Leofoto MPG-01 single-axis gimbal head

Leofoto MPG-01 One-Way Gimbal Head for Telephoto Lenses

With the Leofoto MPG-01 one-way gimbal head you can get significantly more out of your monopod, especially when you’re working with long telephoto lenses. The head is specifically designed for stable monopods and is intended to handle heavy telephoto focal lengths up to about 800 mm f/5.6 in a controlled, steady and yet surprisingly nimble way. For travel photography, telephoto work and sports photography this is a very well-matched combination.

Arca-style compatible: flexible quick-release clamp for common dovetail profiles

The integrated clamp of the MPG-01 accepts (according to the manufacturer) 38 mm Arca-style compatible dovetail profiles, making it very versatile. It works with 38 mm dovetail quick-release plates and is compatible with Really Right Stuff dovetail, Wimberley dovetail and Kirk dovetail systems. This allows you to keep using existing plates, lens feet or replacement feet without having to completely change your setup. The lateral clamping of the lens in the clamp ensures that your telephoto lens appears to hang almost weightlessly, because the axes of rotation run very close to the center of gravity of the entire assembly.

Robust construction from 6061-T6 aluminum and stainless steel

For the MPG-01, Leofoto relies on 6061-T6 aluminum and stainless steel. This provides a robust, torsion-resistant design while keeping the weight moderate. At about 0.325 kg, the one-way gimbal head remains pleasantly light in your camera backpack without feeling wobbly. A height of around 8.0 cm, a width of about 6.3 cm and a depth of 10.6 cm result in a compact format that is easy to stow and doesn’t look bulky on the monopod.

Load capacity and range of use: up to 10 kg and 800 mm f/5.6

The Leofoto MPG-01 is designed for a maximum load of about 10.0 kg. This comfortably covers telephoto lenses up to 800 mm f/5.6 including camera. Especially with fast-moving subjects in sports photography or with shy animals in nature, you don’t want to struggle with an overtaxed head. This is where the MPG-01 plays to its strengths, as the setup can be moved in a pleasantly neutral and controlled way despite the weight.

Requirements for your lens and suitable quick-release plates

For your lens to be used on the MPG-01, a few conditions should be met. First, your telephoto lens needs a tripod collar so it can be mounted securely. Second, the lens must be equipped with a 38 mm dovetail compatible quick-release plate or a replacement lens foot with an integrated 38 mm dovetail clamping profile. This clamping profile should be sufficiently long so that you can balance the system properly. This prevents the combination from tipping forwards or backwards when you slightly loosen the locking knob.

Lateral mounting in the screw clamp

The clamp of the Leofoto MPG-01 uses a screw clamp mechanism. You insert the lens laterally into the clamp and then secure it precisely. Before inserting, first tighten the locking knob of the head and make sure that the quick-release mechanism is as level as possible so that the head remains stable while loading. Then open the jaws of the quick-release mechanism wide enough so that you can easily slide the clamping profile of the lens into place. Next, slide the profile into the clamp and carefully tighten the screw clamp. Before releasing the lens, check that the quick-release plate is really seated correctly and that the clamp is fully closed. This short routine gives you a lot of security in everyday use.

Balancing the lens on the mono gimbal

For the one-way gimbal head to fully play to its strengths, balancing your lens is crucial. Proceed step by step. First tighten the locking knob of the monopod head so that nothing moves uncontrollably. Then mount your lens with attached camera body in the clamp. Now stand behind your setup and hold the camera body as you would when shooting. With a relaxed grip, slightly loosen the locking knob of the mono gimbal so that the system can move but does not tip freely. Now shift the horizontal position of the lens in the clamp forwards or backwards until the combination remains level. After each small adjustment, tighten the clamp again so that nothing slips. Once the center of gravity is found, the whole system moves very smoothly and you can track subjects fluidly.

Mounting the MPG-01 on the monopod

You have two common options for attaching the Leofoto MPG-01 to your tripod. On the one hand, you can mount the head directly on the tripod, as there is a 3/8" UNC female thread on the underside that fits most monopods. On the other hand, there is also an integrated 38 mm dovetail clamping profile on the underside. This allows you to insert the MPG-01 into a suitable quick-release clamp if your tripod head or base already has a corresponding receiver. This way you remain flexible, whether you prefer to screw it on directly or work with a quick-release solution.

One-way gimbal head for dynamic subjects

The Leofoto MPG-01 is designed as a one-way gimbal head, meaning for controlled movement along a primary axis. In practice, this means you can pan your telephoto lens very quickly up and down while the monopod carries the vertical load. Especially in sports photography, for birds in flight or in spontaneous situations in travel photography, this design helps you concentrate on framing instead of constantly fighting the weight of the lens. The construction is designed so that the axes of rotation run as close as possible through the center of gravity of the setup, which noticeably eases handling even with heavy lenses.

Compact format for on the go

With a height of 8.0 cm, a width of 6.3 cm and a depth of 10.6 cm, the Leofoto MPG-01 remains pleasantly compact. In a backpack it takes up no more space than a medium-sized lens, fits well in side pockets and can also be stowed in smaller camera bags. The weight of about 0.325 kg is chosen so that you can easily take it with you on longer trips without compromising on stability. For many who travel a lot or cover longer distances on foot, this is a point that should not be underestimated.

Fields of use: from sports to wildlife

Leofoto explicitly recommends the MPG-01 for travel photography, telephoto photography and sports photography. In practice, this also covers wildlife, birdwatching and action scenes where you need quick reactions. Thanks to the stable control of long focal lengths, you can track subjects reliably without the framing constantly slipping. Especially at events or in stadiums, where you often have little space and hardly any time for elaborate setups, a compact one-way gimbal head like this really shows its advantages.