Really Right Stuff BH-55 vs LEOFOTO LH-55

5 years 6 months ago #624616 by Sanford
I saw another post here about this Leofoto brand and started to look around on B&H and now curious what's the deal.  If you look at the RRS BH-55:  www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1301051-R..._with_full_size.html

It's sold for $489 



Got a good look at it? 

Now if you look at this LEOFOTO LH-55 for example:  www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1375174-R...ofile_ball_head.html

It's sold for $232 AND looks pretty darn close to the RRS, except the price tag is well below 50% less.  
And these seem to get solid reviews.  So, what's the catch here?




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5 years 6 months ago #624647 by Nikon Shooter
The quality of material, design, function. and
durability. To that, add the ambitious position-
ing on the market of the manufacturer.

Light is free… capturing it is not!
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5 years 6 months ago #624662 by garyrhook
Leofoto is, in all likelihood and by all appearances, a knock-off from China, where companies that do not respect IP will freely steal ideas and designs from others and create cheap replicas.

This is a common, long-standing practice/problem. And not just for photography equipment. Unfortunately, defending IP can be very expensive.

If you want to give your money to a company that likely did no more than copy someone, and is likely making equipment that is not near the quality of the original, won't hold up over time, is probably not precision made, etc, then by all means, pay less.

If, however, you wish to support quality work, own quality equipment, and encourage said quality, buy what you know to be the good stuff.

The lower price is not always the best deal. And paying less is not always the best course of action, holistically speaking.


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5 years 6 months ago #624841 by JaneK
Honestly, I would stick with the RRS.  You can't go wrong with them.  


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5 years 6 months ago #625230 by Ben Howen
Isn't there design patents that protect brands from this?  Surprised how close it looks to really right stuff.  

Canon T3i, 18-55mm IS, 50mm, 55-250mm
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5 years 6 months ago #625327 by garyrhook

Ben Howen wrote: Isn't there design patents that protect brands from this?  Surprised how close it looks to really right stuff.  


Usually, yes, but that presumes the IP is registered, and that the products come from somewhere/someone that respects IP. And frankly, China has a long history of not doing so. There's lots of history about this, in multiple product areas.

Read up on Behringer. They made Mackie clones, and Mackie lost their lawsuits. Unfortunate. It depends upon whether the design is copyrighted (or even copyrightable).

All that said, I repeat: buy the original, quality product.


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