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Archive 2010 · Leveling Base worthwhile?

Jukas
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p.1 #1 · Leveling Base worthwhile?

If I have a RRS BH-55 and will be acquiring a Gitzo tripod (probably 3530) is there a benefit to adding in a Gitzo 1321 leveling head to the mix?

Is there anything the leveling head can do that I couldn't do by adjusting the level on the ballhead itself?

Basically, I'm looking for a value to either justify or save me the cash of a leveling base.

Feb 27, 2010 at 09:10 PM

sjms
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p.1 #2 · Leveling Base worthwhile?

if you have the use for one most definately yes.

Feb 27, 2010 at 09:17 PM

parsons
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p.1 #3 · Leveling Base worthwhile?

i love mine on my Bogen / manfrotto.
if you want to do a panoramic, like this one http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/872318/0#8182872

i would suggest yes. as the base of the ball head will not twist on a level plane, and trying to get the legs sorted out, can take time!

simon

Feb 27, 2010 at 09:21 PM

dcains
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p.1 #4 · Leveling Base worthwhile?

I've got a Gitzo 2-series leveling tripod, and now that I've been using it for a few years, I'd really miss that feature. Well worth the minimal penalties (weight/stability) for me. Its main use is for leveling the head/panning base for multi-shot pano's, so if that's not a priority . .

Here you can see that the built-in leveling feature changes the design of the spider a bit:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Feb 27, 2010 at 10:06 PM

Mr Joe
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p.1 #5 · Leveling Base worthwhile?

Any comments on the Gitzo leveling base vs. the Acratech?

Mar 01, 2010 at 12:00 AM

Roland W
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p.1 #6 · Leveling Base worthwhile?

I like the Gitzo leveling base for its ease of use, but the weight of it is just a little too much for much of what I do. I have looked at an Acratech leveling base in the store, and it may be a good solution, but I have not actually used one in the field.

Mar 01, 2010 at 01:30 AM

dcains
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p.1 #7 · Leveling Base worthwhile?

I wonder if the new Feisol leveling bases are easily adaptable to other tripod brands?

http://www.feisol.net/leveling-base-c-16.html

The Manfrotto sure looks clunky to use:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554092-REG/Manfrotto_338_338_QTVR_Leveling_Base.html

Mar 01, 2010 at 01:59 AM

HerbChong
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p.1 #8 · Leveling Base worthwhile?

what do you need the base for? the Gitzo is perfect for use with a Wimberley and long lenses. if you want to do landscapes, you want something much lighter. i got the Gitzo leveling tripods because the combined weight for a head and leg set with a good leveling base is more than having it built into the tripod. of course, they're not cheap.

Herb...

Mar 01, 2010 at 06:12 PM

mrogers
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p.1 #9 · Leveling Base worthwhile?

dcains wrote:
I wonder if the new Feisol leveling bases are easily adaptable to other tripod brands?

http://www.feisol.net/leveling-base-c-16.html

The Manfrotto sure looks clunky to use:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554092-REG/Manfrotto_338_338_QTVR_Leveling_Base.html

I don't think Feisol Leveling base will work on another brand's tripods, but, I think Feisol came up with a better idea and I have been using it now for over a year with my 600mm f4 on the beach...super fast set-up, solid support and no crooked horizons when panning....

2012 © mrogers

2012 © mrogers

Mar 01, 2010 at 06:34 PM

dcains
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p.1 #10 · Leveling Base worthwhile?

Looks similar to Gitzo's built-in leveling feature, which couldn't be quicker to work with. The Gitzo has a locking lever on one side of the spider, and a spirit level on the bottom of the column. How does the Feisol column lock?

Mar 01, 2010 at 06:42 PM

mrogers
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p.1 #11 · Leveling Base worthwhile?

It uses a compression lock like the legs.....

Mar 01, 2010 at 07:14 PM

sperraglia
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p.1 #12 · Leveling Base worthwhile?

I've used the arcatech with a markins 20 ballhead and really like it. Very sleek, lightweight combo.

Mar 01, 2010 at 07:48 PM

mervifwdc
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p.1 #13 · Leveling Base worthwhile?

Hi,

I've just ordered a set of 5541 legs to use with a wimberly + 600L lens, I've read of folks using leveling bases under the wimberly, is there any point?

I can see a leveling base being very useful under a ballhead if your going pano's for example, but under a wimberly?

Merv

Mar 01, 2010 at 08:02 PM

dcains
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p.1 #14 · Leveling Base worthwhile?

I don't know, but maybe there is some merit there. If your fridge isn't level, the door swings open/shut by itself, so with an off-level tripod, the Wimberly will do the same thing. Not a big deal, but the pressure you apply to aim the lens won't be as balanced, right?

Mar 01, 2010 at 08:17 PM

mrogers
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p.1 #15 · Leveling Base worthwhile?

"I've read of folks using leveling bases under the wimberly, is there any point?"

merv...how are you planning to level your Wimberley?, are you going to adjust each leg or something?.... Even if you leave your collar unlocked and you twist the lens to get a straight horizon, when you pan and your base plate is not level, you will not stay level and you will not get a level horizon. This rig does that (allows leveling of base plate without three leg adjustment)and allows for height adjustment without having to readjust all three legs...
I have been corresponding with Feisol to add a spirit Level to their centering column mounting plate ( the only shortcoming). for now I've added my own on the Wimberley Head.

Mar 01, 2010 at 08:25 PM

rprouty
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p.1 #16 · Leveling Base worthwhile?

My wife and I had the Gitzo Leveling bases on our GT3531 and GT5540..We sold them.

Mar 01, 2010 at 09:55 PM

Roland W
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p.1 #17 · Leveling Base worthwhile?

Getting level when using a Wimberley is very useful. You have the balance issue, which will tend to apply different forces sideways on your rig as you point in different directions if you are not level. You also have the level horizon issue, as mentioned above. The horizon issue depends a little on what you are shooting, and if you can easily do post corrections for the errors. The Gitzo leveling base is much faster to adjust to level than adjusting legs, but you also get used to doing the leg adjustment fairly fast. Some of what I shoot only requires setting up in one location for the whole day, so leveling the legs is easy. For me it comes down to the weight as to if I want to haul along the Gitzo leveling base for either the Wimberley or for ball head shooting.

Mar 01, 2010 at 10:35 PM

mervifwdc
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p.1 #18 · Leveling Base worthwhile?

All good points! i've only used the wimberly a few times, and so far, I'm doing better with a good monopod than I am with my manfrotto 055 legs + wimberly. I'm blaming the legs not being quite stable enough, and hoping the gitzo 5541 legs will solve that problem. I think I'll try it without the leveling base, and get one later if I need / want it. I'm not over concerned with weight, This is mainly a car or jeep transported rig to a static spot. I'm not great at the idea of hiking for miles after images :-)

Merv.

Mar 03, 2010 at 12:32 PM

Jukas
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p.1 #19 · Leveling Base worthwhile?

I ended up snagging a leveling base at a very reasonable price. I figure I'll try it for a bit and worse case it'll end up on the B&S here.

Thanks for the input all!

Mar 03, 2010 at 07:15 PM

myers-mig
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p.1 #20 · Leveling Base worthwhile?

I have the RRS BH-55 and a Gitzo 320 tripod. Instead of buying leveling base (which adds weight), I purchased my BH-55 with the PCL-1 panning clamp. The great benefit of this clamp is that I can rotate for panoramas when the clamp is leveled with it's own bubble. Even when the tripod is not level the PCL-1 will still give perfectly level panoramas.

If you add a leveling base under the BH-55 you will have to level the base and then level the clamp (whichever one you have) on the BH-55. With the PCL-1, I can level very fast in only one step.

You can order the BH-55 with the PCL-1 or you can buy the clamp separately if you already have the BH-55.

I have owned two good quality leveling bases - sold one and sent the other back.

Dennis

Mar 04, 2010 at 05:52 AM

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