Leofoto LR-50 quick release clamp with quick release plate

Leofoto LR-50 quick-release clamp with quick-release plate, compact, lightweight, amazingly robust

Sometimes you only realize while working how much time disappears in tiny actions. Mounting the camera, tightening it, loosening it again – and this is exactly where the Leofoto LR-50 quick-release clamp with NP-50 quick-release plate comes in: it ensures that your camera sits securely on the tripod within seconds and is released just as quickly, without you having to fiddle with screws all the time.

The LR-50 is deliberately designed as a lightweight alternative to classic quick-release clamps without cutting back on functionality. Despite its low weight of only 93 g, it feels surprisingly solid and high-quality in use, almost as if it were significantly larger and heavier than it actually is.

Arca-style compatible, flexible for 38 mm dovetail systems

According to the manufacturer, the clamp accepts Arca-style compatible 38 mm dovetail profiles and is therefore suitable for many common quick-release plates and L-brackets. In addition, it accepts Wimberley dovetail and Kirk dovetail, so you don’t have to change the entire system every time you use different plates. This broad compatibility makes the LR-50 a very practical solution for photographers who use multiple setups in parallel.

With its lever clamp, the quick-release clamp ensures that the plate is guided cleanly and clamped securely. The jaw length of 5.0 cm provides a solid contact area, which is particularly reassuring when using heavier cameras or longer lenses.

Arca-style compatible, lever clamp for fast changes

At the heart of the LR-50 is the lever clamp with quick-release lever. Instead of turning a screw, you simply flip the lever closed and the plate is locked in place. Open, engage, close – it’s almost done in passing. Especially when it’s cold outside or you’re working with gloves, this type of clamping is a real comfort gain.

The clamping width is adjustable, which means you can finely tune the clamp to different tolerances of various Arca-style compatible plates. The included hex key allows this adjustment with the clamp closed, so you can see directly how tight or loose the plate ultimately sits. That may sound like a small detail, but in practice it makes a noticeable difference when you use several types of plates.

Arca-style compatible, precise alignment thanks to scale and bubble level

For precise alignment of your camera, the LR-50 is equipped with a laser-engraved millimeter scale and a center mark. The laser engraving is permanent, easy to read, and helps you set the camera position reproducibly, for example if you frequently use certain framing or want to build multiple setups in a comparable way.

In addition, the quick-release clamp features an integrated circular bubble level. This small spirit level is recessed directly into the housing and helps you align the camera precisely without having to rely on the viewfinder scale or a separate bubble level every time. This is a noticeable advantage, especially on uneven ground or for architectural photography.

Arca-style compatible, robust materials and high-quality finish

For the material, Leofoto relies on 6061-T6 aluminum and stainless steel. 6061-T6 aluminum is a proven aircraft-grade alloy that offers a very good ratio of weight to strength. The highly stressed areas and connecting elements benefit from stainless steel, which provides additional durability.

The surface is black anodized, which not only looks discreet but also acts as a coating that protects the material from scratches and corrosion. In the hand, the clamp feels pleasantly smooth but not slippery. You can tell it is designed for continuous use in the field, not just for occasional studio work.

Arca-style compatible, well-thought-out dimensions for everyday use

With a length of 8.1 cm and a width of 6.6 cm, the LR-50 is compact enough not to look bulky on smaller tripod heads, while still offering enough contact area for a stable connection to the quick-release plate. The jaw length of 5.0 cm ensures a secure hold of the plate without adding unnecessary bulk.

This balance of size and weight makes the quick-release clamp particularly interesting for anyone who travels a lot, whether on city trips, in the mountains, or for reportage work. It hardly takes up space in your backpack, yet provides the stability in use that you would expect from a professional clamp.

Arca-style compatible, flexible mounting options

When it comes to mounting, the LR-50 proves to be surprisingly versatile. You can mount it in the classic way via a 3/8" UNC thread, which is standard on many tripod heads. Alternatively, it can also be bolted through from above using a 1/4" UNC countersunk screw or an M6 countersunk screw. This allows the quick-release clamp to be integrated very flexibly into existing setups, such as on special panoramic heads, macro rails, or custom brackets.

These various mounting holes are not just a nice extra but make the LR-50 a kind of interface between different systems. So if you like tinkering or building your own solutions, you have a solid base here on which you can build very well.

Arca-style compatible, secure hold despite lightweight construction

Although the LR-50 weighs only 93 g, it conveys a very secure feeling in use. The combination of precisely milled jaws, adjustable clamping width, and lever clamp ensures that the camera sits firmly without you having to apply excessive force. Once engaged, everything stays where it should.

We would say: it feels like a significantly heavier clamp, just without the extra weight in your bag. Especially on longer tours or if you deliberately want to keep your setup lean, this is an advantage that should not be underestimated.

Arca-style compatible, practical details for smooth operation

In everyday use, it is often the small things that make the difference. The LR-50 quick-release clamp brings several of these: the laser-engraved scale makes reproducible positioning easier, the center mark helps with symmetrical camera alignment, and the integrated circular bubble level supports you in precise leveling.

The adjustable clamping width is particularly helpful if you use plates from different manufacturers which, despite the Arca-style standard, have slightly different dimensions. Instead of getting annoyed about plates that are too tight or too loose, you simply adapt the clamp; once properly adjusted, the system then runs very unobtrusively in everyday use – which in this case is a compliment.

Arca-style compatible, ideal for Leofoto tripods and beyond

The LR-50 is a very suitable addition to Leofoto tripods, but it also works just as well on many other tripods and heads with matching threads. If you already use Leofoto equipment, it integrates seamlessly into your existing system. If you use other brands, you still benefit from the Arca-style compatibility and the flexible mounting options.

All in all, the Leofoto LR-50 quick-release clamp with quick-release plate is a well-thought-out, lightweight, and at the same time robust solution for anyone who wants to mount their camera on a tripod quickly, precisely, and reliably without having to deal with unnecessary ballast or complicated handling.