I've been using the RRS TA-2U-LB leveler for many years. Currently out of stock with no availability date. Today there seem to be several mfg that are producing something similar. I've like this one because even with a 12lb lens over my shoulder, it didn't slip where as the gitzo I'd previously used did. Does anyone have experience with the RRS clones Lefoto etc to recommend one?
Flowernut wrote:
I've been using the RRS TA-2U-LB leveler for many years. Currently out of stock with no availability date. Today there seem to be several mfg that are producing something similar. I've like this one because even with a 12lb lens over my shoulder, it didn't slip where as the gitzo I'd previously used did. Does anyone have experience with the RRS clones Lefoto etc to recommend one?
What happened to the one you had? Which one do you want, the one that attaches with set screws to a 2-series tripod and/or has the QR clamp on top? If you just want a leveling base with 3/8' threads and socket, then there are many options. Of the US-made levelers, Acratech comes to mind. https://www.acratech.net/categories/leveling-products.html
EB-1 wrote:
What happened to the one you had? Which one do you want, the one that attaches with set screws to a 2-series tripod and/or has the QR clamp on top? If you just want a leveling base with 3/8' threads and socket, then there are many options. Of the US-made levelers, Acratech comes to mind. https://www.acratech.net/categories/leveling-products.html
EBH
I still have it but need another one. I have the one that screws on with tripod std thread 3/8" and has a 3/8" post on top to screw in a wimberly or similar gimble head. Using it on a 3 series gitzo. Not a big fan of acratech.
Flowernut wrote:
I still have it but need another one. I have the one that screws on with tripod std thread 3/8" and has a 3/8" post on top to screw in a wimberly or similar gimble head. Using it on a 3 series gitzo. Not a big fan of acratech.
I use the Acratech without issue on my smaller pods. Compact, quick, big level and looks cool
I use a Leofoto YB-75LP 75mm half-ball on my series 3 Gitzo, but I take it you're not using a systematic pod with a bowl. Oh well...
I have several leveling bases from RRS, but I am really impressed by the new Sunwayfoto DYH-68. It has the lowest profile of any leveller of it size, and is one of the smoothest I have ever used. It also has a bigger brother with gigantic 90mm base if you need one that large. I bought mine on Ebay for $50.
Beware levelling bases that use knobs as opposed to the "wing" type of fasteners. Too many knobs, that are the same size and shape as the head adjusting the ball, and also the same shape/size as the knob adjusting the camera clamp release knob can create confusion when you have to rapidly adjust things.
The Sunway looks pretty nice, and there are many others, like Leofoto, that also come to mind, that are the same design.
I have one of the Leofoto bases and think it works well. Definitely recommend. They have several styles and sizes to accommodate different types of tripods.
It seems that the eBay dealers who carry Leofoto must list at full price, but several have accepted lower offers from me on different items.
The Acratech is exactly the type of leveler guyharrison warned about . If you use an Acratech head on it, the knob on the leveler is almost the same as the one on the head.
I have never had an issue with the knobs on the Acratech leveler or attached Acratech panoramic head
seems to be a non-issue
Cinstance wrote:
The Acratech is exactly the type of leveler guyharrison warned about . If you use an Acratech head on it, the knob on the leveler is almost the same as the one on the head.
rattlebonez wrote:
I have never had an issue with the knobs on the Acratech leveler or attached Acratech panoramic head
seems to be a non-issue
Of course it is not something happens often and I am glad you've never had a problem, but the concern is genuine. It only happened to me once, when I was using a geared head (Arca Swiss Core 60) which has very similar knobs for the gears and the locking clamp. I mistakenly loosened the locking knob when my eye was on the view finder. My camera crashed into the floor and damaged the front element of the attached lens.
guyharrison wrote:
Beware levelling bases that use knobs as opposed to the "wing" type of fasteners. Too many knobs, that are the same size and shape as the head adjusting the ball, and also the same shape/size as the knob adjusting the camera clamp release knob can create confusion when you have to rapidly adjust things.
The Sunway looks pretty nice, and there are many others, like Leofoto, that also come to mind, that are the same design.
Ironically, I tried a bolt-on "wing" type leveler and it unscrewed itself from the tripod when I tried to unlock the leveling ball. Even with set screws holding it to the tripod the force required to unlock the leveler overcame the grip of the set screws and the whole thing would start to unthread from the tripod.
The only leveling base I really trust is a systematic half-ball. Simply adjusting leg length is what I do on every other tripod.
rattlebonez wrote:
I have never had an issue with the knobs on the Acratech leveler or attached Acratech panoramic head
seems to be a non-issue
I have the Acratech leveling base that I use in combination with the Acratech Pano head. I've had the same issue with knob confusion when I've got my eye in the viewfinder. This is one of the reasons I had the standard knob clamp that comes with the pano head switched for their QR clamp. Acratech uses different sized knobs for the various controls I assume in an effort to avoid this problem, but I still found it a bit of an issue, especially when I was getting use to the head. What I really like about the Acratech leveling base is large, accurate level that is easy to read. I tried the Leofoto and while it worked well and I preferred the wing lock mechanism, the level is tiny and didn't seem quite as accurate as the one on the Acratech.
One tip when using the Acratech level base - have a reasonable amount of tension applied with the lock knob when you are positioning it. Otherwise, I found that it moves when you lock it down.
