Leofoto has announced a new mini tabletop tripod. The Leofoto MT-04 Spider has a unique folding leg design that allows it to be used in innovative ways as well as as a conventional tripod.
Leg design

The Leofoto MT-04 Spider tripod has legs that are divided into three sections. The lower two sections of each leg fold back up inside the section above to adjust the height. Each leg can also be independently locked at an angle of 35, 50 or 85 degrees. With the angle of all three legs set at 35 degrees, the three leg positions give a tripod height of 5.7 inches (145 mm), 8.9 inches (225 mm) and 11.4 inches (290 mm). However, by opening the legs to their widest angle, MT-04 Spider can go as low as 1.6 inches (40 mm). In addition, you can work with more varied tripod setups by locking one of the legs at a different angle from the other two.
Spider mode
As well as a conventional tabletop tripod use, the Leofoto MT-04 Spider can be used in Spider mode. As the legs can be folded, you can use them to clamp the tripod to objects to mount your camera. It’s very similar to the way you would use a GorillaPod. For example, Leofoto has posted photos showing the tripod with its legs wrapped through a metal grid. There are also photos showing the MT-04 Spider mounted on a glass balcony and even hanging from a metal basket.
Other features

The Leofoto MT-04 Spider tripod has a 3/8-inch screw thread on top for mounting a head. The Leofoto website shows the tripod being used with the company’s LH-30 ball head. Although the MT04 Spider only weighs 11.3 ounces (320 g) it has an impressive maximum load capacity of 11 pounds (5 kg). It also folds down to a height of only 6.7 inches (170 mm). Additionally, each of the legs has a series of ¼-inch thread holes for mounting accessories such as magic arms or cold shoes.
What we think
The Leofoto MT-04 Spider is a neat solution. As a regular tabletop tripod, it looks to have a sturdy design and a good load capacity. However, in Spider mode, the tripod allows you to create some innovative mounting solutions. The leg design doesn’t have the range flexibility of a GorillaPod, but it’s much quicker and easier to switch back into a traditional straight-leg setup. Additionally, you don’t have to use the MT04 for just your camera. It could be a useful solution for an awkward microphone position or mounting a smaller light. Let’s hope that the Leofoto MT04 Spider gets a U.S. launch soon.
Pricing and availability
The Leofoto website doesn’t state a price or launch date for the MT-04 Spider tabletop tripod. However, the asinobet.com website shows it as available from July 31 for ¥19,800 yen (around $140 at today’s exchange rates). Additionally, the MT-40 Spider legs will be available with the LH-30 head for ¥35,640 yen ($255) or the LH-25R head for ¥29,040 yen ($207). There are no details about whether the tripod will be available in the U.S. at the time of writing.