Thailand, thanks again and sorry for my English and good luck!
I’m glad you took the plunge and are happy with this Tom. I really can’t wait to take mine out for a spin at DLR in a couple weeks. I also am happy with the added height and weight capabilities of this model.
You talked me into the Luxi L and I got it last week as a present. Looking forward to it.
What backpack do you use? Looks much more compact than my significant other’s choice. This combo would make a great Christmas gift for him.
I just bought the MeFoto – now I’m wishing I hand’t read this article! 😀 (Although in fairness, I love the MeFoto.)
I’m a little confused on one point – you said that it’s folded height is 16.5″, but that it’s shorter that the MeFoto. Isn’t that ~1″ longer than the Raodtrip? Also, I’m new to twist-lock legs. What makes the Velbon’s twist-lock faster than the MeFoto? Fewer segments?
I’m probably locked into my choice for a while, but this could help my brother out.
I really liked this review, Tom. I’ve got the MeFoto Daytrip for stuff around the house/campus/local parks, but have been really looking for something more substantial. Already owning a MeFoto unit means that I’ve been leaning heavily toward the RoadTrip, but I’ve heard such good things about the Luxis that I haven’t pulled the trigger on a purchase yet. While I’m still undecided, your comparisons will really help me out when I finally sit back down to look at the options!!
Yes sir, this is going to the top of my christmas list!